N-CSRS 1 n-csrsfasfpe113014.htm n-csrsfasfpe113014.htm - Generated by SEC Publisher for SEC Filing

 

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 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  94403-1906

(Name and address of agent for service)

 

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

 

Date of fiscal year end: 5/31

 

Date of reporting period: 11/30/14

 

 

Item 1. Reports to Stockholders.

 


 



 

Franklin Templeton Investments

Gain From Our Perspective®

At Franklin Templeton Investments, we’re dedicated to one goal: delivering exceptional asset management for our clients. By bringing together multiple, world-class investment teams in a single firm, we’re able to offer specialized expertise across styles and asset classes, all supported by the strength and resources of one of the world’s largest asset managers. This has helped us to become a trusted partner to individual and institutional investors across the globe.

Focus on Investment Excellence

At the core of our firm, you’ll find multiple independent investment teams—each with a focused area of expertise—from traditional to alternative strategies and multi-asset solutions. And because our portfolio groups operate autonomously, their strategies can be combined to deliver true style and asset class diversification.

All of our investment teams share a common commitment to excellence grounded in rigorous, fundamental research and robust, disciplined risk management. Decade after decade, our consistent, research-driven processes have helped Franklin Templeton earn an impressive record of strong, long-term results.

Global Perspective Shaped by Local Expertise

In today’s complex and interconnected world, smart investing demands a global perspective. Franklin Templeton pioneered international investing over 60 years ago, and our expertise in emerging markets spans more than a quarter of a century. Today, our investment professionals are on the ground across the globe, spotting investment ideas and potential risks firsthand. These locally based teams bring in-depth understanding of local companies, economies and cultural nuances, and share their best thinking across our global research network.

Strength and Experience

Franklin Templeton is a global leader in asset management serving clients in over 150 countries.1 We run our business with the same prudence we apply to asset management, staying focused on delivering relevant investment solutions, strong long-term results and reliable, personal service. This approach, focused on putting clients first, has helped us to become one of the most trusted names in financial services.

1. As of 12/31/13. Clients are represented by the total number of shareholder accounts.

Not FDIC Insured | May Lose Value | No Bank Guarantee


 

Contents  
 
Shareholder Letter 1
Semiannual Report  
Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund 3
Performance Summary 7
Your Fund’s Expenses 10
Consolidated Financial Highlights and  
Consolidated Statement of Investments 12
Consolidated Financial Statements 68
Notes to Consolidated Financial  
Statements 72
Shareholder Information 87
 
 
 
 
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Semiannual Report

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund

We are pleased to bring you Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund’s semiannual report for the period ended November 30, 2014.

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 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 independently managed by multiple investment managers (subadvisors), while the Fund’s investment manager retains overall responsibility for the Fund’s investments. 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); and debt securities including bonds, notes, debentures, banker’s acceptances and commercial paper; loans and loan participations; and mortgage-backed or other asset-backed securities, including collateralized debt obligations; as well as derivatives, commodities and currencies.

Performance Overview

For the six months under review, the Fund’s Class A shares delivered a +2.63% cumulative total return. For comparison, the Fund’s primary benchmark, the BofA Merrill Lynch 3 Month U.S. 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, produced a +0.02% total return.1 Also for comparison, the Fund’s secondary benchmark, the HFRX Global Hedge Fund Index, which is designed to be representative of the overall composition of the hedge fund universe, had a -0.65% total return.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. Please visit franklintempleton.com or call (800) 342-5236 for most recent month-end performance.

Strategy Allocation

Based on Total Investments as of 11/30/14


Economic and Market Overview

The global economy grew moderately during the six months under review as many developed markets continued to recover and many emerging markets continued to expand. U.S. economic growth trends were generally encouraging during the period. Economic activity improved in the third quarter of 2014, resulting largely from increased consumer spending, business investments, federal defense spending and a narrower trade deficit. The U.S. Federal Reserve Board (Fed) ended its asset purchase program in October, after gradually reducing its purchases during the six-month period, based on its view that underlying economic strength could support ongoing progress in labor market conditions. The Fed reaffirmed it would maintain its near-zero interest rate policy for a “considerable time” and stated its actions to normalize monetary policy remained dependent on economic performance.

Outside the U.S., the U.K. economy grew relatively well, supported by the services and manufacturing sectors. U.K. gross domestic product (GDP) continued to expand in the third

1. Source: Morningstar
2. 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.

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 17.

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quarter. In the eurozone, economic growth remained subdued as concerns persisted about the potential negative effects on growth from fundamental economic and labor market issues, as well as the crisis in Ukraine. In June, the European Central Bank (ECB) reduced its main interest rate and for the first time set a negative deposit rate; the ECB reduced both rates again in September. The ECB broadened its monetary easing stance by implementing an asset purchase program to prevent deflation and stimulate the economy.

In Japan, second- and third-quarter GDP contractions indicated the economy was in a recession. However, private consumption and exports improved in the third quarter. In October, the Bank of Japan expanded its stimulus measures amid weak domestic demand following a sales tax hike and as substantially lower crude oil prices exerted further downward pressure on inflation. In November, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe called an early parliamentary election and postponed a second sales tax increase scheduled for October 2015, as he sought to expand the mandate for his economic policies.

In several emerging markets, economic growth moderated in the third quarter. However, Brazil exited recession as government spending prior to presidential elections drove third-quarter GDP growth. Emerging market equities, as measured by the MSCI Emerging Markets Index, ended the six-month period relatively flat, amid headwinds such as soft domestic demand and weak exports in several countries, as well as concerns about the timing of U.S. interest rate increases and geopolitical tensions in certain regions. Many emerging market currencies depreciated against the U.S. dollar, leading central banks in several countries to raise interest rates in an effort to curb inflation and support their currencies. Several other central banks lowered interest rates to promote economic growth. After implementing monetary stimulus measures to support specific sectors, China’s central bank increased its efforts to bolster the economy by cutting its benchmark interest rates for the first time since July 2012.

As measured by the MSCI World Index, stocks in global developed markets advanced overall during the six-month period amid a generally accommodative monetary policy environment, continued strength in corporate earnings and signs of an economic recovery. Global government and corporate bonds performed well in local currency terms as interest rates in many developed market countries remained at historical lows. However, the U.S.

dollar’s appreciation against most currencies led these bonds to post losses in U.S. dollar terms. Commodity prices overall ended lower for the period, as measured by the Bloomberg Commodity Index, driven by steep declines in crude oil prices resulting from weak global demand growth and strong world supply.3 Gold prices declined amid benign global inflation and a strong U.S. dollar.

Subadvisors
11/30/14
 
Long Short Equity
Chilton Investment Company, LLC
Impala Asset Management, LLC
Independence Capital Asset Partners, LLC
Jennison Associates, LLC
Wellington Management Company, LLP
Event Driven
P. Schoenfeld Asset Management L.P.
York Registered Holdings, L.P.
Relative Value
Basso Capital Management, L.P.
Chatham Asset Management, LLC
Lazard Asset Management, LLC
Loomis Sayles & Company, L.P.
Global Macro
Graham Capital Management, L.P.

 

Investment Strategy

We manage the Fund using a multi-manager approach. While we are responsible for the Fund’s overall investments, we 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 sub-advisors and other investment options, among other things. The allocations to specific subadvisors may change from time to time based upon our assessment of their correlations to various markets and to each other, their risk profiles and return expectations. Long short equity strategies generally seek to produce returns from investments in the global equity markets by taking

3. Prior to 7/1/14, the index was known as the Dow Jones-UBS Commodity Index.
The indexes are unmanaged and include reinvestment of any income or distributions. One cannot invest directly in an index, and an index is not representative of the
Fund’s portfolio.
See www.franklintempletondatasources.com for additional data provider information

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long and short positions in stocks and common stock indexes (through the use of derivatives or through a short 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 corporate events. Global macro strategies generally focus on broad-based economic opportunities across numerous markets and investments.

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 nonhedging (investment) purposes. Such derivative investments may include futures contracts, swaps, options and currency forward contracts. The Fund may engage in active and frequent trading as part of its investment strategies.

What is a futures contract?

A futures contract, or a future, is an agreement between the Fund and a counterparty made through a U.S. or foreign futures exchange to buy or sell an asset at a specific price on a future date.

What is a swap agreement?

A swap agreement, such as an equity total return swap, is a contract between the Fund and a counterparty to exchange on a future date the returns, or differentials in rates of return, that would have been earned or realized if a notional amount were invested in specific instruments.

A credit default swap, or CDS, is an agreement between two parties whereby the buyer receives credit protection from the seller. The buyer makes periodic payments over the term of the agreement in return for a payment by the seller in the event of a default or other credit event.

What is an option?

An option is a contract to buy or sell a specific financial product known as the option’s underlying instrument at a specific price. The buyer of an option has the right, but not the obligation, to buy or sell the underlying instrument at or until a specified expiration date. Conversely, the seller (writer) of an option who opens a transaction is obligated to buy or sell the underlying instrument should the option holder exercise that right.

What is a currency forward contract?

A currency forward contract, or a currency forward, 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.

Manager’s Discussion

Three of the four strategies in which the Fund’s assets were allocated contributed to absolute performance for the period, led by long short equity and global macro. The event driven strategy allocation also showed a gain. In contrast, The Fund’s relative value investments declined modestly.

The Fund’s long short equity strategy managers were Chilton Investment Co., Impala Asset Management, Independence Capital Asset Partners, Jennison Associates and Wellington Management Co. All five subadvisors contributed positive performance for the period, led by the health care specialist and technology-focused managers. Performance drivers for the strategy included exposure to biotechnology, pharmaceutical, chemical, commercial and retail stocks. Meaningful detractors from performance included consumer non-cyclical (e.g., food processing and personal products) equities, as well as equity index hedges through positions in ETFs. Net and gross exposures within the long short strategy remained relatively unchanged as managers were optimistic about the longer term performance potential for equity markets despite shorter term macroeconomic and geopolitical concerns.

Our global macro strategy manager was Graham Capital Management. The manager performed positively over the period, as a rally in the U.S. dollar benefited its trend-following strategy. Key contributors included short exposures to the euro and the Japanese yen achieved through currency forwards. Strong trends in currency price moves contributed to aggressive selling in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. In commodities-related trades, the strengthening U.S. dollar and other market factors, such as oversupply, led to declines for many commodities during 2014’s third quarter. Graham Capital implemented trades that sought to exploit these trends, which resulted in strong gains. Losses arose primarily from equity and fixed income exposures.

The Fund’s event driven strategy managers were P. Schoenfeld Asset Management and York Registered Holdings. A variety of event-driven company catalysts benefited performance for both subadvisors during the period, particularly in the technology, media and telecommunications sectors, where consolidation and significant levels of corporate activity continued. Starting in the fall, a rise in broad market volatility, falling energy prices, and increased political scrutiny related to so-called tax inversion strategies contributed to a significant widening of deal spreads and several notable announced mergers and acquisitions deals that failed to reach completion, which served to pare some of the managers’ earlier gains. In a tax inversion, a U.S. company seeks to acquire a non-U.S. company so it can move its

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headquarters abroad to a lower tax nation. Portfolio hedges were also a detractor for the period, given the overall rising equity markets.

Our relative value strategy managers were Basso Capital Management, Chatham Asset Management, Lazard Asset Management and Loomis Sayles & Co. In aggregate, the strategy declined for the period, with three of the four subadvisors posting losses. Overall, hedged bond positions supported performance, given that credit markets were broadly weaker because of increasing concerns about the timing of possible U.S. interest rate hikes. Other key contributors included gains from structured credit, distressed and currency-focused trading strategies. In contrast, the strategy’s investments in investment-grade corporate bonds, government sponsored enterprises and high yield corporate bonds detracted.

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


The foregoing information reflects our analysis, opinions and portfolio holdings as of November 30, 2014, 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.

David C. Saunders has been involved in the investment and trading of financial instruments since 1983. He has worked at Tucker Anthony & R.L. Day as an equity trader; First Boston Corp. as Vice President on the equity block trading desk; WaterStreet Capital, a hedge fund, as Head Trader; Tiger Management, as Head Trader; WorldSec Securities as President and ABN Amro Inc. as a Senior Managing Director. He co-founded K2 Advisors in 1994.

William A. Douglass III began his career at Donaldson, Lufkin and Jenrette Securities, where he worked in equity sales. In 1991, Mr. Douglass joined Tiedemann International Research, Ltd. (“TIR”) (Tokyo) as Director of Sales. He returned to the U.S. in 1992 to become Director of Sales for TIR’s North American operation, where he co-managed the firm’s U.S. business until April 1994. He co-founded K2 Advisors in 1994.

Brooks Ritchey is a senior managing director and head of portfolio construction for K2 Advisors. He is also a senior vice president and director of investment solutions for the Franklin Templeton Solutions division. Since 1987, Mr. Ritchey has successfully managed multi-asset mutual fund and hedge fund portfolios during his employment with organizations including Steinhardt Partners, Citibank, Finch Asset Management, Paribas, AIG and ING. Mr. Ritchey joined K2 Advisors in 2005.

Robert Christian is a senior managing director and head of research for K2 Advisors, which he joined in 2010.

Mr. Christian worked at Graham Capital Management, L.P., from 1998 to 2003 as a portfolio manager and researcher of quantitative-based trading strategies. At Julius Baer Investment Management from 2003 to 2005, he was the head of Macro Strategies. From 2005 to 2010, he worked at FRM Americas LLC where he was the Global Head of Directional Trading Strategies and portfolio advisor to numerous funds.

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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

Performance Summary as of November 30, 2014

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. 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.

Net Asset Value1            
 
Share Class (Symbol)   11/30/14   5/31/14   Change
A (FAAAX) $ 10.92 $ 10.64 +$ 0.28
C (FASCX) $ 10.85 $ 10.60 +$ 0.25
R (FSKKX) $ 10.90 $ 10.62 +$ 0.28
R6 (FASRX) $ 10.96 $ 10.66 +$ 0.30
Advisor (FABZX) $ 10.95 $ 10.65 +$ 0.30

 

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PERFORMANCE SUMMARY

Performance as of 11/30/142

Cumulative total return excludes sales charges. Average annual total returns and value of $10,000 investment include maximum sales charges. Class A: 5.75% maximum initial sales charge; Class C: 1% contingent deferred sales charge in first year only;

Class R/R6/Advisor Class: no sales charges.

                             
                     Average Annual   Total Annual Operating Expenses7  
    Cumulative     Average Annual     Value of $10,000   Total Return          
Share Class   Total Return3     Total Return4     Investment5   (12/31/14 )6 (with waiver)   (without waiver)  
A                       2.82 % 3.71 %
6-Month +2.63  % 1      -3.28 % $9,672              
1-Year +7.16 % +1.04 % $10,104   +-1.12 %        
Since Inception (10/11/13) +9.63 % +2.92 % $10,333 2.46 %        
C                   3.52 % 4.41 %
6-Month +2.36 %1 +1.36 % $10,136              
1-Year +6.48 % 5.48 % $10,548 +3.20 %        
Since Inception (10/11/13) +8.93 % +7.81 % $10,893 +6.89 %        
R                   3.02 % 3.91 %
6-Month +2.64 %1 +2.64 % $10,264              
1-Year +6.97 % +6.97 % $10,697 +4.63 %        
Since Inception (10/11/13) +9.43 % +8.25 % $10,943 +7.33 %        
R6                   2.45 % 3.34 %
6-Month +2.81 %1 +2.81 % $10,281              
1-Year +7.56 % +7.56 % $10,756 +5.25 %        
Since Inception (10/11/13) +10.03 % +8.77 % $11,003 +7.86 %        
Advisor                 2.52 % 3.41 %
6-Month +2.82 %1 +2.82 % $10,282              
1-Year +7.46 % +7.46 % $10,746 +5.23 %        
Since Inception (10/11/13) +9.93 % +8.68 % $10,993 +7.84 %        

 

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.

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PERFORMANCE SUMMARY

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. The Fund is actively managed and could experience losses if the investment manager’s and subadvisors’ judgments about particular investments made for the Fund’s portfolio prove to be incorrect. Some subadvisors may have little or no experience managing the asset 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. 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 at the price they have been valued. The Fund may invest in investment funds, which may be more costly than investing in the underlying securities directly. The Fund’s prospectus also includes a description of the main investment risks.

Class C: These shares have higher annual fees and expenses than Class A shares.
Class R: Shares are available to certain eligible investors as described in the prospectus. These shares have higher annual fees and expenses than Class A shares.
Class R6: Shares are available to certain eligible investors as described in the prospectus.
Advisor Class: Shares are available to certain eligible investors as described in the prospectus.

 

1. Price and total return information is based on net asset values calculated for shareholder transactions. Certain adjustments were made to the net assets of the Fund at 11/30/14 for financial reporting purposes, and as a result, the net asset values for shareholder transactions and the total returns based on those net asset values differ from the adjusted net asset values and total returns reported in the Financial Highlights.

2. The Fund has an expense reduction contractually guaranteed through at least 9/30/15 and a fee waiver related to the management fee paid by a subsidiary. Fund investment results reflect the expense reduction and fee waiver, to the extent applicable; without these reductions, the results would have been lower.

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

4. Average annual total return represents the average annual change in value of an investment over the periods indicated. Six-month return has not been annualized. 5. These figures represent the value of a hypothetical $10,000 investment in the Fund over the periods indicated.

6. In accordance with SEC rules, we provide standardized average annual total return information through the latest calendar quarter.

7. Figures are as stated in the Fund’s current prospectus. In periods of market volatility, assets may decline significantly, causing total annual Fund operating expenses to become higher than the figures shown.

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Your Fund’s Expenses

As a Fund shareholder, you can incur two types of costs:

  • Transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on Fund purchases; and
  • 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 following table 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 first line (Actual) for each share class listed in the table provides actual account values and expenses. The “Ending Account Value” is derived from the Fund’s actual return, which includes the effect of Fund expenses.

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:

1. Divide your account value by $1,000.

If an account had an $8,600 value, then $8,600 ÷ $1,000 = 8.6.

2. Multiply the result by the number under the heading “Expenses Paid During Period.”

If Expenses Paid During Period were $7.50, then 8.6 × $7.50 = $64.50.

In this illustration, the estimated expenses paid this period are $64.50.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison with Other Funds

Information in the second line (Hypothetical) for each class in the table can help you compare ongoing costs of investing in the Fund with those of other mutual funds. This information may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid during the period. The hypothetical “Ending Account Value” is based on the actual expense ratio for each class and an assumed 5% annual rate of return before expenses, which does not represent the Fund’s actual return. The figure under the heading “Expenses Paid During Period” shows the hypothetical expenses your account would have incurred under this scenario. You can compare this figure with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in shareholder reports of other funds.

Please note that expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight ongoing costs and do not reflect any transaction costs, such as sales charges. Therefore, the second line for each class is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you compare total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if transaction costs were included, your total costs would have been higher. Please refer to the Fund prospectus for additional information on operating expenses.

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            YOUR FUND’S EXPENSES
 
 
 
    Beginning Account   Ending Account   Expenses Paid During
Share Class   Value 6/1/14   Value 11/30/14   Period* 6/1/14–11/30/14
A            
Actual $ 1,000 $ 1,026.40 $ 15.95
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses) $ 1,000 $ 1,009.33 $ 15.82
C            
Actual $ 1,000 $ 1,023.60 $ 18.92
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses) $ 1,000 $ 1,006.37 $ 18.76
R            
Actual $ 1,000 $ 1,026.40 $ 16.66
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses) $ 1,000 $ 1,008.62 $ 16.52
R6            
Actual $ 1,000 $ 1,028.10 $ 13.93
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses) $ 1,000 $ 1,011.33 $ 13.82
Advisor            
Actual $ 1,000 $ 1,028.20 $ 14.13
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses) $ 1,000 $ 1,011.13 $ 14.02

 

*Expenses are calculated using the most recent six-month expense ratio, net of expense waivers, annualized for each class (A: 3.14%; C: 3.73%; R: 3.28%; R6: 2.74% and Advisor: 2.78%), multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 183/365 to reflect the one-half year period.

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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS            
 
 
Consolidated Financial Highlights            
Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund            
    Period Ended        
    November 30, 2014     Period Ended  
    (unaudited)     May 31, 2014a  
Class A            
Per share operating performance            
(for a share outstanding throughout the period)            
Net asset value, beginning of period $ 10.64   $ 10.00  
Income from investment operationsb:            
    Net investment income (loss)c   (0.06 )   (0.02 )
    Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)   0.33     0.70  
Total from investment operations   0.27     0.68  
Less distributions from net investment income       (0.04 )
Net asset value, end of period $ 10.91   $ 10.64  
 
Total returnd   2.54 %   6.82 %
 
Ratios to average net assetse            
Expenses before waiver, payments by affiliates and expense reductionf   3.52 %g,h   3.33 %
Expenses net of waiver, payments by affiliates and expense reductionf   3.14 %g,h   2.83 %
Expenses incurred in connection with securities sold short   0.70 %   0.56 %
Net investment income (loss)   (1.17 )%g   (0.35 )%
 
Supplemental data            
Net assets, end of period (000’s) $ 96,189   $ 96,889  
Portfolio turnover rate   154.61 %   181.06 %

 

aFor the period October 11, 2013 (commencement of operations) to May 31, 2014.
bThe 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 Fund shares in relation to income earned and/or fluctuating fair value of the investments of the Fund.
cBased on average daily shares outstanding.
dTotal return does not reflect sales commissions or contingent deferred sales charges, if applicable, and is not annualized for periods less than one year.
eRatios are annualized for periods less than one year.
fIncludes dividend and 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(f).
gRatios are adjusted to exclude the effects of annualization for non-recurring expenses.
hBenefit 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)            
    Period Ended        
    November 30, 2014     Period Ended  
    (unaudited)     May 31, 2014a  
Class C            
Per share operating performance            
(for a share outstanding throughout the period)            
Net asset value, beginning of period $ 10.60   $ 10.00  
Income from investment operationsb:            
    Net investment income (loss)c   (0.09 )   (0.08 )
    Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)   0.32     0.72  
Total from investment operations   0.23     0.64  
Less distributions from net investment income       (0.04 )
Net asset value, end of period $ 10.83   $ 10.60  
 
Total returnd   2.17 %   6.42 %
 
Ratios to average net assetse            
Expenses before waiver, payments by affiliates and expense reductionf   4.11 %g,h   4.03 %
Expenses net of waiver, payments by affiliates and expense reductionf   3.73 %g,h   3.53 %
Expenses incurred in connection with securities sold short   0.70 %   0.56 %
Net investment income (loss)   (1.76 )%g   (1.05 )%
 
Supplemental data            
Net assets, end of period (000’s) $ 25,351   $ 16,618  
Portfolio turnover rate   154.61 %   181.06 %

 

aFor the period October 11, 2013 (commencement of operations) to May 31, 2014.
bThe 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 Fund shares in relation to income earned and/or fluctuating fair value of the investments of the Fund.
cBased on average daily shares outstanding.
dTotal return does not reflect sales commissions or contingent deferred sales charges, if applicable, and is not annualized for periods less than one year.
eRatios are annualized for periods less than one year.
fIncludes dividend and 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(f).
gRatios are adjusted to exclude the effects of annualization for non-recurring expenses.
hBenefit 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 13


 

FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS            
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS            
 
 
Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)            
    Period Ended        
    November 30, 2014     Period Ended  
    (unaudited)     May 31, 2014a  
Class R            
Per share operating performance            
(for a share outstanding throughout the period)            
Net asset value, beginning of period $ 10.62   $ 10.00  
Income from investment operationsb:            
    Net investment income (loss)c   (0.07 )   (0.05 )
    Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)   0.33     0.71  
Total from investment operations   0.26     0.66  
Less distributions from net investment income       (0.04 )
Net asset value, end of period $ 10.88   $ 10.62  
 
Total returnd   2.45 %   6.62 %
 
Ratios to average net assetse            
Expenses before waiver, payments by affiliates and expense reductionf   3.66 %g,h   3.63 %
Expenses net of waiver, payments by affiliates and expense reductionf   3.28 %g,h   3.13 %
Expenses incurred in connection with securities sold short   0.70 %   0.56 %
Net investment income (loss)   (1.31 )%g   (0.65 )%
 
Supplemental data            
Net assets, end of period (000’s) $ 12,197   $ 11,660  
Portfolio turnover rate   154.61 %   181.06 %

 

aFor the period October 11, 2013 (commencement of operations) to May 31, 2014.
bThe 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 Fund shares in relation to income earned and/or fluctuating fair value of the investments of the Fund.
cBased on average daily shares outstanding.
dTotal return is not annualized for periods less than one year.
eRatios are annualized for periods less than one year.
fIncludes dividend and 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(f).
gRatios are adjusted to exclude the effects of annualization for non-recurring expenses.
hBenefit of expense reduction 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 FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)            
    Period Ended        
    November 30, 2014     Period Ended  
    (unaudited)     May 31, 2014a  
Class R6            
Per share operating performance            
(for a share outstanding throughout the period)            
Net asset value, beginning of period $ 10.66   $ 10.00  
Income from investment operationsb:            
   Net investment income (loss)c   (0.04 )   (0.01 )
   Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)   0.32     0.71  
Total from investment operations   0.28     0.70  
Less distributions from net investment income       (0.04 )
Net asset value, end of period $ 10.94   $ 10.66  
 
Total returnd   2.63 %   7.02 %
 
Ratios to average net assetse            
Expenses before waiver, payments by affiliates and expense reductionf   3.12 %g,h   3.19 %
Expenses net of waiver, payments by affiliates and expense reductionf   2.74 %g,h   2.69 %
Expenses incurred in connection with securities sold short   0.70 %   0.56 %
Net investment income (loss)   (0.77 )%g   (0.21 )%
 
Supplemental data            
Net assets, end of period (000’s) $ 221,474   $ 215,526  
Portfolio turnover rate   154.61 %   181.06 %

 

aFor the period October 11, 2013 (commencement of operations) to May 31, 2014.
bThe 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 Fund shares in relation to income earned and/or fluctuating fair value of the investments of the Fund.
cBased on average daily shares outstanding.
dTotal return is not annualized for periods less than one year.
eRatios are annualized for periods less than one year.
fIncludes dividend and 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(f).
gRatios are adjusted to exclude the effects of annualization for non-recurring expenses.
hBenefit 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 15


 

FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)            
    Period Ended        
    November 30, 2014     Period Ended  
    (unaudited)     May 31, 2014a  
Advisor Class            
Per share operating performance            
(for a share outstanding throughout the period)            
Net asset value, beginning of period $ 10.65   $ 10.00  
Income from investment operationsb:            
    Net investment income (loss)c   (0.04 )   (0.02 )
    Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)   0.33     0.71  
Total from investment operations   0.29     0.69  
Less distributions from net investment income       (0.04 )
Net asset value, end of period $ 10.94   $ 10.65  
 
Total returnd   2.72 %   6.92 %
 
Ratios to average net assetse            
Expenses before waiver, payments by affiliates and expense reductionf   3.16 %g,h   3.21 %
Expenses net of waiver, payments by affiliates and expense reductionf   2.78 %g,h   2.71 %
Expenses incurred in connection with securities sold short   0.70 %   0.56 %
Net investment income (loss)   (0.81 )%g   (0.23 )%
 
Supplemental data            
Net assets, end of period (000’s) $ 143,434   $ 54,593  
Portfolio turnover rate   154.61 %   181.06 %

 

aFor the period October 11, 2013 (commencement of operations) to May 31, 2014.
bThe 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 Fund shares in relation to income earned and/or fluctuating fair value of the investments of the Fund.
cBased on average daily shares outstanding.
dTotal return is not annualized for periods less than one year.
eRatios are annualized for periods less than one year.
fIncludes dividend and 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(f).
gRatios are adjusted to exclude the effects of annualization for non-recurring expenses.
hBenefit of expense reduction rounds to less than 0.01%.

16 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, 2014 (unaudited)      
 
Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund        
  Country Shares   Value
Common Stocks and Other Equity Interests 50.5%        
Aerospace & Defense 0.8%        
AAR Corp United States 500 $ 12,815
a,bB/E Aerospace Inc United States 15,811   1,231,202
aThe Boeing Co United States 3,867   519,570
bFinmeccanica SpA Italy 20,987   203,723
General Dynamics Corp United States 6,310   917,222
aTransDigm Group Inc United States 5,613   1,110,195
        3,994,727
Air Freight & Logistics 0.5%        
aFedEx Corp United States 9,799   1,745,986
aUnited Parcel Service Inc., B United States 8,992   988,400
        2,734,386
Airlines 1.8%        
bAir Canada, B Canada 7,986   78,093
bAir France-KLM France 13,094   138,121
aAmerican Airlines Group Inc United States 63,932   3,102,620
 b,c,dAMR Corp., Contingent Distribution United States 3,268  
aDelta Air Lines Inc United States 55,754   2,602,039
bInternational Consolidated Airlines Group SA United Kingdom 114,836   821,712
bSpirit Airlines Inc United States 4,050   334,894
bUnited Continental Holdings Inc United States 34,595   2,118,252
        9,195,731
Auto Components 0.3%        
bTRW Automotive Holdings Corp United States 12,245   1,266,133
Automobiles 0.6%        
Ford Motor Co United States 122,436   1,925,918
General Motors Co United States 6,838   228,594
aHarley-Davidson Inc United States 10,028   698,751
bTesla Motors Inc United States 1,295   316,654
        3,169,917
Banks 0.6%        
bBanca Popolare dell’Emilia Romagna Societa Cooperativa Italy 20,849   147,895
bBanca Popolare di Milano Scarl Italy 171,178   125,262
bBanco Popolare Societa Cooperativa Italy 8,981   123,951
aCitigroup Inc United States 2,676   144,424
b,eCommerzbank AG Germany 53,164   814,131
HSBC Holdings PLC, ADR United Kingdom 146   7,264
aWells Fargo & Co United States 27,010   1,471,505
        2,834,432
Beverages 1.2%        
aAnheuser-Busch InBev NV, ADR Belgium 23,723   2,775,354
aBrown-Forman Corp., B United States 10,566   1,025,430
a,bConstellation Brands Inc., A United States 11,286   1,087,971
Cott Corp Canada 10,924   71,552
Molson Coors Brewing Co., B United States 16,074   1,243,324
        6,203,631
Biotechnology 3.1%        
bACADIA Pharmaceuticals Inc United States 9,858   294,458
bAcceleron Pharma Inc United States 4,208   163,018

 

franklintempleton.com

Semiannual Report

17


 

FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)        
 
  Country Shares   Value
Common Stocks and Other Equity Interests (continued)        
Biotechnology (continued)        
bAcorda Therapeutics Inc United States 2,895 $ 105,523
a,bAgios Pharmaceuticals Inc United States 1,367   137,807
bAlder Biopharmaceuticals Inc United States 8,553   139,585
a,bAlexion Pharmaceuticals Inc United States 7,221   1,407,373
a,bAlnylam Pharmaceuticals Inc United States 8,391   843,715
bAmicus Therapeutics Inc United States 6,326   50,165
bApplied Genetic Technologies Corp United States 7,102   143,389
bAtara Biotherapeutics Inc United States 2,576   69,552
bAuspex Pharmaceuticals Inc United States 2,306   55,874
bAvalanche Biotechnologies Inc United States 847   33,448
a,bBiogen Idec Inc United States 2,572   791,379
a,bBioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc United States 19,415   1,741,914
bBluebird Bio Inc United States 4,887   201,491
bCalithera Biosciences Inc United States 4,721   50,373
bCara Therapeutics Inc United States 2,414   22,305
a,bCelgene Corp United States 11,959   1,359,619
a,bCelldex Therapeutics Inc United States 16,729   339,264
bChimerix Inc United States 4,173   147,057
bDyax Corp United States 13,953   195,900
bEagle Pharmaceuticals Inc United States 5,481   69,115
bFibrocell Science Inc United States 18,623   50,282
bFlexion Therapeutics Inc United States 908   15,572
a,bGilead Sciences Inc United States 6,970   699,230
a,bIncyte Corp. Ltd United States 17,378   1,312,908
bInsmed Inc United States 5,544   78,226
a,bIntercept Pharmaceuticals Inc United States 4,179   600,648
a,bIsis Pharmaceuticals Inc United States 16,004   828,847
bKindred Biosciences Inc United States 16,117   155,046
bKite Pharma Inc United States 844   35,431
a,bKYTHERA Biopharmaceuticals Inc United States 1,961   75,008
bMacroGenics Inc United States 976   27,582
bMedgenics Inc United States 7,179   29,649
bOtonomy Inc United States 9,748   234,049
a,bOvaScience Inc United States 10,135   256,010
bPortola Pharmaceuticals Inc United States 7,034   197,796
bProQR Therapeutics NV Netherlands 3,191   48,407
bProthena Corp. PLC Ireland 5,141   124,618
bReceptos Inc United States 3,045   411,989
bRegeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc United States 619   257,572
bRegulus Therapeutics Inc United States 4,353   81,575
bRetrophin Inc United States 3,467   35,017
a,bSangamo BioSciences Inc United States 14,594   176,296
a,bSynta Pharmaceuticals Corp United States 28,797   91,287
bTG Therapeutics Inc United States 4,487   66,946
bUltragenyx Pharmaceutical Inc United States 6,070   264,591
bVascular Biogenics Ltd Israel 5,673   35,428
bVerastem Inc United States 4,253   39,553
a,bVertex Pharmaceuticals Inc United States 8,121   957,304
bZafgen Inc United States 1,687   39,830
        15,589,021

 

18 Semiannual Report

franklintempleton.com


 

FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)        
 
