N-CSR 1 n-csrfasfpe53116sec.htm N-CSR AND FORMS n-csrfasfpe53116sec.htm - Generated by SEC Publisher for SEC Filing

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549

 

FORM N-CSR

 

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: _5/31/16

 

 

Item 1. Reports to Stockholders.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 


Annual Report
and Shareholder Letter
May 31, 2016

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund

A SERIES OF FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS


Sign up for electronic delivery at franklintempleton.com/edelivery


 

 

Contents  
Annual Report  
Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund 3
Performance Summary 7
Your Fund’s Expenses 12
Consolidated Financial Highlights and Consolidated  
Statement of Investments 14
Consolidated Financial Statements 75
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 79
Report of Independent Registered  
Public Accounting Firm 95
Tax Information 96
Board Members and Officers 97
Shareholder Information 102

 

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

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Annual Report

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund

This annual report for Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund covers the fiscal year ended May 31, 2016.

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 relative value, long short equity, global macro and event driven. The Fund is structured as a multi-manager fund, meaning the Fund’s assets are 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

The Fund’s Class A shares had a -3.89% cumulative total return for the 12 months under review. For comparison, the Fund’s primary benchmark, the BofA Merrill Lynch 3-Month U.S. Treasury Bill (T-Bill) Index, which tracks the performance of short-term U.S. government securities with a remaining term to final maturity of less than three months, posted a +0.15% 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 -7.08% total return.2 You can find more of the Fund’s performance data in the Performance Summary beginning on page 7.


*Figures reflect certain derivatives held in the portfolio (or their underlying reference assets) and may not total 100% or may be negative due to rounding, use of any derivatives, unsettled trades or other factors.

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

Economic and Market Overview

The global economy expanded moderately during the 12 months under review. Concerns about global economic growth, China’s slowing economy and tumbling stock market, declining commodity prices, geopolitical tensions in several regions, fear of the U.K.’s potential exit from the European Union (commonly referred to as Brexit) and uncertainty about the U.S. Federal Reserve’s (Fed’s) timing for raising interest rates contributed to stock market volatility. However, toward period-end, equity markets strengthened after the Fed’s decision to leave its federal funds target rate unchanged after raising it for the first time in nine years in December. Further helping global stocks were the Bank of Japan’s (BOJ’s) decision to cut interest rates, hopes of additional stimulus measures by global central banks, and finalization of a new debt deal for Greece.

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 indexes are unmanaged and include reinvestment of any income or distributions. They do not reflect any fees, expenses or sales charges. One cannot invest directly in an
index, and an index is not representative of the Fund’s portfolio.
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 19.

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An improvement in metal prices and signs of stabilization in crude oil prices also improved investor sentiment. For the reporting period, oil prices declined sharply, largely due to strong global supply, and other commodity prices also witnessed a fall for most of the period but partially recovered toward period-end. In this environment, global developed market stocks, as measured by the MSCI World Index, declined during the period.

U.S. economic growth was mixed during the 12 months under review. After strengthening in 2015’s second quarter, the economy moderated in the third and fourth quarters. Growth slowed further in 2016’s first quarter as non-residential investments, private inventory investments and federal government spending declined, although the impact was partially offset by healthy consumer spending. After maintaining a near-zero interest rate for seven years to support the U.S. economy’s recovery, the Fed raised its target range for the federal funds rate to 0.25%–0.50% at its December meeting but kept interest rates unchanged through period-end. At its April meeting, the Fed indicated that its monetary policy remained accommodative, thus supporting further labor market improvement and progress toward its 2.0% inflation objective.

In Europe, U.K. economic growth moderated in 2016’s first quarter as production, construction and agriculture slowed, while services continued to grow. In the eurozone, stocks declined mainly due to China’s moderating economy, geopolitical tensions between Russia and Turkey, weak trade data and Brexit fears toward period-end. However, the region generally benefited during the period from lower oil prices, a weaker euro that supported exports, the European Central Bank’s (ECB’s) ongoing accommodative policy and Greece’s debt deal settlement. Also boosting investor sentiments were comments by the ECB in May about its work on new proposals for dealing with non-performing loans. The eurozone’s annual inflation rate rose for most of the period but declined toward period-end.

Japan’s economy contracted in 2015’s fourth quarter as private consumption and housing investment declined. However, the economy grew in 2016’s first quarter as government and private consumption rebounded. The BOJ took several actions during the period, including lowering its inflation forecasts and reorganizing its stimulus program to increase exposure to long-term government bonds and exchange-traded funds. In January, the BOJ introduced a negative interest rate on excess reserves kept by financial institutions with the central bank in an effort to boost lending and support inflation. However, toward the period-end, it decided against further stimulus measures and kept interest rates unchanged. In April, the BOJ further reduced its gross domestic product and inflation forecasts for fiscal year 2016.

In emerging markets, economic growth generally moderated while retreating in some countries. China’s economy grew in the fourth quarter of 2015 and the first quarter of 2016 at an annual rate that was largely in line with the government’s target. Russia’s 2015 economic growth contracted because of declining oil prices and a weakening Russian ruble. Brazil’s economy shrank during the reporting period amid lower oil prices, weakness in the mining and services sectors, and the country’s ongoing political turmoil, including the temporary suspension of its president in May pending an impeachment trial. The People’s Bank of China cut its benchmark interest rate and the cash reserve requirement ratio for the country’s banks several times and lowered its currency valuation in May to the lowest level since March 2011. Elsewhere, the Reserve Bank of India slashed interest rates to the lowest in five years and took steps to increase monetary liquidity. In the recent global environment, emerging market stocks overall, as measured by the MSCI Emerging Markets Index, fell significantly during the 12-month period.

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 subadvisors 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 equity markets by taking long and short positions in stocks and common stock indexes (through the use of derivatives or ETFs). Relative value strategies encompass a wide range of investment techniques that are intended to profit from pricing inefficiencies. Event driven strategies generally invest in securities of companies undergoing significant corporate events. Global macro strategies generally focus on macroeconomic opportunities across numerous markets and investments.

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

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F R A N K L I N   K 2  A L T E R N A T I V E   S T R A T E G I E S   F U N D

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 is an agreement between the Fund and a
counterparty made through a U.S. or foreign futures exchange to
buy or sell an underlying instrument or 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 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.

An interest rate swap is an agreement between two parties to
exchange interest rate payment obligations, generally one
based on an interest rate fixed to maturity and the other based
on an interest rate that changes in accordance with changes in a
designated benchmark (for example, LIBOR, prime, commercial
paper or other benchmarks).

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 is an agreement between the Fund
and a counterparty to buy or sell a foreign currency in exchange
for another currency at a specific exchange rate on a
future date.

Manager s Discussion

During a challenging period for hedge fund managers, three of the four strategies in which the Fund s assets were allocated, long short equity, event driven and global macro, detracted from results for the period. In contrast, the relative value strategy helped returns. The Fund s overall performance was negative. In mid-May 2016, we implemented a conditional risk overlay strategy to seek to reduce downside equity exposure.

Subadvisors

5/31/16

Long Short Equity

Chilton Investment Company, LLC
Impala Asset Management, LLC
Jennison Associates, LLC
Portland Hill Capital LLP
Wellington Management Company, LLP
Relative Value

Basso Capital Management, L. P.
Chatham Asset Management, LLC
Lazard Asset Management, LLC
Loomis Sayles & Company, L. P.
Event Driven

P. Schoenfeld Asset Management, L. P.
York Registered Holdings, L. P.
Global Macro

Emso Asset Management Limited
Graham Capital Management, L. P.

 

What is a conditional risk overlay (CRO) strategy?
From time to time, the Fund s Investment Manager may imple-
ment its CRO Strategy, which seeks to neutralize certain market
sensitivities that may exist in the Fund. The CRO Strategy
involves investing in derivatives or other instruments in an effort
to provide a hedge against negative market events. When
implemented, the strategy will reduce the Fund s ability to bene-
fit from positive market movements.

The Fund s long short equity strategy subadvisors were Chilton Investment Company, Impala Asset Management, Jennison Associates, Portland Hill Capital and Wellington Management Company. Portland Hill was added to the Fund in April. Performance among subadvisors was spread out, as Wellington and Chilton generated gains, Jennison and Impala posted declines and Portland Hill had relatively flat performance.

Strengthening performance for technology-focused subadvisor Wellington was a long position in a developer of payment technology services, which reported above-expectation quarterly results. After previously completing an acquisition of an Australian-based payments company, the payment services provider started to record significant earnings growth within the Asia-Pacific region. For Chilton, a long position in an online-based furniture retailer helped performance, as the retailer disclosed a significant year-over-year improvement in direct retail gross sales during the post-Thanksgiving holiday period. Health-care focused subadvisor Jennison s performance was challenged by positions in several pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, including a long position in a company whose application for a new muscular dystrophy

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FRANKLIN K2 ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUND

treatment was rejected by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Industrials and basic materials positions tended to weigh on Impala. In industrials, one example was a long position in a European manufacturer of passenger cars and light commercial vehicles, which sold off along with industry peers on concerns relating to the outlook for global growth. The release of soft manufacturing data in China sparked fears relating to the extent of the slowdown in China, as the country remains a key market for European automotive companies. For Portland Hill, contributions from financial positions tended to be offset by negative results for communications holdings.

Our relative value strategy subadvisors were Basso Capital Management, Chatham Asset Management, Lazard Asset Management and Loomis Sayles & Company. The strategy’s positive performance reflected contributions from Basso, Chatham and Loomis, while Lazard had negative returns in the review period. In general, communications and health care positions tended to contribute to returns, while energy holdings weighed on results. One contributor for Basso was a copper producer, where the subadvisor holds a long convertible bond/ short stock position. This position benefited from the short stock side as the company downplayed a potential takeover, while the credit price was relatively unmoved. For Chatham, an American publishing company announced strong performance from some of its subsidiaries. Many short sellers in the issuer also were forced to cover their positions. Communications companies were a source of positive performance for Loomis. A position in direct-broadcast satellite services provider added value as the company reached an agreement in late 2015 with several major television affiliates. In contrast, a computer data storage manufacturer weighed on returns for Lazard. The stock was repriced with lower quality credit markets, and had an issue in early 2016 with its New York Stock Exchange listing.

The Fund’s event driven strategy subadvisors were P. Schoenfeld Asset Management (PSAM) and York Registered Holdings. York posted a decline in the review period, while PSAM provided a slight gain. Performance drivers for both subadvisors were diverse, with special situations equity positions suffering from increased equity market volatility over the period. Energy sector concerns weighed on several York positions. For example, a U.S. finance and leasing firm’s stock declined in January amid investor worries about the company’s exposure to oil and gas markets. However, both subadvisors benefited from successful completion of several merger situations. For PSAM, a position in a health care company focused on renal and hospital products benefited from news that the company had named a new chief executive officer. In February, the company announced fourth-quarter 2015 income that exceeded the company’s previous guidance.

Graham Capital Management and Emso Asset Management represented our global macro exposure. Although Emso provided positive results, Graham declined in the period, and the strategy overall had negative performance. Graham’s returns were challenged by long U.S. dollar positioning against European currencies. For Emso, credit securities rallied in emerging markets for much of year-to-date 2016. Argentinian sovereign government debt benefited returns as the country reached a resolution in February with holdout bondholders from the country’s 2001 bond default. Following the agreement, Argentina issued new government bonds across maturities, and investor appetite led to an over-subscribed bond auction.

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


Portfolio Management Team

The foregoing information reflects our analysis, opinions and portfolio holdings as of May 31, 2016, the end of the reporting period. The way we implement our main investment strategies and the resulting portfolio holdings may change depending on factors such as market and economic conditions. These opinions may not be relied upon as investment advice or an offer for a particular security. The information is not a complete analysis of every aspect of any market, country, industry, security or the Fund. Statements of fact are from sources considered reliable, but the investment manager makes no representation or warranty as to their completeness or accuracy. Although historical performance is no guarantee of future results, these insights may help you understand our investment management philosophy.

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FRANKLIN K2 ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUND

Performance Summary as of May 31, 2016

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 and graphs do 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)   5/31/16   5/31/15   Change
A (FAAAX) $ 10.55 $ 11.16 -$ 0.61
C (FASCX) $ 10.45 $ 11.09 -$ 0.64
R (FSKKX) $ 10.61 $ 11.15 -$ 0.54
R6 (FASRX) $ 10.59 $ 11.18 -$ 0.59
Advisor (FABZX) $ 10.58 $ 11.18 -$ 0.60
 
 
Distributions1 (6/1/15–5/31/16)            
 
    Dividend   Long-Term    
Share Class   Income   Capital Gain   Total
A $ 0.1396 $ 0.0375 $ 0.1771
C $ 0.0921 $ 0.0375 $ 0.1296
R   $ 0.0375 $ 0.0375
R6 $ 0.1684 $ 0.0375 $ 0.2059
Advisor $ 0.1637 $ 0.0375 $ 0.2012

 

See page 11 for Performance Summary footnotes.

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FRANKLIN K2 ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUND
PERFORMANCE SUMMARY

Performance as of 5/31/162

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          
  Cumulative   Average Annual     Value of $10,000 Total Return   Total Annual Operating Expenses7  
Share Class Total Return3   Total Return4     Investment5 (6/30/16 )6 (with waiver)   (without waiver)  
A                 2.85 % 3.49 %
1-Year -3.89 % -9.41 % $ 9,059 -7.65 %        
Since Inception (10/11/13) +8.34 % +0.80 % $ 10,211 +2.69 %        
C                 3.60 % 4.24 %
1-Year -4.62 % -5.56 % $ 9,444 -3.72 %        
Since Inception (10/11/13) +6.45 % +2.40 % $ 10,645 +6.96 %        
R                 3.10 % 3.74 %
1-Year -4.51 % -4.51 % $ 9,549 -2.31 %        
Since Inception (10/11/13) +7.29 % +2.71 % $ 10,729 +7.80 %        
R6                 2.51 % 3.15 %
1-Year -3.45 % -3.45 % $ 9,655 -1.76 %        
Since Inception (10/11/13) +9.32 % +3.44 % $ 10,932 +9.84 %        
Advisor                 2.60 % 3.24 %
1-Year -3.58 % -3.58 % $ 9,642 -1.90 %        
Since Inception (10/11/13) +9.15 % +3.38 % $ 10,915 +9.66 %        

 

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

See page 11 for Performance Summary footnotes.