  Country Shares   Value
Common Stocks and Other Equity Interests (continued)        
Building Products 0.4%        
aFortune Brands Home & Security Inc United States 34,439 $ 1,547,000
Sanitec Corp Finland 20,961   269,855
        1,816,855
Capital Markets 0.3%        
Lazard Ltd., A United States 14,637   754,098
aNorthStar Asset Management Group Inc United States 36,372   761,994
SEI Investments Co United States 3,000   118,890
        1,634,982
Chemicals 2.5%        
aAir Products & Chemicals Inc United States 17,189   2,472,294
Akzo Nobel NV Netherlands 31,303   2,164,427
The Dow Chemical Co United States 30,032   1,461,657
aEcolab Inc United States 11,584   1,262,077
aFMC Corp United States 8,897   483,997
Rockwood Holdings Inc United States 5,118   398,948
aThe Sherwin-Williams Co United States 5,887   1,441,491
Tronox Ltd., A United States 500   11,275
a,bWR Grace & Co United States 30,056   2,887,480
        12,583,646
Commercial Services & Supplies 0.6%        
bAtento SA Luxembourg 13,600   150,008
Edenred France 21,822   629,782
bMetalico Inc United States 114,883   43,943
Mitie Group PLC United Kingdom 70,328   308,210
Tyco International Ltd United States 36,831   1,580,050
West Corp United States 1,670   52,171
        2,764,164
Communications Equipment 0.4%        
bAruba Networks Inc United States 6,850   128,164
aCisco Systems Inc United States 24,259   670,519
a,bF5 Networks Inc United States 1,065   137,587
QUALCOMM Inc United States 4,220   307,638
bRuckus Wireless Inc United States 11,500   131,790
bSonus Networks Inc United States 152,700   564,990
        1,940,688
Construction & Engineering 0.1%        
Chicago Bridge & Iron Co. NV United States 2,693   134,731
Fluor Corp United States 9,412   583,450
        718,181
Construction Materials 0.1%        
aVulcan Materials Co United States 5,131   339,159
Consumer Finance 0.0%        
bAlly Financial Inc United States 1,737   41,306
Containers & Packaging 0.1%        
a,bCrown Holdings Inc United States 7,345   363,577
bGraphic Packaging Holding Co United States 9,095   113,233
        476,810

 

franklintempleton.com

Semiannual Report

19


 

FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)        
 
  Country Shares   Value
Common Stocks and Other Equity Interests (continued)        
Diversified Consumer Services 0.1%        
bCambian Group PLC United Kingdom 6,702 $ 25,157
Sotheby’s United States 7,231   292,205
        317,362
Diversified Financial Services 0.5%        
aCME Group Inc United States 6,011   508,771
aMoody’s Corp United States 13,283   1,341,716
aMSCI Inc United States 9,810   474,411
Voya Financial Inc United States 4,660   195,161
        2,520,059
Diversified Telecommunication Services 0.5%        
Koninklijke KPN NV Netherlands 312,598   1,038,705
a,bLevel 3 Communications Inc United States 19,110   955,500
bTelecom Italia SpA Italy 147,192   165,962
Telecom Italia SpA Italy 137,677   122,079
        2,282,246
Electrical Equipment 0.1%        
aRockwell Automation Inc United States 2,333   269,252
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components 0.1%        
bInvenSense Inc United States 3,400   49,266
TE Connectivity Ltd United States 7,400   475,080
bTTM Technologies Inc United States 3,368   22,768
        547,114
Energy Equipment & Services 0.4%        
Amec Foster Wheeler PLC, ADR United Kingdom 12,208   176,657
Baker Hughes Inc United States 5,183   295,431
a,bDresser-Rand Group Inc United States 13,652   1,107,314
bFMSA Holdings Inc United States 2,528   24,168
Schlumberger Ltd United States 4,472   384,368
        1,987,938
Food & Staples Retailing 1.0%        
aCostco Wholesale Corp United States 19,800   2,813,976
CVS Caremark Corp United States 593   54,176
The Kroger Co United States 16,187   968,630
aSafeway Inc United States 34,665   1,207,729
Wal-Mart Stores Inc United States 405   35,454
Whole Foods Market Inc United States 281   13,777
        5,093,742
Food Products 0.6%        
Cranswick PLC United Kingdom 9,128   210,438
bDiamond Foods Inc United States 5,845   174,123
Greencore Group PLC Ireland 28,973   133,227
Lindt & Spruengli AG Switzerland 23   1,374,641
Mead Johnson Nutrition Co., A United States 9,312   966,958
        2,859,387

 

20 Semiannual Report

franklintempleton.com


 

FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)        
 
  Country Shares   Value
Common Stocks and Other Equity Interests (continued)        
Health Care Equipment & Supplies 2.0%        
aBecton Dickinson and Co United States 13,454 $ 1,888,000
a,bCareFusion Corp United States 11,966   708,028
The Cooper Cos. Inc United States 680   114,852
Covidien PLC United States 48,968   4,945,768
bDBV Technologies SA, ADR France 3,229   81,888
a,bDerma Sciences Inc United States 10,080   82,757
bGenMark Diagnostics Inc United States 19,684   223,610
bInnocoll AG, ADR Germany 2,953   22,915
bInspireMD Inc United Kingdom 17,279   16,588
aMedtronic Inc United States 22,509   1,662,740
bNevro Corp United States 471   12,712
bNovadaq Technologies Inc Canada 9,870   141,635
bTandem Diabetes Care Inc United States 486   6,867
bTornier NV United States 2,247   59,972
        9,968,332
Health Care Providers & Services 1.3%        
bAcadia Healthcare Co. Inc United States 5,892   365,363
Celesio AG Germany 39,660   1,322,764
a,bCentene Corp United States 5,495   542,741
aCigna Corp United States 3,653   375,857
bCommunity Health Systems Inc United States 27,875   836
bEnvision Healthcare Holdings Inc United States 6,854   242,357
a,bHCA Holdings Inc United States 21,736   1,514,782
McKesson Corp United States 3,072   647,455
bMolina Healthcare Inc United States 3,610   184,543
Omnicare Inc United States 9,658   679,151
a,bPremier Inc., A United States 2,184   74,300
aUnitedHealth Group Inc United States 2,407   237,402
aUniversal Health Services Inc., B United States 3,685   385,525
        6,573,076
Health Care Technology 0.1%        
bCastlight Health Inc United States 2,233   27,756
bCerner Corp United States 2,406   154,947
bIMS Health Holdings Inc United States 7,220   180,500
        363,203
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure 2.9%        
bBloomin’ Brands Inc United States 23,406   532,955
Brinker International Inc United States 10,386   585,043
a,bBuffalo Wild Wings Inc United States 5,311   903,985
Carnival Corp United States 19,261   850,566
Cracker Barrel Old Country Store Inc United States 4,890   625,969
aDomino’s Pizza Inc United States 16,402   1,539,328
Extended Stay America Inc United States 10,457   194,500
aInternational Game Technology United States 50,975   868,104
Jack in the Box Inc United States 1,833   136,559
a,bLife Time Fitness Inc United States 11,115   615,549
Marriott International Inc., A United States 20,722   1,632,686
bMultimedia Games Holding Co. Inc United States 9,953   361,194
Sonic Corp United States 11,732   318,993

 

franklintempleton.com

Semiannual Report

21


 

FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)        
 
  Country Shares   Value
Common Stocks and Other Equity Interests (continued)        
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure (continued)        
Starbucks Corp United States 2,372 $ 192,630
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc United States 1,663   131,377
Tim Hortons Inc United States 2,952   249,739
Vail Resorts Inc United States 2,851   249,862
aWyndham Worldwide Corp United States 33,561   2,797,645
Wynn Macau Ltd China 65,300   213,038
aWynn Resorts Ltd United States 5,937   1,060,408
aYum! Brands Inc United States 5,623   434,377
bZoe’s Kitchen Inc United States 1,808   57,187
        14,551,694
Household Durables 1.1%        
biRobot Corp United States 4,400   160,248
Lennar Corp., A United States 31,194   1,473,605
MDC Holdings Inc United States 4,892   128,709
bMeritage Homes Corp United States 8,170   320,427
a,bNVR Inc United States 981   1,234,755
PulteGroup Inc United States 26,034   563,115
aThe Ryland Group Inc United States 29,829   1,167,209
a,bTempur Sealy International Inc United States 6,084   347,092
bWilliam Lyon Homes, A United States 1,866   38,402
        5,433,562
Household Products 0.2%        
Church & Dwight Co. Inc United States 10,087   773,774
Industrial Conglomerates 0.3%        
aDanaher Corp United States 18,606   1,554,717
Insurance 0.1%        
aAmerican International Group Inc United States 7,588   415,822
Internet & Catalog Retail 0.5%        
a,bAmazon.com Inc United States 1,505   509,653
Expedia Inc United States 1,900   165,509
a,bHomeAway Inc United States 13,025   408,464
a,bLiberty Ventures, A United States 12,066   442,098
b,eNetflix Inc United States 370   128,239
Travelport Worldwide Ltd Bermuda 36,100   626,335
a,bTripAdvisor Inc United States 4,886   359,854
        2,640,152
Internet Software & Services 2.2%        
a,bAkamai Technologies Inc United States 7,420   479,406
bAlibaba Group Holding Ltd., ADR China 24,286   2,711,289
bBaidu Inc., ADR China 4,082   1,000,539
bBankrate Inc United States 19,415   226,961
bBenefitfocus Inc United States 8,500   230,265
bCoStar Group Inc United States 2,000   340,520
a,beBay Inc United States 9,315   511,207
aEquifax Inc United States 10,885   865,902
Equinix Inc United States 2,686   610,179
a,bGoogle Inc., A United States 365   200,414
a,bGoogle Inc., C United States 465   251,951

 

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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)        
 
  Country Shares   Value
Common Stocks and Other Equity Interests (continued)        
Internet Software & Services (continued)        
bJust Eat PLC United Kingdom 18,749 $ 102,606
bMarketo Inc United States 5,800   185,368
bQihoo 360 Technology Co. Ltd., ADR China 1,000   74,330
bVeriSign Inc United States 5,140   308,914
bWeb.com Group Inc United States 6,970   118,281
bXoom Corp United States 14,900   208,749
bYahoo! Inc United States 46,760   2,419,362
bYelp Inc United States 5,695   325,128
        11,171,371
IT Services 2.7%        
Accenture PLC, A United States 9,060   782,150
a,bAlliance Data Systems Corp United States 1,745   498,843
aAutomatic Data Processing Inc United States 10,585   906,499
a,bCardtronics Inc United States 14,420   564,687
a,bCognizant Technology Solutions Corp., A United States 11,805   637,352
a,bEPAM Systems Inc United States 6,010   306,690
bEuronet Worldwide Inc United States 600   34,842
EVERTEC Inc United States 20,865   459,865
a,bExlService Holdings Inc United States 32,885   921,767
bFleetCor Technologies Inc United States 8,892   1,350,606
aForrester Research Inc United States 8,300   329,593
bGartner Inc United States 1,225   104,713
bGenpact Ltd United States 58,190   1,048,584
aGlobal Payments Inc United States 6,400   552,704
aHeartland Payment Systems Inc United States 17,235   939,652
aMasterCard Inc., A United States 13,894   1,212,807
QIWI PLC, ADR Russia 7,225   201,144
a,bVantiv Inc., A United States 16,025   540,683
bVeriFone Systems Inc United States 10,445   372,469
aVisa Inc., A United States 2,445   631,275
a,bWEX Inc United States 8,267   934,832
        13,331,757
Leisure Equipment & Products 0.3%        
Brunswick Corp United States 11,966   594,471
aPolaris Industries Inc United States 4,489   703,471
        1,297,942
Life Sciences Tools & Services 0.5%        
bFluidigm Corp United States 7,411   228,481
bGenfit France 3,102   153,838
a,bIllumina Inc United States 3,620   691,022
aThermo Fisher Scientific Inc United States 7,176   927,785
a,bWuXi Pharmatech Cayman Inc., ADR China 7,171   246,037
        2,247,163
Machinery 0.6%        
Airtac International Group Taiwan 19,000   171,290
MAN SE Germany 470   53,607
aPall Corp United States 14,145   1,359,476
aThe Timken Co United States 21,585   923,622

 

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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)        
 
  Country Shares   Value
Common Stocks and Other Equity Interests (continued)        
Machinery (continued)        
aThe Toro Co United States 9,056 $ 594,798
        3,102,793
Marine 0.2%        
American Shipping ASA Norway 8,218   49,306
Irish Continental Group PLC Ireland 219,470   846,704
        896,010
Media 4.1%        
aCBS Corp., B United States 29,035   1,593,441
bCharter Communications Inc., A United States 2,262   383,861
aComcast Corp., A United States 25,878   1,476,081
a,bDIRECTV United States 28,033   2,458,774
a,bDISH Network Corp., A United States 34,929   2,773,712
bImax Corp Canada 21,125   662,903
bLiberty Broadband Corp., A United States 4,217   231,260
a,bLiberty Broadband Corp., C United States 7,123   387,491
bLiberty Global PLC, A United Kingdom 33,572   1,745,408
bLiberty Global PLC, C United Kingdom 14,480   722,842
a,bLiberty Media Corp., A United States 27,102   996,541
a,bLiberty Media Corp., C United States 31,055   1,134,439
bThe Madison Square Garden Co., A United States 1,704   124,460
bMarkit Ltd United States 13,900   353,477
aTime Warner Cable Inc United States 17,433   2,602,398
aTime Warner Inc United States 9,272   789,233
Twenty-First Century Fox Inc., A United States 8,600   316,480
aThe Walt Disney Co United States 21,113   1,953,164
        20,705,965
Metals & Mining 0.4%        
a,bAk Steel Holding Corp United States 50,411   298,433
bB2Gold Corp Canada 55,310   89,049
bImpala Platinum Holdings Ltd South Africa 18,953   137,985
Newmont Mining Corp United States 11,984   220,506
bStillwater Mining Co United States 3,378   44,353
bThompson Creek Metals Co. Inc United States 68,241   115,327
ThyssenKrupp AG Germany 36,895   976,859
        1,882,512
Multiline Retail 1.1%        
b,eDollar General Corp United States 31,776   2,120,730
aFamily Dollar Stores Inc United States 26,425   2,088,896
aMacy’s Inc United States 19,241   1,248,934
        5,458,560
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels 0.6%        
b,eCheniere Energy Inc United States 12,198   804,946
Exxon Mobil Corp United States 318   28,792
bForest Oil Corp United States 67,300   38,361
Kinder Morgan Inc United States 3,622   149,770
Marathon Petroleum Corp United States 11,064   996,756
aOccidental Petroleum Corp United States 3,712   296,106

 

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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)        
 
  Country Shares   Value
Common Stocks and Other Equity Interests (continued)        
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels (continued)        
Statoil ASA, ADR Norway 354 $ 6,765
aThe Williams Cos. Inc United States 10,962   567,283
        2,888,779
Paper & Forest Products 0.4%        
bCanfor Corp Canada 35,586   855,334
bLouisiana-Pacific Corp United States 76,644   1,168,054
        2,023,388
Pharmaceuticals 4.2%        
AbbVie Inc United States 4,613   319,220
bActavis PLC United States 21,670   5,864,119
bAerie Pharmaceuticals Inc United States 14,432   380,572
aAllergan Inc United States 27,062   5,788,291
a,bAratana Therapeutics Inc United States 15,549   206,024
bAssembly Biosciences Inc United States 4,828   40,072
AstraZeneca PLC, ADR United Kingdom 8,356   619,765
bAvanir Pharmaceuticals Inc United States 8,394   125,238
a,bBioDelivery Sciences International Inc United States 15,217   233,581
aBristol-Myers Squibb Co United States 10,780   636,559
bDermira Inc United States 2,584   44,574
Eli Lilly & Co United States 4,792   326,431
bEndo International PLC Ireland 8,024   587,116
bFlamel Technologies SA, ADR France 7,729   110,447
bFoamix Pharmaceuticals Ltd Israel 5,318   28,292
GlaxoSmithKline PLC, ADR United Kingdom 1,097   50,956
bGW Pharmaceuticals PLC, ADR United Kingdom 1,912   148,046
bIntersect ENT Inc United States 296   5,121
bJazz Pharmaceuticals PLC United States 1,885   333,815
Johnson & Johnson United States 443   47,955
a,bThe Medicines Co United States 9,657   258,904
bMediwound Ltd Israel 1,897   11,211
Novo Nordisk AS, ADR Denmark 5,304   241,120
a,bPacira Pharmaceuticals Inc United States 8,956   841,237
Perrigo Co. PLC United States 3,041   487,138
Pfizer Inc United States 1,000   31,150
bRevance Therapeutics Inc United States 827   13,596
Roche Holding AG Switzerland 3,103   929,856
bSalix Pharmaceuticals Ltd United States 5,417   556,272
Shire PLC, ADR Ireland 2,964   633,110
bTetraphase Pharmaceuticals Inc United States 9,882   260,885
bValeant Pharmaceuticals International Inc United States 3,245   471,985
a,bXenoPort Inc United States 4,799   42,711
Zoetis Inc United States 11,008   494,589
bZS Pharma Inc United States 1,055   45,323
        21,215,281
Professional Services 0.8%        
Experian PLC United Kingdom 31,398   497,465
a,bHuron Consulting Group Inc United States 11,535   797,761
aManpowerGroup Inc United States 7,920   529,531

 

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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)        
 
  Country Shares   Value
Common Stocks and Other Equity Interests (continued)        
Professional Services (continued)        
Nielsen NV United States 14,883 $ 621,663
aRobert Half International Inc United States 8,860   503,159
SThree PLC United Kingdom 80,547   392,111
bVerisk Analytics Inc., A United States 2,335   144,723
bWageWorks Inc United States 7,550   441,071
        3,927,484
Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) 0.8%        
Columbia Property Trust Inc United States 6,565   165,438
bEquity Commonwealth United States 4,967   126,311
The Macerich Co United States 1,152   91,100
aMid-America Apartment Communities Inc United States 14,464   1,065,418
aNorthStar Realty Finance Corp United States 32,846   600,096
aRyman Hospitality Properties Inc United States 6,133   319,407
aSpirit Realty Capital Inc United States 69,901   818,541
Sunstone Hotel Investors Inc United States 6,457   103,377
aTanger Factory Outlet Centers Inc United States 7,242   264,912
Ventas Inc United States 1,170   83,714
aWP Carey Inc United States 1,788   121,834
        3,760,148
Real Estate Management & Development 0.2%        
bRealogy Holdings Corp United States 24,343   1,120,265
Road & Rail 1.3%        
Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd Canada 1,725   333,201
aCSX Corp United States 29,312   1,069,595
a,bHertz Global Holdings Inc United States 50,235   1,192,579
Ryder System Inc United States 6,027   575,699
aUnion Pacific Corp United States 27,990   3,268,392
        6,439,466
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment 1.0%        
Applied Materials Inc United States 14,200   341,510
bApplied Micro Circuits Corp United States 21,215   125,381
ARM Holdings PLC United Kingdom 20,078   287,180
bFreescale Semiconductor Ltd United States 25,000   542,250
Intel Corp United States 8,400   312,900
bMicron Technology Inc United States 17,966   645,878
bNXP Semiconductors NV Netherlands 24,802   1,929,844
bSK Hynix Inc South Korea 10,505   453,477
Sumco Corp Japan 15,900   202,685
Texas Instruments Inc United States 396   21,550
        4,862,655
Software 0.7%        
aActivision Blizzard Inc United States 21,855   473,161
bAdobe Systems Inc United States 2,830   208,514
aCDK Global Inc United States 3,594   136,824
a,bCitrix Systems Inc United States 810   53,711
FactSet Research Systems Inc United States 1,100   150,766
bFleetMatics Group PLC United States 7,900   278,001

 

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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)        
 
  Country Shares   Value
Common Stocks and Other Equity Interests (continued)        
Software (continued)        
bGuidewire Software Inc United States 2,320 $ 117,090
bHubSpot Inc United States 1,700   60,163
aIntuit Inc United States 6,380   598,891
Microsoft Corp United States 8,940   427,421
bRed Hat Inc United States 3,360   208,824
bSalesforce.com Inc United States 2,850   170,629
Solera Holdings Inc United States 1,310   68,998
a,bVerint Systems Inc United States 6,020   362,344
bVMware Inc., A United States 705   62,012
        3,377,349
Specialty Retail 1.3%        
a,bAutozone Inc United States 2,076   1,199,326
a,eBest Buy Co. Inc United States 54,907   2,163,885
bThe Container Store Group Inc United States 7,199   156,794
aThe Home Depot Inc United States 13,340   1,325,996
Lowe’s Cos. Inc United States 1,389   88,660
Signet Jewelers Ltd United States 6,111   800,296
aTiffany & Co United States 7,440   802,925
        6,537,882
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals 1.0%        
aApple Inc United States 13,714   1,631,006
EMC Corp United States 44,292   1,344,262
aHewlett-Packard Co United States 8,300   324,198
Lenovo Group Ltd China 152,000   213,254
bNimble Storage Inc United States 8,000   210,960
Nokia Corp., ADR Finland 49,914   411,291
Nokia OYJ, A Finland 89,084   741,687
Western Digital Corp United States 3,100   320,137
        5,196,795
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods 0.1%        
bLululemon Athletica Inc United States 2,297   110,693
bSkechers U.S.A. Inc., A United States 9,186   564,112
        674,805
Thrifts & Mortgage Finance 0.1%        
bEssent Group Ltd United States 14,698   370,390
Tobacco 0.0%        
Altria Group Inc United States 538   27,040
Trading Companies & Distributors 0.1%        
Air Lease Corp United States 9,992   379,996
 
Transportation Infrastructure 0.0%        
BBA Aviation PLC United Kingdom 41,551   223,038
Wireless Telecommunication Services 0.6%        
a,bSBA Communications Corp., A United States 15,059   1,832,228
a,bT-Mobile US Inc United States 24,643   719,329
TIM Participacoes SA, ADR Brazil 25,822   628,766

 

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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

  Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)          
 
                 Country Shares   Value
  Common Stocks and Other Equity Interests (continued)          
  Wireless Telecommunication Services (continued)          
  Vodafone Group PLC, ADR   United Kingdom 576 $ 21,053
            3,201,376
  Total Common Stocks and Other Equity Interests          
  (Cost $223,636,790)         251,775,411
 
  Exchange Traded Funds 0.1%          
  iShares China Large-Cap ETF   China 3,702   150,301
  iShares Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF   United States 505   72,852
  Total Exchange Traded Funds (Cost $225,070)         223,153
 
  Convertible Preferred Stocks 1.6%          
  Diversified Telecommunication Services 0.0%          
  Iridium Communications Inc., cvt. pfd., Series B, 6.75%   United States 350   124,635
  Electric Utilities 0.1%          
  aNextEra Energy Inc., cvt. pfd., 5.889%   United States 10,000   658,200
  Food Products 0.4%          
  Bunge Ltd., cvt. pfd., 4.875%   United States 3,755   418,532
  Post Holdings Inc., cvt. pfd.,          
       f 144A, 2.50%   United States 9,847   805,608
       f 144A, 3.75%   United States 3,850   364,826
       a 5.25% United States 4,510   390,183
  Tyson Foods Inc., cvt. pfd., 4.75%   United States 2,723   142,957
            2,122,106
  Health Care Providers & Services 0.1%          
  Amsurg Corp., cvt. pfd., Series A-1, 5.25%   United States 1,994   216,519
  Kindred Healthcare Inc., cvt. pfd., 7.50%   United States 218   221,588
            438,107
  Metals & Mining 0.0%          
  Alcoa Inc., cvt. pfd., Series 1, 5.375%   United States 568   30,274
  ArcelorMittal, cvt. pfd., 6.00%   Luxembourg 825   16,104
            46,378
Multi-Utilities 0.1%          
  Dominion Resources Inc., cvt. pfd.,          
      6.375% United States 1,155   59,771
         Series A, 6.125%   United States 137   7,993
  aSeries B, 6.00%   United States 8,750   511,350
            579,114
  Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels 0.4%          
      fChesapeake Energy Corp., cvt. pfd., 144A, 5.75%   United States 17   18,094
  aPetroQuest Energy Inc., cvt. pfd., Series B, 6.875%   United States 11,430   465,773
  aRex Energy Corp., cvt. pfd., 6.00%   United States 4,060   264,022
      aSanchez Energy Corp., cvt. pfd., Series B, 6.50%   United States 14,667   722,936
      aSandRidge Energy Inc., cvt. pfd., 7.00%   United States 5,200   360,425
            1,831,250

 

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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)        
 
  Country Shares   Value
 
Convertible Preferred Stocks (continued)        
Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) 0.2%        
Crown Castle International Corp., cvt. pfd., Series A, 4.50% United States 828 $ 87,768
Health Care REIT Inc., cvt. pfd., Series I, 6.50% United States 330   21,559
iStar Financial Inc., cvt. pfd., Series J, 4.50% United States 915   56,382
Ramco-Gershenson Properties Trust, cvt. pfd., Series D, 7.25% United States 7,460   486,168
Weyerhaeuser Co., cvt. pfd., Series A, 6.375% United States 2,210   129,727
        781,604
Specialty Retail 0.1%        
fBarnes & Noble Inc., cvt. pfd., 144A, Series J, 7.75% United States 285   416,545
Tobacco 0.2%        
aUniversal Corp., cvt. pfd., 6.75% United States 705   707,468
 
Total Convertible Preferred Stocks (Cost $8,393,849)       7,705,407
 
Preferred Stocks 0.2%        
Banks 0.0%        
bNational Bank of Greece SA, pfd., Series A, 9.00% Greece 1,363   23,021
Consumer Finance 0.0%        
fAlly Financial Inc., pfd., 144A, Series G, 7.00% United States 105   105,922
Machinery 0.1%        
MAN SE, pfd., zero cpn Germany 3,542   401,174
Thrifts & Mortgage Finance 0.1%        
a,bFederal Home Loan Mortgage Corp., pfd., Series Z, 8.375% United States 27,577   119,960
a,bFederal National Mortgage Association, pfd., Series S, 8.25% United States 12,240   52,877
        172,837
 
Total Preferred Stocks (Cost $895,392)       702,954
 
    Principal    
    Amount*    
 
Convertible Bonds 12.8%        
Aerospace & Defense 0.1%        
aAAR Corp., senior note, Series B, 2.25%, 3/01/16 United States 565,000   576,300
Airlines 0.2%        
aHawaiian Holdings Inc., senior note, 5.00%, 3/15/16 United States 465,000   1,209,000
Biotechnology 0.7%        
Acorda Therapeutics Inc., senior note, 1.75%, 6/15/21 United States 478,000   517,435
AMAG Pharmaceuticals Inc., senior note, 2.50%, 2/15/19 United States 390,000   587,681
fAnacor Pharmaceuticals Inc., senior note, 144A, 2.00%, 10/15/21 United States 140,000   180,338
BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc., senior sub. note,        
       0.75%, 10/15/18 United States 8,000   9,510
       1.50%, 10/15/20 United States 48,000   59,100
fEmergent Biosolutions Inc., senior note, 144A, 2.875%, 1/15/21 United States 30,000   32,250
Gilead Sciences Inc., senior note, Series D, 1.625%, 5/01/16 United States 18,000   79,335
fIsis Pharmaceuticals Inc., senior note, 144A, 1.00%, 11/15/21 United States 280,000   282,800
fLexicon Pharmaceuticals Inc., senior note, 144A, 5.25%, 12/01/21 United States 150,000   150,585
Sequenom Inc., senior note, 5.00%, 10/01/17 United States 470,000   444,738
a,fSpectrum Pharmaceuticals Inc., senior note, 144A, 2.75%, 12/15/18 United States 580,000   565,862

 

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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)          
 
           Principal      
  Country        Amount*     Value
 
Convertible Bonds (continued)          
Biotechnology (continued)          
fSynergy Pharmaceuticals Inc., senior note, 144A, 7.50%, 11/01/19 United States 90,000 $   86,119
Tesaro Inc., senior note, 3.00%, 10/01/21 United States 430,000     517,075
          3,512,828
Building Products 0.1%          
a,fGriffon Corp., sub. note, 144A, 4.00%, 1/15/17 United States 505,000     558,341
Capital Markets 0.6%          
gThe Bank of New York Mellon Luxembourg SA, FRN, junior sub. bond, Series PRX,          
0.00%, 12/15/50 Luxembourg               100,000 EUR 78,951
h senior bond, Series BMPS, Reg S, 4.332%, 12/30/99 Luxembourg                200,000 EUR 85,870
a,fCowen Group Inc., senior note, 144A, 3.00%, 3/15/19 United States 585,000     602,550
aFXCM Inc., senior note, 2.25%, 6/15/18 United States 615,000     641,522
a,fNew Mountain Finance Corp., senior note, 144A, 5.00%, 6/15/19 United States 625,000     642,969
fProspect Capital Corp., senior note, 144A, 4.75%, 4/15/20 United States 1,135,000     1,095,275
          3,147,137
Commercial Services & Supplies 0.3%          
aAscent Capital Group Inc., senior note, 4.00%, 7/15/20 United States 685,000     570,690
Cenveo Corp., senior note, 7.00%, 5/15/17 United States 665,000     646,297
          1,216,987
Communications Equipment 0.1%          
fCiena Corp., senior note, 144A, 3.75%, 10/15/18 United States 29,000     33,549
fFinisar Corp., senior bond, 144A, 0.50%, 12/15/33 United States 25,000     23,125
JDS Uniphase Corp., senior bond, 0.625%, 8/15/33 United States 150,000     155,719
fPalo Alto Networks Inc., senior note, 144A, zero cpn., 7/01/19 United States 65,000     83,809
hTelecom Italia Finance SA, sub. note, Series TIT, Reg S, 6.125%, 11/15/16 Italy                    100,000   EUR 149,807
          446,009
Construction & Engineering 0.1%          
hFomento de Construcciones y Contratas SA, sub. note, Reg S, 6.50%, 10/30/20 Spain                   450,000 EUR 557,961
Construction Materials 0.2%          
Cemex SAB de CV, sub. note, 4.875%, 3/15/15 Mexico 960,000     1,100,400
Consumer Finance 0.1%          
fEzcorp Inc., senior note, 144A, 2.125%, 6/15/19 United States 475,000     429,578
Diversified Consumer Services 0.1%          
a,fCarriage Services Inc., sub. note, 144A, 2.75%, 3/15/21 United States 475,000     499,049
Diversified Financial Services 0.2%          
hChina Overseas Finance Investment Cayman IV Ltd., senior note, Series COLI,          
      Reg S, zero cpn., 2/04/21 Hong Kong 200,000     216,000
fElement Financial Corp., sub. note, 144A, 5.125%, 6/30/19 Canada                 470,000 CAD 462,518
fEncore Capital Group Inc., senior note, 144A, 2.875%, 3/15/21 United States 410,000     391,294
          1,069,812
Electrical Equipment 0.1%          
aSolarCity Corp., senior note, 2.75%, 11/01/18 United States 405,000     459,422
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components 0.5%          
InvenSense Inc., senior note, 1.75%, 11/01/18 United States 340,000     313,863
TTM Technologies Inc., senior note, 1.75%, 12/15/20 United States 515,000     482,491

 

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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)        
 
    Principal    
  Country Amount*   Value
 
Convertible Bonds (continued)        
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components (continued)        
fVishay Intertechnology Inc., senior bond, 144A,        
a 2.25%, 11/15/40 United States 1,235,000 $ 1,355,412
        2.25%, 5/15/41 United States 380,000   340,337
        2,492,103
Energy Equipment & Services 0.0%        
SEACOR Holdings Inc., senior bond, 3.00%, 11/15/28 United States 210,000   195,562
Food Products 0.2%        
Chiquita Brands International Inc., senior note, 4.25%, 8/15/16 United States 475,000   477,375
hOlam International Ltd., senior note, Reg S, 6.00%, 10/15/16 Singapore 500,000   533,125
        1,010,500
Health Care Equipment & Supplies 0.6%        
Accuray Inc., senior note, 3.75%, 8/01/16 United States 325,000   333,328
Alere Inc., senior sub. note, 3.00%, 5/15/16 United States 510,000   546,338
Hologic Inc., senior bond, 2.00%, 12/15/37 United States 262,000   330,939
Insulet Corp., senior note, 2.00%, 6/15/19 United States 480,000   576,000
aIntegra LifeSciences Holdings Corp., senior note, 1.625%, 12/15/16 United States 425,000   448,109
aNuVasive Inc., senior note, 2.75%, 7/01/17 United States 680,000   835,550
        3,070,264
Health Care Providers & Services 0.8%        
aHealthways Inc., senior note, 1.50%, 7/01/18 United States 430,000   443,169
aMolina Healthcare Inc., senior note, 1.125%, 1/15/20 United States 1,090,000   1,466,731
Omnicare Inc., senior sub. bond, 3.75%, 4/01/42 United States 630,000   1,102,894
WellPoint Inc., senior bond, 2.75%, 10/15/42 United States 602,000   1,059,896
        4,072,690
Health Care Technology 0.1%        
Allscripts Healthcare Solutions Inc., senior note, 1.25%, 7/01/20 United States 340,000   326,612
Home Builders 0.0%        
fLGI Homes Inc., sub. note, 144A, 4.25%, 11/15/19 United States 120,000   121,656
Household Durables 0.4%        
Jarden Corp.,        
f senior sub. bond, 144A, 1.125%, 3/15/34 United States 45,000   47,869
        senior sub. note, 1.875%, 9/15/18 United States 1,190,000   1,758,225
fLennar Corp., senior note, 144A, 3.25%, 11/15/21 United States 15,000   30,628
        1,836,722
Insurance 0.0%        
fHCI Group Inc., senior note, 144A, 3.875%, 3/15/19 United States 50,000   47,375
Internet & Catalog Retail 0.2%        
Priceline Group Inc., senior note,        
a 1.00%, 3/15/18 United States 675,000   913,360
        0.35%, 6/15/20 United States 25,000   28,078
f 144A, 0.90%, 9/15/21 United States 100,000   95,500
        1,036,938
Internet Software & Services 0.5%        
fAkamai Technologies Inc., senior note, zero cpn., 144A, 2/15/19 United States 340,000   350,627
aBlucora Inc., senior note, 4.25%, 4/01/19 United States 655,000   638,216

 

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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)        
 
    Principal    
  Country Amount*   Value
 
Convertible Bonds (continued)        
Internet Software & Services (continued)        
fLinkedIn Corp., senior note, 144A, 0.50%, 11/01/19 United States 60,000 $ 62,663
a,fMercadoLibre Inc., senior note, 144A, 2.25%, 7/01/19 Argentina 805,000   1,028,387
fMonster Worldwide Inc., senior note, 144A, 3.50%, 10/15/19 United States 134,000   140,365
aSINA Corp., senior note, 1.00%, 12/01/18 China 180,000   168,300
fYahoo! Inc., senior note, zero cpn., 144A, 12/01/18 United States 210,000   241,631
        2,630,189
IT Services 0.1%        
fEuronet Worldwide Inc., senior bond, 144A, 1.50%, 10/01/44 United States 210,000   220,500
Leisure Equipment & Products 0.1%        
fJAKKS Pacific Inc., senior note, 144A, 4.875%, 6/01/20 United States 350,000   314,125
Machinery 0.1%        
Altra Industrial Motion Corp., senior bond, 2.75%, 3/01/31 United States 195,000   244,725
fNavistar International Corp., senior sub. note, 144A, 4.75%, 4/15/19 United States 460,000   461,150
        705,875
Metals & Mining 0.5%        
Horsehead Holding Corp., senior note, 3.80%, 7/01/17 United States 701,000   849,962
hPaladin Energy Ltd., senior note, Reg S, 3.625%, 11/04/15 United States 400,000   395,000
aStillwater Mining Co., senior bond, 1.75%, 10/15/32 United States 375,000   435,938
hVedanta Resources Jersey Ltd., senior note, Reg S, 5.50%, 7/13/16 India 1,000,000   995,000
        2,675,900
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels 0.9%        
a,fAlon USA Energy Inc., senior note, 144A, 3.00%, 9/15/18 United States 460,000   535,037
aAlpha Natural Resources Inc., senior note, 4.875%, 12/15/20 United States 660,000   318,450
a,fAmyris Inc., senior note, 144A, 6.50%, 5/15/19 United States 470,000   410,369
Cobalt International Energy Inc., senior bond, 3.125%, 5/15/24 United States 255,000   186,947
aPeabody Energy Corp., junior sub. bond, 4.75%, 12/15/66 United States 700,000   430,063
Renewable Energy Group Inc., senior note, 2.75%, 6/15/19 United States 480,000   463,500
fScorpio Tankers Inc., senior note, 144A, 2.375%, 7/01/19 United States 1,095,000   1,042,987
hShip Finance International Ltd., senior note, Reg S, 3.75%, 2/10/16 Norway 500,000   527,000
aSolazyme Inc., senior sub. note, 5.00%, 10/01/19 United States 1,020,000   504,263
        4,418,616
Pharmaceuticals 0.2%        
aDepomed Inc., senior note, 2.50%, 9/01/21 United States 640,000   686,800
Mylan Inc., senior note, 3.75%, 9/15/15 United States 67,000   295,051
        981,851
Professional Services 0.1%        
f51job Inc., senior note, 144A, 3.25%, 4/15/19 China 505,000   538,456
fCBIZ Inc., senior sub. note, 144A, 4.875%, 10/01/15 United States 100,000   123,563
        662,019
Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) 1.6%        
fAmerican Residential Properties Inc., senior note, 144A, 3.25%, 11/15/18 United States 360,000   373,050
aAnnaly Capital Management Inc., senior note, 5.00%, 5/15/15 United States 835,000   842,306
Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance Inc., senior note, 5.50%, 3/15/19 United States 435,000   429,837
a,fCampus Crest Communities Operating Partnership LP, senior note, 144A,        
4.75%, 10/15/18 United States 495,000   473,344

 

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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)        
 
    Principal    
  Country Amount*   Value
 
Convertible Bonds (continued)        
Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) (continued)        
Colony Financial Inc., senior bond, 5.00%, 4/15/23 United States 340,000 $ 369,750
fGPT Property Trust LP, senior note, 144A, 3.75%, 3/15/19 United States 910,000   982,231
fIAS Operating Partnership LP, 144A, 5.00%, 3/15/18 United States 510,000   487,050
a,fiStar Financial Inc., senior note, 144A, 1.50%, 11/15/16 United States 625,000   649,609
National Health Investors Inc., senior note, 3.25%, 4/01/21 United States 375,000   382,031
Redwood Trust Inc., senior note, 4.625%, 4/15/18 United States 470,000   473,231
aResource Capital Corp., senior note, 6.00%, 12/01/18 United States 385,000   378,744
fRWT Holdings Inc., senior note, 144A, 5.625%, 11/15/19 United States 35,000   35,422
Spirit Realty Capital Inc., senior note,        
          a 2.875%, 5/15/19 United States 403,000   393,683
3.75%, 5/15/21 United States 330,000   323,195
Starwood Property Trust Inc., senior note, 4.00%, 1/15/19 United States 885,000   997,284
a,fStarwood Waypoint Residential Trust, senior note, 144A, 3.00%, 7/01/19 United States 545,000   525,247
        8,116,014
Real Estate Management & Development 0.1%        
aForest City Enterprises Inc., senior note, 3.625%, 8/15/20 United States 500,000   536,875
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment 1.1%        
fCanadian Solar Inc., senior note, 144A, 4.25%, 2/15/19 United States 150,000   137,344
Intel Corp., junior sub. bond, 2.95%, 12/15/35 United States 340,000   452,200
aLam Research Corp., senior note, 1.25%, 5/15/18 United States 675,000   983,812
Novellus Systems Inc., senior bond, 2.625%, 5/15/41 United States 15,000   35,728
aNVIDIA Corp., senior note, 1.00%, 12/01/18 United States 1,295,000   1,520,816
fNXP Semiconductors NV, senior note, 144A, 1.00%, 12/01/19 Netherlands 620,000   636,662
Photronics Inc., senior note, 3.25%, 4/01/16 United States 450,000   484,875
a,fRudolph Technologies Inc., senior note, 144A, 3.75%, 7/15/16 United States 360,000   366,300
a,fSunEdison Inc., senior note, 144A, 0.25%, 1/15/20 United States 690,000   719,325
        5,337,062
Software 0.8%        
Electronic Arts Inc., senior note, 0.75%, 7/15/16 United States 365,000   522,862
fEnerNOC Inc., senior note, 144A, 2.25%, 8/15/19 United States 144,000   121,950
NetSuite Inc., senior note, 0.25%, 6/01/18 United States 52,000   57,525
Nuance Communications Inc., senior bond, 2.75%, 11/01/31 United States 12,000   11,827
fRed Hat Inc., senior note, 144A, 0.25%, 10/01/19 United States 340,000   375,700
Take-Two Interactive Software Inc., senior note,        
1.75%, 12/01/16 United States 866,000   1,309,284
1.00%, 7/01/18 United States 368,000   514,510
fTiVo Inc., senior note,144A,        
4.00%, 3/15/16 United States 270,000   329,569
2.00%, 10/01/21 United States 625,000   599,219
        3,842,446
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals 0.4%        
a,fElectronics For Imaging Inc., senior note, 144A, 0.75%, 9/01/19 United States 830,000   865,275
SanDisk Corp., senior note, 0.50%, 10/15/20 United States 405,000   506,250
fViolin Memory Inc., senior note, 144A, 4.25%, 10/01/19 United States 440,000   490,875
        1,862,400
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods 0.4%        
aIconix Brand Group Inc., senior sub. note, 1.50%, 3/15/18 United States 1,375,000   1,871,719

 

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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)        
 
    Principal    
  Country       Amount*   Value
 
Convertible Bonds (continued)        
Tobacco 0.1%        
Vector Group Ltd., senior note, 1.75%, 4/15/20 United States 435,000 $ 464,091
Trading Companies & Distributors 0.1%        
fKaman Corp., senior note, 144A, 3.25%, 11/15/17 United States 220,000   276,650
 
Total Convertible Bonds (Cost $63,050,908)       63,909,578
 
Corporate Bonds and Notes 9.7%        
Aerospace & Defense 0.4%        
fHuntington Ingalls Industries Inc., senior note, 144A, 5.00%, 12/15/21 United States 20,000   20,350
fKLX Inc., senior note, 144A, 5.875%, 12/01/22 United States 1,490,000   1,519,800
fMeccanica Holdings USA Inc., senior bond, 144A, 6.25%, 1/15/40 Italy 100,000   96,825
fMoog Inc., senior note, 144A, 5.25%, 12/01/22 United States 170,000   173,400
gRockwell Collins Inc., senior note, FRN, 0.584%, 12/15/16 United States 40,000   40,077
Textron Inc., senior bond, 3.875%, 3/01/25 United States 23,000   23,262
        1,873,714
Auto Components 0.3%        
fNexteer Automotive Group Ltd., senior note, 144A, 5.875%, 11/15/21 Hong Kong 300,000   306,750
f,iSchaeffler Holding Finance BV, secured note, PIK, 144A, 6.75%, 11/15/22 Germany 990,000   1,049,400
        1,356,150
Automobiles 0.1%        
f,gDaimler Finance North America LLC, senior note, 144A, FRN, 0.584%, 3/10/17 Germany 150,000   150,220
General Motors Co., senior bond, 5.20%, 4/01/45 United States 120,000   123,648
f,gNissan Motor Acceptance Corp., senior note, 144A, FRN, 0.785%, 3/03/17 Japan 105,000   105,316
gToyota Motor Credit Corp., senior note, FRN, 0.618%, 1/17/19 Japan 40,000   40,073
        419,257
Banks 0.2%        
Bank of America Corp.,        
g senior note, FRN, 1.271%, 1/15/19 United States 20,000   20,262
sub. bond, 4.20%, 8/26/24 United States 135,000   138,161
fDresdner Funding Trust I, junior sub. bond, 144A, 8.151%, 6/30/31 Germany 178,000   212,710
fIntesa Sanpaolo SpA, sub. bond, 144A, 5.017%, 6/26/24 Italy 200,000   199,982
Royal Bank of Scotland Group PLC, sub. bond, 6.125%, 12/15/22 United Kingdom 215,000   235,784
fSociete Generale SA, sub. bond, 144A, 5.00%, 1/17/24 France 200,000   207,135
        1,014,034
Beverages 0.1%        
gAnheuser-Busch InBev Finance Inc., senior note, FRN, 0.424%, 1/27/17 Belgium 45,000   45,015
gThe Coca-Cola Co., senior note, FRN, 0.332%, 11/01/16 United States 80,000   80,115
a,fCott Beverages Inc., senior note, 144A, 5.375%, 7/01/22 United States 272,000   259,080
        384,210
Biotechnology 0.0%        
gAmgen Inc., senior note, FRN, 0.613%, 5/22/17 United States 125,000   125,198
Building Products 0.1%        
Griffon Corp., senior note, 5.25%, 3/01/22 United States 480,000   460,800
Owens Corning, senior bond, 4.20%, 12/01/24 United States 40,000   39,941
        500,741

 

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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)          
 
    Principal      
  Country Amount*     Value
 
Corporate Bonds and Notes (continued)          
Capital Markets 0.2%          
E*TRADE Financial Corp., senior note, 5.375%, 11/15/22 United States 600,000 $   607,500
Morgan Stanley, sub. bond, Series GMTN, 4.35%, 9/08/26 United States 150,000     152,583
          760,083
Chemicals 0.0%          
Albemarle Corp., senior bond, 4.15%, 12/01/24 United States 56,000     57,320
Commercial Services & Supplies 0.3%          
a,fAltegrity Inc., secured, first lien note, 144A, 9.50%, 7/01/19 United States 552,000     528,540
RR Donnelley & Sons Co., senior bond, 6.00%, 4/01/24 United States 800,000     806,000
The ServiceMaster Co., senior note, 7.00%, 8/15/20 United States 123,000     130,072
          1,464,612
Communications Equipment 0.2%          
fAvaya Inc., first lien bond, 144A, 9.00%, 4/01/19 United States 640,000     658,400
gCisco Systems Inc., senior note, FRN, 0.515%, 3/03/17 United States 100,000     100,145
          758,545
Construction Materials 0.1%          
fAtrium Windows & Doors Inc., secured note, 144A, 7.75%, 5/01/19 United States 75,000     72,000
fBuilding Materials Corp. of America, senior bond, 144A, 5.375%, 11/15/24 United States 320,000     321,600
          393,600
Consumer Durables & Apparel 0.1%          
aVisant Corp., senior note, 10.00%, 10/01/17 United States 765,000     688,500
Consumer Finance 0.1%          
Springleaf Finance Corp., senior note, 5.25%, 12/15/19 United States 360,000     361,800
Cosmetic and Personal Care 0.0%          
gThe Procter & Gamble Co., senior note, FRN, 0.312%, 11/04/16 United States 80,000     80,008
Diversified Financial Services 1.0%          
gCaterpillar Financial Services Corp., senior note, FRN, 0.465%, 3/03/17 United States 110,000     110,209
fCorp. Financiera de Desarrollo SA,144A,          
senior note, 3.25%, 7/15/19 Peru 200,000     201,100
sub. bond, 5.25% to 7/15/24, FRN thereafter, 7/15/29 Peru 200,000     207,100
fFinanciera de Desarrollo Territorial SA Findeter, senior bond, 144A,          
7.875%, 8/12/24 Colombia 795,000,000 COP  368,992
gFord Motor Credit Co. LLC, senior note, FRN, 1.008%, 1/17/17 United States 40,000     40,215
General Electric Capital Corp.,          
j junior sub. bond, Series A, 7.125% to 6/15/22, FRN thereafter, Perpetual United States 100,000     117,125
g senior note, FRN, 0.46%, 1/14/16 United States 20,000     20,035
f,gHyundai Capital Services Inc., senior note, 144A, FRN, 1.034%, 3/18/17 South Korea 200,000     200,384
fLadder Capital Finance Holdings LLP, senior note, 144A, 5.875%, 8/01/21 United States 245,000     242,550
fMSCI Inc., senior note, 144A, 5.25%, 11/15/24 United States 1,025,000     1,066,000
a,fROC Finance LLC/ROC Finance 1 Corp., secured, second lien note, 144A,          
12.125%, 9/01/18 United States 2,385,000     2,510,213
          5,083,923
Diversified Telecommunication Services 0.5%          
Frontier Communications Corp., senior bond, 6.875%, 1/15/25 United States 800,000     806,000
Intelsat Jackson Holdings SA, senior bond, 5.50%, 8/01/23 Luxembourg 800,000     791,000
fLevel 3 Communications Inc., senior note, 144A, 5.75%, 12/01/22 United States 65,000     65,650

 

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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

  Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)          
 
      Principal      
    Country Amount*     Value
 
  Corporate Bonds and Notes (continued)          
  Diversified Telecommunication Services (continued)          
  Oi SA,          
  h senior bond, Reg S, 5.75%, 2/10/22 Brazil 200,000 $   192,250
  f senior note, 144A, 9.75%, 9/15/16 Brazil 300,000 BRL  108,444
  tw telecom Inc., senior note          
  5.375%, 10/01/22 United States 56,000     63,629
  6.375%, 9/01/23 United States 90,000     102,825
  gVerizon Communications Inc., senior note, FRN, 0.632%, 6/09/17 United States 125,000     125,047
            2,254,845
  Electric Utilities 0.1%          
  gDuke Energy Corp., senior note, FRN, 0.613%, 4/03/17 United States 100,000     100,313
  gDuke Energy Progress Inc., secured note, FRN, 0.433%, 3/06/17 United States 50,000     49,994
  fEDP Finance BV, senior note, 144A, 4.125%, 1/15/20 Portugal 250,000     253,999
            404,306
  Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components 0.1%          
  fKeysight Technologies Inc., senior bond, 144A, 4.55%, 10/30/24 United States 235,000     235,946
  fSanmina Corp., secured, first lien note, 144A, 4.375%, 6/01/19 United States 110,000     109,175
            345,121
  Energy 0.0%          
  fEnel SpA, sub. bond, 144A, 8.75% to 9/24/23, FRN thereafter, 9/24/73 Italy 200,000     234,104
  Energy Equipment & Services 0.0%          
  Oceaneering International Inc., senior note, 4.65%, 11/15/24 United States 210,000     214,319
  Food & Staples Retailing 0.1%          
  SUPERVALU Inc., senior note, 7.75%, 11/15/22 United States 620,000     618,450
  Food Products 0.0%          
fBI-LO LLC/BI-LO Finance Corp.,144A,          
  i senior note, PIK, 8.625%, 9/15/18 United States 23,000     16,905
  secured, first lien note, 9.25%, 2/15/19 United States 78,000     72,150
            89,055
  Health Care Providers & Services 0.3%          
  fEnvision Healthcare Corp., senior note, 144A, 5.125%, 7/01/22 United States 465,000     470,812
  fFresenius Medical Care U.S. Finance II Inc., senior note, 144A, 4.75%, 10/15/24 Germany 90,000     90,675
  HCA Inc., secured, first lien note, 4.25%, 10/15/19 United States 100,000     100,625
  Omnicare Inc.,          
  senior note, 4.75%, 12/01/22 United States 5,000     5,100
  senior bond, 5.00%, 12/01/24 United States 10,000     10,250
  Tenet Healthcare Corp., secured, first lien note, 4.375%, 10/01/21 United States 800,000     786,000
            1,463,462
  Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure 0.3%          
  a,fCaesars Entertainment Resort Properties, secured, second lien note, 144A,          
  11.00%, 10/01/21 United States 1,135,000     1,042,781
  Choice Hotels International Inc., senior bond, 5.70%, 8/28/20 United States 125,000     135,625
  MGM Resorts International, senior note, 6.00%, 3/15/23 United States 150,000     153,000
            1,331,406

 

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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)        
 
    Principal    
  Country Amount*   Value
 
Corporate Bonds and Notes (continued)        
Household Durables 0.2%        
Sharp Corp., senior note, Series 26, 1.604%, 9/13/19 Japan 100,000,000 JPY  $ 814,776
Insurance 0.1%        
hAssicurazioni Generali SpA, senior sub. bond, Reg S, 7.75% to 12/12/22, FRN        
        thereafter, 12/12/42 Italy 300,000 EUR 473,910
Genworth Holdings Inc., senior bond,        
4.90%, 8/15/23 United States 10,000   8,849
4.80%, 2/15/24 United States 35,000   30,830
Old Republic International Corp., senior bond, 4.875%, 10/01/24 United States 225,000   235,881
        749,470
Internet Software & Services 0.2%        
Equinix Inc., senior note, 5.375%, 1/01/22 United States 925,000   934,250
Leisure Equipment & Products 0.1%        
f24 Hour Holdings III LLC, senior note, 144A, 8.00%, 6/01/22 United States 35,000   31,763
fNCL Corp. Ltd., senior note, 144A, 5.25%, 11/15/19 United States 480,000   486,000
        517,763
Machinery 0.0%        
gJohn Deere Capital Corp., senior note, FRN, 0.354%, 12/10/15 United States 80,000   80,069
Media 1.8%        
fAltice SA, secured note, 144A, 7.25%, 5/15/22 Luxembourg 130,000 EUR 168,863
American Media Inc., secured, first lien note, 11.50%, 12/15/17 United States 1,950,000   1,993,875
CCOH Safari LLC,        
senior bond, 5.75%, 12/01/24 United States 1,675,000   1,689,656
senior note, 5.50%, 12/01/22 United States 150,000   152,063
DISH DBS Corp., senior note,        
5.125%, 5/01/20 United States 800,000   811,500
f 144A, 5.875%, 11/15/24 United States 445,000   449,450
iiHeartCommunications Inc., senior note, PIK, 14.00%, 2/01/21 United States 94,000   77,433
Knight Ridder Inc., senior bond,        
7.15%, 11/01/27 United States 6,000   5,220
6.875%, 3/15/29 United States 588,000   423,360
Postmedia Network Inc., secured, second lien note, 12.50%, 7/15/18 Canada 2,725,000   2,861,250
Time Warner Cable Inc., senior bond, 4.50%, 9/15/42 United States 130,000   131,442
fUnitymedia KabelBW GmbH, senior bond, 144A, 6.125%, 1/15/25 Germany 235,000   246,456
        9,010,568
Metals & Mining 0.1%        
fEssar Steel Algoma Inc., secured note, 144A, 9.50%, 11/15/19 Canada 270,000   276,750
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels 1.1%        
fAntero Resources Corp., senior note, 144A, 5.125%, 12/01/22 United States 5,000   4,856
Atlas Energy Holdings Operating Co. LLC/Atlas Resource Finance Corp.,        
senior note, 7.75%, 1/15/21 United States 993,000   868,875
fBaytex Energy Corp., senior note, 144A,        
5.125%, 6/01/21 Canada 10,000   9,250
5.625%, 6/01/24 Canada 5,000   4,494
gBP Capital Markets PLC, senior note, FRN, 0.652%, 11/07/16 United Kingdom 80,000   80,192
fCalifornia Resources Corp., senior bond, 144A, 6.00%, 11/15/24 United States 110,000   98,656
gCanadian Natural Resources Ltd., senior note, FRN, 0.608%, 3/30/16 Canada 100,000   100,105

 

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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)        
 
    Principal    
  Country Amount*   Value
 
Corporate Bonds and Notes (continued)        
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels (continued)        
Chesapeake Energy Corp.,        
senior bond, 6.625%, 8/15/20 United States 5,000 $ 5,538
senior note, 4.875%, 4/15/22 United States 50,000   49,750
gChevron Corp., senior note, FRN, 0.402%, 11/15/17 United States 145,000   145,190
Cimarex Energy Co., senior bond, 4.375%, 6/01/24 United States 20,000   19,800
Dynagas LNG Partners LP/Dynagas Finance Inc., senior note, 6.25%, 10/30/19 Greece 309,000   298,185
gExxon Mobil Corp., senior note, FRN, 0.274%, 3/15/17 United States 110,000   110,137
Forest Oil Corp.,        
a senior bond, 7.25%, 6/15/19 United States 716,000   714,210
senior note, 7.50%, 9/15/20 United States 377,000   371,345
fMEG Energy Corp., senior bond,144A,        
6.375%, 1/30/23 Canada 30,000   26,625
7.00%, 3/31/24 Canada 15,000   13,650
Oasis Petroleum Inc., senior note, 6.875%, 3/15/22 United States 25,000   23,625
Petrobras Global Finance BV, senior bond, 5.625%, 5/20/43 Brazil 280,000   243,905
hPetroleos de Venezuela SA, senior bond, Reg S, 5.50%, 4/12/37 Venezuela 260,000   112,840
QEP Resources Inc., senior bond, 5.25%, 5/01/23 United States 70,000   66,150
aQR Energy LP/QRE Finance Corp. LLC, senior note, 9.25%, 8/01/20 United States 906,000   1,042,987
Rosetta Resources Inc., senior bond, 5.875%, 6/01/24 United States 5,000   4,725
fRSP Permian Inc., senior note, 144A, 6.625%, 10/01/22 United States 30,000   29,213
gShell International Finance BV, senior note, FRN, 0.442%, 11/15/16 Netherlands 80,000   80,242
SM Energy Co., senior note,        
5.00%, 1/15/24 United States 15,000   13,838
f 144A, 6.125%, 11/15/22 United States 633,000   637,747
Targa Resources Partners LP/Targa Resources Partners Finance Corp.,        
senior bond, 6.375%, 8/01/22 United States 25,000   26,625
senior bond, 5.25%, 5/01/23 United States 15,000   15,375
senior bond, 4.25%, 11/15/23 United States 5,000   4,800
f senior note, 144A, 4.125%, 11/15/19 United States 125,000   125,625
fTesoro Logistics LP/Tesoro Logistics Finance Corp., senior note, 144A,        
6.25%, 10/15/22 United States 160,000   164,000
fUltra Petroleum Corp., senior bond, 144A, 6.125%, 10/01/24 United States 10,000   9,150
Whiting Petroleum Corp., senior note,        
5.00%, 3/15/19 United States 10,000   9,775
5.75%, 3/15/21 United States 100,000   101,250
        5,632,730
Packaging & Containers 0.1%        
fOwens-Brockway Glass Container Inc.,144A,        
senior bond, 5.375%, 1/15/25 United States 170,000   172,337
senior note, 5.00%, 1/15/22 United States 170,000   172,338
fSealed Air Corp., senior bond, 144A, 5.125%, 12/01/24 United States 400,000   402,000
        746,675
Pharmaceuticals 0.2%        
fBioScrip Inc., senior note, 144A, 8.875%, 2/15/21 United States 30,000   27,937
fEndo Finance LLC & Endo Finco Inc., senior note, 144A, 5.375%, 1/15/23 United States 800,000   783,496
gJohnson & Johnson, senior note, FRN, 0.306%, 11/28/16 United States 20,000   20,038
fValeant Pharmaceuticals International Inc., senior note, 144A, 6.375%, 10/15/20 United States 70,000   72,888
        904,359

 

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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

  Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)        
 
             Principal    
    Country            Amount*   Value
 
  Corporate Bonds and Notes (continued)        
  Professional Services 0.1%        
  fIHS Inc., senior note, 144A, 5.00%, 11/01/22 United States 370,000 $ 377,400
  Real Estate 0.0%        
  fRialto Holdings LLC/Rialto Corp., senior note, 144A, 7.00%, 12/01/18 United States 203,000   207,948
  Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) 0.1%        
  iStar Financial Inc., senior note, 4.00%, 11/01/17 United States 385,000   381,150
  Real Estate Management & Development 0.1%        
  Kennedy-Wilson Inc., senior bond, 5.875%, 4/01/24 United States 600,000   603,000
  fRealogy Group LLC / Realogy Co-Issuer Corp., senior note, 144A, 5.25%,        
  12/01/21 United States 65,000   64,919
          667,919
  Retailing 0.4%        
  fGroup 1 Automotive Inc., senior note, 144A, 5.00%, 6/01/22 United States 900,000   893,250
  New Albertsons Inc., senior bond,        
           7.45%, 8/01/29 United States 817,000   743,470
           8.00%, 5/01/31 United States 305,000   286,700
          1,923,420
  Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment 0.0%        
KLA-Tencor Corp., senior note, 4.65%, 11/01/24 United States 173,000   176,818
  Software 0.1%        
  gOracle Corp., senior note, FRN, 0.432%, 7/07/17 United States 135,000   135,156
  fRolta Americas LLC, senior note, 144A, 8.875%, 7/24/19 India 260,000   255,450
          390,606
  Specialty Retail 0.1%        
  fMichaels Stores Inc., senior sub. note, 144A, 5.875%, 12/15/20 United States 480,000   486,000
  Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals 0.1%        
  CDW LLC / CDW Finance Corp., senior bond, 5.50%, 12/01/24 United States 540,000   540,000
  Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods 0.1%        
  fEmpire Today LLC / Empire Today Finance Corp., secured, first lien note, 144A,        
  11.375%, 2/01/17 United States 925,000   675,250
  Trading Companies & Distributors 0.1%        
  Air Lease Corp., senior bond, 4.25%, 9/15/24 United States 170,000   170,638
  fHD Supply Inc., secured, first lien note, 144A, 5.25%, 12/15/21 United States 360,000   368,550
          539,188
  Transportation 0.0%        
  gCanadian National Railway Co., senior note, FRN, 0.432%, 11/06/15 Canada 80,000   80,078
 
  Total Corporate Bonds and Notes (Cost $48,784,061)       48,389,950
 
  Corporate Notes in Reorganization (Cost $1,644,500) 0.3%        
  Electric Utilities 0.3%        
  f,kEnergy Future Intermediate Holding Co./EFIH Finance Inc., senior note, 144A,        
  11.25%, 12/01/18 United States 1,424,000   1,626,920

 

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39


 

FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)        
 
    Principal    
  Country Amount*   Value
 
g,lSenior Floating Rate Interests 0.8%        
Aerospace & Defense 0.1%        
Accudyne Industries Borrower SCA, Refinancing Term Loan, senior secured, first lien,        
4.00%, 12/13/19 Luxembourg 38,944 $ 38,157
Awas Aviation, Term Loan, 3.50%, 7/16/18 United States 18,127   18,029
TransDigm Group Inc.,        
Term Loan D, 3.75%, 6/04/21 United States 127,230   126,378
Tranche C Term Loan, senior secured, first lien guaranteed, 3.75%, 2/28/20 United States 45,173   44,878
        227,442
Air Freight & Logistics 0.0%        
Goodpack Ltd., Term Loan, first lien, 4.75%, 8/04/21 United States 50,043   49,928
Auto Components 0.0%        
American Tire Inc., Initial Term Loan, 5.75%, 6/01/18 United States 13,679   13,731
mVisteon Corp., Term Loan B, 3.50%, 4/08/21 United States 29,925   29,700
        43,431
Biotechnology 0.0%        
Grifols Worldwide Operations Ltd., Tranche B Term Loan, 3.156%, 3/06/21 United States 54,725   54,278
Building Materials 0.0%        
Quikrete Holdings Inc., Term Loan, first lien, 4.00%, 9/28/20 United States 74,753   74,333
Building Products 0.0%        
Continental Building Products Inc., Term Loan, first lien, 4.00%, 8/15/20 United States 59,739   58,993
Capital Markets 0.0%        
American Beacon Advisors Inc., Initial Term Loan, 4.75%, 11/20/19 United States 14,315   14,315
Chemicals 0.0%        
Axalta Coating Systems Dutch Holding B B.V. (Axalta Coating Systems U.S. Holdings        
Inc.), Refinanced Term Loan B, 3.75%, 2/01/20 United States 10,274   10,163
Emerald Performance Materials LLC, Term Loan, first lien, 4.50%, 7/18/21 United States 32,000   31,847
        42,010
Commercial Services & Supplies 0.1%        
Garda World Security Corp.,        
Delayed Draw Term Loan B, 4.00%, 11/04/20 United States 4,033   3,986
Term Loan B, 4.00%, 11/06/20 United States 15,767   15,583
Harland Clarke Holdings Corp. (Clarke American Corp.), Tranche B-3 Term Loan,        
7.00%, 5/22/18 United States 19,497   19,735
Interactive Data Corp., Term Loan, 4.50%, 4/21/21 United States 21,825   21,955
Onsite Rental Group Ltd., Term Loan B, 5.50%, 7/23/21 United States 118,987   118,243
Midas Intermediate Holdco II LLC,        
4.75%, 8/18/21 United States 1,924   1,931
Term Loan B, 4.75%, 8/18/21 United States 17,070   17,134
The ServiceMaster Co., Term Loan, 4.25%, 7/01/21 United States 112,291   111,842
        310,409
Communications Equipment 0.0%        
LTS Buyer LLC, senior secured, Term Loan B, first lien guaranteed, 4.00%,        
4/13/20 United States 33,201   32,889
Containers & Packaging 0.0%        
Ardagh Holdings USA Inc. (Ardagh Packaging Finance S.A), New Term Loan,        
4.00%, 12/17/19 United States 79,975   79,875
FPC Holdings Inc., Initial Term Loan, senior secured, first lien, 5.25%, 11/27/19 United States 6,901   6,789
        86,664

 

40 Semiannual Report

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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

  Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)        
 
      Principal    
    Country Amount*   Value
 
  g,lSenior Floating Rate Interests (continued)        
  Diversified Financial Services 0.0%        
  Duff & Phelps LLC, Initial Term Loan, senior secured, first lien, 4.50%, 4/23/20 United States 39,599 $ 39,525
  HarbourVest Partners L.P., New Term Loan, 3.25%, 2/03/21 United States 9,532   9,342
  Vat Holdings, Initial Term Loan, 4.75%, 1/28/21 United States 12,381   12,373
          61,240
  Diversified Telecommunication Services 0.0%        
  Level 3 Financing Inc., Term Loan B, 4.50%, 1/31/22 United States 48,413   48,672
  Electrical Equipment 0.0%        
  Generac Power Systems Inc., Term Loan B, 3.25%, 5/31/20 United States 50,464   49,392
  Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components 0.0%        
  Zebra Technologies Corp., Term Loan B, 4.75%, 9/30/21 United States 72,782   73,492
  Food Products 0.1%        
  ARAMARK Corp., Term Loan F, senior secured, first lien guaranteed, 3.25%,        
  2/24/21 United States 89,550   88,520
  Big Heart Pet Brands (Del Monte Corporation), Initial Term Loan, 3.50%, 2/21/20 United States 99,500   96,278
  Reddy Ice Corp., Term Loan B, first lien, 6.75%, 4/01/19 United States 6,267   5,893
          190,691
  Health Care Equipment & Supplies 0.0%        
Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics Inc., Term Loan B, 4.75%, 5/07/21 United States 55,860   55,429
  Health Care Providers & Services 0.1%        
  Amsurg Corp., Term Loan B, 5.25%, 7/16/21 United States 42,799   42,750
  DaVita HealthCare Partners Inc., Term Loan B, 3.50%, 6/18/21 United States 133,183   132,672
  Millennium Labs LLC, Tranche B Term Loan, 5.25%, 4/15/21 United States 114,277   114,704
          290,126
  Health Care Technology 0.0%        
  IMS Health Holdings Inc., Dollar B Term Loan, 3.50%, 3/07/21 United States 16,915   16,873
  Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure 0.1%        
  Burger King Worldwide Inc., Term Loan B, 4.50%, 9/25/21 United States 157,352   157,956
  Hilton Worldwide Finance LLC, senior secured, first lien guaranteed, 3.50%,        
  10/26/20 United States 125,437   124,418
  Las Vegas Sands Corp., Term Loan, 4.75%, 3/25/21 United States 51,691   51,659
          334,033
  Household Durables 0.0%        
  Tempur Sealy International Inc., New Term Loan B, senior secured, first lien        
  guaranteed, 3.50%, 3/18/20 United States 32,145   31,843
  Household Products 0.0%        
  Libbey Glass Inc., Initial Term Loan, 3.75%, 4/07/21 United States 7,696   7,667
  Wilsonart International Holding LLC, Initial Term Loan, senior secured, first lien,        
  4.00%, 10/31/19 United States 19,799   19,501
          27,168
  Independent Power Producers & Energy Traders 0.0%        
  Calpine Construction Finance Co. LP,        
         Delayed Term Loan, 4.00%, 10/21/20 United States 6,616   6,593
        senior secured, first lien guaranteed, 3.00%, 5/03/20 United States 20,789   20,391
  Term Loan B, 4.00%, 10/09/19 United States 71,997   71,783
          98,767

 

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Semiannual Report

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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)        
 