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FRANKLIN K2 ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUND
PERFORMANCE SUMMARY

Total Return Index Comparison for a Hypothetical $10,000 Investment2

Total return represents the change in value of an investment over the periods shown. It includes any applicable maximum sales charge, Fund expenses, account fees and reinvested distributions. The unmanaged indexes include reinvestment of any income or distributions. These differ from the Fund in composition and do not pay management fees or expenses. One cannot invest directly in an index.


See page 11 for Performance Summary footnotes.

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FRANKLIN K2 ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUND
PERFORMANCE SUMMARY

Total Return Index Comparison for a Hypothetical $10,000 Investment2 (continued)


See page 11 for Performance Summary footnotes.

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FRANKLIN K2 ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUND
PERFORMANCE SUMMARY

Total Return Index Comparison for a Hypothetical $10,000 Investment2 (continued)


All investments involve risks, including possible loss of principal. The market values of securities owned by the Fund will go up or down, sometimes rapidly or
unpredictably. The Fund’s performance depends on the manager’s skill in selecting, overseeing, and allocating Fund assets to the subadvisors. The Fund is
actively managed and could experience losses if the investment manager’s and subadvisors’ judgment about particular investments made for the Fund’s
portfolio prove to be incorrect. Some subadvisors may have little or no experience managing the assets of a registered investment company. Foreign invest-
ments are subject to greater investment risk such as political, economic, credit and information risks as well as risk of currency fluctuations. Investments in
derivatives involve costs and create economic leverage, which may result in significant volatility and cause the Fund to participate in losses (as well as gains)
that significantly exceed the Fund’s initial investment. Lower rated or high yield debt securities involve greater credit risk, including the possibility of default or
bankruptcy. Currency management strategies could result in losses to the Fund if currencies do not perform as the investment manager or subadvisor expects.
The Fund may make short sales of securities, which involves the risk that losses may exceed the original amount invested. Merger arbitrage investments risk
loss if a proposed reorganization in which the Fund invests is renegotiated or terminated. Liquidity risk exists when securities have become more difficult to sell,
or are unable to be sold, at the price at which they have been valued. 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. The distribution amount is the sum of the dividend payments to shareholders for the period shown and includes only estimated tax-basis net investment income and
capital gain.
2. The Fund has an expense reduction contractually guaranteed through at least 9/30/16 and a fee waiver related to the management fee paid by a subsidiary. The transfer
agent has contractually agreed to waive or limit its transfer agency fees for Class R6 shares of the Fund so that transfer agency fees for that class do not exceed 0.01% until
9/30/16. Fund investment results reflect the expense reduction, fee waiver and fee cap, 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. Return for less than one year, if any, 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 and may differ from the expense ratios disclosed in the Consolidated Financial Highlights in this report. In periods of
market volatility, assets may decline significantly, causing total annual Fund operating expenses to become higher than the figures shown.
8. Source: Morningstar. The BofA Merrill Lynch 3-Month U.S. T-Bill Index is an index of short-term U.S. government securities with a remaining term to final maturity of less
than three months.
9. 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 HFRX Global Hedge Fund Index is designed to be representative of the overall
composition of the hedge fund universe. It is composed of all eligible hedge fund strategies, including but not limited to convertible arbitrage, distressed securities, equity
hedge, equity market neutral, event driven, macro, merger arbitrage and relative value arbitrage. The strategies are asset weighted based on the distribution of assets in the
hedge fund industry.
See www.franklintempletondatasources.com for additional data provider information.

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FRANKLIN K2 ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES 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, 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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FRANKLIN K2 ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUND
YOUR FUND’S EXPENSES

    Beginning Account   Ending Account   Expenses Paid During
Share Class   Value 12/1/15   Value 5/31/16   Period* 12/1/15–5/31/16
A            
Actual $ 1,000 $ 983.10 $ 14.28
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses) $ 1,000 $ 1,010.60 $ 14.48
C            
Actual $ 1,000 $ 979.50 $ 17.91
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses) $ 1,000 $ 1,006.90 $ 18.16
R            
Actual $ 1,000 $ 982.20 $ 15.46
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses) $ 1,000 $ 1,009.40 $ 15.67
R6            
Actual $ 1,000 $ 985.80 $ 12.56
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses) $ 1,000 $ 1,012.35 $ 12.73
Advisor            
Actual $ 1,000 $ 984.40 $ 13.00
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses) $ 1,000 $ 1,011.90 $ 13.18

 

*Expenses are calculated using the most recent six-month expense ratio, net of expense waivers, annualized for each class (A: 2.88%;
C: 3.62%; R: 3.12%; R6: 2.53% and Advisor: 2.62%), multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 183/366 to reflect
the one-half year period.

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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

Consolidated Financial Highlights                  
Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund                  
    Year Ended May 31,  
    2016     2015     2014 a
Class A                  
Per share operating performance                  
(for a share outstanding throughout the year)                  
Net asset value, beginning of year $ 11.16   $ 10.64   $ 10.00  
Income from investment operationsb:                  
Net investment income (loss)c   (0.05 )   (0.11 )   (0.02 )
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)   (0.38 )   0.70     0.70  
Total from investment operations   (0.43 )   0.59     0.68  
Less distributions from:                  
Net investment income   (0.14 )   (0.07 )   (0.04 )
Net realized gains   (0.04 )        
Total distributions   (0.18 )   (0.07 )   (0.04 )
Net asset value, end of year $ 10.55   $ 11.16   $ 10.64  
 
Total returnd   (3.89 )%   5.53 %   6.82 %
 
Ratios to average net assetse                  
Expenses before waiver, payments by affiliates and expense reductionf   3.22 %   3.40 %   3.33 %
Expenses net of waiver, payments by affiliates and expense reductionf   2.88 %g   2.99 %g   2.83 %
Expenses incurred in connection with securities sold short   0.67 %   0.65 %   0.56 %
Net investment income (loss)   (0.44 )%   (0.95 )%   (0.35 )%
 
Supplemental data                  
Net assets, end of year (000’s) $ 177,412   $ 148,991   $ 96,889  
Portfolio turnover rate   229.90 %   295.81 %   181.06 %

 

a For the period October 11, 2013 (commencement of operations) to May 31, 2014.
b The 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’s shares in relation to income earned and/or fluctuating fair value of the investments of the Fund.
c Based on average daily shares outstanding.
d Total return does not reflect sales commissions or contingent deferred sales charges, if applicable, and is not annualized for periods less than one year.
e Ratios are annualized for periods less than one year.
f Includes dividend and/or interest expense on securities sold short and security borrowing fees, if any. See below for the ratios of such expenses to average net assets for the
periods presented. See Note 1(f).
g Benefit of expense reduction rounds to less than 0.01%.

14 Annual Report | The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

franklintempleton.com


 

FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)                  
    Year Ended May 31,  
    2016     2015     2014 a
Class C                  
Per share operating performance                  
(for a share outstanding throughout the year)                  
Net asset value, beginning of year $ 11.09   $ 10.60   $ 10.00  
Income from investment operationsb:                  
Net investment income (loss)c   (0.12 )   (0.17 )   (0.08 )
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)   (0.39 )   0.69     0.72  
Total from investment operations   (0.51 )   0.52     0.64  
Less distributions from:                  
Net investment income   (0.09 )   (0.03 )   (0.04 )
Net realized gains   (0.04 )        
Total distributions   (0.13 )   (0.03 )   (0.04 )
Net asset value, end of year $ 10.45   $ 11.09   $ 10.60  
 
Total returnd   (4.62 )%   4.87 %   6.42 %
 
Ratios to average net assetse                  
Expenses before waiver, payments by affiliates and expense reductionf   3.96 %   4.04 %   4.03 %
Expenses net of waiver, payments by affiliates and expense reductionf   3.62 %g   3.63 %g   3.53 %
Expenses incurred in connection with securities sold short   0.67 %   0.65 %   0.56 %
Net investment income (loss)   (1.18 )%   (1.59 )%   (1.05 )%
 
Supplemental data                  
Net assets, end of year (000’s) $ 71,154   $ 37,937   $ 16,618  
Portfolio turnover rate   229.90 %   295.81 %   181.06 %

 

a For the period October 11, 2013 (commencement of operations) to May 31, 2014.
b The 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’s shares in relation to income earned and/or fluctuating fair value of the investments of the Fund.
c Based on average daily shares outstanding.
d Total return does not reflect sales commissions or contingent deferred sales charges, if applicable, and is not annualized for periods less than one year.
e Ratios are annualized for periods less than one year.
f Includes dividend and/or interest expense on securities sold short and security borrowing fees, if any. See below for the ratios of such expenses to average net assets for the
periods presented. See Note 1(f).
g Benefit of expense reduction rounds to less than 0.01%.

franklintempleton.com

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. | Annual Report 15


 

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)                  
    Year Ended May 31,  
    2016     2015     2014 a
Class R                  
Per share operating performance                  
(for a share outstanding throughout the year)                  
Net asset value, beginning of year $ 11.15   $ 10.62   $ 10.00  
Income from investment operationsb:                  
Net investment income (loss)c   (0.10 )   (0.16 )   (0.05 )
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)   (0.40 )   0.73     0.71  
Total from investment operations   (0.50 )   0.57     0.66  
Less distributions from:                  
Net investment income       (0.04 )   (0.04 )
Net realized gains   (0.04 )        
Total distributions   (0.04 )   (0.04 )   (0.04 )
Net asset value, end of year $ 10.61   $ 11.15   $ 10.62  
 
Total returnd   (4.51 )%   5.39 %   6.62 %
 
Ratios to average net assetse                  
Expenses before waiver, payments by affiliates and expense reductionf   3.46 %   3.57 %   3.63 %
Expenses net of waiver, payments by affiliates and expense reductionf   3.12 %g   3.16 %g   3.13 %
Expenses incurred in connection with securities sold short   0.67 %   0.65 %   0.56 %
Net investment income (loss)   (0.68 )%   (1.12 )%   (0.65 )%
 
Supplemental data                  
Net assets, end of year (000’s) $ 341   $ 9,173   $ 11,660  
Portfolio turnover rate   229.90 %   295.81 %   181.06 %

 

FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

a For the period October 11, 2013 (commencement of operations) to May 31, 2014.
b The 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’s shares in relation to income earned and/or fluctuating fair value of the investments of the Fund.
c Based on average daily shares outstanding.
d Total return is not annualized for periods less than one year.
e Ratios are annualized for periods less than one year.
f Includes dividend and/or interest expense on securities sold short and security borrowing fees, if any. See below for the ratios of such expenses to average net assets for the
periods presented. See Note 1(f).
g Benefit of expense reduction rounds to less than 0.01%.

16 Annual Report | The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

franklintempleton.com


 

FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)                  
    Year Ended May 31,  
    2016     2015     2014 a
Class R6                  
Per share operating performance                  
(for a share outstanding throughout the year)                  
Net asset value, beginning of year $ 11.18   $ 10.66   $ 10.00  
Income from investment operationsb:                  
Net investment income (loss)c   (0.01 )   (0.08 )   (0.01 )
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)   (0.37 )   0.70     0.71  
Total from investment operations   (0.38 )   0.62     0.70  
Less distributions from:                  
Net investment income   (0.17 )   (0.10 )   (0.04 )
Net realized gains   (0.04 )        
Total distributions   (0.21 )   (0.10 )   (0.04 )
Net asset value, end of year $ 10.59   $ 11.18   $ 10.66  
 
Total returnd   (3.45 )%   5.80 %   7.02 %
 
Ratios to average net assetse                  
Expenses before waiver, payments by affiliates and expense reductionf   2.87 %   2.98 %   3.19 %
Expenses net of waiver, payments by affiliates and expense reductionf   2.53 %g   2.60 %g   2.69 %
Expenses incurred in connection with securities sold short   0.67 %   0.65 %   0.56 %
Net investment income (loss)   (0.09 )%   (0.56 )%   (0.21 )%
 
Supplemental data                  
Net assets, end of year (000’s) $ 265,517   $ 239,754   $ 215,526  
Portfolio turnover rate   229.90 %   295.81 %   181.06 %

 

a For the period October 11, 2013 (commencement of operations) to May 31, 2014.
b The 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’s shares in relation to income earned and/or fluctuating fair value of the investments of the Fund.
c Based on average daily shares outstanding.
d Total return is not annualized for periods less than one year.
e Ratios are annualized for periods less than one year.
f Includes dividend and/or interest expense on securities sold short and security borrowing fees, if any. See below for the ratios of such expenses to average net assets for the
periods presented. See Note 1(f).
g Benefit of expense reduction rounds to less than 0.01%.

franklintempleton.com

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. | Annual Report 17


 

FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)                  
    Year Ended May 31,  
    2016     2015     2014 a
Advisor Class                  
Per share operating performance                  
(for a share outstanding throughout the year)                  
Net asset value, beginning of year $ 11.18   $ 10.65   $ 10.00  
Income from investment operationsb:                  
Net investment income (loss)c   (0.02 )   (0.02 )   (0.02 )
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)   (0.38 )   0.64     0.71  
Total from investment operations   (0.40 )   0.62     0.69  
Less distributions from:                  
Net investment income   (0.16 )   (0.09 )   (0.04 )
Net realized gains   (0.04 )        
Total distributions   (0.20 )   (0.09 )   (0.04 )
Net asset value, end of year $ 10.58   $ 11.18   $ 10.65  
 
Total returnd   (3.58 )%   5.88 %   6.92 %
 
Ratios to average net assetse                  
Expenses before waiver, payments by affiliates and expense reductionf   2.96 %   3.07 %   3.21 %
Expenses net of waiver, payments by affiliates and expense reductionf   2.62 %g   2.66 %g   2.71 %
Expenses incurred in connection with securities sold short   0.67 %   0.65 %   0.56 %
Net investment income (loss)   (0.18 )%   (0.62 )%   (0.23 )%
 
Supplemental data                  
Net assets, end of year (000’s) $ 722,216   $ 329,139   $ 54,593  
Portfolio turnover rate   229.90 %   295.81 %   181.06 %

 

a For the period October 11, 2013 (commencement of operations) to May 31, 2014.
b The 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’s shares in relation to income earned and/or fluctuating fair value of the investments of the Fund.
c Based on average daily shares outstanding.
d Total return is not annualized for periods less than one year.
e Ratios are annualized for periods less than one year.
f Includes dividend and/or interest expense on securities sold short and security borrowing fees, if any. See below for the ratios of such expenses to average net assets for the
periods presented. See Note 1(f).
g Benefit of expense reduction rounds to less than 0.01%.