    Principal    
  Country Amount*   Value
 
g,lSenior Floating Rate Interests (continued)        
Industrial Conglomerates 0.0%        
Crosby U.S. Acquisition Corp., 3.75%, 11/07/20 United States 19,850 $ 19,453
Insurance 0.0%        
Asurion LLC, senior secured, first lien, Incremental Tranche B-1 Term Loan,        
5.00%, 5/24/19 United States 69,295   69,116
Sedgwick Claims Management Services Inc., Initial Term Loan, first lien,        
3.75%, 2/10/21 United States 50,447   49,474
        118,590
Internet Software & Services 0.0%        
Dealertrack Technologies Inc., Term Loan, 3.50%, 2/25/21 United States 15,826   15,684
Zayo Group, LLC (Zayo Capital Inc.), Term Loan, 4.00%, 7/02/19 United States 57,089   57,083
        72,767
Investment Companies 0.0%        
Grosvenor Capital Management Holdings LLP, Initial Term Loan, 3.75%,        
11/25/20 United States 9,925   9,776
IT Services 0.0%        
Aptean Inc., Term Loan, 5.25%, 2/05/20 United States 49,750   48,879
Leisure Equipment & Products 0.0%        
Bauer Performance Sports Ltd., Initial Term Loan, 4.00%, 4/02/21 United States 11,580   11,503
SRAM LLC, Term Loan, senior secured, first lien guaranteed, 5.25%, 4/10/20 United States 36,359   35,813
        47,316
Life Sciences Tools & Services 0.0%        
mQuintiles Transnational Corp., Term Loan B-3, 3.75%, 6/08/18 United States 111,798   111,424
Machinery 0.0%        
Dematic, New Incremental Term Loan, 4.25%, 12/18/19 United States 3,391   3,370
North American Lifting Holdings Inc., Initial Term Loan, first lien, 5.50%,        
11/26/20 United States 15,897   15,897
Signode Industrial Group, Initial Term Loan B, 3.75%, 4/09/21 United States 29,556   29,232
        48,499
Media 0.1%        
Charter Communications Inc., Term Loan G, 4.25%, 8/12/21 United States 22,739   22,929
Sinclair Television Group Inc., New Tranche B Term Loan, 3.00%, 4/15/20 United States 20,930   20,551
Springer Science + Business Media GmbH, Term Loan B-3, 4.75%, 8/16/21 United States 19,800   19,782
Time Inc., Term Loan B, 4.25%, 4/17/21 United States 34,913   34,978
Tribune Co., Initial Term Loan, 4.00%, 11/21/20 United States 18,442   18,396
Virgin Media, Term Loan, 3.50%, 6/07/20 United Kingdom 40,000   39,671
William Morris Endeavor Entertainment LLC, Term Loan, first lien, 5.25%,        
3/12/21 United States 52,868   51,942
        208,249
Metals & Mining 0.0%        
ABC Supply, Term Loan B, 3.50%, 4/16/20 United States 64,836   63,742
Doncasters Finance U.S. Finance LLC, (Doncasters U.S. LLC), Term Loan B,        
4.50%, 4/10/20 United States 11,241   11,175
Metal Services, LLC, New Term Loan, 6.00%, 6/30/17 United States 16,858   16,837
        91,754

 

42 Semiannual Report

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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)        
 
    Principal    
  Country Amount*   Value
 
g,lSenior Floating Rate Interests (continued)        
Miscellaneous Manufacturing 0.0%        
Gates Global Inc., Term Loan B, 4.25%, 6/12/21 United States 34,000 $ 33,715
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels 0.0%        
Power Buyer LLC senior secured, first lien,        
       Delayed Draw Term Loan, 4.25%, 5/06/20 United States 3,417   3,340
       Initial Term Loan, 4.25%, 5/06/20 United States 64,157   62,713
        66,053
Pharmaceuticals 0.1%        
Amneal Pharmaceuticals LLC, Term Loan B, senior secured, first lien guaranteed,        
4.75%, 11/01/19 United States 19,800   19,804
JLL/Delta Dutch Newco B.V., Initial Dollar Term Loan, 4.25%, 1/23/21 United States 9,975   9,773
Mallinckrodt International Finance S.A., Initial Term Loan, 3.50%, 3/19/21 United States 86,715   86,101
PRA Holdings Inc., Initial Term Loan, senior secured, first lien, 4.50%, 9/23/20 United States 32,764   32,703
        148,381
Pipelines 0.0%        
Energy Transfer Equity L.P., Term Loan, 3.25%, 12/02/19 United States 40,000   39,572
Professional Services 0.0%        
iQor Inc., Term Loan B, first lien, 6.00%, 4/01/21 United States 69,455   66,156
Real Estate Management & Development 0.0%        
The Brickman Group Ltd. LLC, Initial Term Loan, first lien, 4.00%, 12/11/20 United States 6,948   6,885
Retailing 0.0%        
The Hillman Group, Term Loan B, 4.50%, 6/30/21 United States 41,641   41,745
Talbots Inc., Term Loan, first lien, 4.75%, 3/14/20 United States 68,358   66,650
        108,395
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment 0.0%        
Entegris Inc., Tranche B Term Loan, 3.50%, 3/25/21 United States 18,863   18,722
M/A-COM Technology Solutions Holdings Inc., Initial Term Loan, 4.50%, 4/30/21 United States 32,292   32,292
Microsemi, Term Loan, 3.50%, 2/19/20 United States 6,887   6,835
NXP BV, Tranche D Loan, 3.25%, 1/22/20 Netherlands 9,900   9,850
        67,699
Software 0.1%        
BMC Software Finance Inc., senior secured, Term Loan, first lien guaranteed,        
5.00%, 9/10/20 United States 94,753   93,439
Infor (US) Inc. (Lawson Software Inc.), Tranche B-5 Term Loan, 3.75%, 6/03/20 United States 64,845   64,116
Micro Focus International PLC, Term Loan B, 5.25%, 10/07/21 United Kingdom 79,895   78,272
Renaissance Learning Inc., Initial Term Loan, first lien, 4.50%, 3/31/21 United States 31,246   30,855
Verint Systems Inc., Tranche B Incremental Term Loan, 3.50%, 9/06/19 United States 4,358   4,358
Vertafore Inc., Term Loan B, 4.25%, 10/03/19 United States 74,425   74,348
        345,388
Specialty Retail 0.0%        
The Men’s Warehouse Inc., Term Loan, 4.50%, 4/15/21 United States 73,923   74,084
Transportation 0.0%        
OSG Bulk Ships, Term Loan, 5.25%, 6/26/19 United States 10,990   10,990
Wireless Telecommunication Services 0.0%        
SBA Finance, Incremental Term Loan, 3.25%, 2/05/21 United States 49,875   49,236
 
Total Senior Floating Rate Interests (Cost $4,069,665)       4,065,679

 

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Semiannual Report

43


 

FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

  Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)          
 
      Principal      
    Country Amount*     Value
 
  Foreign Government and Agency Securities 0.4%          
  hGovernment of Hellenic Republic, senior, Series PSI, Reg S, 2.00%,          
  2/24/23-2/24/42 Greece 1,436,000   EUR $ 1,032,745
  Mexico Bonos,          
  Series M, senior note, 4.75%, 6/14/18 Mexico 40,000 n MXN 290,191
  Series M 10, senior note, 8.50%, 12/13/18 Mexico 5,000 n MXN 41,087
  Series M, senior bond, 6.50%, 6/10/21 Mexico 75,100 n MXN 574,390
  Series M, 7.75%, 11/13/42 Mexico                                    5,000 n   MXN 40,651
 
  Total Foreign Government and Agency Securities          
  (Cost $2,150,232)         1,979,064
 
Asset-Backed Securities and Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities 1.4%        
  Automobiles 0.1%          
  BMW Vehicle Owner Trust, 2014-A, 0.97%, 11/26/18 United States 75,000     75,195
  Honda Auto Receivables 2013-4 Owner Trust, A3, 0.69%, 9/18/17 United States 40,000     40,046
  Honda Auto Receivables 2014 Owner Trust, A3, 0.77%, 3/19/18 United States 90,000     90,010
  Honda Auto Receivables 2014-A3 Owner Trust, 0.99%, 9/17/18 United States 55,000     54,990
  Honda Auto Receivables 2014-3 Owner Trust,          
  A3, 0.88%, 6/15/18 United States 45,000     45,053
  A4, 1.31%, 10/15/20 United States 30,000     30,056
  Hyundai Auto Receivables Trust, A3, 0.79%, 7/16/18 United States 110,000     110,099
  Nissan Auto Lease Trust, 2014-B, 1.12%, 9/15/17 United States 45,000     45,140
  Nissan Auto Receivables 2013-C Owner Trust, A3, 0.67%, 8/15/18 United States 30,000     30,018
  Toyota Auto Receivables 2014-C Owner Trust, A3, 0.93%, 7/16/18 United States 40,000     40,138
  USAA Auto Owner Trust, A4, 0.57%, 8/15/17 United States 20,000     20,005
            580,750
  Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities 0.1%          
  f,gBLCP Hotel Trust 2014-CLRN, 2014-E, 144A, FRN, 3.825%, 8/15/29 United States 100,000     100,160
  f,gCOMM 2014-SAVA Mortgage Trust, 2014-C, 144A, FRN, 2.555%, 6/15/34 United States 100,000     100,067
  gGovernment National Mortgage Association, IO, FRN, 1.047%, 6/16/52 United States 237,642     16,068
  f,gGP Portfolio Trust 2014-GGP, A, 144A, FRN, 1.105%, 2/15/27 United States 100,000     100,002
  fHilton USA Trust 2013-HLT, CFX, 144A, 3.714%, 11/05/30 United States 100,000     101,889
  f,gSCG Trust 2013-SRP1 FRN,144A,          
  A, 1.555%, 11/15/26 United States 100,000     100,226
  C, 3.405%, 11/15/26 United States 100,000     100,532
            618,944
  Consumer Finance 0.1%          
  Ford Credit Auto Owner Trust,          
  2014-B, Series 2014-A3, 0.90%, 10/15/18 United States 120,000     120,229
  Series 2014-A3, 1.06%, 5/15/19 United States 55,000     55,069
  f 2014-2A, 144A, 2.31%, 4/15/26 United States 100,000     100,909
            276,207
  Credit Cards 0.5%          
  American Express Credit Account Master Trust,          
  0.98%, 5/15/19 United States 100,000     100,335
  g FRN, 0.425%, 1/15/20 United States 100,000     99,981
  Series 2014-A, 1.26%, 1/15/20 United States 100,000     100,349
  g Series 2014-A, FRN, 0.444%, 5/15/20 United States 100,000     100,050
  Series 2014-3, 1.49%, 4/15/20 United States 100,000     100,613

 

44 Semiannual Report

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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)          
 
             Principal    
    Country         Amount*   Value
 
Asset-Backed Securities and Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities (continued)      
Credit Cards (continued)          
gBA Credit Card Trust, FRN,          
A, 0.425%, 9/16/19   United States 120,000 $ 120,045
A, 0.535%, 6/15/21   United States 100,000   100,027
A3, 0.445%, 1/15/20   United States 100,000   100,074
Capital One Multi-Asset Execution Trust,          
A2, 1.26%, 1/15/20   United States 40,000   40,178
A3, 0.96%, 9/16/19   United States 100,000   100,214
A5, 1.48% 7/15/20   United States 90,000   90,628
Chase Issuance Trust,          
g A3, FRN, 0.355%, 5/15/18 United States 110,000   109,986
g A5, FRN, 0.525%, 4/15/21 United States 120,000   120,351
A8, 1.01%, 10/15/18   United States 100,000   100,363
g Series 2014-A, FRN, 0.404%, 11/15/18   United States 85,000   85,041
Series 2014-A6, 1.26%, 7/15/19   United States 100,000   100,173
Citibank Credit Card Issuance Trust,          
g 2013-A2, FRN, 0.435%, 5/26/20   United States 125,000   124,796
g 2014-A7, FRN, 0.355%, 8/24/18   United States 100,000   100,013
2014-A8, 1.73%, 4/09/20   United States 100,000   100,708
A2, 1.02%, 2/22/19   United States 100,000   100,040
g A3, FRN, 0.356%, 5/09/18 United States 100,000   100,031
A4, 1.23%, 4/24/19   United States 100,000   100,310
g A7, FRN, 0.586%, 9/10/20 United States 200,000   200,579
A10, 0.73%, 2/07/18   United States 100,000   100,185
          2,495,070
Other ABS 0.2%          
gAlly Master Owner Trust, FRN,          
1A1, 0.625%, 1/15/19   United States 100,000   100,170
2A, 0.525%, 1/16/18   United States 135,000   135,019
Citicorp Mortgage Securities 2006-4 Trust, 1A2, 6.00%, 8/25/36   United States 40,344   41,439
fCLI Funding LLC, 2014-2A, 144A, 3.38%, 10/18/29   United States 99,167   100,033
f,gInvitation Homes Trust, B, 144A, FRN, 1.655%, 6/17/31   United States 100,000   98,709
fOneMain Financial Issuance Trust, 2014-2, Series 2014-A, 144A, 2.47%, 9/18/24   United States 150,000   150,047
fSierra Timeshare 2013-3 Receivables Funding LLC, A, 144A, 2.20%, 10/20/30   United States 110,060   110,095
fTAL Advantage V LLC, A, 144A, 3.55%, 11/20/38   United States 90,000   91,539
          827,051
Whole Loan Collateral CMO 0.4%          
gAdjustable Rate Mortgage 2004-4 Trust, 3A1, FRN, 2.677%, 3/25/35   United States 72,252   70,608
gAdjustable Rate Mortgage 2004-5 Trust, FRN,          
5A1, 2.582%, 4/25/35   United States 19,630   19,255
6A1, 2.547%, 4/25/35   United States 12,962   12,895
Alternative Loan 2003-9T1 Trust, A7, 5.50%, 7/25/33   United States 33,758   34,549
Alternative Loan 2003-20CB Trust, 2A1, 5.75%, 10/25/33   United States 32,671   33,898
Alternative Loan 2004-28CB Trust, 5A1, 5.75%, 1/25/35   United States 13,559   13,907
Alternative Loan 2004-J3 Trust, 1A1, 5.50%, 4/25/34   United States 68,788   73,264
Alternative Loan 2005-J1 Trust, 2A1, 5.50%, 2/25/25   United States 16,964   17,352
Bank of America Alternative Loan 2003-8 Trust, 1CB1, 5.50%, 10/25/33   United States 16,585   17,170
Bank of America Alternative Loan 2004-9 Trust, 2CB1, 6.00%, 10/25/34   United States 17,250   17,922
Bank of America Alternative Loan 2005-6 Trust, CB7, 5.25%, 7/25/35   United States 34,234   31,060
Bank of America Funding 2005-5 Trust, 2005-1A1, 5.50%, 9/25/35   United States 28,558   30,009

 

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45


 

FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)        
 
    Principal    
  Country Amount*   Value
 
Asset-Backed Securities and Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities (continued)      
Whole Loan Collateral CMO (continued)        
gBank of America Mortgage 2005-A Trust, 2A1, FRN, 2.706%, 2/25/35 United States 18,369 $ 18,079
gBear Stearns ARM 2004-6 Trust, 2A1, FRN, 2.661%, 9/25/34 United States 56,285   53,835
gBear Stearns ARM 2004-9 Trust, 12A3, FRN, 2.78%, 11/25/34 United States 22,060   21,827
gBear Stearns ARM 2005-12 Trust, 11A1, FRN, 2.555%, 2/25/36 United States 35,377   27,872
gChase Mortgage Finance 2007-A1 Trust, 3A1, FRN, 2.541%, 2/25/37 United States 65,011   64,210
CHL Mortgage Pass-Through 2003-57 Trust, A11, 5.50%, 1/25/34 United States 18,039   18,945
gCHL Mortgage Pass-Through 2004-12 Trust, 8A1, FRN, 2.582%, 8/25/34 United States 26,091   24,526
gCHL Mortgage Pass-Through 2004-HYB4 Trust, 2A1, FRN, 2.396%, 9/20/34 United States 65,147   64,285
CHL Mortgage Pass-Through 2005-21 Trust, A17, 5.50%, 10/25/35 United States 27,685   26,141
gCitigroup Mortgage Loan 2005-11 Trust, A2A, FRN, 2.561%, 10/25/35 United States 57,711   57,210
f,gCitigroup Mortgage Loan 2009-10 Trust, 6A2, 144A, FRN, 2.666%, 9/25/34 United States 120,000   108,872
gCitigroup Mortgage Loan Trust Inc., 1A4, FRN, 2.597%, 5/25/35 United States 33,987   33,572
CitiMortgage Alternative Loan 2007-A6 Trust, 1A11, 6.00%, 6/25/37 United States 21,594   18,011
Credit Suisse First Boston Mortgage Securities Corp.,        
g 3A1, FRN, 2.574%, 5/25/34 United States 31,273   30,906
g 4A1, FRN, 2.519%, 12/25/33 United States 8,488   8,259
4A4, 5.75%, 11/25/33 United States 4,707   4,984
g 7A1, FRN, 2.515%, 11/25/33 United States 11,139   10,783
Deutsche Alt-A Securities Inc. Mortgage Loan 2005-3 Trust, 4A4, 5.25%, 6/25/35 United States 11,562   11,745
gDeutsche Alt-A Securities Inc. Mortgage Loan 2005-5 Trust, 1A4, FRN, 5.50%,        
11/25/35 United States 18,334   17,471
fFDIC 2013-N1 Trust, A, 144A, 4.50%, 10/25/18 United States 10,748   10,870
GMACM Mortgage Loan Trust 2003-J7, Series 2003-A7, 5.00%, 11/25/33 United States 68,053   70,597
GSR Mortgage Loan Trust 2005-4F, 6A1, 6.50%, 2/25/35 United States 64,471   65,484
gGSR Mortgage Loan Trust 2005-AR6, 4A5, FRN, 2.686%, 9/25/35 United States 60,029   60,458
gHarborview Mortgage Loan Trust, 1A, FRN, 0.524%, 10/19/33 United States 27,327   26,360
gJP Morgan Alternative Loan Trust, 3A1, FRN, 2.547%, 3/25/36 United States 101,459   88,910
gJP Morgan Mortgage 2003-A2 Trust, 3A1, FRN, 1.99%, 11/25/33 United States 26,683   26,644
gJP Morgan Mortgage 2006-A1 Trust, 1A2, FRN, 2.408%, 2/25/36 United States 68,996   61,957
gJP Morgan Mortgage 2006-A7 Trust, 2A4, FRN, 2.775%, 1/25/37 United States 50,492   45,195
gJP Morgan Mortgage 2007-A1 Trust, 4A2, FRN, 2.489%, 7/25/35 United States 15,211   15,376
JP Morgan Mortgage 2007-S1 Trust, 2A22, 5.75%, 3/25/37 United States 82,603   71,218
gJP Morgan Mortgage Trust 2005-A3, 4A1, FRN, 2.632%, 6/25/35 United States 21,061   21,358
gJP Morgan Mortgage Trust 2005-A5, Series 2005-1A2, FRN, 2.654%, 8/25/35 United States 22,234   22,192
gMASTR Adjustable Rate Mortgages 2004-7 Trust, 3A1, FRN, 2.494%, 7/25/34 United States 88,860   89,296
MASTR Alternative Loan Trust 2004-12, 6A2, 5.25%, 12/25/34 United States 25,415   25,547
gMerrill Lynch Mortgage Investors MLCC 2006-2 Trust, 2A, FRN, 2.12%, 5/25/36 United States 20,312   20,231
gNew York Mortgage 2006-1 Trust, 2A2, FRN, 2.625%, 5/25/36 United States 49,399   44,989
gProvident Funding Mortgage Loan 2005-2 Trust, 2A1A, FRN, 2.395%, 10/25/35 United States 15,352   15,021
RALI 2004-QS2 Trust, AI1, 5.50%, 2/25/34 United States 29,383   29,637
gStructured Adjustable Rate Mortgage Loan Trust, 1A, FRN, 2.358%, 6/25/34 United States 40,412   40,055
Structured Asset Securities Corp. Trust 2005-1, 7A7, 5.50%, 2/25/35 United States 32,653   33,527
gWaMu Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates Series 2005-AR7 Trust, A3, FRN,        
2.362%, 8/25/35 United States 150,000   147,722
gWells Fargo Mortgage Backed Securities 2003-J Trust, 1A9, FRN, 2.612%,        
10/25/33 United States 60,386   60,741
gWells Fargo Mortgage Backed Securities 2004-A Trust, A1, FRN, 2.637%, 2/25/34 United States 52,831   53,524
Wells Fargo Mortgage Backed Securities 2005-16 Trust, A18, 6.00%, 1/25/36 United States 13,870   13,774

 

46 Semiannual Report

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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)        
 
    Principal    
  Country Amount*   Value
 
Asset-Backed Securities and Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities (continued)      
Whole Loan Collateral CMO (continued)        
  gWells Fargo Mortgage Backed Securities 2005-AR10 Trust, FRN,        
       2A2, 2.614%, 6/25/35 United States 70,685 $ 72,087
       2A4, 2.614%, 6/25/35 United States 31,415   31,601
        2,257,793
 
Total Asset-Backed Securities and Commercial Mortgage-        
Backed Securities (Cost $7,009,142)       7,055,815
 
    Number of    
    Contracts    
 
Options Purchased 0.2%        
Calls – Exchange-Traded        
Airlines 0.0%        
Delta Air Lines Inc., January Strike Price, $40.00, Expires 1/17/15 United States 43   30,530
Automobiles 0.0%        
Ford Motor Co., January Strike Price, $15.00, Expires 1/17/15 United States 229   22,900
Banks 0.0%        
Citigroup Inc., January Strike Price, $50.00, Expires 1/17/15 United States 139   59,770
Citigroup Inc., January Strike Price, $52.50, Expires 1/17/15 United States 28   6,524
Citigroup Inc., January Strike Price, $55.00, Expires 1/17/15 United States 94   8,836
        75,130
Chemicals 0.0%        
The Dow Chemical Co., January Strike Price, $50.00, Expires 1/17/15 United States 38   3,876
Consumer Finance 0.0%        
Ally Financial Inc., December Strike Price, $26.00, Expires 12/20/14 United States 42   630
Diversified Telecommunication Services 0.0%        
Vivendi SA, December Strike Price, 21.00 EUR, Expires 12/19/14 France 247   3,166
Vivendi SA, February Strike Price, 20.00 EUR, Expires 2/20/15 France 196   21,465
        24,631
Electrical Equipment 0.0%        
Alstom SA, March Strike Price, 27.00 EUR, Expires 3/20/15 France 20   4,854
Hotels Restaurants & Leisure 0.0%        
McDonald’s Corp., January Strike Price, $95.00, Expires 1/17/15 United States 92   29,900
Internet Software & Services 0.0%        
Pandora Media Inc., March Strike Price, $25.00, Expires 3/20/15 United States 79   6,873
Machinery 0.0%        
Terex Corp., January Strike Price, $32.00, Expires 1/17/15 United States 35   1,435
Marine 0.0%        
DryShips Inc., December Strike Price, $4.00, Expires 12/20/14 United States 110   110
Media 0.1%        
Grupo Televisa SAB ADR, January Strike Price, $40.00, Expires 1/17/15 Mexico 138   6,210
Time Warner Cable Inc., January Strike Price, $145.00, Expires 1/17/15 United States 84   74,760
Time Warner Cable Inc., April Strike Price, $145.00, Expires 4/17/15 United States 92   128,800
Time Warner Cable Inc., January Strike Price, $155.00, Expires 1/15/16 United States 7   9,380

 

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Semiannual Report

47


 

FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)            
 
      Number of      
  Country   Contracts     Value
 
Options Purchased (continued)            
Calls – Exchange-Traded (continued)            
Media (continued)            
Time Warner Inc., January Strike Price, $90.00,            
Expires 1/17/15 United States   13 $   728
            219,878
Multiline Retail 0.0%            
Dollar General Corp., February Strike Price, $65.00,            
Expires 2/20/15 United States   26     15,340
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels 0.0%            
Alpha Natural Resources Inc., January Strike Price, $4.50,            
Expires 1/17/15 United States   230     690
Cheniere Energy Inc., December Strike Price, $70.00,            
Expires 12/20/14 United States   67     6,030
Encana Corp., January Strike Price, $20.00, Expires 1/17/15 Canada   201     1,206
Peabody Energy Corp., January Strike Price, $18.00,            
Expires 1/17/15 United States   55     193
            8,119
Pharmaceuticals 0.0%            
Valeant Pharmaceuticals International Inc., December Strike            
Price, $135.00, Expires 12/20/14 United States   35     39,375
Specialty Retail 0.0%            
Best Buy Co. Inc., December Strike Price, $31.00,            
Expires 12/20/14 United States   19     16,435
PetSmart Inc., December Strike Price, $75.00,            
Expires 12/20/14 United States   15     6,555
            22,990
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals 0.0%            
Hewlett-Packard Co., February Strike Price, $39.00,            
Expires 2/20/15 United States   35     5,460
Nokia OYJ, A, March Strike Price, 6.80 EUR, Expires 3/20/15 Finland   98     4,390
Nokia OYJ, A, March Strike Price, 7.00 EUR, Expires 3/20/15 Finland   229     8,265
            18,115
Wireless Telecommunication Services 0.0%            
T-Mobile US Inc., January Strike Price, $31.00,            
Expires 1/17/15 United States   129     8,643
 
      Notional      
    Counterparty Amount*      
Receiver Swaptions – Over-the-Counter            
Interest Rate 0.0%            
Receive fixed 1 year 4.26%, pay floating 28 Day TIIE,            
Expires 10/24/16 Mexico BOFA 27,000,000 MXN 8,366

 

48 Semiannual Report

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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)        
 
    Number of    
  Country Contracts   Value
 
Options Purchased (continued)        
Puts – Exchange-Traded        
Biotechnology 0.0%        
Synergy Pharmaceuticals Inc., April Strike Price, $2.50, Expires 4/17/15 United States 46 $ 1,725
Capital Markets 0.0%        
Prospect Capital Corp., February Strike Price, $7.50, Expires 2/20/15 United States 105   1,575
Diversified Financial Services 0.1%        
Euro STOXX 50 Index, December Strike Price, 2,800.00 EUR, Expires        
12/19/14 Germany 10   237
Euro STOXX 50 Index, December Strike Price, 2,850.00 EUR, Expires        
12/19/14 Germany 7   209
Euro STOXX 50 Index, December Strike Price, 3,000.00 EUR, Expires        
12/19/14 Germany 10   697
Euro STOXX 50 Index, December Strike Price, 3,050.00 EUR, Expires        
12/19/14 Germany 10   1,008
Euro STOXX 50 Index, February Strike Price, 3,050.00 EUR, Expires        
2/20/15 Germany 71   38,348
S&P 500 Index, December Strike Price, $1,850.00, Expires 12/20/14 United States 9   1,170
S&P 500 Index, December Strike Price, $2,025.00, Expires 12/20/14 United States 35   35,000
S&P 500 Index, December Strike Price, $1,800.00, Expires 12/31/14 United States 85   14,450
S&P 500 Index, December Strike Price, $1,900.00, Expires 12/31/14 United States 83   31,540
S&P 500 Index, January Strike Price, $1,925.00, Expires 1/17/15 United States 19   16,682
S&P 500 Index, February Strike Price, $1,925.00, Expires 2/20/15 United States 15   26,250
S&P 500 Index, February Strike Price, $1,950.00, Expires 2/20/15 United States 16   36,160
        201,751
Diversified Telecommunication Services 0.0%        
AT&T Inc., June Strike Price, $35.00, Expires 6/19/15 United States 224   43,904
Energy Equipment & Services 0.0%        
McDermott International Inc., January Strike Price, $3.00, Expires 1/17/15 United States 55   550
Exchange Traded Funds 0.0%        
SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust, December Strike Price, $180.00,        
Expires 12/31/14 United States 8   112
SPDR S&P Retail ETF, December Strike Price, $80.00, Expires 12/20/14 United States 19   152
SPDR S&P Retail ETF, January Strike Price, $75.00, Expires 1/17/15 United States 14   175
SPDR S&P Retail ETF, January Strike Price, $80.00, Expires 1/17/15 United States 44   814
SPDR S&P Retail ETF, January Strike Price, $85.00, Expires 1/17/15 United States 14   406
SPDR S&P Retail ETF, March Strike Price, $87.00, Expires 3/20/15 United States 27   3,537
        5,196
Food Products 0.0%        
Post Holdings Inc., December Strike Price, $30.00, Expires 12/20/14 United States 13   104
Health Care Equipment & Supplies 0.0%        
Covidien PLC, January Strike Price, $85.00, Expires 1/17/15 United States 132   15,180
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure 0.0%        
Burger King Worldwide Inc., January Strike Price, $40.00, Expires 1/17/15 United States 13   6,500
Metals & Mining 0.0%        
Horsehead Holding Corp., December Strike Price, $12.50, Expires 12/20/14 United States 110   1,650
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels 0.0%        
Forest Oil Corp., January Strike Price, $1.50, Expires 1/17/15 United States 138   11,385

 

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49


 

FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)            
 
      Number of      
  Country   Contracts     Value
 
Options Purchased (continued)            
Puts – Exchange-Traded (continued)            
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels (continued)            
Forest Oil Corp., January Strike Price, $2.00,            
Expires 1/17/15 United States   397 $   51,610
Forest Oil Corp., January Strike Price, $2.50,            
Expires 1/17/15 United States   138     24,150
Sanchez Energy Corp., December Strike Price, $11.00,            
Expires 12/20/14 United States   55     3,850
Scorpio Tankers Inc., January Strike Price, $7.50,            
Expires 1/17/15 United States   50     750
            91,745
Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) 0.0%            
Gramercy Property Trust Inc., February Strike Price, $5.00,            
Expires 2/20/15 United States   45     675
Health Care REIT Inc., December Strike Price, $52.50,            
Expires 12/20/14 United States   30     675
Spirit Realty Capital Inc., January Strike Price, $10.00,            
Expires 1/17/15 United States   43     430
            1,780
Software 0.0%            
VMware Inc., A, January Strike Price, $80.00,            
Expires 1/17/15 United States   56     3,640
VMware Inc., A, January Strike Price, $85.00,            
Expires 1/17/15 United States   9     1,611
            5,251
Specialty Retail 0.0%            
PetSmart Inc., January Strike Price, $67.50, Expires 1/17/15 United States   20     60
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals 0.0%            
Nokia OYJ, A, December Strike Price, 6.20 EUR,            
Expires 12/19/14 Finland   574     2,143
 
      Notional      
    Counterparty Amount*      
Puts – Over-the-Counter            
Currency Options 0.0%            
CNY/USD, February Strike Price, 6.20 CNY,            
Expires 2/03/15 China DBFX 6,200,000 CNY 4,670
COP/USD, January Strike Price, 2,122.00 COP,            
Expires 1/08/15 Colombia CITI 1,061,000,000 COP 23,743
JPY/USD, January Strike Price, 114.85 JPY,            
Expires 1/08/15 Japan BOFA 172,275,000 JPY 51,813
KRW/USD, January Strike Price, 1,095.00 KRW,            
Expires 1/08/15 South Korea DBFX 876,000,000 KRW 16,673
KRW/USD, January Strike Price, 1,175.00 KRW,            
Expires 1/08/15 South Korea DBFX 940,000,000 KRW 1,054
ZAR/USD, January Strike Price, 11.39 ZAR, Expires 1/08/15 South Africa DBFX 5,695,000 ZAR 3,663
            101,616
 
Total Options Purchased (Cost $1,625,515)           1,022,425
 
Total Investments before Short Term            
      Investments (Cost $361,485,124)           388,456,356

 

50 Semiannual Report

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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

  Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)            
        Principal      
      Country Amount*   Value  
 
  Short Term Investments 0.0%            
  U.S. Government and Agency Securities (Cost $139,980) 0.0%            
  oU.S. Treasury Bills, 4/09/15   United States 140,000 $ 139,979  
 
  Total Investments before Money Market Funds and Repurchase            
        Agreements (Cost $361,625,104)         388,596,335  
 
        Shares      
 
  Money Market Funds (Cost $43,868,326) 8.8%            
  p,qDreyfus Government Cash Management, Institutional Shares, 0.01%   United States 43,868,326   43,868,326  
 
        Principal      
        Amount*      
 
  Repurchase Agreement (Cost $19,644,487) 3.9%            
  rJoint Repurchase Agreement, 0.069%, 12/01/14            
  (Maturity Value $19,644,599),   United States 19,644,487   19,644,487  
  BNP Paribas Securities Corp. (Maturity Value $4,293,916)            
  Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC (Maturity Value $2,146,958)            
  HSBC Securities (USA) Inc. (Maturity Value $9,017,264)            
  Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Inc. (Maturity Value $4,186,461)            
  Collateralized by U.S. Government Agency Securities,            
     0.102% - 1.50%, 1/20/15 - 6/05/17; U.S. Government Agency Securities, zero            
  cpn., 10/09/17; U.S. Government Agency Securities, Strips, 6/01/17; U.S.            
  Treasury Bonds, 3.625%, 2/15/44; U.S. Treasury Notes, 1.50% - 3.625%,            
     9/30/16 - 11/15/22; and U.S. Treasury Notes, Index Linked, 0.125%, 7/15/22            
        (valued at $20,046,262).            
 