18 Annual Report | The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

franklintempleton.com


 

FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

Consolidated Statement of Investments, May 31, 2016        
 
Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund        
  Country Shares/Warrants   Value
Common Stocks and Other Equity Interests 33.4%        
Aerospace & Defense 0.0%        
United Technologies Corp United States 807 $ 81,168
Air Freight & Logistics 0.4%        
a FedEx Corp United States 27,085   4,468,212
Airlines 0.3%        
a Delta Air Lines Inc United States 62,015   2,695,172
b Spirit Airlines Inc United States 6,700   291,249
b,c Wizz Air Holdings PLC, 144A Switzerland 4,266   119,557
        3,105,978
Auto Components 0.3%        
b,c Europcar Groupe SA, 144A France 36,544   376,394
Johnson Controls Inc United States 47,440   2,094,476
Tung Thih Electronic Co. Ltd Taiwan 20,000   279,647
a Visteon Corp United States 17,923   1,343,867
        4,094,384
Automobiles 0.1%        
General Motors Co United States 1,544   48,296
b Peugeot SA France 66,092   1,040,179
        1,088,475
Banks 0.1%        
BB&T Corp United States 1,665   60,556
ING Groep NV, IDR Netherlands 10,296   128,248
d JPMorgan Chase & Co United States 2,656   173,357
PacWest Bancorp United States 744   31,010
The PNC Financial Services Group Inc United States 794   71,254
US Bancorp United States 1,400   59,948
d Wells Fargo & Co United States 3,534   179,244
        703,617
Beverages 1.2%        
a Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV, ADR Belgium 12,825   1,618,771
a Brown-Forman Corp., B United States 31,494   3,088,616
d The Coca-Cola Co United States 72,766   3,245,364
Constellation Brands Inc., A United States 319   48,855
Heineken NV Netherlands 47,903   4,448,867
a,b Monster Beverage Corp United States 15,038   2,255,700
PepsiCo Inc United States 1,266   128,081
        14,834,254
Biotechnology 3.2%        
AbbVie Inc United States 1,286   80,928
b Acorda Therapeutics Inc United States 5,251   149,391
b Adaptimmune Therapeutics PLC, ADR United States 8,201   84,388
b Aduro Biotech Inc United States 6,038   74,207
b Aeglea BioTherapeutics Inc United States 13,407   100,553
a,b Agios Pharmaceuticals Inc United States 7,518   420,632
b Alexion Pharmaceuticals Inc United States 12,524   1,889,872
a,b Alnylam Pharmaceuticals Inc United States 16,783   1,203,677
b Amicus Therapeutics Inc United States 38,111   269,826
b Applied Genetic Technologies Corp United States 14,201   244,257
b Avexis Inc United States 3,226   138,653

 

franklintempleton.com

Annual Report

19


 

FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)        
 
  Country Shares/Warrants   Value
Common Stocks and Other Equity Interests (continued)        
Biotechnology (continued)        
a,d Baxalta Inc United States 226,783 $ 10,257,395
b BioCryst Pharmaceuticals Inc United States 18,918   64,132
b Biogen Idec Inc United States 9,979   2,891,216
a,b BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc United States 38,830   3,481,109
b Bluebird Bio Inc United States 15,568   704,452
b Celgene Corp United States 30,591   3,227,962
b Chimerix Inc United States 21,745   106,550
b Corvus Pharmaceuticals Inc United States 4,423   62,143
a,b DBV Technologies SA, ADR France 7,806   261,735
b Dimension Therapeutics Inc United States 7,067   56,536
b EPIRUS Biopharmaceuticals Inc United States 28,159   17,222
b Epizyme Inc United States 28,240   312,334
b Exelixis Inc United States 110,468   716,937
b Fibrocell Science Inc United States 39,509   91,266
b Global Blood Therapeutics Inc United States 5,039   120,533
b Immune Design Corp United States 3,386   42,494
b Incyte Corp. Ltd United States 19,736   1,665,916
b Inotek Pharmaceuticals Corp United States 24,483   225,244
b Insmed Inc United States 18,257   215,433
b Intellia Therapeutics Inc United States 901   26,643
b MacroGenics Inc United States 4,014   102,598
b Medgenics Inc Israel 27,311   155,673
a,b Medivation Inc United States 61,163   3,697,915
b Mirati Therapeutics Inc United States 1,129   20,469
b Natera Inc United States 10,748   148,215
b Neurocrine Biosciences Inc United States 6,345   315,029
b Nivalis Therapeutics Inc United States 3,452   17,225
b Otonomy Inc United States 19,497   286,411
a,b OvaScience Inc United States 32,834   242,643
b ProQR Therapeutics NV Netherlands 36,423   177,016
b Proteostasis Therapeutics Inc United States 15,055   248,709
b Prothena Corp. PLC Ireland 8,418   408,610
b PTC Therapeutics Inc United States 4,139   33,774
b Radius Health Inc United States 4,144   150,261
b Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc United States 3,337   1,331,229
b REGENXBIO Inc United States 2,633   32,544
b Retrophin Inc United States 12,056   214,356
b Sage Therapeutics Inc United States 6,594   217,009
b Sarepta Therapeutics Inc United States 9,059   189,605
b Seres Therapeutics Inc United States 5,605   170,560
b Syndax Pharmaceuticals Inc United States 3,233   44,421
b Tesaro Inc United States 13,774   637,736
b Trevena Inc United States 10,390   76,055
b Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical Inc United States 10,799   789,407
b Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc United States 5,391   502,172
        39,413,278
Capital Markets 0.3%        
SEI Investments Co United States 80,544   4,143,183
Chemicals 1.8%        
a Air Products & Chemicals Inc United States 20,176   2,877,905
Akzo Nobel NV Netherlands 13,057   886,195

 

20 Annual Report

franklintempleton.com


 

FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)        
 
  Country Shares/Warrants   Value
Common Stocks and Other Equity Interests (continued)        
Chemicals (continued)        
Axalta Coating Systems Ltd United States 36,714 $ 1,033,499
a Axiall Corp United States 89,588   2,086,504
The Dow Chemical Co United States 948   48,689
Eastman Chemical Co United States 16,796   1,232,155
b Ingevity Corp United States 6,681   194,684
d Monsanto Co United States 22,736   2,557,118
PPG Industries Inc United States 473   50,933
a The Sherwin-Williams Co United States 21,716   6,321,310
Syngenta AG Switzerland 5,924   2,327,286
a WR Grace & Co United States 30,081   2,335,489
        21,951,767
Commercial Services & Supplies 0.2%        
b Atento SA Spain 79,355   708,640
Edenred France 14,315   265,193
b Spotless Group Holdings Ltd Australia 76,960   64,523
Tyco International PLC United States 30,081   1,282,052
West Corp United States 21,310   449,641
        2,770,049
Communications Equipment 0.1%        
    a,b Arista Networks Inc United States 9,811   719,048
b Lumentum Holdings Inc United States 27,050   685,447
b Oclaro Inc United States 89,641   449,102
        1,853,597
Construction Materials 0.5%        
Buzzi Unicem SpA Italy 22,417   445,467
HeidelbergCement AG Germany 7,995   683,982
b Italcementi SpA Italy 164,252   1,915,262
b LafargeHolcim Ltd., B Switzerland 30,283   1,361,821
a Martin Marietta Materials Inc United States 12,101   2,287,573
        6,694,105
Consumer Finance 0.0%        
b Encore Capital Group Inc United States 539   14,494
a,b Synchrony Financial United States 11,000   343,200
        357,694
Containers & Packaging 0.0%        
International Paper Co United States 533   22,471
Diversified Financial Services 0.3%        
a Moody’s Corp United States 39,834   3,929,226
Diversified Telecommunication Services 0.1%        
CenturyLink Inc United States 909   24,652
Swisscom AG Switzerland 1,271   605,579
Verizon Communications Inc United States 5,034   256,231
        886,462
Electric Utilities 0.3%        
Exelon Corp United States 939   32,180
a ITC Holdings Corp United States 73,009   3,250,361

 

franklintempleton.com

Annual Report

21


 

FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)        
 
  Country Shares/Warrants   Value
Common Stocks and Other Equity Interests (continued)        
Electric Utilities (continued)        
d NextEra Energy Inc United States 1,423 $ 170,931
PG&E Corp United States 1,944   116,795
        3,570,267
Electrical Equipment 0.1%        
Eaton Corp. PLC United States 1,110   68,409
Emerson Electric Co United States 13,792   717,460
Rockwell Automation Inc United States 2,697   312,987
b SolarCity Corp United States 5,992   134,161
        1,233,017
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components 0.4%        
b Coherent Inc United States 2,100   198,702
a Ingram Micro Inc., A United States 65,022   2,251,712
a,b VeriFone Systems Inc United States 81,650   2,155,560
        4,605,974
Energy Equipment & Services 0.0%        
Halliburton Co United States 991   41,800
Food & Staples Retailing 0.7%        
Casey’s General Stores Inc United States 17,956   2,158,491
a Costco Wholesale Corp United States 36,449   5,422,517
CVS Health Corp United States 15,193   1,465,365
The Kroger Co United States 1,675   59,898
        9,106,271
Food Products 0.7%        
Greencore Group PLC Ireland 52,664   262,924
a The Kraft Heinz Co United States 27,838   2,315,843
Lindt & Spruengli AG Switzerland 73   5,397,887
Mead Johnson Nutrition Co United States 618   50,849
Mondelez International Inc United States 672   29,897
b The WhiteWave Foods Co United States 24,692   1,102,498
        9,159,898
Health Care Equipment & Supplies 0.8%        
a Becton Dickinson and Co United States 20,927   3,483,299
a,b Derma Sciences Inc United States 15,328   62,078
b DexCom Inc United States 10,142   654,058
b GenMark Diagnostics Inc United States 29,621   223,046
a,b IDEXX Laboratories Inc United States 35,937   3,147,003
Innocoll Holdings PLC Ireland 4,533   43,517
Medtronic PLC United States 13,158   1,058,956
b Novadaq Technologies Inc Canada 18,095   174,798
St. Jude Medical Inc United States 10,443   818,313
a,b TearLab Corp United States 61,823   47,604
        9,712,672
Health Care Providers & Services 1.0%        
b Acadia Healthcare Co. Inc United States 12,192   717,743
Aetna Inc United States 16,596   1,879,165
Celesio AG Germany 61,856   1,745,713
b Centene Corp United States 21,974   1,370,079

 

22 Annual Report

franklintempleton.com


 

FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)        
 
  Country Shares/Warrants   Value
Common Stocks and Other Equity Interests (continued)        
Health Care Providers & Services (continued)        
a Cigna Corp United States 11,789 $ 1,510,289
Humana Inc United States 8,261   1,425,105
b Laboratory Corp. of America Holdings United States 1,240   158,658
a UnitedHealth Group Inc United States 16,247   2,171,737
a Universal Health Services Inc., B United States 7,370   993,918
        11,972,407
Health Care Technology 0.0%        
b athenahealth Inc United States 1,288   163,409
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure 1.1%        
a,b Buffalo Wild Wings Inc United States 2,873   417,705
a Domino’s Pizza Inc United States 25,041   3,026,956
a Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc United States 138,534   2,878,737
Marriott International Inc., A United States 5,400   356,616
McDonald’s Corp United States 631   77,020
a Sonic Corp United States 158,342   4,717,008
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc United States 20,479   1,503,773
Wyndham Worldwide Corp United States 6,625   446,459
        13,424,274
Household Durables 0.3%        
CalAtlantic Group Inc United States 59,461   2,199,462
a,b Mohawk Industries Inc United States 6,881   1,353,424
Whirlpool Corp United States 213   37,194
        3,590,080
Industrial Conglomerates 0.0%        
Danaher Corp United States 578   56,852
General Electric Co United States 9,678   292,566
        349,418
Insurance 0.2%        
AmTrust Financial Services Inc United States 382   10,131
MetLife Inc United States 933   42,498
Prudential Financial Inc United States 415   32,889
W.R. Berkley Corp United States 24,075   1,372,997
a Willis Towers Watson PLC United States 6,500   832,130
        2,290,645
Internet & Catalog Retail 0.7%        
a,b Amazon.com Inc United States 3,820   2,761,058
Expedia Inc United States 11,315   1,258,681
b The Priceline Group Inc United States 97   122,640
a,b TripAdvisor Inc United States 16,565   1,122,113
a,b Wayfair Inc., A United States 73,402   3,022,694
        8,287,186
Internet Software & Services 1.7%        
a,b Akamai Technologies Inc United States 27,105   1,479,391
a,b Alibaba Group Holding Ltd., ADR China 18,675   1,531,350
a,b Alphabet Inc., A United States 3,824   2,863,602
a,b Alphabet Inc., C United States 1,251   920,386
a,b Benefitfocus Inc United States 17,610   646,463

 

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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)        
 
  Country Shares/Warrants   Value
Common Stocks and Other Equity Interests (continued)        
Internet Software & Services (continued)        
a,b CoStar Group Inc United States 2,495 $ 515,442
b Demandware Inc United States 3,700   177,563
a,b eBay Inc United States 29,343   717,730
a,b Facebook Inc United States 31,755   3,772,812
Naver Corp South Korea 299   180,634
Tencent Holdings Ltd China 19,300   430,421
a,b VeriSign Inc United States 12,055   1,030,220
a,b Yahoo! Inc United States 166,995   6,335,790
b Zillow Group Inc., A United States 4,740   138,598
b Zillow Group Inc., C United States 14,280   409,550
        21,149,952
IT Services 3.1%        
Accenture PLC, A United States 12,060   1,434,778
a,b Alliance Data Systems Corp United States 12,145   2,698,498
Automatic Data Processing Inc United States 30,010   2,636,078
a,b Cardtronics Inc United States 30,810   1,210,525
a,b Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp., A United States 25,550   1,569,792
a,b EPAM Systems Inc United States 14,300   1,094,093
EVERTEC Inc Puerto Rico 43,675   668,664
a,b ExlService Holdings Inc United States 71,460   3,701,628
b Gartner Inc United States 2,700   274,374
b Genpact Ltd United States 136,675   3,852,868
a Global Payments Inc United States 59,037   4,586,584
a MasterCard Inc., A United States 33,542   3,216,678
b PayPal Holdings Inc United States 59,463   2,247,107
b Syntel Inc United States 12,735   586,829
a,b Vantiv Inc., A United States 25,775   1,385,922
Visa Inc., A United States 46,802   3,694,550
a,b WEX Inc United States 30,297   2,795,201
b,c Worldpay Group PLC, 144A United Kingdom 106,785   428,569
        38,082,738
Leisure Products 0.0%        
b JAKKS Pacific Inc United States 965   7,199
Life Sciences Tools & Services 0.5%        
Gerresheimer AG Germany 23,576   1,876,616
a,b Illumina Inc United States 7,343   1,063,487
b Sequenom Inc United States 65,989   67,309
a Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc United States 20,841   3,163,038
        6,170,450
Machinery 0.0%        
Caterpillar Inc United States 650   47,131
Trinity Industries Inc United States 2,694   48,654
        95,785
Marine 0.4%        
Irish Continental Group PLC Ireland 389,101   2,337,827
a,b Kirby Corp United States 19,033   1,333,833
b Neptune Orient Lines Ltd Singapore 1,905,361   1,791,767
        5,463,427

 

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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)        
 
  Country Shares/Warrants   Value
Common Stocks and Other Equity Interests (continued)        
Media 1.0%        
CBS Corp., B United States 38,558 $ 2,128,402
b Charter Communications Inc United States 2,409   527,426
a Comcast Corp., A United States 27,075   1,713,847
     a,b Dish Network Corp., A United States 36,758   1,834,224
b Liberty Global PLC LiLAC, A United Kingdom 6,908   283,781
     a,b Liberty Global PLC, A United Kingdom 6,533   244,008
b Liberty Global PLC, C United Kingdom 17,615   636,430
b Liberty SiriusXM Group United States 34,847   1,095,938
SES SA, IDR Luxembourg 24,396   546,410
a The Walt Disney Co United States 37,766   3,747,143
        12,757,609
Metals & Mining 0.6%        
Alcoa Inc United States 9,284   86,063
Boliden AB Sweden 27,287   482,843
Freeport-McMoRan Inc United States 53,595   593,833
b Impala Platinum Holdings Ltd South Africa 106,154   303,948
Newmont Mining Corp United States 43,194   1,399,917
Nucor Corp United States 460   22,315
a Rio Tinto PLC, ADR United Kingdom 32,319   906,225
Teck Resources Ltd Canada 214,414   2,064,807
ThyssenKrupp AG Germany 51,931   1,143,191
United States Steel Corp United States 59,302   858,100
        7,861,242
Multi-Utilities 0.0%        
Sempra Energy United States 1,004   107,548
Multiline Retail 0.1%        
Macy’s Inc United States 21,702   720,723
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels 1.2%        
d Chevron Corp United States 1,030   104,030
Columbia Pipeline Group Inc United States 34,753   887,592
    a,b Continental Resources Inc United States 62,258   2,618,571
Delek U.S. Holdings Inc United States 2,355   32,452
Devon Energy Corp United States 5,525   199,397
d Exxon Mobil Corp United States 2,434   216,675
Golar LNG Ltd Bermuda 1,384   24,082
Hess Corp United States 1,033   61,908
b Kinder Morgan Inc., wts., 5/25/17 United States 52,317   1,344
Marathon Oil Corp United States 3,028   39,576
b Newfield Exploration Co United States 34,666   1,413,333
a Occidental Petroleum Corp United States 28,890   2,179,462
Scorpio Tankers Inc Monaco 8,167   48,022
TransCanada Corp Canada 115,379   4,750,305
Valero Energy Corp United States 322   17,613
a The Williams Cos Inc United States 102,378   2,268,696
        14,863,058
Paper & Forest Products 0.2%        
b Canfor Corp Canada 141,570   1,694,932
West Fraser Timber Co. Ltd Canada 25,980   887,562
        2,582,494

 

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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)        
 
  Country Shares/Warrants   Value
Common Stocks and Other Equity Interests (continued)        
Pharmaceuticals 1.9%        
b Aerie Pharmaceuticals Inc United States 40,618 $ 725,844
b,d Allergan PLC United States 37,283   8,789,467
a,b Aratana Therapeutics Inc United States 19,668   140,233
b Assembly Biosciences Inc United States 28,503   162,752
AstraZeneca PLC, ADR United Kingdom 18,409   546,747
a,d Bristol-Myers Squibb Co United States 41,166   2,951,602
b,c Cassiopea SpA, 144A Italy 4,138   147,786
b Dermira Inc United States 13,175   418,174
Eli Lilly & Co United States 21,526   1,615,096
b Flex Pharma Inc United States 4,363   54,581
Innoviva Inc United States 18,430   207,890
b Intra-Cellular Therapies Inc United States 21,789   843,234
b Jazz Pharmaceuticals PLC United States 3,769   571,230
d Johnson & Johnson United States 1,756   197,884
b The Medicines Co United States 16,856   633,954
Novo Nordisk AS, ADR Denmark 5,066   283,899
b Ocular Therapeutix Inc United States 9,512   114,144
b Pacira Pharmaceuticals Inc United States 15,973   742,904
Pfizer Inc United States 4,507   156,393
b SCYNEXIS Inc United States 6,453   25,489
Shire PLC, ADR United States 21,131   3,933,747
b Steadymed Ltd Israel 7,372   25,655
        23,288,705
Professional Services 1.0%        
Equifax Inc United States 11,585   1,456,582
Experian PLC Ireland 73,606   1,392,292
b FTI Consulting Inc United States 16,550   692,618
a,b Huron Consulting Group Inc United States 42,430   2,483,852
a ManpowerGroup Inc United States 13,070   1,042,332
Robert Half International Inc United States 17,525   728,865
SThree PLC United Kingdom 43,159   204,718
b TransUnion United States 35,400   1,171,740
b TriNet Group Inc United States 50,810   1,023,822
a,b WageWorks Inc United States 29,435   1,649,832
        11,846,653
Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) 0.0%        
Redwood Trust Inc United States 4,391   62,572
Road & Rail 0.8%        
CSX Corp United States 40,127   1,060,557
Kansas City Southern United States 26,148   2,434,379
b Old Dominion Freight Line Inc United States 12,718   818,403
Ryder System Inc United States 14,018   975,933
a,b Swift Transportation Co United States 85,518   1,332,370
a Union Pacific Corp United States 42,958   3,616,634
        10,238,276
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment 1.0%        
b Acacia Communications Inc United States 6,400   251,392
Advanced Semiconductor Engineering Inc Taiwan 187,000   211,585
a Applied Materials Inc United States 65,569   1,601,195

 

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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)        
 
  Country Shares/Warrants   Value
Common Stocks and Other Equity Interests (continued)        
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment (continued)        
Broadcom Ltd Singapore 9,701 $ 1,497,446
b Cavium Inc United States 5,180   257,705
b Cirrus Logic Inc United States 7,211   259,596
Cypress Semiconductor Corp United States 5,949   63,238
a,b First Solar Inc United States 14,096   699,866
a,b Inphi Corp United States 10,836   337,975
Intel Corp United States 1,247   39,393
Intersil Corp United States 5,900   79,768
a Lam Research Corp United States 8,758   725,250
a,b M/A-COM Technology Solutions Holdings Inc United States 6,681   240,516
Mellanox Technologies Ltd Israel 10,600   502,440
a Microchip Technology Inc United States 20,565   1,062,799
a,b NeoPhotonics Corp United States 33,166   298,826
NVIDIA Corp United States 5,452   254,717
b NXP Semiconductors NV Netherlands 15,893   1,501,730
a,b ON Semiconductor Corp United States 26,783   261,670
QUALCOMM Inc United States 2,320   127,414
Silicon Motion Technology Corp., ADR Taiwan 20,292   901,979
b Siltronic AG Germany 1,871   32,132
a Skyworks Solutions Inc United States 8,048   537,284
b SunEdison Semiconductor Ltd United States 29,935   170,630
a Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd., ADR Taiwan 27,700   684,744
Texas Instruments Inc United States 1,373   83,204
Win Semiconductors Corp Taiwan 135,000   265,757
        12,950,251
Software 0.9%        
a Activision Blizzard Inc United States 40,192   1,577,938
a,b Adobe Systems Inc United States 6,270   623,677
a,b Guidewire Software Inc United States 15,075   884,902
b HubSpot Inc United States 5,085   242,860
Intuit Inc United States 7,345   783,418
d Microsoft Corp United States 24,347   1,290,391
Mobileye NV United States 10,819   410,797
Oracle Corp United States 1,479   59,456
b Paylocity Holding Corp United States 14,000   513,940
b Red Hat Inc United States 9,057   701,555
a,b Salesforce.com Inc United States 11,605   971,455
b ServiceNow Inc United States 3,100   222,053
SS&C Technologies Holdings Inc United States 4,085   251,595
b Take-Two Interactive Software Inc United States 45,088   1,754,374
b Verint Systems Inc United States 25,555   843,059
        11,131,470
Specialty Retail 1.7%        
a,b AutoNation Inc United States 110,827   5,590,114
a,b Autozone Inc United States 6,882   5,245,460
a The Home Depot Inc United States 61,069   8,068,436
Inditex SA Spain 36,884   1,245,937
a,b MarineMax Inc United States 23,513   399,251
        20,549,198

 

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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)        
 
  Country Shares/Warrants   Value
Common Stocks and Other Equity Interests (continued)        
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals 1.5%        
Apple Inc United States 472 $ 47,134
Catcher Technology Co. Ltd Taiwan 27,000   205,320
    a,d EMC Corp United States 366,279   10,237,498
Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co United States 124,615   2,301,639
Lexmark International Inc United States 12,774   483,624
a,b,d NCR Corp United States 94,236   2,910,008
b Pure Storage Inc., A United States 59,555   701,558
Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd South Korea 960   1,040,711
b Violin Memory Inc United States 19,835   11,262
        17,938,754
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods 0.5%        
Coach Inc United States 21,063   830,304
Michael Kors Holdings Ltd United States 17,688   755,631
Moncler SpA Italy 37,696   628,714
a NIKE Inc., B United States 64,213   3,545,842
        5,760,491
Tobacco 0.0%        
Altria Group Inc United States 787   50,085
Philip Morris International Inc United States 692   68,287
Reynolds American Inc United States 1,525   75,792
        194,164
Wireless Telecommunication Services 0.1%        
NTT DoCoMo Inc Japan 36,700   921,021
b T-Mobile U.S. Inc United States 20,189   863,282
        1,784,303
Total Common Stocks and Other Equity Interests        
(Cost $382,297,916)       413,512,300
Exchange Traded Funds 0.1%        
Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF United States 5,966   425,614
iShares iBoxx USD High Yield Corporate Bond ETF United States 11,200   936,432
Technology Select Sector SPDR Fund United States 5,275   233,208
Total Exchange Traded Funds (Cost $1,566,743)       1,595,254
Convertible Preferred Stocks 0.2%        
Food Products 0.2%        
Bunge Ltd., cvt. pfd., 4.875% United States 4,462   429,467
a Post Holdings Inc., cvt. pfd., 2.50% United States 12,573   1,827,800
        2,257,267
Health Care Providers & Services 0.0%        
Amsurg Corp., cvt. pfd., Series A-1, 5.25% United States 615   87,330
Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) 0.0%        
e Welltower Inc., cvt. pfd., Series I, 6.50% United States 2,088   130,792
Tobacco 0.0%        
a Universal Corp., cvt. pfd., 6.75% United States 330   406,189
Total Convertible Preferred Stocks (Cost $2,132,961)       2,881,578

 

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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)          
 
  Country Shares/Warrants     Value
Preferred Stocks 0.2%          
Chemicals 0.0%          
Henkel AG & Co. KGaA, pfd Germany 1,295   $ 150,931
Diversified Telecommunication Services 0.0%          
Iridium Communications Inc., pfd., 7.00% United States 1,979     206,558
Machinery 0.0%          
b MAN SE, pfd Germany 3,186     332,510
Pharmaceuticals 0.2%          
Allergan PLC, pfd., 5.50% United States 2,357     1,990,864
Total Preferred Stocks (Cost $3,078,653)         2,680,863
 
    Principal      
    Amount*      
Convertible Bonds 14.0%          
Banks 0.6%          
f The Oita Bank Ltd., senior note, Reg S, zero cpn., 12/18/19 Japan 1,300,000     1,205,750
The Yamagata Bank Ltd., senior note, zero cpn., 4/22/19 Japan 2,000,000     1,930,000
f Yamaguchi Financial Group Inc., senior note, Reg S,          
zero cpn., 12/20/18 Japan 4,000,000     4,230,000
          7,365,750
Biotechnology 0.6%          
f Ablynx NV, senior note, Reg S, Series ABLX, 3.25%, 5/27/20 Belgium 200,000 EUR   283,891
Acorda Therapeutics Inc., senior note, 1.75%, 6/15/21 United States 679,000     626,378
a AMAG Pharmaceuticals Inc., senior note, 2.50%, 2/15/19 United States 1,175,000     1,233,016
c Anacor Pharmaceuticals Inc., senior note, 144A, 2.00%, 4/15/23 United States 517,000     781,639
BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc., senior sub. note, 1.50%, 10/15/20 United States 70,000     87,150
a Exelixis Inc., senior sub. note, 4.25%, 8/15/19 United States 1,312,000     1,716,260
Ligand Pharmaceuticals Inc., senior note, 0.75%, 8/15/19 United States 1,368,000     2,298,240
PDL BioPharma Inc., senior note, 4.00%, 2/01/18 United States 670,000     629,800
c PTC Therapeutics Inc., senior note, 144A, 3.00%, 8/15/22 United States 328,000     156,210
          7,812,584
Building Products 0.1%          
c Griffon Corp., sub. note, 144A, 4.00%, 1/15/17 United States 801,000     983,728
Capital Markets 0.3%          
Ares Capital Corp., senior note, 5.125%, 6/01/16 United States 968,000     968,000
f Cahaya Capital Ltd., senior note, Reg S, zero cpn., 9/18/21 Malaysia 2,400,000     2,355,000
a Cowen Group Inc., senior note, 3.00%, 3/15/19 United States 615,000     564,262
a FXCM Inc., senior note, 2.25%, 6/15/18 United States 592,000     254,560
          4,141,822
Chemicals 0.1%          
a Solazyme Inc., senior sub. note, 5.00%, 10/01/19 United States 1,390,000     667,200
Commercial Services & Supplies 0.0%          
RWT Holdings Inc., senior note, 5.625%, 11/15/19 United States 204,000     199,410
Communications Equipment 0.4%          
Brocade Communications Systems Inc., senior note, 1.375%, 1/01/20 United States 245,000     238,109
Ciena Corp.,          
senior bond, 0.875%, 6/15/17 United States 565,000     558,291
             csenior note, 144A, 3.75%, 10/15/18 United States 55,000     63,181