  Total Investments (Cost $425,137,917) 90.7%         452,109,148  
 
  Options Written (0.0)%         (167,865 )
  Securities Sold Short (27.8)%         (138,604,420 )
  Other Assets, less Liabilities 37.1%         185,309,936  
 
  Net Assets 100.0%       $ 498,646,799  
 
        Number of      
        Contracts      
  sOptions Written (0.0)%            
  Calls – Exchange-Traded            
Banks(0.0)%          
  Commerzbank AG, December Strike Price, 13.50 EUR, Expires 12/19/14   Germany 9 $ (79 )
  Diversified Telecommunication Services (0.0)%            
      AT&T Inc., June Strike Price, $37.00, Expires 6/19/15   United States 102   (6,834 )
  Electrical Equipment (0.0)%            
  Alstom SA, March Strike Price, 30.00 EUR, Expires 3/20/15   France 41   (2,908 )
  Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure (0.0)%            
  Bally Technologies Inc., January Strike Price, $80.00, Expires 1/17/15   United States 35   (11,550 )
  Burger King Worldwide Inc., January Strike Price, $40.00, Expires 1/17/15   United States 13   (442 )
            (11,992 )

 

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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)          
 
    Number of      
  Country Contracts   Value  
sOptions Written (continued)          
Calls – Exchange-Traded (continued)          
Internet & Catalog Retail (0.0)%          
Netflix Inc., January Strike Price, $350.00, Expires 1/17/15 United States 4 $ (6,440 )
Multiline Retail (0.0)%          
Dollar General Corp., February Strike Price, $70.00, Expires 2/20/15 United States 26   (8,060 )
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels (0.0)%          
Cheniere Energy Inc., December Strike Price, $85.00, Expires 12/20/14 United States 50   (50 )
Specialty Retail (0.0)%          
Best Buy Co. Inc., February Strike Price, $41.00, Expires 2/20/15 United States 98   (18,130 )
PetSmart Inc., January Strike Price, $77.50, Expires 1/17/15 United States 10   (2,980 )
        (21,110 )
Puts – Exchange-Traded          
Diversified Financial Services (0.0)%          
S&P 500 Index, December Strike Price, $1,750.00, Expires 12/20/14 United States 9   (630 )
S&P 500 Index, December Strike Price, $1,750.00, Expires 12/31/14 United States 10   (1,150 )
S&P 500 Index, December Strike Price, $1,850.00, Expires 12/31/14 United States 170   (41,650 )
        (43,430 )
Health Care Equipment & Supplies (0.0)%          
Covidien PLC, January Strike Price, $72.50, Expires 1/17/15 United States 264   (6,600 )
Machinery (0.0)%          
Terex Corp., January Strike Price, $25.00, Expires 1/17/15 United States 35   (1,050 )
Media (0.0)%          
Time Warner Cable Inc., January Strike Price, $115.00, Expires 1/17/15 United States 14   (770 )
Time Warner Cable Inc., January Strike Price, $120.00, Expires 1/17/15 United States 74   (7,030 )
Time Warner Cable Inc., April Strike Price, $120.00, Expires 4/17/15 United States 85   (27,625 )
        (35,425 )
Multiline Retail (0.0)%          
Dollar General Corp., February Strike Price, $55.00, Expires 2/20/15 United States 26   (2,470 )
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals (0.0)%          
Hewlett-Packard Co., February Strike Price, $34.00, Expires 2/20/15 United States 35   (875 )
Nokia OYJ, A, March Strike Price, 6.00 EUR, Expires 3/20/15 Finland 98   (1,951 )
Nokia OYJ, A, March Strike Price, 6.20 EUR, Expires 3/20/15 Finland 229   (5,985 )
        (8,811 )
Wireless Telecommunication Services (0.0)%          
T-Mobile US Inc., January Strike Price, $27.00, Expires 1/17/15 United States 129   (7,611 )

 

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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)            
 
      Notional      
  Country Counterparty Amount*   Value  
sOptions Written (continued)            
Puts – Over-the-Counter            
Currency Options (0.0)%            
KRW/USD, January Strike Price, 1,150.00 KRW,            
       Expires 1/08/15 South Korea   DBFX   1,840,000,000  KRW  $ (4,995 )
 
Total Options Written            
(Premiums Received $723,720)         (167,865 )
 
          Shares      
 
tSecurities Sold Short (27.8)%            
Common Stocks (10.8)%            
Aerospace & Defense (0.1)%            
B/E Aerospace Inc United States   1,722   (134,092 )
Bombardier Inc., B Canada   94,133   (358,978 )
Digitalglobe Inc United States   4,146   (111,984 )
          (605,054 )
Airlines (0.4)%            
Copa Holdings SA, A Panama   1,293   (144,700 )
Delta Air Lines Inc United States   1,379   (64,358 )
Hawaiian Holdings Inc United States   58,376   (1,184,449 )
Norwegian Air Shuttle AS Norway   8,074   (303,854 )
Virgin America Inc United States   3,067   (115,564 )
          (1,812,925 )
Banks (0.0)%            
Zions Bancorporation United States   5,916   (166,003 )
Beverages (0.0)%            
PepsiCo Inc United States   975   (97,597 )
Biotechnology (0.3)%            
Acorda Therapeutics Inc United States   7,166   (261,201 )
Aegerion Pharmaceuticals Inc United States   7,650   (161,186 )
AMAG Pharmaceuticals Inc United States   11,230   (417,756 )
Anacor Pharmaceuticals Inc United States   3,112   (107,302 )
Mannkind Corp United States   7,183   (44,175 )
Tesaro Inc United States   7,095   (244,848 )
Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc United States   1,106   (130,375 )
          (1,366,843 )
Building Products (0.0)%            
Griffon Corp United States   17,693   (220,278 )
Capital Markets (0.1)%            
FXCM Inc., A United States   13,619   (219,266 )
Prospect Capital Corp United States   11,625   (109,624 )
          (328,890 )
Chemicals (0.1)%            
Albemarle Corp United States   2,459   (145,180 )
Ecolab Inc United States   2,097   (228,468 )
          (373,648 )

 

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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)          
 
  Country Shares   Value  
 
tSecurities Sold Short (continued)          
Common Stocks (continued)          
Communications Equipment (0.0)%          
Alcatel-Lucent France 10,188 $ (36,300 )
Construction & Engineering (0.1)%          
Chicago Bridge & Iron Co. NV United States 2,611   (130,628 )
Fluor Corp United States 6,503   (403,121 )
        (533,749 )
Construction Materials (0.1)%          
Cemex SAB de CV, ADR Mexico 20,070   (251,076 )
Consumer Finance (0.0)%          
Ezcorp Inc., A United States 11,158   (121,511 )
Diversified Telecommunication Services (0.4)%          
AT&T Inc United States 35,962   (1,272,336 )
Iridium Communications Inc United States 10,245   (97,840 )
Telecom Italia SpA Italy 104,114   (117,390 )
Verizon Communications Inc United States 6,284   (317,907 )
        (1,805,473 )
Electric Utilities (0.2)%          
NextEra Energy Inc United States 7,140   (745,345 )
Pepco Holdings Inc United States 12,271   (337,452 )
        (1,082,797 )
Electrical Equipment (0.1)%          
Ametek Inc United States 5,238   (266,928 )
Eaton Corp. PLC United States 2,055   (139,391 )
        (406,319 )
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components (0.2)%          
Trimble Navigation Ltd United States 2,871   (80,747 )
Vishay Intertechnology Inc United States 84,634   (1,173,873 )
        (1,254,620 )
Energy Equipment & Services (0.2)%          
Carbo Ceramics Inc United States 2,708   (103,012 )
Core Laboratories NV United States 3,305   (425,783 )
Diamond Offshore Drilling United States 4,195   (123,207 )
Halliburton Co United States 5,805   (244,971 )
SEACOR Holdings Inc United States 660   (46,953 )
U.S. Silica Holdings Inc United States 1,817   (57,090 )
        (1,001,016 )
Food & Staples Retailing (0.2)%          
Sysco Corp United States 8,905   (358,515 )
Whole Foods Market Inc United States 8,662   (424,698 )
        (783,213 )
Food Products (0.3)%          
Bunge Ltd United States 1,740   (157,940 )
Mondelez International Inc., A United States 3,930   (154,056 )

 

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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)          
 
  Country Shares   Value  
 
tSecurities Sold Short (continued)          
Common Stocks (continued)          
Food Products (continued)          
Post Holdings Inc United States 36,216 $ (1,448,640 )
        (1,760,636 )
Health Care Equipment & Supplies (0.5)%          
Alere Inc United States 4,981   (198,692 )
Becton Dickinson and Co United States 930   (130,507 )
Hologic Inc United States 7,804   (209,147 )
Insulet Corp United States 3,353   (156,216 )
Medtronic Inc United States 22,919   (1,693,027 )
NuVasive Inc United States 7,167   (314,846 )
        (2,702,435 )
Health Care Providers & Services (0.7)%          
Air Methods Corp United States 2,172   (96,393 )
Amsurg Corp United States 2,993   (154,349 )
Community Health Systems Inc United States 4,509   (212,284 )
Kindred Healthcare Inc United States 7,980   (158,722 )
Molina Healthcare Inc United States 21,366   (1,092,230 )
Omnicare Inc United States 10,642   (748,345 )
Universal Health Services Inc., B United States 2,188   (228,909 )
WellPoint Inc United States 7,228   (924,534 )
        (3,615,766 )
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure (0.4)%          
500.com Ltd., A, ADR China 3,461   (73,027 )
Burger King Worldwide Inc United States 1,056   (38,375 )
Marriott International Inc., A United States 4,094   (322,566 )
McDonald’s Corp United States 1,608   (155,671 )
MGM Resorts International United States 8,645   (197,193 )
Panera Bread Company, A United States 1,871   (313,205 )
Penn National Gaming Inc United States 27,781   (394,490 )
Starbucks Corp United States 7,206   (585,199 )
        (2,079,726 )
Household Durables (0.4)%          
DR Horton Inc United States 7,650   (194,999 )
Jarden Corp United States 30,586   (1,350,372 )
PulteGroup Inc United States 11,969   (258,889 )
        (1,804,260 )
Industrial Conglomerates (0.1)%          
General Electric Co United States 12,581   (333,271 )
Internet & Catalog Retail (0.1)%          
Amazon.com Inc United States 604   (204,539 )
Orbitz Worldwide Inc United States 1,236   (9,443 )
Priceline Group Inc United States 163   (189,111 )
        (403,093 )
Internet Software & Services (0.3)%          
21vianet Group Inc., ADR China 677   (12,741 )
58.com Inc., ADR China 1,020   (49,766 )

 

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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)          
 
  Country Shares   Value  
 
tSecurities Sold Short (continued)          
Common Stocks (continued)          
Internet Software & Services (continued)          
Akamai Technologies Inc United States 909 $ (58,730 )
ebay Inc United States 3,984   (218,642 )
Linkedin Corp., A United States 114   (25,795 )
MercadoLibre Inc Argentina 4,396   (619,572 )
Monster Worldwide Inc United States 12,577   (54,710 )
Pandora Media Inc United States 8,678   (170,609 )
SINA Corp China 229   (8,691 )
Yahoo! Inc United States 2,554   (132,144 )
Yelp Inc United States 5,197   (296,697 )
        (1,648,097 )
IT Services (0.2)%          
Euronet Worldwide Inc United States 1,776   (103,132 )
International Business Machines Corp United States 6,631   (1,075,349 )
Sabre Corp United States 3,489   (65,384 )
        (1,243,865 )
Leisure Equipment & Products (0.1)%          
Mattel Inc United States 9,668   (305,025 )
Machinery (0.1)%          
Altra Industrial Motion Corp United States 5,442   (166,689 )
Caterpillar Inc United States 1,787   (179,772 )
Trinity Industries Inc United States 6,291   (201,689 )
        (548,150 )
Media (0.9)%          
Charter Communications Inc., A United States 1,651   (280,175 )
Comcast Corp., A United States 48,966   (2,793,020 )
Sirius XM Holdings Inc United States 448,697   (1,628,770 )
        (4,701,965 )
Metals & Mining (0.2)%          
Alcoa Inc United States 420   (7,262 )
Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc United States 8,383   (225,084 )
Horsehead Holding Corp United States 35,912   (560,945 )
        (793,291 )
Multi-Utilities (0.1)%          
Dominion Resources Inc United States 4,976   (361,009 )
Multiline Retail (0.1)%          
Kohl’s Corp United States 5,477   (326,539 )
Macy’s Inc United States 1,287   (83,539 )
        (410,078 )
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels (0.5)%          
Alon USA Energy Inc United States 8,291   (115,742 )
Alpha Natural Resources Inc United States 4,108   (8,545 )
Amyris Inc United States 2,305   (6,362 )
Cheniere Energy Inc United States 1,773   (117,000 )
Chevron Corp United States 4,194   (456,601 )

 

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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)          
 
  Country Shares   Value  
 
tSecurities Sold Short (continued)          
Common Stocks (continued)          
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels (continued)          
Cobalt International Energy Inc United States 7,740 $ (69,660 )
Enterprise Products Partners United States 5,234   (195,437 )
EOG Resources Inc United States 1,191   (103,283 )
Green Plains Inc United States 5,903   (177,149 )
Kinder Morgan Inc United States 4,165   (172,223 )
Oneok Inc United States 6,023   (326,206 )
Pioneer Natural Resources Co United States 886   (126,902 )
Rice Energy Inc United States 2,097   (52,215 )
Sanchez Energy Corp United States 29,454   (332,536 )
Scorpio Tankers Inc United States 24,948   (205,821 )
Ship Finance International Ltd Norway 9,923   (164,722 )
        (2,630,404 )
Pharmaceuticals (0.3)%          
Actavis PLC United States 4,144   (1,121,408 )
Depomed Inc United States 18,255   (282,770 )
Nektar Therapeutics United States 2,974   (49,576 )
        (1,453,754 )
Professional Services (0.1)%          
51job Inc., ADR China 7,592   (279,006 )
CBIZ Inc United States 15,167   (131,195 )
        (410,201 )
Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) (1.5)%          
Boston Properties Inc United States 417   (54,060 )
Brandywine Realty Trust United States 7,453   (115,223 )
Digital Realty Trust Inc United States 3,646   (256,204 )
Duke Realty Corp United States 9,606   (186,741 )
Equity One Inc United States 6,301   (152,673 )
Equity Residential United States 3,893   (275,780 )
Federal Realty Investment Trust United States 814   (107,985 )
General Growth Properties Inc United States 2,184   (58,444 )
Government Properties Income Trust United States 17,808   (404,598 )
Gramercy Property Trust Inc United States 42,735   (252,137 )
HCP Inc United States 15,720   (704,256 )
Health Care REIT Inc United States 11,625   (856,298 )
Highwoods Properties Inc United States 5,352   (230,992 )
Host Hotels & Resorts Inc United States 12,886   (299,471 )
Kimco Realty Corp United States 14,535   (369,916 )
National Health Investors Inc United States 2,318   (153,637 )
National Retail Properties United States 7,577   (291,942 )
Piedmont Office Realty Trust Inc., A United States 10,556   (198,453 )
Ramco-Gershenson Properties Trust United States 11,006   (197,007 )
Realty Income Corp United States 6,843   (317,926 )
Regency Centers Corp United States 127   (7,808 )
Senior Housing Prop Trust United States 6,691   (150,748 )
Spirit Realty Capital Inc United States 24,798   (290,385 )
Starwood Property Trust Inc United States 27,908   (671,466 )
UDR Inc United States 9,378   (288,655 )

 

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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)          
 
  Country Shares   Value  
 
tSecurities Sold Short (continued)          
Common Stocks (continued)          
Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) (continued)          
Weingarten Realty Investors United States 12,096 $ (440,294 )
        (7,333,099 )
Road & Rail (0.2)%          
Avis Budget Group Inc United States 3,052   (183,578 )
Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd Canada 3,145   (607,488 )
        (791,066 )
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment (0.3)%          
Canadian Solar Inc United States 1,900   (46,151 )
Intel Corp United States 2,486   (92,604 )
Lam Research Corp United States 2,660   (219,822 )
NVIDIA Corp United States 34,152   (716,167 )
NXP Semiconductors NV Netherlands 368   (28,634 )
Photronics Inc United States 12,727   (114,798 )
Rudolph Technologies Inc United States 8,258   (75,808 )
        (1,293,984 )
Software (0.4)%          
Electronic Arts Inc United States 5,823   (255,804 )
NetSuite Inc United States 570   (60,278 )
Take-Two Interactive Software Inc United States 49,956   (1,381,783 )
TiVo Inc United States 29,706   (361,819 )
        (2,059,684 )
Specialty Retail (0.1)%          
Barnes & Noble Inc United States 11,111   (259,553 )
Dick’s Sporting Goods Inc United States 3,019   (152,792 )
PetSmart Inc United States 1,500   (118,140 )
        (530,485 )
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals (0.1)%          
Electronics For Imaging Inc United States 8,002   (355,689 )
SanDisk Corp United States 1,000   (103,460 )
Violin Memory Inc United States 32,265   (169,068 )
        (628,217 )
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods (0.3)%          
Iconix Brand Group Inc United States 36,141   (1,460,458 )
Tobacco (0.0)%          
Universal Corp United States 5,047   (201,830 )
Trading Companies & Distributors (0.0)%          
Kaman Corp United States 5,142   (202,286 )
Transportation Infrastructure (0.0)%          
Atlantia SpA Italy 2,554   (64,459 )
 
Total Common Stocks (Proceeds $52,404,813)       (54,017,906 )

 

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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)          
 
    Principal      
  Country Amount*   Value  
 
tSecurities Sold Short (continued)          
Exchange Traded Funds (15.5)%          
Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR Fund United States 5,247 $ (376,787 )
Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR Fund United States 44,630   (2,200,259 )
Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund United States 6,528   (521,065 )
Health Care Select Sector SPDR Fund United States 56,194   (3,910,540 )
iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF United States 4,155   (508,946 )
iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF United States 24,400   (2,715,720 )
iShares Global Utilities ETF United States 8,445   (422,588 )
iShares MSCI Canada ETF Canada 17,250   (516,465 )
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF United States 11,054   (458,741 )
iShares MSCI India ETF India 6,844   (218,803 )
iShares MSCI South Korea Capped ETF South Korea 10,620   (604,066 )
iShares MSCI Sweden ETF Sweden 6,950   (233,033 )
iShares MSCI Taiwan ETF Taiwan 36,995   (584,891 )
iShares MSCI Finland Capped ETF Finland 28,000   (933,800 )
iShares Nasdaq Biotechnology ETF United States 11,700   (3,555,630 )
iShares North American Tech ETF United States 4,465   (462,435 )
iShares North American Tech-Software ETF United States 16,095   (1,495,869 )
iShares PHLX Semiconductor ETF United States 24,195   (2,260,781 )
iShares Russell 2000 ETF United States 131,704   (15,379,076 )
iShares Russell 2000 Growth ETF United States 19,845   (2,751,906 )
iShares Russell Mid-Cap Growth ETF United States 1,300   (122,005 )
iShares S&P Small-Cap 600 Growth ETF United States 1,700   (202,674 )
iShares U.S. Consumer Goods ETF United States 3,900   (417,495 )
iShares U.S. Real Estate ETF United States 139   (10,706 )
Market Vectors Russia ETF Russia 11,231   (219,566 )
PowerShares Dynamic Retail Portfolio United States 22,360   (833,505 )
PowerShares Nasdaq Internet Portfolio United States 8,600   (595,378 )
PowerShares QQQ Trust Series 1 United States 13,158   (1,394,879 )
SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust United States 151,090   (31,305,848 )
SPDR S&P Retail ETF United States 2,332   (219,931 )
SPDR S&P Transportation ETF United States 4,400   (469,304 )
Utilities Select Sector SPDR Fund United States 7,030   (323,380 )
Vanguard Consumer Staples ETF United States 5,610   (719,258 )
Vanguard REIT ETF United States 1,782   (143,576 )
Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF United States 1,000   (126,260 )
 
Total Exchange Traded Funds (Proceeds $72,963,985)       (77,215,166 )
 
Corporate Notes (0.8)%          
Apparel (0.0)%          
The William Carter Co., 5.25%, 8/15/21 United States 150,000   (156,375 )
Diversified Financial Services (0.1)%          
fAmerican Achievement Corp., 144A, 10.875%, 4/15/16 United States 515,000   (505,344 )
Entertainment (0.2)%          
fScientific Games International Inc., 144A, 10.00%, 12/01/22 United States 920,000   (864,800 )
Food & Staples Retailing (0.0)%          
Safeway Inc., 7.25%, 2/01/31 United States 206,000   (205,637 )
Hotels Restaurants & Leisure (0.5)%          
f1011778 BC ULC/New Red Finance Inc., 144A, 6.00%, 4/01/22 Canada 2,180,000   (2,245,400 )
 
Total Corporate Notes (Proceeds $3,848,860)       (3,977,556 )

 

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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)          
 
    Principal      
  Country Amount*   Value  
 
tSecurities Sold Short (continued)          
U.S. Government and Agency Securities (0.7)%          
U.S. Treasury Notes,          
1.50%, 10/31/19 United States 2,653,000 $ (2,655,695 )
2.25%, 11/15/24 United States 733,000   (738,097 )
 
Total U.S. Government and Agency Securities          
(Proceeds $3,365,723)       (3,393,792 )
 
Total Securities Sold Short (Proceeds $132,583,381)     $ (138,604,420 )

 

Rounds to less than 0.1% of net assets.
*The principal/notional amount is stated in U.S. dollars unless otherwise indicated.
aSecurity or a portion of the security has been pledged as collateral for securities sold short, open futures, forward, swap and written options contracts. At November 30, 2014,
the aggregate value of these securities and/or cash pledged as collateral was $238,297,786, representing 47.79% of net assets.
bNon-income producing.
cSecurity has been deemed illiquid because it may not be able to be sold within seven days.
dContingent distributions represent the right to receive additional distributions, if any, during the reorganization of the underlying company.
eA portion or all of the security is held in connection with written option contracts at period end.
fSecurity was purchased pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933 and may be sold in transactions exempt from registration only to qualified institutional buyers
or in public offering registered under the Securities Act of 1933. These securities have been deemed liquid under guidelines approved by the Trust’s Board of Trustees. At
November 30, 2014, the net value of these securities was $44,290,590, representing 8.89% of net assets.
gThe coupon rate shown represents the rate at period end.
hSecurity was purchased pursuant to Regulation S under the Securities Act of 1933, which exempts from registration securities offered and sold outside of the United States.
Such a security 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. These securities have been deemed liquid under guidelines approved by the Trust’s Board of Trustees. At November 30, 2014, the aggregate value of these
securities was $5,271,508, representing 1.06% of net assets.
iIncome may be received in additional securities and/or cash.
jPerpetual security with no stated maturity date.
kSee Note 7 regarding credit risk and defaulted securities.
lSee Note 1(h) regarding senior floating rate interests.
mSee Note 8 regarding unfunded loan commitments.
nPrincipal amount is stated in 100 Mexican Peso Units.
oThe security is traded on a discount basis with no stated coupon rate.
pThe rate shown is the annualized seven-day yield at period end.
qA portion or all of the security is owned by K2 Holdings Investment Corp., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Fund. See Note 1(g).
rSee Note 1(c) regarding joint repurchase agreement.
sSee Note 1(d) regarding written options.
tSee Note 1(f) regarding securities sold short.

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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)                  
At November 30, 2014, the Fund had the following futures contracts outstanding. See Note 1(d).            
 
Futures Contracts                    
    Number of   Notional Expiration   Unrealized   Unrealized  
Description Type Contracts   Value Date   Appreciation   Depreciation  
Commodity Contractsa                    
Aluminum Short 32 $ 1,607,600 12/15/14 $ $ (8,135 )
Aluminum Long 32   1,607,600 12/15/14     (59,596 )
Brent Crude Oil Short 55   3,858,250 12/16/14   858,536    
Cocoa Long 40   1,186,176 3/16/15   9,365    
Coffee Long 11   773,231 3/19/15     (22,080 )
Copper Long 10   1,602,250 12/15/14     (146,421 )
Copper Short 10   1,602,250 12/15/14   116,012    
Corn Short 34   660,875 3/13/15     (12,730 )
Natural Gas Long 1   40,880 12/29/14     (1,632 )
Silver Short 32   2,488,960 3/27/15   126,971    
Soybean Meal Short 2   70,220 3/13/15   1,035    
Soybean Oil Short 16   311,136 3/13/15   10,324    
Soybeans Short 19   971,375 3/13/15     (7,014 )
Sugar Short 4   69,843 2/27/15   818    
Wheat Short 12   347,100 3/13/15     (20,182 )
WTI Crude Oil Short 10   661,500 12/19/14   112,018    
        17,859,246     1,235,079   (277,790 )
Equity Contracts                    
CAC40 10 Euroa Long 20   1,090,929 12/19/14   15,797    
DAX Index Short 1   310,332 12/19/14     (22,844 )
DJIA Mini E-CBOT Indexa Long 105   9,351,300 12/19/14   403,449    
Euro STOXX 50 Indexa Long 87   3,512,327 12/19/14   119,604    
Euro STOXX 50 Index Short 2   80,743 12/19/14     (8,755 )
Euro STOXX Bank Index Short 21   188,691 12/19/14     (9,015 )
FTSE 100 Indexa Short 21   2,210,800 12/19/14     (32,391 )
Hang Seng Indexa Long 16   2,473,791 12/30/14     (1,168 )
NASDAQ 100 E-Mini Indexa Long 62   5,379,430 12/19/14   420,082    
Nikkei 225 Indexa Long 69   5,069,340 12/11/14   561,162    
Russell 2000 Mini Indexa Long 22   2,577,520 12/19/14   91,009    
S&P 500 E-Mini Indexa Long 28   2,892,820 12/19/14   156,429    
S&P 500 E-Mini Index Short 31   3,202,765 12/19/14     (154,487 )
TOPIX Indexa Long 42   4,991,238 12/11/14   293,822    
        43,332,026     2,061,354   (228,660 )
Interest Rate Contracts                    
3 Month Euribora Long 274   85,158,735 3/14/16   44,991    
90 Day Eurodollara Long 550   136,159,375 3/14/16   320,001    
90 Day Sterlinga Long 412   79,735,040 3/16/16   436,480    
Australian 10 Yr. Bonda Long 87   9,277,251 12/15/14   358,577    
Euro-Bunda Long 8   1,521,774 12/08/14     (1,203 )
JBG 10 Yr. Minia Long 130   16,094,195 12/10/14   130,996    
Long Gilta Long 22   4,044,446 3/27/15   39,052    
U.S. Long Bonda Long 114   16,259,250 3/20/15   234,096    
U.S. Long Bond Short 2   285,250 3/20/15     (3,986 )
U.S. Treasury 5 Yr. Note Short 10   1,194,922 3/31/15     (5,097 )
U.S. Treasury 10 Yr. Note Short 9   1,143,422 3/20/15     (8,243 )
        350,873,660     1,564,193   (18,529 )
       Total     $ 412,064,932     4,860,626   (524,979 )
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)           $ 4,335,647      
 
aA portion or all of the contract is owned by K2 Holdings Investment Corp., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Fund. See Note 1(g).          

 

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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)                
At November 30, 2014, the Fund had the following forward exchange contracts outstanding. See Note 1(d).          
 
Forward Exchange Contracts                      
          Contract Settlement   Unrealized   Unrealized  
Currency Counterpartya Type Quantity   Amount Date   Appreciation   Depreciation  
Australian Dollar BNYM Sell 41,924 $ 35,811 12/01/14 $ 120 $  
Euro DBFX Sell 100,000   127,100 12/01/14   2,650    
Euro CSFB Sell 130,000   165,694 12/01/14   3,909    
Euro DBFX Buy 100,000   125,110 12/01/14     (660 )
Euro CSFB Buy 130,000   162,606 12/01/14     (821 )
British Pound BOFA Sell 4,858   7,641 12/01/14   43    
British Pound BNYM Buy 86,651   135,462 12/01/14   65    
Hong Kong Dollar BNYM Sell 9,120   1,175 12/01/14     (1 )
Japanese Yen BNYM Sell 213,300   1,796 12/01/14     (1 )
Mexican Peso CSFB Sell 13,310,000   990,095 12/01/14   34,003    
Mexican Peso CSFB Buy 13,310,000   971,228 12/01/14     (15,136 )
Euro DBFX Sell 99,044   123,419 12/02/14   158    
Euro BNYM Buy 110,641   137,726 12/02/14     (33 )
Canadian Dollar MSCO Sell 91,583   80,090 12/03/14     (14 )
Malaysian Ringgit CSFB Sell 970,000   290,376 12/05/14   3,742    
Taiwan Dollar MLCO Sell 8,825,000   288,965 12/05/14   4,292    
Singapore Dollar CSFB Sell 375,000   290,387 12/05/14   2,671    
South Korean Won BZWS Sell 628,000,000   579,550 12/05/14   15,505    
Australian Dollar CSFB Buy 647,000   554,016 12/08/14     (3,542 )
New Zealand Dollar CSFB Sell 715,000   549,181 12/08/14     (10,883 )
Euro CSFB Sell 70,000   87,051 12/10/14     (69 )
Turkish Lira CSFB Sell 1,150,000   506,668 12/10/14     (10,455 )
Turkish Lira MLCO Sell 445,000   195,863 12/10/14     (4,241 )
Swiss Franc CSFB Sell 35,900   38,484 12/11/14   1,305    
Swiss Franc CSFB Buy 35,900   37,662 12/11/14     (483 )
Colombian Peso MLCO Sell 780,000,000   369,589 12/15/14   18,306    
Euro MLCO Sell 100,000   124,681 12/15/14   221    
Euro MLCO Buy 100,000   125,392 12/15/14     (932 )
Canadian Dollar BNYM Sell 1,070,000   966,545 12/17/14   31,044    
Canadian Dollar BNYM Buy 1,070,000   965,965 12/17/14     (30,466 )
Danish Krone BNYM Sell 5,610,000   975,535 12/17/14   37,496    
Danish Krone BNYM Buy 5,610,000   960,463 12/17/14     (22,423 )
Euro BNYM Sell 2,982,206   3,859,269 12/17/14   147,573    
Euro BNYM Buy 326,206   410,896 12/17/14     (4,894 )
British Pound BNYM Sell 699,583   1,130,626 12/17/14   36,555   (11 )
British Pound BNYM Buy 547,896   889,089 12/17/14     (32,232 )
Japanese Yen BNYM Sell 18,740,000   175,439 12/17/14   17,495    
Swedish Krona BNYM Buy 8,135,000   1,111,872 12/17/14     (20,874 )
Swedish Krona BNYM Sell 8,135,000   1,141,949 12/17/14   50,951    
Swiss Franc BNYM Sell 3,070,147   3,268,947 12/17/14   89,248   (142 )
Swiss Franc BNYM Buy 1,732,697   1,826,341 12/17/14     (31,736 )
Australian Dollarb MSCO Sell 12,906,723   11,421,348 12/19/14   449,040   (161 )
Australian Dollarb MSCO Buy 11,686,723   10,420,007 12/19/14     (484,706 )
Canadian Dollarb MSCO Sell 12,849,847   11,418,155 12/19/14   186,322   (2,217 )
Canadian Dollarb MSCO Buy 4,123,847   3,654,551 12/19/14     (49,251 )
Eurob MSCO Sell 16,296,971   20,904,087 12/19/14   621,795   (1,377 )
Eurob MSCO Buy 11,630,971   14,696,062 12/19/14   1,560   (221,389 )
British Poundb MSCO Sell 11,263,088   18,014,032 12/19/14   399,809    
British Poundb MSCO Buy 7,263,088   11,556,641 12/19/14   936   (198,916 )
Japanese Yenb MSCO Sell 1,250,872,400   11,601,071 12/19/14   1,058,038    
Japanese Yenb MSCO Buy 1,645,368,400   14,896,020 12/19/14     (1,027,951 )
Mexican Pesob MSCO Buy 55,189,920   4,149,400 12/19/14     (189,869 )
Mexican Pesob MSCO Sell 59,101,920   4,359,505 12/19/14   119,310    
New Zealand Dollarb MSCO Buy 3,754,792   2,940,559 12/19/14   9,824   (12,814 )
New Zealand Dollarb MSCO Sell 4,877,792   3,888,555 12/19/14   76,149   (3,753 )

 

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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)                  
 
Forward Exchange Contracts (continued)                    
          Contract Settlement   Unrealized   Unrealized  
Currency Counterpartya Type  Quantity   Amount Date   Appreciation   Depreciation  
Swiss Francb MSCO Sell 11,778,639 $ 12,531,397 12/19/14 $ 331,556 $  
Swiss Francb MSCO Buy 5,306,639   5,515,858 12/19/14   6,394   (25,844 )
Euro CSFB Sell 385,000   482,807 12/22/14   3,618    
Mexican Peso CSFB Sell 102,600   7,526 12/22/14   166    
Brazilian Real MLCO Sell 280,000   106,797 12/24/14     (1,591 )
Euro CSFB Sell 690,000   860,323 12/29/14   1,483    
Canadian Dollar MSCO Sell 983,953   873,645 12/30/14   13,649    
Canadian Dollar MSCO Buy 416,470   369,128 12/30/14   3   (5,127 )
Danish Krone BNYM Buy 219,585   280,630 12/30/14   7,312    
Euro MSCO Sell 758,885   960,766 12/30/14   16,326   (144 )
Euro BNYM Sell 6,641,000   8,305,899 12/30/14   39,833    
Euro MSCO Buy 643,015   816,661 12/30/14   20   (16,319 )
British Pound MSCO Sell 525,375   839,194 12/30/14   17,732   (118 )
Japanese Yen BNYM Sell 96,759,000   822,221 12/30/14   6,502    
Norwegian Krone MSCO Buy 2,593,828   390,448 12/30/14     (22,072 )
Norwegian Krone BNYM Sell 355,000   52,032 12/30/14   1,615    
Norwegian Krone MSCO Sell 591,476   89,273 12/30/14   5,271    
South African Rand MSCO Sell 1,533,298   138,164 12/30/14   672   (145 )
Swedish Krona BNYM Sell 1,987,000   268,750 12/30/14   2,261    
Euro CSFB Sell 130,000   162,633 1/02/15   818    
Euro DBFX Sell 100,000   125,130 1/02/15   657    
Euro DBFX Buy 100,000   124,631 1/02/15     (157 )
Mexican Peso CSFB Sell 13,310,000   969,064 1/02/15   15,005    
Canadian Dollar BNYM Sell 193,356   177,047 1/15/15   8,115    
Euro BOFA Sell 466,000   583,613 3/18/15   3,205    
Unrealized appreciation (depreciation)               3,902,348   (2,453,970 )
       Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)           $ 1,448,378      

 

aMay be comprised of multiple contracts with the same counterparty, currency and settlement date.
bA portion or all of the contract is owned by K2 Holdings Investment Corp., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Fund. See Note 1(g).

At November 30, 2014, the Fund had the following credit default swap contracts outstanding. See Note 1(d).

Credit Default Swap Contracts                                  
                Upfront                    
        Periodic       Premiums                    
  Counterparty/   Notional Payment   Expiration   Paid     Unrealized   Unrealized          
Description Exchange   Amounta Rate   Date   (Received)     Appreciation   Depreciation     Value   Ratingb
Centrally Cleared Swaps                                    
Contracts to Buy Protection                                    
Traded Index                                    
CDX 23 HY ICE $ 1,262,000 5.00 % 12/20/19 $ (83,230 ) $ $ (8,890 ) $ (92,120 )  
iTraxx Europe Crossover ICE   1,104,000 5.00 % 12/20/19   (80,860 )     (30,356 )   (111,216 )  
Contracts to Sell Protectionc                                    
Traded Index                                    
CDX North America CME   500,000 1.00 % 6/20/19   8,631     1,643       10,274   Investment
                                    Grade
        Centrally Cleared Swaps unrealized appreciation (depreciation)               1,643   (39,246 )        

 

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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)                              
 
Credit Default Swap Contracts (continued)                                    
                Upfront                    
        Periodic       Premiums                    
Counterparty/   Notional Payment   Expiration   Paid     Unrealized   Unrealized          
Description Exchange   Amounta Rate   Date (Received)     Appreciation   Depreciation     Value   Ratingb
OTC Swaps                                    
Contracts to Buy Protection                                    
Single Name                                    
Government of Brazil BOFA $ 110,000 1.00 % 12/20/19 $ 3,704   $ $ (1,120 ) $ 2,584    
Government of Brazil BOFA   40,000 1.00 % 12/20/19   1,402       (462 )   940    
Government of Brazil CITI   80,000 1.00 % 12/20/19   2,329       (450 )   1,879    
Government of Brazil BOFA   50,000 1.00 % 12/20/19   1,387       (213 )   1,174    
Government of Venezuela BOFA   130,000 5.00 % 9/20/19   28,793     26,197       54,990    
Southwest Airlines Co DBFX   500,000 1.00 % 6/20/19   (6,971 )     (7,090 )   (14,061 )  
Contracts to Sell Protectionc                                    
Single Name                                    
Transocean Ltd MSCS   150,000 1.00 % 12/20/19   (21,642 )     (3,890 )   (25,532 ) BBB-
Transocean Ltd DBFX   100,000 1.00 % 12/20/19   (13,860 )     (3,161 )   (17,021 ) BBB-
Transocean Ltd BOFA   75,000 1.00 % 12/20/19   (9,446 )     (3,320 )   (12,766 ) BBB-
TOYS R US Inc MSCS   187,000 5.00 % 12/20/16   (17,188 )     (1,801 )   (18,989 ) B-
TOYS R US Inc MSCS   111,000 5.00 % 12/20/16   (10,627 )     (645 )   (11,272 ) B-
TOYS R US Inc MSCS   74,000 5.00 % 12/20/16   (7,603 )   88       (7,515 ) B-
  OTC Swaps unrealized appreciation (depreciation)                     26,285   (22,152 )        
Total Credit Default Swaps unrealized appreciation (depreciation)               27,928   (61,398 )        
            Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)                       $ (33,470 )        

 

See Note 9 regarding other derivative information.

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.
cThe Fund enters contracts to sell protection to create a long credit position. Performance triggers include default, bankruptcy or restructuring for single name swaps and
failure to pay or bankruptcy of the underlying securities for traded index swaps.

At November 30, 2014, the Fund had the following interest rate swap contracts outstanding. See Note 1(d).            
Interest Rate Swap Contracts                      
    Counterparty/ Expiration    Notional   Unrealized Unrealized  
Description             Exchange Date   Amount   Appreciation           Depreciation  
Centrally Cleared Swaps                      
Receive Floating rate 3-month LIBOR Pay Fixed rate 0.63%   CME 10/21/16 $ 5,300,000 $   $ (939 )
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)                 $ (939 )
 
At November 30, 2014, the Fund had the following total return swap contracts outstanding. See Note 1(d).            
Total Return Swap Contracts                      
            Expiration   Unrealized Unrealized  
Counterparty Underlying Instrument Financing Rate                                Notional Valuea   Date   Appreciation Depreciation  
Fund Pays Total Return on Underlying Instrument                    
DBFX Drillsearch Energy Ltd LIBOR - 200 BPS   35,392   4/20/15 $ 6,441 $    
DBFX Alcoa Inc LIBOR - 35 BPS 222,156   6/30/15       (6,084 )
DBFX Amsurg Corp LIBOR - 35 BPS 190,126   6/30/15       (3,267 )
DBFX Health Care REIT Inc LIBOR - 35 BPS 623,910   6/30/15       (12,916 )
DBFX NextEra Energy Inc LIBOR - 35 BPS 945,752   6/30/15       (17,154 )

 

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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)                
 
Total Return Swap Contracts (continued)                  
          Expiration Unrealized   Unrealized  
Counterparty Underlying Instrument   Financing Rate Notional Valuea            Date                  Appreciation Depreciation  
 
Fund Pays Total Return on Underlying Instrument (continued)                
 
DBFX Pegatron Corp LIBOR - 150 BPS 1,317,694   7/14/15 $ $ (102,213 )
DBFX ISA Internationale Inc LIBOR - 40 BPS 35,197   7/15/15     (2,078 )
DBFX Richter Gedeon Nyrt EURIB - 40 BPS 234,555   EUR 7/15/15     (2,639 )
DBFX Vedanta Resources PLC LIBOR - 200 BPS 1,075,424   7/15/15   3,803    
DBFX ASM Pacific Technology Ltd HKDIB - 52 BPS 1,608,205   HKD 7/17/15   3,599    
DBFX China Hongqiao Group Ltd HKDIB - 150 BPS 1,435,530   HKD 7/17/15     (4,878 )
DBFX Deutsche Wohnen AG EURIB - 40 BPS 119,801   EUR 7/17/15     (7,903 )
DBFX Drillisch AG EURIB - 40 BPS 701,245   EUR 7/17/15     (81,475 )
DBFX Evonik Industries AG EURIB - 40 BPS 13,564   EUR 7/17/15     (750 )
DBFX Fosun International Ltd HKDIB - 67 BPS 4,464,200   HKD 7/17/15     (41,089 )
DBFX GAGFAH S.A EURIB - 40 BPS 244,240   EUR 7/17/15     (4,810 )
DBFX Grand City Properties SA EURIB - 450 BPS 480,465   EUR 7/17/15     (42,098 )
DBFX LOTTE Himart Co. Ltd LIBOR - 150 BPS 67,021   7/17/15   1,973    
DBFX Pacific Basin Shipping Ltd HKDIB - 50 BPS 1,303,463   HKD 7/17/15     (2,313 )
DBFX Alcatel-Lucent EURIB - 40 BPS 597,928   EUR 7/20/15     (90,049 )
DBFX BW LPG Ltd LIBOR - 40 BPS 120,360   7/20/15   32,262    
DBFX Hansteen Holdings PLC EURIB - 40 BPS 754,025   EUR 7/20/15     (5,845 )
DBFX YTL E-Solutions BHD LIBOR - 350 BPS 86,001   7/22/15   2,688    
DBFX Marine Harvest ASA EURIB - 40 BPS 781,217   EUR 10/05/15   61,722    
MSCS AT&T Inc LIBOR - 35 BPS 614,210   10/14/15     (8,762 )
MSCS Laboratory Corp. of America Holdings LIBOR - 35 BPS 193,371   10/14/15     (8,488 )
MSCS Reynolds American Inc LIBOR - 35 BPS 208,675   10/14/15     (33,227 )
DBFX Olam International Ltd SIBOR - 300 BPS 88,560   SGD 10/20/15     (40 )
MSCS Amadeus IT Holding SA EONIA - 50 BPS 46,038   EUR 10/26/15      
MSCS iShares FTSE 100 UCITS ETF SONIA - 62 BPS 35,390   GBP 10/26/15     (569 )
MSCS Lyxor UCITS ETF CAC 40 DR EURIB - 129 BPS 193,476   EUR 10/26/15     (315 )
DBFX JetBlue Airways Corp EURIB - 40 BPS 571,311   EUR 11/16/15     (131,840 )
DBFX Resorttrust Inc LIBOR - 40 BPS 49,982,828   JPY 11/18/15     (19,133 )
DBFX Yamaguchi Financial Group Inc LIBOR - 40 BPS 108,981   11/18/15     (1,334 )
DBFX IHH Healthcare BHD SIBOR - 50 BPS 191,414   SGD 11/24/15     (3,565 )
MSCS MSCI Pan Euro Index EURIB - 45 BPS 749,661   EUR 12/30/15     (28,511 )
MSCS MSCI Pan Euro Index FEDEF - 35 BPS 118,135   1/27/16   42,618    
MSCS MSCI Pan Euro Index FEDEF - 30 BPS 548,969   2/05/16     (89 )
MSCS MSCI Pan Euro Index EONIA - 55 BPS 286,709   EUR 8/08/16   136    
MSCS Kinder Morgan Inc FEDEF - 408 BPS 121,445   8/11/16      
MSCS America Movil SAB de CV MXNIB - 50 BPS 2,873,116   MXN 11/14/16     (897 )
 
Fund Receives Total Return on Underlying Instrument                
 
DBFX Accuray Inc LIBOR + 70 BPS 106,760   12/26/14     (3,006 )
DBFX American Residential Properties Inc LIBOR + 70 BPS 103,585   12/26/14   128    
DBFX Ascent Capital Group Inc LIBOR + 70 BPS 106,183   12/26/14     (21,418 )
DBFX Bunge Ltd LIBOR + 70 BPS 73,500   12/26/14   5,334    
DBFX CBIZ Inc LIBOR + 70 BPS 333,750   12/26/14     (22,995 )
DBFX Colony Financial Inc LIBOR + 70 BPS 102,767   12/26/14   6,565    
DBFX Green Plains Inc LIBOR + 70 BPS 283,695   12/26/14   101,703    
DBFX NetSuite Inc LIBOR + 70 BPS 56,150   12/26/14     (806 )
DBFX Redwood Trust Inc LIBOR + 70 BPS 102,561   12/26/14     (1,339 )
DBFX Resource Capital Corp LIBOR + 70 BPS 100,212   12/26/14   1,108    
MSCS American Airlines Group Inc LIBOR + 50 BPS 125,785   1/26/15   26,937    
MSCS American International Group Inc LIBOR + 50 BPS 199,438   1/26/15   6,308    
MSCS BioDelivery Sciences International                  
  Inc LIBOR + 50 BPS 262,243   1/26/15     (10,764 )
MSCS Celgene Corp LIBOR + 50 BPS 191,461   1/26/15   41,978    
MSCS Cerner Corp LIBOR + 50 BPS 333,470   1/26/15   50,472    

 

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65


 

FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)                
 
Total Return Swap Contracts (continued)                  
          Expiration   Unrealized Unrealized  
Counterparty Underlying Instrument Financing Rate Notional Valuea                                   Date  Appreciation   Depreciation   
 
Fund Receives Total Return on Underlying Instrument (continued)                
 
MSCS Charter Communications Inc LIBOR + 50 BPS 630,396   1/26/15 $ 81,742 $  
MSCS Chicago Bridge & Iron Co. NV LIBOR + 50 BPS 5,219   1/26/15     (185 )
MSCS CME Group Inc LIBOR + 50 BPS 81,994   1/26/15   5,319    
MSCS Diamond Foods Inc LIBOR + 50 BPS 2,193   1/26/15   70    
MSCS DISH Network Corp LIBOR + 50 BPS 419,688   1/26/15   56,653    
MSCS Essent Group Ltd LIBOR + 50 BPS 64,021   1/26/15   12,207    
MSCS FMSA Holdings Inc LIBOR + 50 BPS 15,167   1/26/15     (4,744 )
MSCS HCA Holdings Inc LIBOR + 50 BPS 16,238   1/26/15   4,871    
MSCS Level 3 Communications Inc LIBOR + 50 BPS 109,906   1/26/15   17,198    
MSCS Liberty Broadband Corp LIBOR + 50 BPS 60,881   1/26/15   7,375    
MSCS Liberty Global PLC LIBOR + 50 BPS 7,612   1/26/15   1,431    
MSCS Liberty Media Corp LIBOR + 50 BPS 42,932   1/26/15   4,855    
MSCS Liberty Ventures LIBOR + 50 BPS 302,740   1/26/15   41,770    
MSCS Life Time Fitness Inc LIBOR + 50 BPS 192,916   1/26/15   22,265    
MSCS Lululemon Athletica Inc LIBOR + 50 BPS 187,078   1/26/15   19,317    
MSCS Marathon Petroleum Corp LIBOR + 50 BPS 407,530   1/26/15     (6,640 )
MSCS Micron Technology Inc LIBOR + 50 BPS 182,036   1/26/15   12,132    
MSCS NorthStar Asset Management Group                  
  Inc LIBOR + 50 BPS 85,740   1/26/15   5,076    
MSCS NorthStar Realty Finance Corp LIBOR + 50 BPS 19,219   1/26/15     (442 )
MSCS Salix Pharmaceuticals Ltd LIBOR + 50 BPS 665,199   1/26/15   65,977    
MSCS Sotheby’s LIBOR + 50 BPS 339,176   1/26/15     (3,606 )
MSCS Tempur Sealy International Inc LIBOR + 50 BPS 11,548   1/26/15     (86 )
MSCS The Container Store Group Inc LIBOR + 50 BPS 130,235   1/26/15     (1,262 )
MSCS The Madison Square Garden Co LIBOR + 50 BPS 469,391   1/26/15     (232 )
MSCS The Williams Cos. Inc LIBOR + 50 BPS 44,601   1/26/15   6,199    
MSCS Time Warner Inc LIBOR + 50 BPS 204,750   1/26/15   22,185    
MSCS TripAdvisor Inc LIBOR + 50 BPS 302,034   1/26/15   15,064    
MSCS Vail Resorts Inc LIBOR + 50 BPS 56,808   1/26/15   2,588    
MSCS Vulcan Materials Co LIBOR + 50 BPS 139,635   1/26/15   11,087    
MSCS Whole Foods Market Inc LIBOR + 50 BPS 407,391   1/26/15   19,303    
MSCS Yahoo! Inc LIBOR + 50 BPS 573,331   1/26/15   113,237    
MSCS Zoetis Inc LIBOR + 50 BPS 405,420   1/26/15   7,473    
DBFX Alcoa Inc LIBOR + 75 BPS 312,665   6/30/15   7,072    
DBFX Amsurg Corp LIBOR + 75 BPS 257,672   6/30/15   2,906    
DBFX Health Care REIT Inc LIBOR + 75 BPS 996,742   6/30/15   20,899    
DBFX NextEra Energy Inc LIBOR + 75 BPS 1,176,582   6/30/15   19,864    
DBFX Pegatron Corp LIBOR + 100 BPS 1,344,800   7/14/15   89,012    
DBFX Drillsearch Financial Ltd LIBOR + 75 BPS 206,315   7/15/15     (6,423 )
DBFX Eni SpA EURIB + 75 BPS 100,323   EUR 7/15/15     (573 )
DBFX GAGFAH S.A EURIB + 75 BPS 449,910   EUR 7/15/15   4,963    
DBFX Grand City Properties SA EURIB + 75 BPS 839,157   EUR 7/15/15   54,981    
DBFX Santa Isabel SA LIBOR + 75 BPS 272,625   7/15/15   3,960    
DBFX Solidium OY EURIB + 75 BPS 301,114   EUR 7/15/15   732    
DBFX ASM Pacific Technology Ltd HKDIB + 100 BPS 4,282,941   HKD 7/17/15     (3,900 )
DBFX China Hongqiao Group Ltd LIBOR + 100 BPS 470,494   7/17/15   10,568    
DBFX Drillisch AG EURIB + 75 BPS 926,769   EUR 7/17/15   72,149    
DBFX Duetsche Wohnen AG EURIB + 75 BPS 224,211   EUR 7/17/15   7,805    
DBFX Helical Bar Jersey Ltd GBPIB + 75 BPS 199,873   GBP 7/17/15     (934 )
DBFX Logo Star Ltd HKDIB + 100 BPS 10,811,250   HKD 7/17/15   29,235    
DBFX Lotte Shopping Co. Ltd LIBOR + 90 BPS 367,740   7/17/15     (6,599 )
DBFX Magyar Nemzeti Vagyonkezelo Zrt EURIB + 75 BPS 1,565,626   EUR 7/17/15     (621 )
DBFX RAG Stiftung EURIB + 75 BPS 198,409   EUR 7/17/15   67    
DBFX Alcatel-Lucent EURIB + 75 BPS 825,858   EUR 7/20/15   99,891    
DBFX BW Group Ltd LIBOR + 75 BPS 367,138   7/20/15     (13,358 )

 

66 Semiannual Report

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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)                
 
Total Return Swap Contracts (continued)                  
          Expiration   Unrealized Unrealized  
Counterparty         Underlying Instrument Financing Rate Notional Valuea                        Date                                      Appreciation Depreciation   
 
Fund Receives Total Return on Underlying Instrument (continued)                
 
DBFX PB Issuer No. 3 Ltd LIBOR + 75 BPS 622,031   7/20/15 $ 3,063 $  
DBFX YTL Land & Development Bhd LIBOR + 100 BPS 206,998   7/22/15     (4,791 )
DBFX Hansteen Jersey Securities Ltd EURIB + 75 BPS 1,227,679   EUR 7/30/15   13,439    
DBFX Marine Harvest ASA EURIB + 75 BPS 1,006,434   EUR 9/17/15     (57,963 )
MSCS MAN SE EONIA + 65 BPS 777,192   EUR 10/14/15      
MSCS Advanced Computers Software Group                  
  PLC SONIA + 65 BPS 39,808   GBP 10/26/15      
MSCS Alstom SA EONIA + 65 BPS 602,634   EUR 10/26/15      
MSCS Amec Foster Wheeler PLC SONIA + 65 BPS 9,018   GBP 10/26/15      
MSCS Bollore SA EONIA + 65 BPS 15,086   EUR 10/26/15      
MSCS Fomento de Construcciones y Contratas                  
  SA EONIA + 65 BPS 35,630   EUR 10/26/15      
MSCS Inmarsat PLC SONIA + 65 BPS 612,377   GBP 10/26/15      
MSCS Jazztel PLC EONIA + 65 BPS 72,166   EUR 10/26/15      
MSCS Smith & Nephew PLC SONIA + 65 BPS 192,874   GBP 10/26/15      
MSCS Vivendi SA EONIA + 65 BPS 1,947,177   EUR 10/26/15      
MSCS Ryanair Holdings PLC EURIB + 50 BPS 491,607   EUR 11/02/15   142,664    
DBFX Resorttrust Inc LIBOR + 85 BPS 71,366,760   JPY 11/17/15   15,901    
DBFX Deutsche Lufthansa AG EURIB + 75 BPS 602,309   EUR 11/18/15   144,993    
DBFX Indah Capital Ltd SIBOR + 100 BPS 525,160   SGD 11/23/15   4,543    
MSCS CareTrust REIT Inc FEDEF + 40 BPS 34,943   12/17/15      
MSCS Kinder Morgan Energy Partners LP FEDEF + 100 BPS 136,618   12/17/15      
MSCS Lamar Advertising Co FEDEF + 40 BPS 345,159   12/17/15      
MSCS Spirit Realty Capital Inc FEDEF + 40 BPS 303,219   12/17/15      
DBFX Yamaguchi Financial Group Inc LIBOR + 85 BPS 212,958   12/18/15     (1,506 )
MSCS Covance Inc LIBOR + 35 BPS 722,927   7/29/16   13,906    
MSCS DIRECTV LIBOR + 35 BPS 1,376,606   7/29/16   14,087    
MSCS Lorillard Inc LIBOR + 35 BPS 765,467   7/29/16   38,684    
     Unrealized appreciation (depreciation)           1,766,553   (838,524 )
         Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)         $ 928,029      
 
aIn U.S. dollars unless otherwise indicated.                  
 
See Abbreviations on page 86.                  

 

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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

Consolidated Financial Statements

Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities
November 30, 2014 (unaudited)

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund      
 
Assets:      
Investments in securities:      
Cost - Unaffiliated issuers $ 405,493,430  
Cost - Repurchase agreements   19,644,487  
Total cost of investments $ 425,137,917  
Value - Unaffiliated issuers $ 432,464,661  
Value - Repurchase agreements   19,644,487  
Total value of investments   452,109,148  
Cash   62,139,962  
Restricted Cash (Note 1e)   22,168  
Foreign currency, at value (cost $2,676,914)   2,633,446  
Receivables:      
Investment securities sold   12,819,198  
Capital shares sold   520,530  
Dividends and interest   1,987,366  
Affiliates   2,176  
Due from brokers   115,098,394  
Variation margin   936,763  
OTC Swaps (premiums paid $39,116)   37,615  
Unrealized appreciation on forward exchange contracts   3,902,348  
Unrealized appreciation on OTC swap contracts   1,792,838  
Unrealized appreciation on unfunded loan commitments (Note 8)   1,419  
       Total assets   654,003,371  
Liabilities:      
Payables:      
Investment securities purchased   12,140,746  
Capital shares redeemed   99,995  
Management fees   392,683  
Distribution fees   48,250  
Trustees’ fees and expenses   25,111  
OTC Swaps (premiums received $91,420)   87,337  
Options written, at value (premiums received $723,720)   167,865  
Securities sold short, at value (proceeds $132,583,381)   138,604,420  
Due to brokers   354,255  
Unrealized depreciation on forward exchange contracts   2,453,970  
Unrealized depreciation on OTC swap contracts   860,676  
Accrued expenses and other liabilities   121,264  
        Total liabilities   155,356,572  
          Net assets, at value $ 498,646,799  
Net assets consist of:      
Paid-in capital $ 475,979,707  
Undistributed net investment income   786,088  
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)   28,136,016  
Accumulated net realized gain (loss)   (6,255,012 )
        Net assets, at value $ 498,646,799  

 

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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities (continued)    
November 30, 2014 (unaudited)    
 
Class A:    
Net assets, at value $ 96,189,359
Shares outstanding   8,818,512
Net asset value per sharea $ 10.91
Maximum offering price per share (net asset value per share ÷ 94.25%) $ 11.58
Class C:    
Net assets, at value $ 25,351,324
Shares outstanding   2,339,854
Net asset value and maximum offering price per sharea $ 10.83
Class R:    
Net assets, at value $ 12,197,373
Shares outstanding   1,120,929
Net asset value and maximum offering price per share $ 10.88
Class R6:    
Net assets, at value $ 221,474,313
Shares outstanding   20,237,338
Net asset value and maximum offering price per share $ 10.94
Advisor Class:    
Net assets, at value $ 143,434,430
Shares outstanding   13,115,099
Net asset value and maximum offering price per share $ 10.94
 
aRedemption price is equal to net asset value less contingent deferred sales charges, if applicable.    

 

franklintempleton.com The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements. | Semiannual Report 69


 

FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS      
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS      
 
 
Consolidated Statement of Operations      
for the period ended November 30, 2014 (unaudited)      
 
Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund      
 
Investment income:      
Dividends $ 1,461,763  
Interest   2,939,593  
Total investment income   4,401,356  
Expenses:      
Management fees (Note 3a)   4,577,848  
Distribution fees: (Note 3c)      
Class A   176,282  
Class C   98,713  
Class R   29,630  
Transfer agent fees: (Note 3e)      
Class A   23,567  
Class C   5,390  
Class R   2,952  
Class R6   5,528  
Advisor Class   27,367  
Custodian fees (Note 4)   91,754  
Reports to shareholders   35,839  
Registration and filing fees   118,437  
Professional fees   172,324  
Trustees’ fees and expenses   273,921  
Offering costs   88,573  
Dividends and interest on securities sold short   1,020,030  
Security borrowing fees   548,336  
Other   56,484  
Total expenses   7,352,975  
Expense reductions (Note 4)   (16,004 )
Expenses waived/paid by affiliates (Note 3f)   (859,956 )
              Net expenses   6,477,015  
Net investment income (loss)   (2,075,659 )
Realized and unrealized gains (losses):      
Net realized gain (loss) from:      
Investments   (2,357,997 )
Written options   599,959  
Foreign currency transactions   1,488,904  
Futures contracts   2,787,552  
Securities sold short   (3,981,483 )
Swap contracts   (808,683 )
Net realized gain (loss)   (2,271,748 )
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:      
Investments   11,437,512  
Translation of other assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies   1,551,007  
Futures contracts   3,230,926  
Swap contracts   450,857  
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)   16,670,302  
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)   14,398,554  
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations $ 12,322,895  

 

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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Net Assets            
 
Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund            
 
    Period Ended        
    November 30, 2014     Period Ended  
    (unaudited)     May 31, 2014a  
Increase (decrease) in net assets:            
Operations:            
Net investment income (loss) $ (2,075,659 ) $ (459,321 )
Net realized gain (loss) from investments, written options, foreign currency transactions, futures            
       contracts, securities sold short and swap contracts   (2,271,748 )   (1,124,386 )
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments, translation of other assets            
and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies, futures contracts and swap contracts   16,670,302     11,465,714  
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations   12,322,895     9,882,007  
Distributions to shareholders from net investment income:            
Class A       (138,800 )
Class C       (45,687 )
Class R       (44,557 )
Class R6       (44,777 )
Advisor Class       (141,968 )
Total distributions to shareholders       (415,789 )
Capital share transactions: (Note 2)            
Class A   (3,126,141 )   94,320,579  
Class C   8,214,423     15,942,860  
Class R   250,150     11,001,000  
Class R6   154,868     212,200,195  
Advisor Class   85,543,949     52,355,803  
Total capital share transactions   91,037,249     385,820,437  
Net increase (decrease) in net assets   103,360,144     395,286,655  
Net assets:            
Beginning of period   395,286,655      
End of period $ 498,646,799   $ 395,286,655  
Undistributed net investment income included in net assets:            
End of period $ 786,088   $ 2,861,747  
 
aFor the period October 11, 2013 (commencement of operations) to May 31, 2014.            

 

franklintempleton.com The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements. | Semiannual Report 71


 

FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

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, as amended, (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). The Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (Fund) is included in this report. The financial statements of the remaining fund in the Trust is presented separately. The Fund offers five classes of shares: Class A, Class C, Class R, Class R6 and Advisor Class. Each class of shares differs by its initial sales load, contingent deferred sales charges, voting rights on matters affecting a single class, its exchange privilege and fees primarily 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 at the close of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), generally at 4 p.m. Eastern time (NYSE close) on each day the NYSE is open for trading. 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 and Liquidity Oversight Committee (VLOC). The VLOC provides administration and oversight of the Fund’s valuation policies and procedures, which are approved annually by the Board. Among other things, these procedures allow the Fund to 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 (derivatives) 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 the NYSE close, whichever is earlier. The value is then converted into its U.S. dollar equivalent at the foreign

exchange rate in effect at the NYSE close 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. Investments in open-end mutual funds are valued at the closing NAV.

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 the NYSE close on the date that the values of the foreign debt securities are determined. Repurchase agreements are valued at cost, which approximates fair value.

Certain derivatives 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 VLOC convenes on a regular basis to review such financial instruments and considers a number of factors, including significant unobservable valuation inputs, when arriving at fair value. The VLOC 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

72 Semiannual Report

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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)

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 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. The VLOC employs various methods for calibrating these valuation approaches including a regular review of key inputs and assumptions, transactional back-testing or disposition analysis, and reviews of any related market activity.

Trading in securities on foreign securities stock exchanges and OTC markets may be completed before the daily NYSE close. In addition, trading in certain foreign markets may not take place on every NYSE business day. Occasionally, events occur between the time at which trading in a foreign security is completed and the close of the NYSE 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 the close of the NYSE. In order to minimize the potential for these differences, the VLOC monitors price movements following the close of trading in foreign stock markets through a series of country specific market proxies (such as baskets of American Depositary Receipts, futures contracts and exchange traded funds). These price movements are measured against established trigger thresholds for each specific market proxy to assist in determining if an event has occurred that may call into question the reliability of the values of the foreign securities held by the Fund. If such an event occurs, the securities may be valued using fair value procedures, which may include the use of independent pricing services.

Also, when the last day of the reporting period is a non-business day, certain foreign markets may be open on those days that the NYSE is closed, 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 on 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 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

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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)

1. Organization and Significant Accounting

Policies (continued)

c. Joint Repurchase Agreement (continued)

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 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 28, 2014.

d. Derivative Financial Instruments

The Fund invested in derivatives 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 on 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 coun-terparty 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 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.

The Fund entered into exchange traded futures contracts primarily to manage and/or gain exposure to commodity price, interest rate and equity price risk. A futures contract is an agreement between the Fund and a counterparty to buy or sell an asset for 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 on the Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (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, or a tranche of a credit index. 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 on 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. Payments received or paid to initiate a credit default swap contract are reflected on 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 are amortized over the term of the contract as a realized gain or loss on 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 on 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 equity price and credit risk of an underlying instrument. 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. The underlying instrument can be a stock or bond, a basket of stocks or bonds, a stock index, or credit index. 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 interest rate risk and foreign exchange rate. 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. Options purchased are recorded as an asset while options written are recorded as a liability. 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 and the cost to close the position is recorded as a realized gain or loss.

See Notes 6 and 9 regarding investment transactions and other derivative information, respectively.

e. Restricted Cash

At November 30, 2014, the Fund received restricted cash in connection with investments in certain derivative securities. Restricted cash is held in a segregated account with the Fund’s custodian and is reflected in the Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)

1. Organization and Significant Accounting

Policies (continued)

f. 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.

g. Investment 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, 2014, 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. The financial statements have been consolidated and include the accounts of the Fund and the K2 Subsidiary. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated. At November 30, 2014, the net assets of the K2 Subsidiary were $47,581,503, representing 9.54% of the Fund’s consolidated net assets. The Fund’s investment in the K2 Subsidiary is limited to 25% of consolidated assets.

h. 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.

i. 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 recognizes the tax benefits of uncertain tax positions only when the position is “more likely than not” to be sustained upon examination by the tax authorities based on the technical merits of the tax position. As of November 30, 2014, and for all open tax years, the Fund has determined that no liability for unrecognized tax benefits is required in the Fund’s consolidated financial statements related to uncertain tax positions taken on a tax return (or expected to be taken on future tax returns). Open tax years are those that remain subject to examination and are based on each tax jurisdiction statute of limitation.

j. 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

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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)

accretion of discount on debt securities are included in interest income. Dividend income and dividends declared on securities sold short are recorded on the ex-dividend date except that certain dividends from foreign securities are recognized as soon as the Fund is notified of the ex-dividend date. Distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date and are determined according to income tax regulations (tax basis). Distributable earnings determined on a tax basis 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. Fund specific expenses are charged directly to the fund that incurred the expense.

Realized and unrealized gains and losses and net investment income, not including 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.

k. Offering Costs

Offering costs are amortized on a straight line basis over twelve months.

l. 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.

m. 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, 2014, there were an unlimited number of shares authorized (without par value). Transactions in the Fund’s shares were as follows:

  Six Months Ended   Year Ended  
  November 30, 2014   May 31, 2014a  
            Shares           Amount   Shares     Amount  
 
Class A Shares:                      
Shares sold 4,625,449   $ 49,433,943   9,202,567   $ 95,380,808  
Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions         304     3,150  
Shares redeemed (4,909,322 )   (52,560,084 ) (100,486 )   (1,063,379 )
Net increase (decrease) (283,873 ) $ (3,126,141 ) 9,102,385   $ 94,320,579  
Class C Shares:                      
Shares sold 828,828     $ 8,816,763   1,574,229   $ 16,010,580  
Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions         109     1,130  
Shares redeemed (56,803 )     (602,340 ) (6,509 )   (68,850 )
Net increase (decrease) 772,025     $ 8,214,423   1,567,829   $ 15,942,860  

 

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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)                      
 
2. Shares of Beneficial Interest (continued)                      
  Six Months Ended   Year Ended  
  November 30, 2014   May 31, 2014a  
          Shares                   Amount                    Shares                 Amount  
Class R Shares:                      
Shares sold 23,368     $ 250,150   1,097,561   $ 11,001,000  
Class R6 Shares:                      
Shares sold 259,003     $ 2,780,869   20,233,382   $ 212,310,195  
Shares redeemed (244,571 )   (2,626,001 ) (10,476 )   (110,000 )
Net increase (decrease) 14,432     $ 154,868   20,222,906   $ 212,200,195  
Advisor Class Shares:                      
Shares sold 10,774,883   $ 115,377,072   5,176,524   $ 52,893,512  
Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions         610     6,315  
Shares redeemed (2,785,500 )   (29,833,123 ) (51,418 )   (544,024 )
Net increase (decrease) 7,989,383   $ 85,543,949   5,125,716   $ 52,355,803  
aFor the period October 11, 2013 (commencement of operations) to May 31, 2014.                      

 

3. Transactions with Affiliates

Franklin Resources, Inc. is the holding company for various subsidiaries that together are referred to as Franklin Templeton Investments. 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 Templeton Distributors, Inc. (Distributors)   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 of 2.05% per year of the average daily net assets of the Fund and K2 Subsidiary. Management fees paid by the Fund are reduced on assets invested in the K2 Subsidiary, in an amount not to exceed the management fees paid by the K2 Subsidiary.

Under each subadvisory agreement, the below entities provide subadvisory services to the Fund or K2 Subsidiary. The subadvisory fees are paid by K2 Advisors based on the Fund and K2 Subsidiary average daily net assets, and is not an additional expense of the Fund or K2 Subsidiary.

Subadvisors
Basso Capital Management, L.P.
Chatham Asset Management, LLC
Chilton Investment Company, LLC
Graham Capital Management, L.P.
Impala Asset Management, LLC
Independence Capital Asset Partners, LLC
Jennison Associates, LLC

 

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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)
 
Subadvisors (continued)
Lazard Asset Management, LLC
Loomis Sayles & Company, L.P.
P. Schoenfeld Asset Management L.P.
Wellington Management Company, LLP
York Registered Holdings, L.P.

 

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 and K2 Subsidiary average daily net assets, and is not an additional expense of the Fund or K2 Subsidiary.

Under a sub-administrative agreement between FT Services and BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. (BNY Mellon), BNY Mellon provides sub-administrative services to the Fund and K2 Subsidiary. The sub-administrative fee is paid by FT Services based on the average daily net assets of the Fund and K2 Subsidiary, 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. Distribution fees are not charged on shares held by affiliates. 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 for each fund.