 

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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)          
 
    Principal      
  Country Amount*     Value
Convertible Bonds (continued)          
Communications Equipment (continued)          
a Palo Alto Networks Inc., senior note, zero cpn., 7/01/19 United States 2,889,000 $   3,858,621
          4,718,202
Construction & Engineering 0.2%          
c Dycom Industries Inc., senior note, 144A, 0.75%, 9/15/21 United States 977,000     1,100,957
f Larsen & Toubro Ltd., senior note, Reg S, 0.675%, 10/22/19 India 1,600,000     1,536,000
          2,636,957
Construction Materials 0.2%          
a Cemex SAB de CV, sub. note,          
3.75%, 3/15/18 Mexico 1,324,000     1,373,650
3.72%, 3/15/20 Mexico 1,258,000     1,183,306
          2,556,956
Consumer Finance 0.4%          
Encore Capital Group Inc., senior note,          
3.00%, 11/27/17 United States 780,000     812,662
              a2.875%, 3/15/21 United States 700,000     531,125
a PRA Group Inc., senior note, 3.00%, 8/01/20 United States 789,000     629,721
f Siemens Financieringsmaatschappij NV, senior note, Reg S, Series SIE,          
1.05%, 8/16/17 Germany 3,000,000     3,193,500
          5,167,008
Diversified Consumer Services 0.3%          
Ascent Capital Group Inc., senior note, 4.00%, 7/15/20 United States 725,000     466,266
a Carriage Services Inc., sub. note, 2.75%, 3/15/21 United States 1,064,000     1,252,195
TAL Education Group, senior note, 2.50%, 5/15/19 China 696,000     1,441,590
          3,160,051
Diversified Financial Services 0.1%          
c Element Financial Corp., sub. note, 144A,          
5.125%, 6/30/19 Canada 536,000 CAD 455,744
4.25%, 6/30/20 Canada 1,205,000 CAD 946,467
          1,402,211
Electric Utilities 0.1%          
Emera Inc., sub. bond, 4.00%, 9/29/25 Canada 1,595,000 CAD 526,051
Electrical Equipment 0.1%          
General Cable Corp., sub. bond, 4.50%, 11/15/29 United States 1,110,000     670,162
a SolarCity Corp., senior note, 2.75%, 11/01/18 United States 285,000     187,922
          858,084
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components 0.3%          
c Knowles Corp., senior note, 144A, 3.25%, 11/01/21 United States 604,000     633,067
f TPK Holding Co. Ltd., senior note, Reg S, zero cpn., 4/08/20 Taiwan 1,500,000     1,321,875
a Vishay Intertechnology Inc., senior bond, 2.25%, 11/15/40 United States 1,930,000     2,010,819
          3,965,761
Energy Equipment & Services 0.1%          
a Hornbeck Offshore Services Inc., senior note, 1.50%, 9/01/19 United States 1,126,000     658,006
Health Care Equipment & Supplies 0.5%          
a Hologic Inc., senior bond, zero cpn., 12/15/43 United States 929,000     1,142,670

 

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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)          
 
    Principal      
  Country Amount*     Value
Convertible Bonds (continued)          
Health Care Equipment & Supplies (continued)          
a Integra LifeSciences Holdings Corp., senior note, 1.625%, 12/15/16 United States 1,027,000   $ 1,468,610
c Invacare Corp., senior note, 144A, 5.00%, 2/15/21 United States 367,000     342,228
f Nipro Corp., senior note, Reg S, zero cpn., 1/29/21 Japan 30,000,000 JPY   295,300
c NuVasive Inc., senior note, 144A, 2.25%, 3/15/21 United States 992,000     1,126,540
Quidel Corp., senior note, 3.25%, 12/15/20 United States 480,000     435,600
a Wright Medical Group Inc., senior note, 2.00%, 2/15/20 United States 1,358,000     1,301,982
c Wright Medical Group NV, senior note, 144A, 2.25%, 11/15/21 United States 382,000     423,781
          6,536,711
Health Care Providers & Services 0.5%          
c Aceto Corp., senior note, 144A, 2.00%, 11/01/20 United States 810,000     760,387
Brookdale Senior Living Inc., senior note, 2.75%, 6/15/18 United States 55,000     54,519
a HealthSouth Corp., senior sub. bond, 2.00%, 12/01/43 United States 2,320,000     2,762,250
Molina Healthcare Inc.,          
              asenior bond, 1.625%, 8/15/44 United States 1,287,000     1,402,830
           senior note, 1.125%, 1/15/20 United States 1,054,000     1,399,185
          6,379,171
Health Care Technology 0.1%          
a Allscripts Healthcare Solutions Inc., senior note, 1.25%, 7/01/20 United States 954,000     989,775
Household Durables 0.4%          
CalAtlantic Group Inc.,          
             asenior bond, 1.25%, 8/01/32 United States 987,000     1,075,830
           senior note, 0.25%, 6/01/19 United States 1,056,000     975,480
KB Home, senior note, 1.375%, 2/01/19 United States 45,000     42,441
a LGI Homes Inc., sub. note, 4.25%, 11/15/19 United States 610,000     836,463
M/I Homes Inc., senior sub. note, 3.25%, 9/15/17 United States 600,000     609,750
Meritage Homes Corp., senior bond, 1.875%, 9/15/32 United States 1,123,000     1,120,192
a Toll Brothers Finance Corp., senior bond, 0.50%, 9/15/32 United States 649,000     640,076
          5,300,232
Household Products 0.0%          
f Unicharm Corp., senior note, Reg S, zero cpn., 9/25/20 Japan 40,000,000 JPY   409,988
Independent Power & Renewable Electricity Producers 0.1%          
a,c Pattern Energy Group Inc., senior note, 144A, 4.00%, 7/15/20 United States 1,788,000     1,747,770
Industrial Conglomerates 0.0%          
f Keihan Holdings Co. Ltd., senior note, Reg S, zero cpn., 3/30/21 Japan 30,000,000 JPY   279,383
Insurance 0.1%          
a AmTrust Financial Services Inc., senior bond, 2.75%, 12/15/44 United States 1,234,000     974,860
Internet & Catalog Retail 0.7%          
a Ctrip.com International Ltd., senior note, 1.25%, 10/15/18 China 1,508,000     1,971,710
a Priceline Group Inc., senior note, 1.00%, 3/15/18 United States 2,847,000     4,012,491
a Shutterfly Inc., senior note, 0.25%, 5/15/18 United States 2,357,000     2,392,355
          8,376,556
Internet Software & Services 2.2%          
Akamai Technologies Inc., senior note, zero cpn., 2/15/19 United States 795,000     780,595
a Blucora Inc., senior note, 4.25%, 4/01/19 United States 142,000     125,670
a j2 Global Inc., senior bond, 3.25%, 6/15/29 United States 874,000     1,016,025
a LinkedIn Corp., senior note, 0.50%, 11/01/19 United States 1,351,000     1,269,096

 

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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)        
 
    Principal    
  Country Amount*   Value
Convertible Bonds (continued)        
Internet Software & Services (continued)        
a MercadoLibre Inc., senior note, 2.25%, 7/01/19 Argentina 2,288,000 $ 2,845,700
Monster Worldwide Inc., senior note, 3.50%, 10/15/19 United States 468,000   415,935
SINA Corp., senior note, 1.00%, 12/01/18 China 1,882,000   1,864,356
Twitter Inc., senior note,        
0.25%, 9/15/19 United States 2,194,000   1,943,061
a1.00%, 9/15/21 United States 1,410,000   1,189,688
VeriSign Inc., junior sub. bond, 4.345%, 8/15/37 United States 3,902,000   9,750,123
Web.com Group Inc., senior note, 1.00%, 8/15/18 United States 1,045,000   967,931
WebMD Health Corp., senior note,        
2.50%,1/31/18 United States 523,000   616,159
a1.50%, 12/01/20 United States 904,000   1,262,210
c144A, 2.625%, 6/15/23 United States 593,000   619,314
Yahoo! Inc., senior note, zero cpn., 12/01/18 United States 2,986,000   3,017,726
        27,683,589
IT Services 0.2%        
a,c CSG Systems International Inc., 144A,        
senior bond, 4.25%, 3/15/36 United States 988,000   1,049,132
senior sub. note, 3.00%, 3/01/17 United States 476,000   895,475
c Unisys Corp., senior note, 144A, 5.50%, 3/01/21 United States 444,000   482,573
        2,427,180
Leisure Products 0.0%        
c JAKKS Pacific Inc., senior note, 144A, 4.25%, 8/01/18 United States 494,000   504,806
Life Sciences Tools & Services 0.1%        
Albany Molecular Research Inc., senior note, 2.25%, 11/15/18 United States 597,000   641,775
Illumina Inc., senior note, 0.50%, 6/15/21 United States 671,000   696,163
Sequenom Inc., senior note, 5.00%, 1/01/18 United States 500,000   305,000
        1,642,938
Machinery 0.5%        
a Altra Industrial Motion Corp., senior bond, 2.75%, 3/01/31 United States 810,000   935,044
a The Greenbrier Cos Inc., senior note, 3.50%, 4/01/18 United States 1,113,000   1,201,344
f Hyundai Heavy Industries Co. Ltd., senior note, Reg S, zero cpn., 6/29/20 South Korea 1,400,000   1,328,250
a Navistar International Corp., senior sub. note, 4.75%, 4/15/19 United States 498,000   278,258
a Trinity Industries Inc., senior sub. bond, 3.875%, 6/01/36 United States 1,873,000   2,005,281
a Wabash National Corp., senior note, 3.375%, 5/01/18 United States 661,000   880,782
        6,628,959
Media 0.1%        
c Liberty Interactive LLC, senior bond, 144A, 1.00%, 9/30/43 United States 847,000   740,066
a Liberty Media Corp., senior bond, 1.375%, 10/15/23 United States 895,000   893,322
        1,633,388
Metals & Mining 0.2%        
AK Steel Corp., senior note, 5.00%, 11/15/19 United States 397,000   422,805
a Newmont Mining Corp., senior note, Series B, 1.625%, 7/15/17 United States 906,000   971,119
RTI International Metals Inc., senior note, 1.625%, 10/15/19 United States 341,000   366,362
        1,760,286
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels 0.4%        
Aegean Marine Petroleum Network Inc., senior note, 4.00%, 11/01/18 Greece 1,129,000   926,486
Chesapeake Energy Corp., senior bond, 2.50%, 5/15/37 United States 435,000   406,725

 

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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)        
 
    Principal    
  Country Amount*   Value
Convertible Bonds (continued)        
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels (continued)        
Cobalt International Energy Inc., senior note, 2.625%, 12/01/19 United States 587,000 $ 248,007
f Golar LNG Ltd., secured note, Reg S, 3.75%, 3/07/17 Bermuda 1,200,000   1,155,960
a Green Plains Inc., senior note, 3.25%, 10/01/18 United States 753,000   824,064
f Paladin Energy Ltd., senior note, Reg S, 6.00%, 4/30/17 Australia 400,000   376,000
c Renewable Energy Group Inc., senior bond, 144A, 4.00%, 6/15/36 United States 355,000   365,430
c Scorpio Tankers Inc., senior note, 144A, 2.375%, 7/01/19 Monaco 239,000   201,059
a,c Whiting Petroleum Corp., senior note, 144A, 1.25%, 4/01/20 United States 1,261,000   964,665
        5,468,396
Pharmaceuticals 0.3%        
a Medicines Co., senior note,        
1.375%, 6/01/17 United States 351,000   506,756
2.50%, 1/15/22 United States 2,181,000   2,783,501
a Theravance Inc., senior note, 2.125%, 1/15/23 United States 1,055,000   854,550
        4,144,807
Professional Services 0.0%        
a 51job Inc., senior note, 3.25%, 4/15/19 China 253,000   261,381
Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) 1.2%        
a,c American Residential Properties Inc., senior note, 144A, 3.25%, 11/15/18 United States 1,160,000   1,295,575
Colony Capital Inc., senior note, 3.875%, 1/15/21 United States 1,271,000   1,220,160
Colony Starwood Homes, senior note, 4.50%, 10/15/17 United States 628,000   666,073
a Forest City Enterprises Inc., senior note, 3.625%, 8/15/20 United States 1,447,000   1,596,222
Forest City Realty Trust Inc., senior note, 4.25%, 8/15/18 United States 290,000   337,850
a,c GPT Property Trust LP, senior note, 144A, 3.75%, 3/15/19 United States 2,575,000   3,160,812
a National Health Investors Inc., senior note, 3.25%, 4/01/21 United States 1,097,000   1,173,104
Redwood Trust Inc., senior note, 4.625%, 4/15/18 United States 570,000   559,313
Spirit Realty Capital Inc., senior note, 2.875%, 5/15/19 United States 387,000   403,933
a Starwood Property Trust Inc., senior note,        
3.75%, 10/15/17 United States 2,353,000   2,370,648
4.55%, 3/01/18 United States 646,000   675,070
a Starwood Waypoint Residential Trust, senior note, 3.00%, 7/01/19 United States 982,000   1,023,121
        14,481,881
Real Estate Management & Development 0.1%        
f AYC Finance Ltd., senior note, Reg S, 0.50%, 5/02/19 Philippines 200,000   211,000
f Cosmos Boom Investment Ltd., senior note, Reg S, 0.50%, 6/23/20 China 400,000   378,500
        589,500
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment 0.8%        
f Advanced Semiconductor Engineering Inc., senior note, Reg S,        
          zero cpn., 3/27/18 Taiwan 1,200,000   1,135,500
a Intel Corp., junior sub. bond, 3.25%, 8/01/39 United States 1,274,000   2,015,315
a Microchip Technology Inc., junior sub. bond, 2.125%, 12/15/37 United States 749,000   1,609,882
Micron Technology Inc., senior bond, 3.00%, 11/15/43 United States 682,000   499,565
NVIDIA Corp., senior note, 1.00%, 12/01/18 United States 1,562,000   3,638,484
Trina Solar Ltd., senior note, 3.50%, 6/15/19 China 341,000   281,112
        9,179,858
Software 1.1%        
a Bottomline Technologies de Inc., senior note, 1.50%, 12/01/17 United States 988,000   1,034,312
a,c BroadSoft Inc., senior note, 144A, 1.00%, 9/01/22 United States 881,000   1,129,332