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 %

 

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 broker/dealers $ 54,238
CDSC retained $ 1,540

 

e. Transfer Agent Fees

Each class of shares, except for Class R6, pays transfer agent fees to Investor Services for its performance of shareholder servicing obligations and reimburses Investor Services for out of pocket expenses incurred, including shareholding 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 CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)

3. Transactions with Affiliates (continued)

e. Transfer Agent Fees (continued)

For the period ended November 30, 2014, the Fund paid transfer agent fees of $64,804, of which $23,856 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 its own expense certain expenses otherwise payable by the Fund so that the expenses (excluding distribution fees, acquired fund fees and expenses, and expenses on securities sold short) for each class of the Fund do not exceed 1.95%, and Class R6 does not exceed 1.88% based on the average net assets of each class (other than certain non-routine expenses or costs, including those relating to litigation, indemnification, reorganizations, and liquidations) until September 30, 2015. Prior to October 1, 2014, expenses were limited to 2.15%.

g. Other Affiliated Transactions      
At November 30, 2014, the shares of the Fund were owned by the following entities:    
    Percentage of  
    Consolidated  
    Outstanding  
  Shares Shares  
Franklin Resources, Inc. 5,307,251 11.63 %
Franklin Moderate Allocation Fund 8,367,007 18.34 %
Franklin Conservative Allocation Fund 5,157,034 11.30 %
Franklin Growth Allocation Fund 4,335,456 9.50 %
Franklin Multi-Asset Real Return Fund 320,606 0.70 %
Franklin LifeSmart 2025 Retirement Target Fund 264,968 0.58 %
Franklin LifeSmart 2035 Retirement Target Fund 227,281 0.50 %
Franklin LifeSmart 2015 Retirement Target Fund 175,215 0.38 %
Franklin LifeSmart 2045 Retirement Target Fund 127,994 0.28 %
Franklin LifeSmart 2030 Retirement Target Fund 54,476 0.12 %
Franklin LifeSmart 2020 Retirement Target Fund 46,964 0.10 %
Franklin LifeSmart 2040 Retirement Target Fund 35,306 0.08 %
Franklin LifeSmart 2050 Retirement Target Fund 27,093 0.06 %

 

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, 2014, the custodian fees were reduced as noted in the Consolidated Statement of Operations.

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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)

5. Income Taxes

For tax purposes, capital losses may be carried over to offset future capital gains, if any. At May 31, 2014, the capital loss carryforwards were as follows:

Capital loss carryforwards:    
Short term $ 161,663
Long term   859,461
Total capital loss carryforwards $ 1,021,124

 

At November 30, 2014, the cost of investments and net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) for income tax purposes were as follows:

Cost of investments $ 431,683,026  
Unrealized appreciation $ 29,101,912  
Unrealized depreciation   (8,675,790 )
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) $ 20,426,122  

 

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, bond discounts and premiums, certain dividends on securities sold short, swaps, commodity-based derivatives, non-deductible expenses, offering costs and futures.

6. Investment Transactions

Purchases and sales of investments and securities sold short (excluding short term securities) for the period ended November 30, 2014, aggregated $662,616,909 and $627,924,000, respectively.

Transactions in options written during the period ended November 30, 2014, were as follows:

  Number of   Notional        
  Contracts   Amount     Premiums  
Options outstanding at May 31, 2014 1,802       $ 303,652  
Options written 6,590   1,840,000,000  KRW   1,935,160  
Options expired (1,310 )     (169,615 )
Options exercised (108 )     (10,946 )
Options closed (5,408 )     (1,334,531 )
Options outstanding at November 30, 2014 1,566   1,840,000,000  KRW   $ 723,720  

 

See Notes 1(d) and 9 regarding derivative financial instruments and other derivative information, respectively.

7. Credit Risk and Defaulted Securities

The Fund may purchase the pre-default or defaulted debt of distressed companies. Distressed companies are financially troubled and are about to 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.

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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)

7. Credit Risk and Defaulted Securities (continued)

At November 30, 2014, the aggregate long value of distressed company securities for which interest recognition has been discontinued was $1,626,920, representing 0.33% of the Fund’s net assets. For information as to specific securities, see the accompanying Consolidated Statement of Investments.

8. 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. Funded portions of credit agreements are presented on the Consolidated Statement of Investments.

At November 30, 2014, unfunded commitments were as follows:    
 
    Unfunded
Borrower   Commitment
B/E Aerospace Inc., Term Loan B, 3.75%, 11/21/21 $ 60,000
Cable & Wireless Communications PLC, Term Loan B, 5.50%, 11/6/16   95,000
Quintiles Transnational Corp., Term Loan B-3, 3.75%, 6/08/18   29,523
Visteon Corp., Term Loan B, 3.50%, 4/08/21   45,169
  $ 229,692

 

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.

9. Other Derivative Information

At November 30, 2014, the Fund’s investments in derivative contracts are reflected on the Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities as follows:

  Asset Derivatives     Liability Derivatives    
 
Derivative Contracts Consolidated Statement     Consolidated Statement    
Not Accounted for as of Assets and     of Assets and    
Hedging Instruments Liabilities Location   Fair Valuea Liabilities Location    Fair Valuea
Commodity contracts Net assets consist of – net $ 1,235,079 Net assets consist of – net $ 277,790
  unrealized appreciation     unrealized appreciation    
  (depreciation)     (depreciation)    
Credit contracts Unrealized appreciation on swap   27,928 Unrealized depreciation on swap   61,398
  contracts / Net assets consist of     contracts / Net assets consist    
  – net unrealized appreciation     of – net unrealized    
  (depreciation)     appreciation (depreciation)    
Equity contracts Investments, at value / Unrealized   4,740,350 Options written, at value /   1,230,054
  appreciation on swap contracts /     Unrealized depreciation on    
  Net assets consist of – net     swap contracts / Net assets    
  unrealized appreciation     consist of – net unrealized    
  (depreciation)     appreciation (depreciation)    
Foreign exchange contracts Investments, at value / Unrealized   4,003,964 Options written, at value /   2,458,965
  appreciation on forward     Unrealized depreciation on    
  exchange contracts     forward exchange contracts    
Interest rate contracts Investments, at value / Net assets   1,572,559 Net assets consist of – net   19,468
  consist of – net unrealized     unrealized appreciation    
  appreciation (depreciation)     (depreciation)    

 

aIncludes cumulative appreciation (depreciation) of futures contracts and centrally cleared swaps as reported in the Consolidated Statement of Investments. Only current day’s variation margin is separately reported within the Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)

For the period ended November 30, 2014, the effect of derivative contracts on the Fund’s Consolidated Statement of Operations was as follows:

            Change in
            Unrealized
Derivative Contracts     Realized     Appreciation
Not Accounted for as     Gain (Loss)     (Depreciation)
Hedging Instruments Consolidated Statement of Operations Locations   for the Period     for the Period
Commodity contracts Net realized gain (loss) from futures contracts / Net change $ 825,477   $ 987,912
                                                           in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on futures
  contracts          
Credit contracts Net realized gain (loss) from swap contracts / Net change in   (285,452 )   117,087
  unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on swap contracts          
Equity contracts Net realized gain (loss) from investments, written options,   (837,093 )   1,933,086
  futures and swap contracts / Net change in unrealized          
  appreciation (depreciation) on investments, futures and          
  swap contracts          
Foreign exchange contracts Net realized gain (loss) from investments, written options   2,354,158     1,641,282
                                                         and foreign currency transactions / Net change in
  unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments          
  and translation of other assets and liabilities denominated          
  in foreign currencies          
 
Interest rate contracts Net realized gain (loss) from investments and futures   1,491,237     892,512
                                                         contracts / Net change in unrealized appreciation
                                                         (depreciation) on investments and futures contracts

 

For the period ended November 30, 2014, the average month end fair value of derivatives represented 2.16% of average month end net assets. The average month end number of open derivative contracts for the period was 636.

At November 30, 2014, the Fund’s OTC derivative assets and liabilities are as follows:

    Gross and Net Amounts
    of Assets and Liabilities
    Presented in the
    Consolidated Statement of
    Assets and Liabilities
    Assetsa   Liabilitiesa
Derivatives        
Forward Exchange Contracts $ 3,902,348 $ 2,453,970
Options Purchased   109,982  
Options Written     4,995
Swap Contracts   1,830,453   948,013
Total $ 5,842,783 $ 3,406,978

 

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.

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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)

9. Other Derivative Information (continued)

At November 30, 2014, the Fund’s OTC derivative assets which may be offset against the Fund’s OTC derivative liabilities, and collateral received from the counterparty, is as follows:

        Amounts Not Offset in the Consolidated    
        Statement of Assets and Liabilities    
 
    Gross and Net                      
    Amounts of Assets         Financial          
    Presented in the   Financial     Instruments     Cash    
    Consolidated Statement of   Instruments     Collateral     Collateral   Net Amount (Not
    Assets and Liabilities   Available for Offset     Receiveda     Received   less than zero)
Counterparty                          
BNYM $ 476,185 $     $   $ $ 476,185
BOFA   124,910   (14,561 )     (105,117 )     5,232
BZWS   15,505               15,505
CITI   26,072   (450 )           25,622
CSFB   66,720               66,720
DBFX   862,894   (766,599 )           96,295
MLCO   22,819               22,819
MSCS   933,272   (172,215 )           761,057
MSCO   53,673   (43,940 )           9,733
MSCOc   3,260,733   (2,218,247 )           1,042,486
Total $ 5,842,783 $ (3,216,012 ) $ (105,117 ) $ $ 2,521,654

 

At November 30, 2014, the Fund’s OTC derivative liabilities which may be offset against the Fund’s OTC derivative assets, and collateral pledged to the counterparty, is as follows:

        Amounts Not Offset in the Consolidated    
        Statement of Assets and Liabilities    
 
    Gross and Net                  
    Amounts of Liabilities         Financial        
    Presented in the   Financial     Instruments   Cash    
    Consolidated Statement of   Instruments     Collateral   Collateral   Net Amount (Not
    Assets and Liabilities   Available for Offset     Pledgeda,b   Pledgeda   less than zero)
Counterparty                      
BNYM $ 142,813 $   $ $ $ 142,813
BOFA   14,561   (14,561 )      
BZWS            
CITI   450   (450 )      
CSFB   41,389           41,389
DBFX   766,599   (766,599 )      
MLCO   6,764           6,764
MSCS   172,215   (172,215 )      
MSCO   43,940   (43,940 )      
MSCOc   2,218,247   (2,218,247 )      
Total $ 3,406,978 $ (3,216,012 ) $ $ $ 190,966

 

aIn some instances, the collateral amounts disclosed in the table above were adjusted due to the requirement to limit collateral amounts to avoid the effect of over-
collateralization. Actual collateral received and/or pledged may be more than the amounts disclosed herein.
bSee the accompanying Consolidated Statement of Investments for securities pledged as collateral for derivatives.
cRepresents derivatives owned by the K2 Holdings Investment Corp., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Fund. See Note 1(g).

See abbreviations on page 86.

See Notes 1(d) and 6 regarding derivative financial instruments and investment transactions, respectively.

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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)

10. 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, prepay- ment 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.

For movements between the levels within the fair value hierarchy, the Fund has adopted a policy of recognizing the transfers as of the date of the underlying event which caused the movement.

A summary of inputs used as of November 30, 2014, 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:                
Common Stocks and Other Equity Interestsa $ 251,775,411 $ $ b $ 251,775,411
Exchange Traded Funds   223,153       223,153
Convertible Preferred Stocks   3,920,848   3,784,559     7,705,407
Preferred Stocks   597,032   105,922     702,954
Convertible Bonds     63,909,578     63,909,578
Corporate Bonds and Notes     48,389,950     48,389,950
Corporate Notes in Reorganization     1,626,920     1,626,920
Senior Floating Rate Interests     4,065,679     4,065,679
Foreign Government and Agency Securities     1,979,064     1,979,064
Asset-Backed Securities and Commercial Mortgage-Backed                
         Securities     7,055,815     7,055,815
Options Purchased   912,443   109,982     1,022,425
Short Term Investments   44,008,305   19,644,487     63,652,792
Total Investments in Securities $ 301,437,192 $ 150,671,956 $ $ 452,109,148
   Other Financial Instruments                
Futures Contracts $ 4,860,626 $ $ $ 4,860,626
Forward Exchange Contracts     3,902,348     3,902,348
Swap Contracts     1,794,481     1,794,481
Unfunded Loan Commitments     1,419     1,419
              Total Other Financial Instruments $ 4,860,626 $ 5,698,248 $ $ 10,558,874

 

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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)                
 
10. Fair Value Measurements (continued)                
 
    Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Total
 
Liabilities:                
Other Financial Instruments                
Options Written $ 162,870 $ 4,995 $ $ 167,865
Securities Sold Shorta   131,233,072   7,371,348     138,604,420
Futures Contracts   524,979       524,979
Forward Exchange Contracts     2,453,970     2,453,970
Swap Contracts     900,861     900,861
          Total Other Financial Instruments $ 131,920,921 $ 10,731,174 $ $ 142,652,095

 

aFor detailed categories, see the accompanying Consolidated Statement of Investments.
bIncludes securities determined to have no value at November 30, 2014.

A reconciliation of assets in which Level 3 inputs are used in determining fair value is presented when there are significant Level 3
financial investments at the end of the period.

11. New Accounting Pronouncements

In June 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2014-11, Transfers and Servicing (Topic 860), Repurchase-to-Maturity Transactions, Repurchase Financings, and Disclosures. The ASU changes the accounting for certain repurchase agreements and expands disclosure requirements related to repurchase agreements, securities lending, repurchase-to-maturity and similar transactions. The ASU is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2014. Management is currently evaluating the impact, if any, of applying this provision.

12. 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.

Abbreviations        
Counterparty/Exchange Currency Selected Portfolio
BNYM The Bank of New York Mellon BRL Brazilian Real ABS Asset Backed Security
BOFA Bank of America Corp CAD Canadian Dollar ADR American Depositary Receipt
BZWS Barclays Bank PLC CNY Chinese Yuan ARM Adjustable Rate Mortgage
CITI Cititgroup, Inc. COP Colombian Peso CMO Collateralized Mortgage Obligation
CME Chicago Mercantile Exchange EUR Euro ETF Exchange Traded Fund
CSFB Credit Suisse First Boston GBP British Pound FDIC Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
DBFX Deutsche Bank AG HKD Hong Kong Dollar FRN Floating Rate Note
FTSE Financial Times Stock Exchange JPY Japanese Yen PIK Payment In-Kind
HSBC HSBC Bank USA, N.A. KRW Korean Won REIT Real Estate Investment Trust
ICE Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. MXN Mexican Peso SPDR Standard & Poor’s Depository Receipt
JPHQ JP Morgan Chase & Co. SGD Singapore Dollar    
MLCO Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. USD United States Dollar    
MSCO Morgan Stanley & Co., Inc. ZAR South African Rand    
MSCS Morgan Stanley Capital Services        

 

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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

FRANKLIN K2 ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUND

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 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 on Form N-Q. Shareholders may view the filed Form N-Q 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.

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Semiannual Report
and Shareholder Letter
November 30, 2014

Franklin Pelagos Commodities Strategy Fund

A SERIES OF FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS


Sign up for electronic delivery at franklintempleton.com/edelivery


 

Franklin Templeton Investments

Gain From Our Perspective®

At Franklin Templeton Investments, we’re dedicated to one goal: delivering exceptional asset management for our clients. By bringing together multiple, world-class investment teams in a single firm, we’re able to offer specialized expertise across styles and asset classes, all supported by the strength and resources of one of the world’s largest asset managers. This has helped us to become a trusted partner to individual and institutional investors across the globe.

Focus on Investment Excellence

At the core of our firm, you’ll find multiple independent investment teams—each with a focused area of expertise—from traditional to alternative strategies and multi-asset solutions. And because our portfolio groups operate autonomously, their strategies can be combined to deliver true style and asset class diversification.

All of our investment teams share a common commitment to excellence grounded in rigorous, fundamental research and robust, disciplined risk management. Decade after decade, our consistent, research-driven processes have helped Franklin Templeton earn an impressive record of strong, long-term results.

Global Perspective Shaped by Local Expertise

In today’s complex and interconnected world, smart investing demands a global perspective. Franklin Templeton pioneered international investing over 60 years ago, and our expertise in emerging markets spans more than a quarter of a century. Today, our investment professionals are on the ground across the globe, spotting investment ideas and potential risks firsthand. These locally based teams bring in-depth understanding of local companies, economies and cultural nuances, and share their best thinking across our global research network.

Strength and Experience

Franklin Templeton is a global leader in asset management serving clients in over 150 countries.1 We run our business with the same prudence we apply to asset management, staying focused on delivering relevant investment solutions, strong long-term results and reliable, personal service. This approach, focused on putting clients first, has helped us to become one of the most trusted names in financial services.

1. As of 12/31/13. Clients are represented by the total number of shareholder accounts.

Not FDIC Insured | May Lose Value | No Bank Guarantee


 

Contents  
 
Shareholder Letter 1
Semiannual Report  
Franklin Pelagos Commodities  
Strategy Fund 3
Performance Summary 7
Your Fund’s Expenses 10
Consolidated Financial Highlights and  
Consolidated Statement of  
Investments 12
Consolidated Financial Statements 19
Notes to Consolidated  
Financial Statements 23
Shareholder Information 33
 
 
 
 
franklintempleton.com  

 


 



 

Semiannual Report

Franklin Pelagos Commodities Strategy Fund

This semiannual report for Franklin Pelagos Commodities Strategy Fund covers the period ended November 30, 2014.

Your Fund’s Goal and Main Investments

The Fund seeks long-term total return. It invests mainly in commodity-linked derivative instruments and securities of the U.S. government, its agencies and instrumentalities and other fixed income securities.

Performance Overview

The Fund’s Class A shares had a -15.15% cumulative total return for the six months under review. In comparison, its benchmark, the Bloomberg Commodity Index, which measures performance of exchange-traded futures contracts on physical commodities, posted a -15.60% total return for the same period.1,2 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. Please visit franklintempleton.com or call (800) 342-5236 for most recent month-end performance.

Economic and Market Overview

U.S. economic growth trends were generally encouraging during the period. Economic activity improved in the third quarter of 2014, resulting largely from increased consumer spending, business investments, federal defense spending and a narrower trade deficit. The U.S. Federal Reserve Board (Fed) ended its asset purchase program in October, after gradually reducing its purchases during the six-month period, based on its view that underlying economic strength could support ongoing progress in

labor market conditions. The Fed reaffirmed it would maintain its near-zero interest rate policy for a “considerable time” and stated its actions to normalize monetary policy remained dependent on economic performance.

U.S. stocks generated strong returns for the six months under review as measured by the Standard & Poor’s® 500 Index and the Dow Jones Industrial Average. Commodity prices overall ended lower for the period, as measured by the Bloomberg Commodity Index, largely due to steep declines in crude oil prices resulting from weak global demand growth and strong world supply. Gold prices declined amid benign global inflation and a strong U.S. dollar.

Investment Strategy

We utilize an actively managed fundamental and quantitative investment process to provide exposure to the commodities markets by investing in commodity-linked derivative instruments including commodity-linked total return swaps, commodity futures, commodity index futures and options on commodities and commodity index futures, which may provide exposure to foreign and emerging markets. By investing in these derivative instruments, we seek to gain exposure to the returns of real assets that trade in the commodities markets without direct investment in physical commodities. Real assets include such things as industrial and precious metals, gas, oil, livestock, agricultural or meat products and other items.

What is a swap agreement?

A swap agreement, such as a commodity-linked total return swap, is a contract between the Fund and a counterparty to exchange on a future date the returns, or differentials in rates of return, that would have been earned or realized if a notional amount were invested in specific instruments.

1. Source: Morningstar.

2. Prior to 7/1/14, the index was known as the Dow Jones-UBS Commodity Index.

The index is unmanaged and includes reinvested dividends. One cannot invest directly in an index, and an index is not representative of the Fund’s portfolio. 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 17.

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FRANKLIN PELAGOS COMMODITIES STRATEGY FUND

What is a futures contract?

A futures contract, or a future, is an agreement between the Fund and a counterparty made through a U.S. or foreign futures exchange to buy or sell an asset at a specific price on a future date.

What is an option?

An option is a contract to buy or sell a specific financial product known as the option’s underlying instrument at a specific price. The buyer of an option has the right, but not the obligation, to buy or sell the underlying instrument at or until a specified expiration date. Conversely, the seller (“writer”) of an option who opens a transaction is obligated to buy or sell the underlying instrument should the option holder exercise that right.

Portfolio Breakdown*
11/30/14

                                                                          % of Consolidated
                                                                                      Net Assets

U.S. Treasury Bills 54.3 %
Federal Farm Credit Bank 29.5 %
U.S. Treasury Notes 18.0 %
Institutional Fiduciary Trust Money Market Portfolio 1.6 %
Federal Home Loan Bank 1.5 %
Other Assets, less Liabilities** -4.9 %

 

*Portfolio breakdown figures are stated as a percentage of total and may not equal
100% or may be negative due to rounding, use of any derivatives, unsettled trades
or other factors.
**Includes unrealized appreciation/depreciation on open futures and swap
contracts, as well as other assets and liabilities. See supplementary commodity
exposure tables on page 5 for additional information related to the Fund’s economic
exposure to commodities.

Manager’s Discussion

During its semiannual period, the Fund obtained its commodities exposure through swaps on commodity indexes and through commodities futures. These exposures were supported with U.S. Treasury bills and other fixed income securities.

During the period under review, overall energy positioning detracted significantly from absolute returns. Other sectors that detracted from absolute performance were agriculture, precious

metals and industrial metals. Conversely, the livestock sector contributed to returns. The Fund’s relative performance also benefited from its positioning in agriculture, particularly corn and soybeans; industrial metals, notably zinc; and livestock over the period. In energy, positioning in refined petroleum products benefited relative performance.

Within the energy sector, crude oil was the largest detractor from returns. U.S. production growth of crude oil and the return of some Libyan production weighed on the global crude oil supply and demand balance. The resulting U.S. commercial stockpiles of crude oil trended above seasonal averages in spite of high refinery utilization rates and low stockpile levels at the oil hub of Cushing, Oklahoma. Although natural gas detracted from absolute returns, a slight underweighting contributed to relative results. Over the period, U.S. natural gas inventories built up strongly through the storage season, as summer cooling demand was below average in peak months.

In the agriculture sector, wheat was a notable detractor from returns as estimates for world production rose to a record high, lessening the demand for U.S. exports. Although concerns arose about European wheat quality due to rain, and exports from former Soviet Union areas, overall wheat prices declined resulting partly from the northern hemisphere’s large harvest. Positive contributions from our corn and soybean positioning helped lessen the negative effects of wheat positioning. Sugar detracted as drought in Brazil, the world’s top producer, was not enough to offset the global surplus, and India, the world’s second-largest producer, experienced ample rainfall and plantings. In the precious metals sector, gold and silver detracted from returns. In the industrial metals sector, aluminum and nickel also weighed on returns. Zinc and copper also hurt returns, but positioning aided relative results. A rising U.S. dollar provided a headwind to metal prices over the period.

In the livestock sector, live cattle and lean hogs contributed to absolute performance. A shrinking U.S. domestic cattle herd and feedlot dynamics supported cattle prices. However, an underweighting hurt relative results. The outbreak of disease in pigs started to be controlled over the period, which pressured lean hog prices, and an underweighting supported relative performance.

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FRANKLIN PELAGOS COMMODITIES STRATEGY FUND

Fund Exposure to Commodities

The following table summarizes the Fund’s economic exposure to commodities derived through its investment in commodity-linked total return swap contracts. At 11/30/14, the Fund’s exposure based on notional value represented 78.1% of consolidated net assets.

Commodity-Linked Total Return Swap Exposure*  
  % of Consolidated Net Assets  
Brent Crude Oil 17.4 %
Soybeans 14.4 %
Silver 9.5 %
Aluminum 8.8 %
Zinc 8.8 %
Coffee 7.6 %
Natural Gas 5.1 %
Live Cattle 3.3 %
Lean Hogs 1.7 %
Kansas Wheat 1.5 %
 
*Figures are stated as a percentage of total and may not equal 100% or may be negative due to rounding, use of any derivatives, unsettled trades or other factors. The  
Fund’s exposure was calculated using the commodity sector weightings of the FP Custom Commodity Index multiplied by the Fund’s percentage notional exposure.  

 

The following table summarizes the Fund’s economic exposure to commodities derived through its investment in futures contracts.

At 11/30/14, the Fund’s exposure based on notional value represented 20.4% of consolidated net assets.

Commodity Futures Exposure*    
  % of Consolidated Net Assets  
  Long  
Natural Gas 4.6 %
Soybeans 3.9 %
Brent Crude Oil 3.2 %
Aluminum 2.4 %
Zinc 2.3 %
Coffee 2.1 %
Live Cattle 0.9 %
Lean Hogs 0.5 %
Kansas Wheat 0.5 %

 

*Figures are stated as a percentage of total and may not equal 100% or may be negative due to rounding, use of any derivatives, unsettled trades or other factors.

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FRANKLIN PELAGOS COMMODITIES STRATEGY FUND

As fellow shareholders, we were disappointed with the Fund’s absolute performance in the recent challenging environment for commodities. However, we remain committed to our active investment process and long-term perspective, keeping in mind that volatility is not uncommon for commodities markets. Thank you for your participation in Franklin Pelagos Commodities Strategy Fund. We look forward to continuing to serve your financial needs.


The foregoing information reflects our analysis, opinions and portfolio holdings as of November 30, 2014, 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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FRANKLIN PELAGOS COMMODITIES STRATEGY FUND

Performance Summary as of November 30, 2014

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. 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.

Net Asset Value            
Share Class (Symbol)   11/30/14   5/31/14   Change
A (N/A) $ 8.01 $ 9.44 -$ 1.43
C (N/A) $ 7.95 $ 9.41 -$ 1.46
R (N/A) $ 8.00 $ 9.44 -$ 1.44
R6 (FPELX) $ 8.04 $ 9.46 -$ 1.42
Advisor (N/A) $ 8.14 $ 9.58 -$ 1.44

 

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Semiannual Report | 7


 

FRANKLIN PELAGOS COMMODITIES STRATEGY FUND

PERFORMANCE SUMMARY

Performance as of 11/30/141

Cumulative total return excludes sales charges. Average annual total return and value of $10,000 investment include maximum sales charges. Class A: 5.75% maximum initial sales charge; Class C: 1% contingent deferred sales charge in first year only;

Class R/R6/Advisor Class: no sales charges.

                     
                       Value of        Average Annual          Total Annual Operating Expenses6  
  Cumulative   Average Annual   $ 10,000 Total Return          
Share Class Total Return2                 Total Return3     Investment4 (12/31/14 )5 (with waiver)   (without waiver)  
A                 1.25 % 3.58 %
6-Month -15.15 % -20.06 % $ 7,997            
Since Inception (1/10/14) -9.80 % -14.97 % $ 8,503 -21.34 %        
C                 1.95 % 4.28 %
6-Month -15.52 % -16.36 % $ 8,364            
Since Inception (1/10/14) -10.47 % -11.37 % $ 8,863 -18.06 %        
R                 1.45 % 3.78 %
6-Month -15.25 % -15.27 % $ 8,475            
Since Inception (1/10/14) -9.91 % - 9.91 % $ 9,009 -16.78 %        
R6                 0.86 % 1.78 %
6-Month -15.01 % -15.01 % $ 8,499            
Since Inception (1/10/14) -9.46 % -9.46 % $ 9,054 -16.33 %        
Advisor                 0.95 % 3.28 %
6-Month -15.03 % -15.03 % $ 8,497            
1-Year -9.05 % -9.05 % $ 9,095 -16.98 %        
Since Inception (12/7/11) -18.60 % -6.67 % $ 8,140 -8.84 %        

 

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.

8 | Semiannual Report

franklintempleton.com


 

FRANKLIN PELAGOS COMMODITIES STRATEGY FUND

PERFORMANCE SUMMARY

All investments involve risks, including possible loss of principal. Investing in physical commodities, either directly or through complex instruments such as commodity-linked total return swaps, commodity futures, commodity index futures and options on commodities and commodities index futures, presents unique risks, is speculative and can be extremely volatile. Market prices of commodities may fluctuate rapidly based on numerous factors, including: changes in supply and demand relationships; weather; agriculture; trade; domestic and foreign political and economic events and policies; diseases; pestilence; technological developments; and monetary and other governmental policies, action and inaction. Derivatives involve costs and can create leverage in the Fund’s portfolio, which may result in significant volatility and cause the Fund to participate in losses (as well as gains) in an amount that exceeds the Fund’s initial investment. The Fund may not achieve the anticipated benefits and may realize losses when a counterparty fails to perform as promised. Bond prices generally move in the opposite direction of interest rates. Thus, as prices of bonds in the Fund adjust to a rise in interest rates, the Fund’s share price may decline. Foreign investing carries additional risks such as currency and market volatility and political or social instability, risks that are heightened in developing countries. The Fund is actively managed but there is no guarantee that the manager’s investment decisions will produce the desired results. The Fund’s prospectus also includes a description of the main investment risks.

Class C:

Class R: Class

 R6:

Advisor Class:

These shares have higher annual fees and expenses than Class A shares.

Shares are available to certain eligible investors as described in the prospectus. These shares have higher annual fees and expenses than Class A shares.

Shares are available to certain eligible investors as described in the prospectus.

Shares are available to certain eligible investors as described in the prospectus.

 

1. The Fund has an expense reduction contractually guaranteed through at least 9/30/15, a fee waiver related to the management fee paid by a subsidiary, and a fee waiver
associated with its investments in a Franklin Templeton money fund, contractually guaranteed through at least its current fiscal year-end. Fund investment results reflect the
expense reduction and fee waivers, to the extent applicable; 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. Six-month return has not been annualized.
4. These figures represent the value of a hypothetical $10,000 investment in the Fund over the periods indicated.
5. In accordance with SEC rules, we provide standardized average annual total return information through the latest calendar quarter.
6. Figures are as stated in the Fund’s current prospectus. In periods of market volatility, assets may decline significantly, causing total annual Fund operating expenses to
become higher than the figures shown.

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Semiannual Report | 9


 

FRANKLIN PELAGOS COMMODITIES STRATEGY FUND

Your Fund’s Expenses

As a Fund shareholder, you can incur two types of costs:

  • Transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on Fund purchases; and
  • Ongoing Fund costs, including management fees, distribu- tion and service (12b-1) fees, and other Fund expenses. All mutual funds have ongoing costs, sometimes referred to as operating expenses.

The following table 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 first line (Actual) for each share class listed in the table provides actual account values and expenses. The “Ending Account Value” is derived from the Fund’s actual return, which includes the effect of Fund expenses.

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:

1.      Divide your account value by $1,000.
  If an account had an $8,600 value, then $8,600 ÷ $1,000 = 8.6.
2.      Multiply the result by the number under the heading “Expenses Paid During Period.”
  If Expenses Paid During Period were $7.50, then 8.6 x $7.50 = $64.50.

In this illustration, the estimated expenses paid this period are $64.50.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison with Other Funds

Information in the second line (Hypothetical) for each class in the table can help you compare ongoing costs of investing in the Fund with those of other mutual funds. This information may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid during the period. The hypothetical “Ending Account Value” is based on the actual expense ratio for each class and an assumed 5% annual rate of return before expenses, which does not represent the Fund’s actual return. The figure under the heading “Expenses Paid During Period” shows the hypothetical expenses your account would have incurred under this scenario. You can compare this figure with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in shareholder reports of other funds.

Please note that expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight ongoing costs and do not reflect any transaction costs, such as sales charges. Therefore, the second line for each class is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you compare total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if transaction costs were included, your total costs would have been higher. Please refer to the Fund prospectus for additional information on operating expenses.

10 | Semiannual Report

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FRANKLIN PELAGOS COMMODITIES STRATEGY FUND

                                             YOUR FUND’S EXPENSES

    Beginning Account   Ending Account   Expenses Paid During
Share Class   Value 6/1/14   Value 11/30/14   Period* 6/1/14–11/30/14
A            
Actual $ 1,000 $ 848.50 $ 5.79
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses) $ 1,000 $ 1,018.80 $ 6.33
C            
Actual $ 1,000 $ 844.80 $ 9.02
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses) $ 1,000 $ 1,015.29 $ 9.85
R            
Actual $ 1,000 $ 847.50 $ 6.72
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses) $ 1,000 $ 1,017.80 $ 7.33
R6            
Actual $ 1,000 $ 849.90 $ 3.99
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses) $ 1,000 $ 1,020.76 $ 4.36
Advisor            
Actual $ 1,000 $ 849.70 $ 4.41
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses) $ 1,000 $ 1,020.31 $ 4.81

 

*Expenses are calculated using the most recent six-month expense ratio, net of expense waivers, annualized for each class (A: 1.25%; C: 1.95%; R: 1.45%; R6: 0.86%; and Advisor: 0.95%), multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 183/365 to reflect the one-half year period.

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Semiannual Report | 11


 

FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS            
 
 
Consolidated Financial Highlights            
Franklin Pelagos Commodities Strategy Fund            
    Six Months Ended        
    November 30, 2014     Period Ended  
    (unaudited)     May 31, 2014a  
Class A            
Per share operating performance            
(for a share outstanding throughout the period)            
Net asset value, beginning of period $ 9.44   $ 8.88  
Income from investment operationsb:            
Net investment income (loss)c   (0.05 )   (0.08 )
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)   (1.38 )   0.64  
Total from investment operations   (1.43 )   0.56  
Net asset value, end of period $ 8.01   $ 9.44  
 
Total returnd   (15.15 )%   6.31 %
 
Ratios to average net assetse            
Expenses before waiver, payments by affiliates and expense reduction   1.92 %f   3.38 %
Expenses net of waiver, payments by affiliates and expense reductiong   1.25 %f   1.25 %
Net investment income (loss)   (0.96 )%f   (0.94 )%
 
Supplemental data            
Net assets, end of period (000’s) $ 1,164   $ 601  
Portfolio turnover rate   —%h     34.28 %

 

aFor the period January 10, 2014 (commencement of operations) to May 31, 2014.
bThe 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 shares in relation to income earned and/or fluctuating fair value of the investments of the Fund.
cBased on average daily shares outstanding.
dTotal return does not reflect sales commissions or contingent deferred sales charges, if applicable, and is not annualized for periods less than one year.
eRatios are annualized for periods less than one year.
fRatios are adjusted to exclude the effects of annualization for non-recurring expenses.
gBenefit of expense reduction rounds to less than 0.01%.
hFor the period there were no purchases or sales of investments (other than short term securities).