 

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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)

      Principal    
    Country Amount*   Value
  Convertible Bonds (continued)        
  Software (continued)        
  c FireEye Inc., senior bond, 144A, 1.625%, 6/01/35 United States 466,000 $ 385,324
  a NetSuite Inc., senior note, 0.25%, 6/01/18 United States 1,861,000   1,852,858
  Nuance Communications Inc., senior bond,        
  2.75%, 11/01/31 United States 557,000   563,614
  c144A, 1.00%, 12/15/35 United States 1,203,000   1,081,948
  a Red Hat Inc., senior note, 0.25%, 10/01/19 United States 837,000   1,061,944
  a Salesforce.com Inc., senior note, 0.25%, 4/01/18 United States 1,021,000   1,382,179
a Take-Two Interactive Software Inc., senior note, 1.00%, 7/01/18 United States 2,385,000   4,389,891
  a Workday Inc., senior note, 0.75%, 7/15/18 United States 992,000   1,125,300
          14,006,702
  Specialty Retail 0.1%        
  a,c Restoration Hardware Holdings Inc., senior note, 144A,        
  zero cpn., 7/15/20 United States 955,000   684,019
  c Vitamin Shoppe Inc., senior note, 144A, 2.25%, 12/01/20 United States 344,000   339,915
          1,023,934
  Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals 0.0%        
  Violin Memory Inc., senior note, 4.25%, 10/01/19 United States 99,000   27,968
  Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods 0.1%        
  a Iconix Brand Group Inc., senior sub. note, 1.50%, 3/15/18 United States 1,483,000   1,079,809
  Trading Companies & Distributors 0.1%        
  c Kaman Corp., senior note, 144A, 3.25%, 11/15/17 United States 397,000   524,288
  Transportation Infrastructure 0.2%        
  f DP World Ltd., senior bond, Reg S, 1.75%, 6/19/24 United Arab Emirates 1,800,000   1,788,750
  Total Convertible Bonds (Cost $167,131,678)       172,672,647
  Convertible Bonds in Reorganization 0.0%        
  Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment 0.0%        
  g SunEdison Inc., senior note,        
  a,c144A, 0.25%, 1/15/20 United States 126,000   8,190
              2.375%, 4/15/22 United States 247,000   16,055
  Total Convertible Bonds in Reorganization        
  (Cost $341,877)       24,245
  Corporate Bonds and Notes 17.9%        
  Aerospace & Defense 0.1%        
  Embraer Netherlands Finance BV, senior bond, 5.05%, 6/15/25 Brazil 95,000   94,406
  c Embraer Overseas Ltd., senior bond, 144A, 5.696%, 9/16/23 Brazil 90,000   93,038
  c Meccanica Holdings USA Inc., senior bond, 144A, 6.25%, 1/15/40 Italy 555,000   541,125
  h Rockwell Collins Inc., senior note, FRN, 0.984%, 12/15/16 United States 40,000   40,026
          768,595
  Auto Components 0.0%        
  c,h Daimler Finance North America LLC, senior note, 144A, FRN,        
  0.985%, 3/10/17 Germany 150,000   149,938
  c Midas Intermediate Holdco II LLC / Midas Intermediate Holdco II Finance        
  Inc., senior note, 144A, 7.875%, 10/01/22 United States 170,000   163,642
          313,580

 

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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)

    Principal    
  Country Amount*   Value
Corporate Bonds and Notes (continued)        
Banks 0.3%        
Bank of America Corp.,        
hsenior note, FRN, 1.668%, 1/15/19 United States 20,000 $ 20,091
sub. bond, 4.20%, 8/26/24 United States 135,000   138,093
sub. bond, Series L, 3.95%, 4/21/25 United States 335,000   335,122
c,h,i Credit Agricole SA, junior sub., 144A, FRN, 7.875%, Perpetual France 400,000   393,530
HSBC Holdings PLC, senior bond, 4.30%, 3/08/26 United Kingdom 350,000   366,687
c Intesa Sanpaolo SpA, sub. bond, 144A,        
5.017%, 6/26/24 Italy 955,000   906,455
5.71%, 1/15/26 Italy 460,000   453,053
i Royal Bank of Scotland Group PLC, 8.00% to 8/10/25, FRN        
        thereafter, Perpetual United Kingdom 410,000   404,363
c Santander UK Group Holdings PLC, sub. bond, 144A, 4.75%, 9/15/25 United Kingdom 270,000   266,828
c,h,i Societe Generale SA, junior sub., 144A, FRN, 7.875%, Perpetual France 750,000   725,274
h Toyota Motor Credit Corp., senior note, FRN, 1.023%, 1/17/19 United States 40,000   40,033
        4,049,529
Beverages 0.0%        
h Anheuser-Busch InBev Finance Inc., senior note, FRN, 0.824%, 1/27/17 Belgium 45,000   44,998
h The Coca-Cola Co., senior note, FRN, 0.737%, 11/01/16 United States 80,000   80,039
        125,037
Biotechnology 0.0%        
AbbVie Inc., senior note, 3.60%, 5/14/25 United States 315,000   323,373
h Amgen Inc., senior note, FRN, 1.034%, 5/22/17 United States 125,000   125,047
        448,420
Building Products 0.0%        
Owens Corning, senior bond, 4.20%, 12/01/24 United States 165,000   169,354
Capital Markets 0.0%        
Brixmor Operating Partnership LP, senior bond, 3.85%, 2/01/25 United States 265,000   257,645
Morgan Stanley, sub. bond, 4.35%, 9/08/26 United States 150,000   154,928
        412,573
Chemicals 0.0%        
Albemarle Corp., senior bond, 4.15%, 12/01/24 United States 141,000   143,782
c Solvay Finance America LLC, senior bond, 144A, 4.45%, 12/03/25 Belgium 200,000   205,385
        349,167
Commercial Services & Supplies 0.4%        
RR Donnelley & Sons Co.,        
senior bond, 6.00%, 4/01/24 United States 3,814,000   3,413,530
senior note, 7.00%, 2/15/22 United States 1,565,000   1,521,962
        4,935,492
Communications Equipment 0.1%        
Alcatel-Lucent USA Inc., senior bond,        
6.50%, 1/15/28 France 150,000   156,750
6.45%, 3/15/29 France 495,000   527,175
h Cisco Systems Inc., senior note, FRN, 0.966%, 3/03/17 United States 100,000   100,188
        784,113
Construction Materials 0.1%        
c Cemex SAB de CV, senior secured bond, 144A,        
7.75%, 4/16/26 Mexico 300,000   316,125
first lien, 6.125%, 5/05/25 Mexico 365,000   355,875
        672,000

 

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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)

    Principal      
  Country Amount*     Value
Corporate Bonds and Notes (continued)          
Consumer Finance 0.0%          
h Caterpillar Financial Services Corp., senior note, FRN,          
0.916%, 3/03/17 United States 110,000   $ 110,103
0.806%, 6/09/17 United States 300,000     300,079
c,h Nissan Motor Acceptance Corp., senior note, 144A, FRN, 1.236%, 3/03/17 Japan 105,000     105,064
          515,246
Diversified Financial Services 3.4%          
Ally Financial Inc.,          
senior note, 4.25%, 4/15/21 United States 245,000     246,225
sub. bond, 5.75%, 11/20/25 United States 245,000     248,981
h American Honda Finance Corp., senior note, FRN, 1.073%, 9/20/17 United States 180,000     180,544
c,h The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ Ltd., senior note, 144A, FRN,          
1.652%, 9/14/18 Japan 335,000     335,564
Everi Payments Inc., senior note, 10.00%, 1/15/22 United States 8,667,000     7,193,610
c Financiera de Desarrollo Territorial SA Findeter, senior bond, 144A,          
7.875%, 8/12/24 Colombia 795,000,000 COP   226,978
h Ford Motor Credit Co. LLC, senior note, FRN, 1.413%, 1/17/17 United States 40,000     40,065
General Motors Financial Co. Inc., senior note, 3.70%, 5/09/23 United States 220,000     217,925
c,h Hyundai Capital Services Inc., senior note, 144A, FRN, 1.439%, 3/18/17 South Korea 200,000     199,922
c iPayment Inc., senior note, 144A, 9.50%, 12/15/19 United States 10,199,166     10,301,158
c Ladder Capital Finance Holdings LLP, senior note, 144A, 5.875%, 8/01/21 United States 225,000     198,844
c,j Marfrig Holdings Europe BV, senior note, 144A, 8.00%, 6/08/23 Brazil 245,000     246,642
a NewStar Financial Inc., senior note, 7.25%, 5/01/20 United States 3,820,000     3,566,925
c Opal Acquisition Inc., senior note, 144A, 8.875%, 12/15/21 United States 5,541,000     4,363,537
c Quicken Loans Inc., senior note, 144A, 5.75%, 5/01/25 United States 580,000     552,450
a,c ROC Finance LLC / ROC Finance 1 Corp., secured note, second lien, 144A,          
12.125%, 9/01/18 United States 12,840,000     13,482,000
h Shell International Finance BV, senior note, FRN,          
0.836%, 11/15/16 Netherlands 80,000     80,047
0.95%, 5/10/17 Netherlands 390,000     390,470
          42,071,887
Diversified Telecommunication Services 0.1%          
a,c Frontier Communications Corp., senior note, 144A, 11.00%, 9/15/25 United States 640,000     653,600
c Oi SA, senior note, 144A, 9.75%, 9/15/16 Brazil 300,000 BRL   21,170
a Sprint Capital Corp., senior bond, 8.75%, 3/15/32 United States 1,106,000     898,625
h Verizon Communications Inc., senior note, FRN, 1.036%, 6/09/17 United States 125,000     125,094
          1,698,489
Electric Utilities 0.5%          
h Duke Energy Corp., senior note, FRN, 1.009%, 4/03/17 United States 100,000     99,887
h Duke Energy Progress Inc., secured note, FRN, 0.836%, 3/06/17 United States 50,000     49,906
c Enel SpA, sub. bond, 144A, 8.75% to 9/24/23, FRN thereafter, 9/24/73 Italy 745,000     860,475
GenOn Americas Generation LLC, senior bond, 9.125%, 5/01/31 United States 840,000     596,400
c Real Alloy Holding Inc., senior note, 144A, 10.00%, 1/15/19 United States 4,448,000     4,448,000
          6,054,668
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components 0.1%          
Avnet Inc., senior bond, 4.625%, 4/15/26 United States 100,000     101,443
Flextronics International Ltd., senior note, 4.75%, 6/15/25 United States 235,000     237,056
Keysight Technologies Inc., senior note, 4.55%, 10/30/24 United States 400,000     399,431
          737,930

 

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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)

    Principal      
  Country Amount*     Value
Corporate Bonds and Notes (continued)          
Energy Equipment & Services 0.3%          
Diamond Offshore Drilling Inc., senior bond, 4.875%, 11/01/43 United States 60,000   $ 42,939
Noble Holding International Ltd., senior bond,          
5.25%, 3/15/42 United Kingdom 190,000     100,225
7.95%, 4/01/45 United Kingdom 270,000     178,568
Petroleos Mexicanos,          
fsenior bond, Reg S, 6.875%, 8/04/26 Mexico 1,007,000     1,096,724
fsenior note, Reg S, 3.75%, 3/15/19 Mexico 217,000 EUR   249,180
senior note, 4.25%, 1/15/25 Mexico 581,000     544,745
Targa Resources Partners LP / Targa Resources Partners Finance Corp.,          
senior bond, 6.375%, 8/01/22 United States 25,000     24,937
senior bond, 5.25%, 5/01/23 United States 15,000     14,175
senior bond, 4.25%, 11/15/23 United States 350,000     315,000
csenior note, 144A, 6.75%, 3/15/24 United States 590,000     585,575
Western Refining Logistics LP / WNRL Finance Corp., senior note,          
7.50%, 2/15/23 United States 80,000     78,200
          3,230,268
Food & Staples Retailing 0.2%          
New Albertsons Inc., senior bond, 7.45%, 8/01/29 United States 669,000     648,930
Tesco PLC, senior bond, 5.125%, 4/10/47 United Kingdom 1,400,000 EUR   1,487,533
          2,136,463
Food Products 0.0%          
c JBS USA LLC / JBS USA Finance Inc., senior bond, 144A,          
7.25%, 6/01/21 United States 10,000     10,350
5.75%, 6/15/25 United States 65,000     62,400
          72,750
Gas Utilities 0.0%          
NGL Energy Partners LP / NGL Energy Finance Corp., senior note,          
5.125%, 7/15/19 United States 230,000     208,150
6.875%, 10/15/21 United States 30,000     25,950
          234,100
Health Care Equipment & Supplies 0.6%          
Universal Hospital Services Inc., senior note, 7.625%, 8/15/20 United States 7,661,000     7,191,764
Health Care Providers & Services 0.7%          
CHS / Community Health Systems Inc., senior note, 6.875%, 2/01/22 United States 3,759,000     3,249,242
Express Scripts Holding Co., senior bond, 4.50%, 2/25/26 United States 370,000     396,834
IASIS Healthcare LLC / IASIS Capital Corp., senior note, 8.375%, 5/15/19 United States 1,702,000     1,642,430
a Kindred Healthcare Inc., senior note, 8.75%, 1/15/23 United States 3,399,000     3,339,517
c,j MPH Acquisition Holdings LLC, senior note, 144A, 7.125%, 6/01/24 United States 270,000     278,100
          8,906,123
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure 1.3%          
a Caesars Entertainment Resort Properties LLC / Caesars Entertainment Resort          
Properties, secured note, second lien, 11.00%, 10/01/21 United States 1,892,000     1,821,050
Choice Hotels International Inc., senior bond, 5.70%, 8/28/20 United States 125,000     135,000
c Downstream Development Authority of the Quapaw Tribe of Oklahoma, secured          
note, 144A, 10.50%, 7/01/19 United States 7,196,000     6,764,240
c Golden Nugget Escrow Inc., senior note, 144A, 8.50%, 12/01/21 United States 4,224,000     4,403,520
Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority, senior note, 9.75%, 9/01/21 United States 1,853,000     1,961,864

 

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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)