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 Pelagos Commodities Strategy Fund (continued)            
    Six Months Ended        
    November 30, 2014     Period Ended  
    (unaudited)     May 31, 2014a  
Class C            
Per share operating performance            
(for a share outstanding throughout the period)            
Net asset value, beginning of period $ 9.41   $ 8.88  
     Income from investment operationsb:            
Net investment income (loss)c   (0.07 )   (0.09 )
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)   (1.39 )   0.62  
 Total from investment operations   (1.46 )   0.53  
Net asset value, end of period $ 7.95   $ 9.41  
 
Total returnd   (15.52 )%   5.97 %
 
Ratios to average net assetse            
Expenses before waiver, payments by affiliates and expense reduction   2.62 %f   4.08 %
Expenses net of waiver, payments by affiliates and expense reductiong   1.95 %f   1.95 %
Net investment income (loss)    (1.66) %f   (1.64 )%
 
Supplemental data            
Net assets, end of period (000’s) $ 141   $ 60  
Portfolio turnover rate   —%h     34.28 %

 

aFor the period January 10, 2014 (commencement of operations) to May 31, 2014.
bThe 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 shares in relation to income earned and/or fluctuating fair value of the investments of the Fund.
cBased on average daily shares outstanding.
dTotal return does not reflect sales commissions or contingent deferred sales charges, if applicable, and is not annualized for periods less than one year.
eRatios are annualized for periods less than one year.
fRatios are adjusted to exclude the effects of annualization for non-recurring expenses.
gBenefit of expense reduction rounds to less than 0.01%.
hFor the period there were no purchases or sales of investments (other than short term securities).

franklintempleton.com The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements. | Semiannual Report | 13


 

FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

Franklin Pelagos Commodities Strategy Fund (continued)            
    Six Months Ended        
    November 30, 2014     Period Ended  
    (unaudited)     May 31, 2014a  
Class R            
Per share operating performance            
(for a share outstanding throughout the period)            
Net asset value, beginning of period $ 9.44   $ 8.88  
Income from investment operationsb:            
   Net investment income (loss)c   (0.05 )   (0.06 )
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)   (1.39 )   0.62  
Total from investment operations   (1.44 )   0.56  
Net asset value, end of period $ 8.00   $ 9.44  
 
Total returnd   (15.25 )%   6.31 %
 
Ratios to average net assetse            
Expenses before waiver, payments by affiliates and expense reduction   2.12 %f   3.58 %
Expenses net of waiver, payments by affiliates and expense reductiong   1.45 %f   1.45 %
Net investment income (loss)   (1.16) %f   (1.14 )%
 
Supplemental data            
Net assets, end of period (000’s) $ 5   $ 5  
Portfolio turnover rate   —%h     34.28 %

 

aFor the period January 10, 2014 (commencement of operations) to May 31, 2014.
bThe 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 shares in relation to income earned and/or fluctuating fair value of the investments of the Fund.
cBased on average daily shares outstanding.
dTotal return is not annualized for periods less than one year.
eRatios are annualized for periods less than one year.
fRatios are adjusted to exclude the effects of annualization for non-recurring expenses.
gBenefit of expense reduction rounds to less than 0.01%.
hFor the period there were no purchases or sales of investments (other than short term securities).

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

 

    FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS  
    CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS  
 
 
 
Franklin Pelagos Commodities Strategy Fund (continued)            
    Six Months Ended        
    November 30, 2014     Period Ended  
    (unaudited)     May 31, 2014a  
Class R6            
Per share operating performance            
(for a share outstanding throughout the period)            
Net asset value, beginning of period $ 9.46   $ 8.88  
Income from investment operationsb:            
   Net investment income (loss)c   (0.03 )   (0.03 )
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)   (1.39 )   0.61  
Total from investment operations   (1.42 )   0.58  
Net asset value, end of period $ 8.04   $ 9.46  
 
Total returnd   (15.01 )%   6.53 %
 
Ratios to average net assetse            
Expenses before waiver, payments by affiliates and expense reduction   1.53 %f   1.58 %
Expenses net of waiver, payments by affiliates and expense reductiong   0.86 %f   0.86 %
Net investment income (loss)                                                                              (0.57) %f   (0.55 )%
 
Supplemental data            
Net assets, end of period (000’s) $ 59,695   $ 67,732  
Portfolio turnover rate   —%h     34.28 %

 

aFor the period January 10, 2014 (commencement of operations) to May 31, 2014.
bThe 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 shares in relation to income earned and/or fluctuating fair value of the investments of the Fund.
cBased on average daily shares outstanding.
dTotal return is not annualized for periods less than one year.
eRatios are annualized for periods less than one year.
fRatios are adjusted to exclude the effects of annualization for non-recurring expenses.
gBenefit of expense reduction rounds to less than 0.01%.
hFor the period there were no purchases or sales of investments (other than short term securities).

franklintempleton.com The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements. | Semiannual Report | 15


 

FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS                        
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS                        
 
 
 
Franklin Pelagos Commodities Strategy Fund (continued)                        
    Six Months Ended                    
    November 30, 2014                        Year Ended May 31,  
    (unaudited)     2014     2013     2012 a
Advisor Class                        
Per share operating performance                        
(for a share outstanding throughout the period)                        
Net asset value, beginning of period $ 9.58   $ 9.43   $ 9.15   $ 10.00  
Income from investment operationsb:                        
   Net investment income (loss)c   (0.03 )   (0.05 )   (0.08 )   (0.05 )
   Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)   (1.41 )   0.20     0.36     (0.80 )
Total from investment operations   (1.44 )   0.15     0.28     (0.85 )
Less distributions from net investment income           (—)d      
Net asset value, end of period $ 8.14   $ 9.58   $ 9.43   $ 9.15  
 
Total returne   (15.03 )%   1.59 %   3.06 %   (8.50 )%
 
Ratios to average net assetsf                        
Expenses before waiver, payments by affiliates and expense reduction   1.62 %g   1.88 %   1.14 %   5.08 %
Expenses net of waiver, payments by affiliates and expense reduction   0.95 %g,h   1.04 %h   1.10 %   1.10 %
Net investment income (loss)   (0.66 )%g   (0.70 )%   (0.76 )%   (1.07 )%
 
Supplemental data                        
Net assets, end of period (000’s) $ 122   $ 126   $ 107,853   $ 14,374  
Portfolio turnover rate   —%i     34.28 %   21.47 %   —%i  

 

aFor the period December 7, 2011 (commencement of operations) to May 31, 2012.
bThe 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 shares in relation to income earned and/or fluctuating fair value of the investments of the Fund.
cBased on average daily shares outstanding.
dAmount rounds to less than $0.01 per share.
eTotal return is not annualized for periods less than one year.
fRatios are annualized for periods less than one year.
gRatios are adjusted to exclude the effects of annualization for non-recurring expenses.
hBenefit of expense reduction rounds to less than 0.01%.
iFor the period there were no purchases or sales of investments (other than short term securities).

16      | 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, 2014 (unaudited)          
 
Franklin Pelagos Commodities Strategy Fund          
    Principal      
    Amount   Value  
U.S. Government and Agency Securities 47.5%          
FFCB, 0.68%, 9/26/16 $ 18,000,000 $ 18,004,158  
U.S. Treasury Notes, 0.25%, 2/29/16   11,000,000   11,020,437  
Total U.S. Government and Agency Securities (Cost $28,989,871)       29,024,595  
Short Term Investments 57.4%          
U.S. Government and Agency Securities 55.8%          
a,bFHLB, 12/01/14   925,000   925,000  
bU.S. Treasury Bills,          
        a,c6/25/15   13,900,000   13,893,634  
     7/23/15   19,300,000   19,289,018  
Total U.S. Government and Agency Securities (Cost $34,106,597)       34,107,652  
 
 
    Shares      
Money Market Funds (Cost $979,339) 1.6%          
d,eInstitutional Fiduciary Trust Money Market Portfolio   979,339   979,339  
Total Investments (Cost $64,075,807) 104.9%       64,111,586  
fOther Assets, less Liabilities (4.9)%       (2,983,972 )
Net Assets 100.0%     $ 61,127,614  

 

aA portion or all of the security is owned by FPC Holdings Corp., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Fund. See Note 1(c).
bThe security is traded on a discount basis with no stated coupon rate.
cSecurity or a portion of the security has been pledged as collateral for open futures and swap contracts. At November 30, 2014, the value of this security and/or cash
pledged as collateral was $2,111,058, representing 3.45% of net assets.
dNon-income producing.
eSee Note 3(f) regarding investments in Institutional Fiduciary Trust Money Market Portfolio.
fIncludes unrealized appreciation/depreciation on open commodity futures and swap contracts, as well as other assets and liabilities.

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Semiannual Report | 17


 

FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS                  
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)            
 
 
 
 
Franklin Pelagos Commodities Strategy Fund (continued)                
 
At November 30, 2014, the Fund had the following futures contracts outstanding. See Note 1(b).          
 
Futures Contractsa                    
    Number of   Notional Expiration   Unrealized   Unrealized  
Description Type Contracts   Value Date   Appreciation   Depreciation  
Commodity Contracts                    
Aluminum Long 29 $ 1,456,888 12/15/14 $ $ (43,080 )
Brent Crude Oil Long 28   1,991,920 2/12/15     (326,350 )
Coffee Long 18   1,265,288 3/19/15     (52,046 )
Kansas Wheat Long 9   288,000 3/13/15   10,768    
Lean Hogs Long 8   289,040 12/12/14   7,418    
Live Cattle Long 8   540,400 12/31/14   9,178    
Natural Gas Long 69   2,820,720 12/29/14     (27,971 )
Soybeans Long 47   2,387,600 1/14/15     (55,265 )
Zinc Long 26   1,437,312 12/15/14     (67,110 )
      Total     $ 12,477,168     27,364   (571,822 )
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)               $ (544,458 )

 

At November 30, 2014, the Fund had the following commodity-linked total return swap contracts outstanding. See Note 1(b).

Commodity-Linked Total Return Swap Contractsa                    
      Fund   Notional Expiration Unrealized   Unrealized  
Counterparty Fund Receives   Pays   Value   Date Appreciation   Depreciation  
MSCS Return of the FP Custom Commodity Indexb 0.22% $ 47,761,736 12/05/14 $ — $ (2,938,264 )
         Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)               $ (2,938,264 )
 
 
aA portion or all of the contract is owned by FPC Holdings Corp., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Fund. See Note 1(c).          
bThe following table provides additional detail for each custom swap:                    
Description     Notional Value   Unrealized Appreciation Unrealized Depreciation  
Bloomberg Commodity Aluminum Subindex $ 5,349,314     $   $ (110,567 )
Bloomberg Commodity Brent Crude Oil Subindex   10,650,867           (2,134,654 )
Bloomberg Commodity Coffee Subindex   4,632,889           (127,564 )
Bloomberg Commodity Kansas Wheat Subindex   955,235       75,009      
Bloomberg Commodity Lean Hogs Subindex   1,050,758       4,361      
Bloomberg Commodity Live Cattle Subindex   2,053,755       22,064      
Bloomberg Commodity Natural Gas Subindex   3,104,513       106,937      
Bloomberg Commodity Silver Subindex   5,826,932           (231,778 )
Bloomberg Commodity Soybeans Subindex   8,788,159           (297,262 )
Bloomberg Commodity Zinc Subindex   5,349,314           (244,810 )
Total   $ 47,761,736       208,371     (3,146,635 )
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)               $ (2,938,264 )

 

See Abbreviations on page 32.

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

 

FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

Consolidated Financial Statements

Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities
November 30, 2014 (unaudited)

Franklin Pelagos Commodities Strategy Fund      
 
Assets:      
Investments in securities:      
Cost - Unaffiliated issuers $ 63,096,468  
Cost - Sweep Money Fund (Note 3f)   979,339  
Total cost of investments $ 64,075,807  
Value - Unaffiliated issuers $ 63,132,247  
Value - Sweep Money Fund (Note 3f)   979,339  
Total value of investments   64,111,586  
Cash   331,263  
Receivables:      
Capital shares sold   447  
Interest   28,673  
Affiliates   101,674  
Offering costs   31,026  
Other assets   10  
Total assets   64,604,679  
Liabilities:      
Payables:      
Distribution fees   396  
Transfer agent fees   1,292  
Variation margin   474,813  
Trustees’ fees and expenses   39,873  
Unrealized depreciation on OTC swap contracts   2,938,264  
Accrued expenses and other liabilities   22,427  
       Total liabilities   3,477,065  
           Net assets, at value $ 61,127,614  
Net assets consist of:      
Paid-in capital $ 73,027,348  
Accumulated net investment loss   (864,545 )
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)   (3,446,943 )
Accumulated net realized gain (loss)   (7,588,246 )
            Net assets, at value $ 61,127,614  

 

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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS      
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS      
 
 
Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities (continued)      
November 30, 2014 (unaudited)      
 
Franklin Pelagos Commodities Strategy Fund      
 
Class A:      
Net assets, at value $   1,164,109
Shares outstanding     145,326
Net asset value per sharea   $ 8.01
Maximum offering price per share (net asset value per share ÷ 94.25%)   $ 8.50
Class C:      
Net assets, at value $   141,230
Shares outstanding     17,761
Net asset value and maximum offering price per sharea   $ 7.95
Class R:      
Net assets, at value $   4,503
Shares outstanding     563
Net asset value and maximum offering price per share   $ 8.00
Class R6:      
Net assets, at value $   59,695,405
Shares outstanding     7,428,453
Net asset value and maximum offering price per share   $ 8.04
Advisor Class:      
Net assets, at value $   122,367
Shares outstanding     15,039
Net asset value and maximum offering price per share   $ 8.14

 

aRedemption price is equal to net asset value less contingent deferred sales charges, if applicable.

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

 

FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Consolidated Statement of Operations
for the six months ended November 30, 2014 (unaudited)

Franklin Pelagos Commodities Strategy Fund      
 
Investment income:      
Interest $ 95,250  
Expenses:      
Management fees (Note 3a)   280,132  
Distribution fees: (Note 3c)      
Class A   1,269  
Class C   584  
Class R   13  
Transfer agent fees: (Note 3e)      
Class A   340  
Class C   47  
Class R   2  
Class R6   2,081  
Advisor Class   58  
Custodian fees (Note 4)   452  
Reports to shareholders   5,296  
Registration and filing fees   29,410  
Professional fees   36,552  
Trustees’ fees and expenses   82,096  
Amortization of offering costs   137,389  
Other   3,646  
            Total expenses   579,367  
Expense reductions (Note 4)   (73 )
Expenses waived/paid by affiliates (Notes 3f and 3g)   (289,397 )
               Net expenses   289,897  
Net investment income (loss)   (194,647 )
Realized and unrealized gains (losses):      
Net realized gain (loss) from:      
Investments   1,018  
Futures contracts   (1,392,432 )
Swap contracts   (6,001,884 )
Net realized gain (loss)   (7,393,298 )
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:      
Investments   42,173  
Futures contracts   (469,154 )
Swap contracts   (2,566,296 )
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)   (2,993,277 )
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)   (10,386,575 )
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations $ (10,581,222 )

 

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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS            
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS            
 
 
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Net Assets            
 
Franklin Pelagos Commodities Strategy Fund            
 
 
 
    Six Months Ended        
    November 30, 2014     Year Ended  
    (unaudited)     May 31, 2014  
Increase (decrease) in net assets:            
Operations:            
Net investment income (loss) $ (194,647 ) $ (607,541 )
Net realized gain (loss) from investments, written options, futures and swap contracts   (7,393,298 )   (1,896,955 )
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments, futures and swap            
       contracts   (2,993,277 )   812,201  
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations   (10,581,222 )   (1,692,295 )
Capital share transactions: (Note 2)            
Class A   715,451     603,708  
Class C   102,642     60,381  
Class R       5,000  
Class R6   2,343,800     63,196,459  
Advisor Class   22,503     (101,501,673 )
Total capital share transactions   3,184,396     (37,636,125 )
Net increase (decrease) in net assets   (7,396,826 )   (39,328,420 )
Net assets:            
Beginning of period   68,524,440     107,852,860  
End of period $ 61,127,614   $ 68,524,440  
Accumulated net investment loss included in net assets:            
End of period $ (864,545 ) $ (669,898 )

 

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

 

FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

Franklin Pelagos Commodities Strategy Fund

1. Organization and Significant Accounting Policies

Franklin Alternative Strategies Funds (Trust) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, (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). The Franklin Pelagos Commodities Strategy Fund (Fund) is included in this report. The financial statements of the remaining fund in the Trust is presented separately. The Fund offers five classes of shares: Class A, Class C, Class R, Class R6 and Advisor Class. Each class of shares differs by its initial sales load, contingent deferred sales charges, voting rights on matters affecting a single class, its exchange privilege and fees primarily 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 at the close of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), generally at 4 p.m. Eastern time (NYSE close) on each day the NYSE is open for trading. 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 and Liquidity Oversight Committee (VLOC). The VLOC provides administration and oversight of the Fund’s valuation policies and procedures, which are approved annually by the Board. Among other things, these procedures allow the Fund to utilize independent pricing services, quotations from securities and financial instrument dealers, and other market sources to determine fair value.

Debt securities generally trade in the over-the-counter (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. Investments in open-end mutual funds are valued at the closing NAV.

Derivative financial instruments (derivatives) listed on an exchange are valued at the official closing price of the day. Certain derivatives 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 VLOC convenes on a regular basis to review such financial instruments and considers a number of factors, including significant unobservable valuation inputs, when arriving at fair value. The VLOC 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 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. The VLOC employs various methods for calibrating these valuation approaches including a regular review of key inputs and assumptions, transactional back-testing or disposition analysis, and reviews of any related market activity.

b. Derivative Financial Instruments

The Fund invested in derivatives 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

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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

Franklin Pelagos Commodities Strategy Fund (continued)

1. Organization and Significant Accounting

Policies (continued)

b. Derivative Financial Instruments (continued)

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 on 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 counterpar-ties. These agreements contain various provisions, including but not limited to collateral requirements, events of default, or early termination. Termination events applicable to the counter-party 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 coun-terparty 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 coun-terparty 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.

The Fund entered into exchange traded futures contracts primarily to gain exposure to commodity price risk. A futures contract is an agreement between the Fund and a counterparty to buy or sell an asset for 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 on the Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

The Fund entered into OTC commodity-linked total return swap contracts primarily to gain exposure to commodity price risk of an underlying instrument or index. A commodity-linked total return swap is an agreement between the Fund and a counterparty to exchange a market linked return 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 option contracts primarily to manage and/or gain exposure to commodity 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. Options purchased are recorded as an asset while options written are recorded as a liability. 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

24 | Semiannual Report

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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

Franklin Pelagos Commodities Strategy Fund (continued)

through expiration or exercise, the difference between the premium and the cost to close the position is recorded as a realized gain or loss.

See Note 7 regarding other derivative information.

c. Investments in FPC Holdings Corp. (FP Subsidiary)

The Fund invests in certain financial instruments and commodity-linked derivative investments through its investment in the FP Subsidiary. The FP 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, 2014, the FP Subsidiary’s investments, as well as any other assets and liabilities of the FP Subsidiary are reflected in the Fund’s Consolidated Statement of Investments and Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities. The financial statements have been consolidated and include the accounts of the Fund and the FP Subsidiary. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated. At November 30, 2014, the net assets of the FP Subsidiary were $11,728,712, representing 19.19% of the Fund’s consolidated net assets. The Fund’s investment in the FP subsidiary is limited to 25% of consolidated assets.

d. Income 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 recognizes the tax benefits of uncertain tax positions only when the position is “more likely than not” to be sustained upon examination by the tax authorities based on the technical merits of the tax position. As of November 30, 2014, and for all open tax years, the Fund has determined that no liability for unrecognized tax benefits is required in the Fund’s consolidated financial statements related to uncertain tax positions taken on a tax return (or expected to be taken on future tax returns). Open tax years are those that remain subject to

examination and are based on each tax jurisdiction statute of limitation.

e. 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. Distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date and are determined according to income tax regulations (tax basis). Distributable earnings determined on a tax basis 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. Fund specific expenses are charged directly to the fund that incurred the expense.

Realized and unrealized gains and losses and net investment income, not including 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.

f. Offering Costs

Offering costs are amortized on a straight line basis over twelve months.

g. 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.

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Semiannual Report | 25


 

FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

Franklin Pelagos Commodities Strategy Fund (continued)

1. Organization and Significant Accounting

Policies (continued)

h. 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, 2014, there were an unlimited number of shares authorized (without par value). Transactions in the Fund’s shares were as follows:

  Six Months Ended   Year Ended  
  November 30, 2014   May 31, 2014  
  Shares     Amount   Shares       Amount  
Class A Sharesa:                        
Shares sold 123,982   $ 1,096,815   75,514     $ 718,445  
Shares redeemed (42,256 )     (381,364 ) (11,914 )     (114,737 )
Net increase (decrease) 81,726     $ 715,451   63,600     $ 603,708  
Class C Sharesa:                        
Shares sold 12,386     $ 112,004   8,075     $ 76,224  
Shares redeemed (1,046 )     (9,362 ) (1,654 )     (15,843 )
Net increase (decrease) 11,340     $ 102,642   6,421     $ 60,381  
Class R Sharesa:                        
Shares sold             564     $ 5,009  
Shares redeemed             (1 )     (9 )
Net increase (decrease)             563     $ 5,000  
Class R6 Sharesa:                        
Shares soldb 289,493   $ 2,543,800   11,748,644   $ 104,424,968  
Shares redeemed (23,725 )     (200,000 ) (4,585,959 )     (41,228,509 )
Net increase (decrease) 265,768   $ 2,343,800   7,162,685     $ 63,196,459  
Advisor Class Shares:                        
Shares sold 12,204     $ 112,264   2,392,658     $ 21,918,861  
Shares redeemedb (10,328 )     (89,761 ) (13,817,865 )     (123,420,534 )
Net increase (decrease) 1,876     $ 22,503   (11,425,207 ) $ (101,501,673 )
 
 
aFor the period January 10, 2014 (commencement of operations) to May 31, 2014.                        
bEffective January 10, 2014 a portion of Advisor Class shares were exchanged into Class R6.                      

 

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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

Franklin Pelagos Commodities Strategy Fund (continued)

3. Transactions with Affiliates

Franklin Resources, Inc. is the holding company for various subsidiaries that together are referred to as Franklin Templeton Investments. Certain officers and trustees of the Trust are also officers and/or directors of the following subsidiaries:

Subsidiary Affiliation
Franklin Alternative Strategies Advisers, LLC (FASA)  
  (formerly Pelagos Capital Management, LLC) Investment manager
Franklin Templeton Services, LLC (FT Services) Administrative manager
Franklin Templeton Distributors, Inc. (Distributors) Principal underwriter
Franklin Templeton Investor Services, LLC (Investor Services) Transfer agent

 

a. Management Fees

The Fund and FP Subsidiary pay an investment management fee to FASA of 0.85% per year of the average daily net assets of the Fund and FP Subsidiary. Management fees paid by the Fund are reduced on assets invested in the FP Subsidiary, in an amount not to exceed the management fees paid by the FP Subsidiary.

b. Administrative Fees

Under an agreement with FASA, FT Services provides administrative services to the Fund and FP Subsidiary. The fee is paid by FASA based on the Fund and FP Subsidiary average daily net assets, and is not an additional expense of the Fund or FP 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. Distribution fees are not charged on shares held by affiliates. 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 for each fund.

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 %

 

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 broker/dealers $ 1,670
CDSC retained $

 

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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

Franklin Pelagos Commodities Strategy Fund (continued)

3. Transactions with Affiliates (continued)

e. Transfer Agent Fees

Each class of shares, except for Class R6, pays transfer agent fees to Investor Services for its performance of shareholder servicing obligations and reimburses Investor Services for out of pocket expenses incurred, including shareholding 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, 2014, the Fund paid transfer agent fees of $2,528, of which $1,745 was retained by Investor Services.

f. Investments in Institutional Fiduciary Trust Money Market Portfolio

The Fund invests in Institutional Fiduciary Trust Money Market Portfolio (Sweep Money Fund), an affiliated open-end management investment company. Management fees paid by the Fund are waived on assets invested in the Sweep Money Fund, as noted on the Consolidated Statement of Operations, in an amount not to exceed the management and administrative fees paid directly or indirectly by the Sweep Money Fund. Prior to June 1, 2013, the waiver was accounted for as a reduction to management fees.

g. Waiver and Expense Reimbursements

FASA has contractually agreed in advance to waive or limit its fees and to assume as its own expense certain expenses otherwise payable by the Fund so that the expenses (excluding distribution fees, acquired fund fees and expenses) for each class of the Fund do not exceed 0.95%, and Class R6 does not exceed 0.86% based on the average net assets of each class (other than certain non-routine expenses or costs, including those relating to litigation, indemnification, reorganizations, and liquidations) until September 30, 2015.

h. Other Affiliated Transactions

At November 30, 2014, the shares of the Fund were owned by the following entities:

    Percentage of Consolidated  
  Shares Outstanding Shares  
Franklin Moderate Allocation Fund 3,091,053 40.63 %
Franklin Conservative Allocation Fund 1,849,064 24.31 %
Franklin Growth Allocation Fund 1,700,201 22.35 %
Franklin Multi-Asset Real Return Fund 336,711 4.43 %
Franklin LifeSmart 2025 Retirement Target Fund 126,611 1.66 %
Franklin LifeSmart 2035 Retirement Target Fund 102,696 1.35 %
Franklin LifeSmart 2015 Retirement Target Fund 89,402 1.18 %
Franklin LifeSmart 2045 Retirement Target Fund 68,634 0.90 %
Franklin LifeSmart 2030 Retirement Target Fund 21,427 0.28 %
Franklin LifeSmart 2020 Retirement Target Fund 18,693 0.25 %
Franklin LifeSmart 2040 Retirement Target Fund 13,310 0.17 %
Franklin LifeSmart 2050 Retirement Target Fund 10,088 0.13 %
Franklin Resources, Inc. 1,689 0.02 %

 

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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

Franklin Pelagos Commodities Strategy 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, 2014, the custodian fees were reduced as noted in the Consolidated Statement of Operations.

5. Income Taxes

For tax purposes, capital losses may be carried over to offset future capital gains, if any. At May 31, 2014, the Fund had long-term capital loss carryforwards of $194,949 not subject to expiration.

For tax purposes, the Fund may elect to defer any portion of a late-year ordinary loss to the first day of the following fiscal year. At May 31, 2014, the Fund deferred late-year ordinary losses of $598,418.

At November 30, 2014, the cost of investments and net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) for income tax purposes were as follows:

Cost of investments $ 64,068,280  
 
Unrealized appreciation $ 44,183  
Unrealized depreciation   (877 )
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) $ 43,306  

 

Differences between income and/or capital gains as determined on a book basis and a tax basis are primarily due to differing treatments of bond discounts and premiums and non-deductible expenses.

6. Investment Transactions

There were no purchases or sales of investments (other than short term securities) for the period ended November 30, 2014.

7. Other Derivative Information

At November 30, 2014, the Fund’s investments in derivative contracts are reflected on the Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities as follows:

  Asset Derivatives     Liability Derivatives    
Derivative Contracts            
Not Accounted for as Consolidated Statement of Assets     Consolidated Statement of Assets    
Hedging Instruments and Liabilities Location   Fair Valuea and Liabilities Location   Fair Value
Commodity contracts Net assets consist of - net $ 27,364 Unrealized depreciation on $ 3,510,086
     unrealized appreciation     swap contracts / Net assets    
  (depreciation)     consist of - net unrealized    
        appreciation (depreciation)    

 

aIncludes cumulative appreciation (depreciation) of futures contracts as reported in the Consolidated Statement of Investments. Only current day’s variation margin is separately reported within the Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

Franklin Pelagos Commodities Strategy Fund (continued)

7. Other Derivative Information (continued)

For the period ended November 30, 2014, the effect of derivative contracts on the Fund’s Consolidated Statement of Operations was as follows:

            Change in  
            Unrealized  
Derivative Contracts     Realized Gain     Appreciation  
Not Accounted for as Consolidated   (Loss) for     (Depreciation)  
Hedging Instruments Statement of Operations Locations   the Period     for the Period  
Commodity contracts Net realized gain (loss) from futures and swap contracts / $ (7,394,316 ) $ (3,035,450 )
  Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on            
  futures and swap contracts            

 

For the period ended November 30, 2014, the average month end fair value of derivatives represented 6.08% of average month end net assets. The average month end number of open derivative contracts for the period was 10.

At November 30, 2014, the Fund’s OTC derivative assets and liabilities, are as follows:

  Gross and Net Amounts of Assets and Liabilities Presented
  in the Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities
  Assetsa   Liabilitiesa
Derivatives      
Swap Contracts $ — $2,938,264

 

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.

At November 30, 2014, the Fund’s OTC derivative assets which may be offset against the Fund’s OTC derivative liabilities and collateral received from the counterparty, is as follows:

    Amounts Not Offset in the Consolidated  
    Statement of Assets and Liabilities  
  Gross and        
  Net Amounts of Financial Financial    
  Assets Presented in the Instruments Instruments Cash Net Amount
  Consolidated Statement of Available for Collateral Collateral (Not less
  Assets and Liabilities Offset Received Received than zero)
Counterparty          
MSCS $ — $ — $ — $ — $ —

 

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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

Franklin Pelagos Commodities Strategy Fund (continued)

At November 30, 2014, the Fund’s OTC derivative liabilities which may be offset against the Fund’s OTC derivative assets and collateral pledged to the counterparty, is as follows:

      Amounts Not Offset in the Consolidated    
      Statement of Assets and Liabilities    
    Gross and              
    Net Amounts of Financial   Financial        
    Liabilities Presented in the Instruments   Instruments   Cash   Net Amount
    Consolidated Statement of Available for   Collateral   Collateral   (Not less
    Assets and Liabilities Offset   Pledgeda   Pledged   than zero)
Counterparty                  
MSCS $ 2,938,264 $ — $ (446,821 ) $ — $ 2,491,443
 
aSee the accompanying Consolidated Statement of Investments for securities pledged as collateral for derivatives.        

 

See Note 1(b) regarding derivative financial instruments.

See Abbreviations on page 32.

8. Credit Facility

The Fund, together with other U.S. registered and foreign investment funds (collectively, Borrowers), managed by Franklin Templeton Investments, are borrowers in a joint syndicated senior unsecured credit facility totaling $1.5 billion (Global Credit Facility) which, after an extension of the original terms, matures on February 13, 2015. 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 0.07% based upon the unused portion of the Global Credit Facility. These fees are reflected in other expenses on the Consolidated Statement of Operations. During the period ended November 30, 2014, the Fund did not use the Global Credit Facility.

9. 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.

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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

Franklin Pelagos Commodities Strategy Fund (continued)

9. Fair Value Measurements (continued)

For movements between the levels within the fair value hierarchy, the Fund has adopted a policy of recognizing the transfers as of the date of the underlying event which caused the movement.

A summary of inputs used as of November 30, 2014, 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:                
U.S. Government and Agency Securities $   $ 29,024,595   $    $ 29,024,595
Short Term Investments   34,161,991   925,000     35,086,991
Total Investments in Securities $ 34,161,991 $ 29,949,595 $ $ 64,111,586
Other Financial Instruments                
Futures Contracts $ 27,364 $ $ $ 27,364
Liabilities:                
Other Financial Instruments                
Futures Contracts $ 571,822 $ $ $ 571,822
Swap Contracts     2,938,264     2,938,264
Total Other Financial Instruments $ 571,822 $ 2,938,264 $ $ 3,510,086

 

A reconciliation of assets in which Level 3 inputs are used in determining fair value is presented when there are significant Level 3 financial instruments at the end of the period.

10. New Accounting Pronouncements

In June 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2014-11, Transfers and Servicing (Topic 860), Repurchase-to-Maturity Transactions, Repurchase Financings, and Disclosures. The ASU changes the accounting for certain repurchase agreements and expands disclosure requirements related to repurchase agreements, securities lending, repurchase-to-maturity and similar transactions. The ASU is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2014. Management is currently evaluating the impact, if any, of applying this provision.

11. 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.

Abbreviations    
Counterparty Selected Portfolio
MSCS Morgan Stanley Capital Services, LLC FFCB Federal Farm Credit Bank
  FHLB Federal Home Loan Bank

 

32 | Semiannual Report

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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

FRANKLIN PELAGOS COMMODITIES STRATEGY FUND

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. 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 posted on the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s web-site at sec.gov and reflect the most recent 12-month period ended June 30.

Quarterly Statement of Investments

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 on Form N-Q. Shareholders may view the filed Form N-Q 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.

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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 12(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 expert is Ann Torre Bates and she is “independent” as defined under the relevant Securities and Exchange Commission Rules and Releases.

 

 

Item 4. Principal Accountant Fees and Services. N/A

 

Item 5. Audit Committee of Listed Registrants. N/A

 

 

Item 6. Schedule of Investments. N/A

 

Item 7.  Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed-End Management Investment Companies. N/A

 

 

Item 8.  Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Management Investment Companies. N/A

 

 

Item 9.  Purchases of Equity Securities by Closed-End Management Investment Company and Affiliated Purchasers. N/A

 

 

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)  Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures.  The Registrant maintains disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the Registrant’s filings under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the periods specified in the rules and forms of the Securities and Exchange Commission.  Such information is accumulated and communicated to the Registrant’s management, including its principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.  The Registrant’s management, including the principal executive officer and the principal financial officer, recognizes that any set of controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives.

 

Within 90 days prior to the filing date of this Shareholder Report on Form N-CSR, the Registrant had carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the Registrant’s management, including the Registrant’s principal executive officer and the Registrant’s principal financial officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures.  Based on such evaluation, the Registrant’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that the Registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective.

 

(b)   Changes in Internal Controls.  There have been no changes in the Registrant’s internal controls or in other factors that could materially affect the internal controls over financial reporting subsequent to the date of their evaluation in connection with the preparation of this Shareholder Report on Form N-CSR.

 

 

Item 12. Exhibits.

 

(a) (1) Code of Ethics

 

(a)(2) Certifications pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 of Laura F. Fergerson, Chief Executive Officer - Finance and Administration, and Gary P. Watson, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer

 

(b) Certifications pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 of Laura F. Fergerson, Chief Executive Officer - Finance and Administration, and Gary P. Watson, 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.

 

 

 


 

 

FRANKLIN ALTERATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

 

 

 

By /s/ Laura F. Fergerson

      Laura F. Fergerson

       Chief Executive Officer – Finance and Administration

Date  January 27, 2015

 

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 /s/ Laura F. Fergerson

      Laura F. Fergerson

       Chief Executive Officer – Finance and Administration

Date  January 27, 2015

 

 

 

 

By /s/ Gary P. Watson

Gary P. Watson

      Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer

Date  January 27, 2015