    Principal      
  Country Amount*     Value
Corporate Bonds and Notes (continued)          
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure (continued)          
Wyndham Worldwide Corp., senior bond, 5.10%, 10/01/25 United States 400,000   $ 425,707
          15,511,381
Household Durables 0.1%          
Sharp Corp., senior note, 1.604%, 9/13/19 Japan 100,000,000 JPY   813,945
Household Products 0.0%          
h The Procter & Gamble Co., senior note, FRN, 0.717%, 11/04/16 United States 80,000     80,027
Independent Power & Renewable Electricity Producers 0.1%          
AES Corp., senior note, 6.00%, 5/15/26 United States 285,000     289,275
GenOn Energy Inc., senior note,          
9.50%, 10/15/18 United States 187,000     148,198
9.875%, 10/15/20 United States 210,000     151,725
          589,198
Insurance 0.1%          
American International Group Inc., senior bond, 3.90%, 4/01/26 United States 475,000     481,841
f,h Assicurazioni Generali SpA, senior sub. bond, FRN, Reg S, 7.75%, 12/12/42 Italy 100,000 EUR   134,421
Old Republic International Corp., senior bond, 4.875%, 10/01/24 United States 415,000     443,997
          1,060,259
Life Sciences Tools & Services 1.1%          
inVentiv Health Inc., senior note,          
10.00%, 8/15/18 United States 8,456,000     8,434,860
10.00%, 8/15/18 United States 995,000     980,075
c,k 144A, PIK, 10.00%, 8/15/18 United States 3,747,626     3,831,948
          13,246,883
Marine 0.0%          
f PB Issuer No. 3 Ltd., Reg S, 1.875%, 10/22/18 Hong Kong 400,000     389,500
Media 3.7%          
American Media Inc.,          
csecured note, second lien, 144A, 7.00%, 7/15/20 United States 16,025,058     17,908,002
senior secured note, first lien, 11.50%, 12/15/17 United States 395,000     404,875
c CCO Holdings LLC / CCO Holdings Capital Corp., senior note, 144A,          
       5.125%, 5/01/23 United States 35,000     35,525
Clear Channel Worldwide Holdings Inc., senior sub. note, Series B,          
      7.625%, 3/15/20 United States 1,095,000     1,056,675
c Cox Communications Inc., senior bond, 144A,          
4.70%, 12/15/42 United States 120,000     103,636
4.50%, 6/30/43 United States 220,000     185,336
CSC Holdings LLC, senior bond, 7.625%, 7/15/18 United States 245,000     266,438
DISH DBS Corp., senior note, 5.875%, 11/15/24 United States 510,000     474,619
c Lee Enterprises Inc., senior secured note, first lien, 144A, 9.50%, 3/15/22 United States 6,710,000     6,710,000
The McClatchy Co., senior secured note, first lien, 9.00%, 12/15/22 United States 7,751,000     7,402,205
Postmedia Network Inc., secured note, second lien, 12.50%, 7/15/18 Canada 5,922,000     2,383,605
c Time Inc., senior note, 144A, 5.75%, 4/15/22 United States 8,822,000     8,447,065
Time Warner Cable Inc., senior bond, 4.50%, 9/15/42 United States 240,000     214,631
          45,592,612

 

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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)        
 
    Principal    
  Country Amount*   Value
Corporate Bonds and Notes (continued)        
Metals & Mining 0.8%        
AK Steel Corp.,        
senior bond, 7.625%, 5/15/20 United States 3,722,000 $ 3,005,515
senior bond, 8.375%, 4/01/22 United States 3,817,000   2,953,404
senior note, 7.625%, 10/01/21 United States 4,977,000   3,838,511
United States Steel Corp.,        
senior bond, 7.375%, 4/01/20 United States 233,000   203,292
senior bond, 7.50%, 3/15/22 United States 150,000   117,750
senior note, 6.875%, 4/01/21 United States 293,000   228,540
        10,347,012
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels 2.6%        
Anadarko Petroleum Corp., senior bond, 4.50%, 7/15/44 United States 370,000   315,721
Antero Resources Corp., senior note,        
5.375%, 11/01/21 United States 85,000   83,300
5.125%, 12/01/22 United States 345,000   332,063
c Baytex Energy Corp., senior note, 144A,        
5.125%, 6/01/21 Canada 10,000   8,150
5.625%, 6/01/24 Canada 495,000   386,100
c Bellatrix Exploration Ltd., senior note, 144A, 8.50%, 5/15/20 Canada 150,000   87,000
Bonanza Creek Energy Inc., senior note,        
6.75%, 4/15/21 United States 115,000   44,275
5.75%, 2/01/23 United States 415,000   155,625
h BP Capital Markets PLC, senior note, FRN, 1.052%, 11/07/16 United Kingdom 80,000   80,055
California Resources Corp., senior note,        
5.50%, 9/15/21 United States 85,000   46,325
6.00%, 11/15/24 United States 1,055,000   573,656
c144A, 8.00%, 12/15/22 United States 135,000   98,381
Chesapeake Energy Corp.,        
senior bond, 6.625%, 8/15/20 United States 5,000   3,300
senior bond, 6.125%, 2/15/21 United States 20,000   12,700
senior note, 5.375%, 6/15/21 United States 5,000   3,138
senior note, 4.875%, 4/15/22 United States 170,000   102,850
h Chevron Corp., senior note, FRN, 0.796%, 11/15/17 United States 145,000   144,650
Concho Resources Inc., senior bond,        
5.50%, 10/01/22 United States 75,000   75,375
5.50%, 4/01/23 United States 565,000   567,825
ConocoPhillips, senior bond, 6.50%, 2/01/39 United States 325,000   401,343
ConocoPhillips Co., senior bond, 4.95%, 3/15/26 United States 310,000   339,939
Continental Resources Inc.,        
senior bond, 5.00%, 9/15/22 United States 1,535,000   1,458,250
senior bond, 4.90%, 6/01/44 United States 335,000   277,213
senior note, 4.50%, 4/15/23 United States 35,000   32,047
senior note, 3.80%, 6/01/24 United States 405,000   355,388
Devon Energy Corp., senior bond, 5.00%, 6/15/45 United States 427,000   361,614
c Eclipse Resources Corp., senior note, 144A, 8.875%, 7/15/23 United States 335,000   266,325
Enable Midstream Partners LP, senior bond, 5.00%, 5/15/44 United States 400,000   299,744
Energy Transfer Equity LP, secured bond, first lien, 7.50%, 10/15/20 United States 200,000   205,000
Energy Transfer Partners LP, senior bond,        
5.15%, 3/15/45 United States 230,000   195,981
6.125%, 12/15/45 United States 540,000   509,008

 

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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)

    Principal      
  Country Amount*     Value
Corporate Bonds and Notes (continued)          
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels (continued)          
EnLink Midstream Partners LP, senior bond,          
5.60%, 4/01/44 United States 145,000   $ 111,047
5.05%, 4/01/45 United States 245,000     181,331
Enterprise Products Operating LLC, senior bond, 3.70%, 2/15/26 United States 35,000     35,500
f,h EP PetroEcuador via Noble Sovereign Funding I Ltd., secured note, FRN, Reg S,          
6.258%, 9/24/19 Ecuador 594,632     566,387
h Exxon Mobil Corp., senior note, FRN, 0.674%, 3/15/17 United States 110,000     109,966
Halcon Resources Corp.,          
csecured note, second lien, 144A, 8.625%, 2/01/20 United States 410,000     389,500
senior note, 9.75%, 7/15/20 United States 370,000     74,925
Kinder Morgan Energy Partners LP, senior bond,          
3.45%, 2/15/23 United States 70,000     65,805
3.50%, 9/01/23 United States 100,000     93,492
5.625%, 9/01/41 United States 130,000     116,091
5.00%, 8/15/42 United States 300,000     253,922
4.70%, 11/01/42 United States 150,000     123,050
5.00%, 3/01/43 United States 30,000     25,772
a Kinder Morgan Inc., senior bond, 8.05%, 10/15/30 United States 3,439,000     3,757,902
Marathon Oil Corp., senior bond, 5.20%, 6/01/45 United States 345,000     290,358
Matador Resources Co., senior note, 6.875%, 4/15/23 United States 497,000     501,970
c MEG Energy Corp., 144A,          
senior bond, 6.375%, 1/30/23 Canada 180,000     138,600
senior bond, 7.00%, 3/31/24 Canada 425,000     329,375
senior note, 6.50%, 3/15/21 Canada 230,000     182,275
MPLX LP,          
senior bond, 4.00%, 2/15/25 United States 30,000     26,970
csenior note, 144A, 4.50%, 7/15/23 United States 55,000     52,163
csenior note, 144A, 4.875%, 12/01/24 United States 960,000     908,611
Noble Energy Inc.,          
senior bond, 5.25%, 11/15/43 United States 255,000     243,443
senior bond, 5.05%, 11/15/44 United States 295,000     281,240
senior note, 5.625%, 5/01/21 United States 50,000     52,033
Oasis Petroleum Inc.,          
senior bond, 6.875%, 1/15/23 United States 70,000     63,525
senior note, 7.25%, 2/01/19 United States 10,000     9,650
senior note, 6.875%, 3/15/22 United States 510,000     471,750
c Pacific Exploration and Production Corp., 144A,          
senior bond, 5.125%, 3/28/23 Colombia 200,000     31,500
senior bond, 5.625%, 1/19/25 Colombia 515,000     81,113
senior note, 5.375%, 1/26/19 Colombia 175,000     27,563
c Parsley Energy LLC / Parsley Finance Corp., senior note, 144A, 6.25%, 6/01/24 United States 195,000     199,388
Petrobras Global Finance BV,          
senior bond, 5.75%, 1/20/20 Brazil 240,000     225,780
senior bond, 5.375%, 1/27/21 Brazil 745,000     660,256
senior bond, 8.75%, 5/23/26 Brazil 766,000     728,849
senior bond, 6.85%, 6/05/15 Brazil 3,042,000     2,068,560
senior note, 4.875%, 3/07/18 Brazil 963,000 EUR   1,065,581
senior note, 4.875%, 3/17/20 Brazil 3,069,000     2,779,593
senior note, 8.375%, 5/23/21 Brazil 385,000     381,997
f Petroleos de Venezuela SA, senior bond, Reg S,          
6.00%, 5/16/24 Venezuela 995,000     328,947
6.00%, 11/15/26 Venezuela 4,735,000     1,538,401

 

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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)

    Principal      
  Country Amount*     Value
Corporate Bonds and Notes (continued)          
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels (continued)          
Plains All American Pipeline LP / PAA Finance Corp., senior bond,          
4.70%, 6/15/44 United States 464,000   $ 366,119
4.90%, 2/15/45 United States 315,000     257,834
Regency Energy Partners LP / Regency Energy Finance Corp., senior note,          
5.75%, 9/01/20 United States 75,000     77,067
Rice Energy Inc., senior note, 6.25%, 5/01/22 United States 300,000     297,000
RSP Permian Inc., senior note, 6.625%, 10/01/22 United States 1,250,000     1,296,875
Sabine Pass Liquefaction LLC, senior secured note, first lien, 5.625%, 3/01/25 United States 455,000     456,706
SM Energy Co.,          
senior bond, 6.50%, 1/01/23 United States 60,000     54,913
senior bond, 5.625%, 6/01/25 United States 10,000     8,650
senior note, 6.50%, 11/15/21 United States 10,000     9,400
senior note, 6.125%, 11/15/22 United States 220,000     202,400
senior note, 5.00%, 1/15/24 United States 230,000     197,825
Whiting Petroleum Corp., senior note,          
6.50%, 10/01/18 United States 145,000     134,850
5.00%, 3/15/19 United States 25,000     22,625
5.75%, 3/15/21 United States 570,000     485,925
The Williams Cos Inc., senior bond, 5.75%, 6/24/44 United States 605,000     496,100
Williams Partners LP, senior bond,          
4.00%, 9/15/25 United States 125,000     108,075
5.10%, 9/15/45 United States 615,000     498,118
          32,367,004
Paper & Forest Products 0.3%          
Resolute Forest Products Inc., senior note, 5.875%, 5/15/23 United States 4,346,000     3,243,202
Pharmaceuticals 0.3%          
c Greatbatch Ltd., senior note, 144A, 9.125%, 11/01/23 United States 320,000     323,200
h Johnson & Johnson, senior note, FRN, 0.744%, 11/28/16 United States 20,000     20,006
h Merck & Co. Inc., senior note, FRN, 0.755%, 2/10/17 United States 165,000     165,056
c Valeant Pharmaceuticals International Inc., senior note, 144A,          
6.75%, 8/15/18 United States 260,000     255,450
5.625%, 12/01/21 United States 115,000     97,750
5.50%, 3/01/23 United States 385,000     321,475
4.50%, 5/15/23 United States 640,000 EUR   551,871
5.875%, 5/15/23 United States 2,150,000     1,818,094
          3,552,902
Professional Services 0.2%          
a,c Altegrity Inc., senior note, first lien, 144A, 9.50%, 7/01/19 United States 3,047,000     2,635,655
Verisk Analytics Inc., senior bond, 5.50%, 6/15/45 United States 390,000     381,225
          3,016,880
Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) 0.0%          
Healthcare Realty Trust Inc., senior bond, 3.875%, 5/01/25 United States 75,000     73,378
Host Hotels & Resorts LP, senior bond, 4.00%, 6/15/25 United States 175,000     174,137
          247,515

 

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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)

    Principal    
  Country Amount*   Value
Corporate Bonds and Notes (continued)        
Real Estate Management & Development 0.0%        
c Interval Acquisition Corp., senior note, 144A, 5.625%, 4/15/23 United States 205,000 $ 210,125
c Rialto Holdings LLC / Rialto Corp., senior note, 144A, 7.00%, 12/01/18 United States 178,000   176,665
        386,790
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment 0.1%        
Micron Technology Inc.,        
senior bond, 5.50%, 2/01/25 United States 235,000   197,988
csenior bond, 144A, 5.625%, 1/15/26 United States 455,000   373,100
csenior note, 144A, 5.25%, 8/01/23 United States 270,000   230,175
csenior note, 144A, 5.25%, 1/15/24 United States 375,000   316,875
        1,118,138
Software 0.1%        
c Open Text Corp., senior bond, 144A, 5.875%, 6/01/26 Canada 1,110,000   1,115,550
h Oracle Corp., senior note, FRN, 0.827%, 7/07/17 United States 135,000   135,259
        1,250,809
Specialty Retail 0.0%        
h Lowe’s Cos. Inc., senior note, FRN, 1.232%, 9/14/18 United States 255,000   257,429
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals 0.2%        
c,j Diamond 1 Finance Corp. / Diamond 2 Finance Corp., senior secured bond,        
first lien, 144A, 6.02%, 6/15/26 United States 1,105,000   1,117,036
c Western Digital Corp., senior note, 144A, 10.50%, 4/01/24 United States 725,000   752,187
        1,869,223
Thrifts & Mortgage Finance 0.0%        
Santander Holdings USA Inc., senior bond, 4.50%, 7/17/25 United States 475,000   489,912
Trading Companies & Distributors 0.0%        
Air Lease Corp.,        
senior bond, 4.25%, 9/15/24 United States 170,000   172,030
senior note, 3.75%, 2/01/22 United States 90,000   91,423
        263,453
Total Corporate Bonds and Notes (Cost $212,463,093)       221,571,622
Corporate Bonds and Notes in Reorganization 0.3%        
Electric Utilities 0.2%        
c,g Energy Future Intermediate Holding Co. LLC / EFIH Finance Inc., senior        
note, 144A, 11.25%, 12/01/18 United States 3,097,000   2,949,892
Energy Equipment & Services 0.1%        
c,g Paragon Offshore PLC, 144A,        
senior bond, 7.25%, 8/15/24 United States 1,423,000   394,883
senior note, 6.75%, 7/15/22 United States 1,841,000   510,877
        905,760
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels 0.0%        
g Linn Energy LLC / Linn Energy Finance Corp., senior bond, 7.75%, 2/01/21 United States 895,000   145,438
c,g Ultra Petroleum Corp., 144A,        
senior bond, 6.125%, 10/01/24 United States 50,000   27,000
senior note, 5.75%, 12/15/18 United States 20,000   10,800
        183,238
Total Corporate Bonds and Notes in Reorganization        
(Cost $3,913,093)       4,038,890

 

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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)

    Principal      
  Country Amount*     Value
h,l Senior Floating Rate Interests 0.1%          
Auto Components 0.0%          
Gates Global Inc., Term Loan B, 4.25%, 7/06/21 United States 179,361 $   173,532
Building Products 0.0%          
Continental Building Products Inc., Term Loan, first lien, 4.00%, 8/28/20 United States 45,477     45,288
Ply Gem Holdings Inc., Term Loan, 4.00%, 2/01/21 United States 41,459     41,520
          86,808
Chemicals 0.0%          
Emerald Performance Materials LLC, Term Loan, first lien, 4.50%, 7/30/21 United States 30,938     30,861
Communications Equipment 0.0%          
Presidio Holdings, Term Loan B, 5.25%, 2/02/22 United States 188,100     187,600
Diversified Telecommunication Services 0.0%          
Integra Telecom, Term Loan, 5.25%, 8/14/20 United States 223,247     216,132
Electric Utilities 0.0%          
Power Buyer LLC, Delayed Draw, Term Loan, 4.25%, 5/06/20 United States 66,599     66,599
Health Care Providers & Services 0.0%          
Universal Services, Delayed Draw, Term Loan, 4.75%, 7/28/22 United States 119,700     117,705
Insurance 0.0%          
Hyperion Insurance Group Ltd., Term Loan B, 5.50%, 4/29/22 United States 44,550     43,436
IT Services 0.0%          
Aptean Inc., Term Loan, first lien, 5.25%, 2/26/20 United States 49,000     48,755
Leisure Products 0.0%          
SRAM LLC, Term Loan, first lien guaranteed, senior secured, 5.50%, 4/10/20 United States 34,762     30,851
Machinery 0.0%          
North American Lifting Holdings Inc., Initial Term Loan, 5.50%, 11/27/20 United States 15,657     11,703
Onsite Rental Group Ltd., Term Loan B, 5.50%, 7/30/21 United States 117,202     88,488
          100,191
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels 0.0%          
Energy Transfer Equity LP, Term Loan 2013, 3.25%, 12/02/19 United States 33,128     32,093
Energy Transfer Partners LP, Term Loan C, 4.00%, 12/02/19 United States 39,998     39,048
OSG Bulk Ships, Term Loan B, 5.25%, 8/05/19 United States 9,462     9,450
Southcross Energy Partners LP, senior secured, Term Loan B, first lien          
guaranteed, 5.25%, 8/04/21 United States 29,623     24,272
          104,863
Retailing 0.0%          
Talbots Inc., Initial Term Loan, first lien, 5.50%, 3/19/20 United States 66,882     65,084
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals 0.1%          
Western Digital Corp., Term Loan, 6.25%, 4/29/23 United States 420,000     419,935
Total Senior Floating Rate Interests (Cost $1,732,915)         1,692,352
Foreign Government and Agency Securities 2.3%          
Government of Argentina,          
fsenior bond, Reg S, 6.875%, 4/22/21 Argentina 230,000     241,500
csenior bond, 144A, 6.875%, 4/22/21 Argentina 250,000     262,625
fsenior bond, Reg S, 7.50%, 4/22/26 Argentina 273,000     287,196
senior bond, 7.82%, 12/31/33 Argentina 3,700,343 EUR 4,179,117
fsenior bond, Reg S, 7.625%, 4/22/46 Argentina 213,000     218,325

 

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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)

    Principal      
  Country Amount*     Value
Foreign Government and Agency Securities (continued)          
Government of Argentina, (continued)          
senior note, 8.75%, 6/02/17 Argentina 2,083,173   $ 2,197,747
f Government of Bahrain, senior note, Reg S, 7.00%, 1/26/26 Bahrain 543,000     543,067
Government of Brazil, senior bond, 6.00%, 4/07/26 Brazil 1,521,000     1,543,815
f Government of Cyprus, senior note, Reg S, 3.875%, 5/06/22 Cyprus 942,000 EUR   1,078,087
Government of Hellenic Republic,          
fsenior bond, Reg S, 3.00% to 2/24/20, 3.65% to 2/24/21, 4.30% thereafter,          
         2/24/42 Greece 4,602,800 EUR   3,501,104
csenior note, 144A, 3.375%, 7/17/17 Greece 4,306,000 EUR   4,606,399
csenior note, 144A, 4.75%, 4/17/19 Greece 2,779,000 EUR   2,891,773
Government of Hungary, senior bond, 5.375%, 2/21/23 Hungary 972,000     1,071,091
f Government of Iraq, senior bond, Reg S, 5.80%, 1/15/28 Iraq 1,064,000     778,050
Government of Mexico, senior bond, 4.00%, 10/02/23 Mexico 1,140,000     1,191,300
f Government of Pakistan, senior note, Reg S, 6.75%, 12/03/19 Pakistan 1,392,000     1,460,401
f Government of Paraguay, senior note, Reg S, 4.625%, 1/25/23 Paraguay 945,000     970,987
f Government of Sri Lanka, senior note, Reg S, 6.85%, 11/03/25 Sri Lanka 1,072,000     1,032,077
Total Foreign Government and Agency Securities          
(Cost $25,213,272)         28,054,661
Asset-Backed Securities and Commercial          
Mortgage-Backed Securities 1.9%          
Airlines 0.1%          
c Air Canada 2015-2 Class B Pass Through Trust, third lien note, 144A,          
5.00%, 6/15/25 Canada 505,000     493,006
c Latam Airlines, 2015-1 Pass Through Trust B, 144A, 4.50%, 11/15/23 Chile 953,254     843,630
          1,336,636
Banks 0.1%          
Capital One Multi-Asset Execution Trust,          
2013-A3, 0.96%, 9/16/19 United States 100,000     100,073
2014-A2, 1.26%, 1/15/20 United States 40,000     40,080
2014-A5, 1.48%, 7/15/20 United States 90,000     90,462
2015-A7, 1.45%, 8/16/21 United States 400,000     401,714
h Wells Fargo Mortgage Backed Securities 2003-M Trust, A1, FRN,          
2.787%, 12/25/33 United States 35,285     35,362
h Wells Fargo Mortgage Backed Securities 2004-0 Trust, A1, FRN,          
2.743%, 8/25/34 United States 14,437     14,345
Wells Fargo Mortgage Backed Securities 2005-16 Trust, A18, 6.00%, 1/25/36 United States 7,253     7,182
h Wells Fargo Mortgage Backed Securities 2005-AR10 Trust, 2A4, FRN,          
2.849%, 6/25/35 United States 21,720     21,757
          710,975
Commercial Services & Supplies 0.0%          
c Shenton Aircraft Investment I Ltd., Series 2015-A, 144A, 4.75%, 10/15/42 Cayman Islands 333,514     326,844
Consumer Finance 0.1%          
American Express Credit Account Master Trust,          
hSeries 2012-A, FRN, 0.704%, 1/15/20 United States 100,000     100,146
Series 2013-A, 0.98%, 5/15/19 United States 100,000     100,065
Series 2014-A, 1.26%, 1/15/20 United States 100,000     100,269
Series 2014-A, 1.49%, 4/15/20 United States 100,000     100,527
hSeries 2014-A, FRN, 0.724%, 5/15/20 United States 100,000     100,211

 

44 Annual Report

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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)

      Principal    
    Country Amount*   Value
Asset-Backed Securities and Commercial          
Mortgage-Backed Securities (continued)          
Consumer Finance (continued)          
h Bank of America Credit Card Trust, FRN,          
       A, 0.704%, 9/16/19   United States 120,000 $ 120,179
       A, 0.814%, 6/15/21   United States 100,000   100,240
       A3, 0.724%, 1/15/20   United States 100,000   100,192
          821,829
Diversified Financial Services 1.4%          
c AIM Aviation Finance Ltd., Series 2015-B1, 144A, 5.072%, 2/15/40   Cayman Islands 341,518   322,094
h Alliance Bancorp 2007-OA1 Trust, A1, FRN, 0.686%, 7/25/37   United States 360,686   256,385
Ally Auto Receivables 2016-3 Trust, A3, 1.44%, 8/17/20   United States 180,000   180,072
h American Home Mortgage Investment 2006-1 Trust, 11A1, FRN,          
       0.726%, 3/25/46   United States 351,776   283,321
Banc of America Alternative Loan 2003-10 Trust, 3A1, 5.50%, 12/25/33   United States 193,834   196,152
Banc of America Alternative Loan 2003-8 Trust, 1CB1, 5.50%, 10/25/33   United States 11,943   12,085
Banc of America Alternative Loan 2004-9 Trust, 2CB1, 6.00%, 10/25/34   United States 12,683   12,764
    Banc of America Alternative Loan 2005-6 Trust, CB7, 5.25%, 7/25/35   United States 23,570   21,465
  h Banc of America Funding 2004-B Trust, 1A2, FRN, 2.907%, 12/20/34   United States 84,821   78,404
Banc of America Funding 2005-5 Trust, 1A1, 5.50%, 9/25/35   United States 21,929   22,817
Banc of America Funding 2007-4 Trust, 5A1, 5.50%, 11/25/34   United States 210,528   209,162
   h Banc of America Mortgage 2005-A Trust, 2A1, FRN, 2.949%, 2/25/35   United States 13,114   12,674
h Bear Stearns ARM 2004-6 Trust, 2A1, FRN, 3.027%, 9/25/34   United States 86,826   80,128
h Bear Stearns ARM 2005-12 Trust, 11A1, FRN, 2.816%, 2/25/36   United States 26,867   20,808
c,h BLCP Hotel Trust 2014-CLRN, E, 144A, FRN, 4.104%, 8/15/29   United States 100,000   96,451
    BMW Vehicle Owner Trust,          
         2013-A3, 0.67%, 11/27/17   United States 13,428   13,419
         2014-A3, 0.97%, 11/26/18   United States 65,618   65,619
BXHT 2015-DRMZ Mortgage Trust, 8.634%, 7/15/29   United States 239,031   235,370
c CAM Mortgage 2016-1 Trust, 144A,          
        A, 4.00%, 1/15/56   United States 97,612   97,543
          hM, FRN, 5.00%, 1/15/56   United States 150,000   145,862
c CAM Mortgage LLC, 144A,          
      h2015-1, M, FRN, 4.75%, 7/15/64   United States 100,000   97,255
      2015-A, 3.50%, 7/15/64   United States 94,813   95,127
c CCRESG Commercial Mortgage 2016-HEAT Trust, D, 144A, 5.488%, 4/10/29   United States 100,000   100,262
Chase Issuance Trust,          
     hA5, FRN, 0.804%, 4/15/21 United States 120,000   120,077
     A8, 1.01%, 10/15/18   United States 100,000   100,076
     Series 2014-A6, 1.26%, 7/15/19   United States 100,000   100,243
      hSeries 2014-A8, FRN, 0.684%, 11/15/18   United States 85,000   85,064
       hSeries 2015-A1, FRN, 0.754%, 2/18/20   United States 110,000   110,249
      Series 2015-A2, 1.59%, 2/18/20   United States 135,000   135,946
      Series 2015-A7, 1.62%, 7/15/20   United States 300,000   302,504
c CLI Funding LLC, 2014-2A, 144A, 3.38%, 10/18/29   United States 84,111   80,256
c Colony American Homes, 144A,          
h2014-1, FRN, 2.584%, 5/17/31   United States 110,000   107,687
h2014-2, FRN, 2.793%, 7/17/31   United States 300,000   296,029
h2014-2, FRN, 3.64%, 7/17/31   United States 100,000   95,535
        2015-1, D, 5.649%, 10/15/47   Cayman Islands 115,000   112,263
h2015-D, FRN, 2.584%, 7/17/32   United States 200,000   193,316
c,h COMM 2014-SAVA Mortgage Trust, 2014-C, 144A, FRN, 2.835%, 6/15/34   United States 100,000   98,221

 

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45


 

F R A N K L I N   A L T E R N A T I V E   S T R A T E G I E S   F U N D S
C O N S O L I D A T E D   S T A T E M E N T   O F   I N V E S T M E N T S

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)

        Principal        
    Country   Amount*       Value

 
 
 
 
Asset-Backed Securities and Commercial                
Mortgage-Backed Securities (continued)                
Diversified Financial Services (continued)                
Countrywide Alternative Loan Trust,                
2003-2A1, 5.75%, 10/25/33   United States   24,957   $   25,838
2003-A7, 5.50%, 7/25/33   United States   25,310       25,146
2004-1A1, 5.50%, 4/25/34   United States   58,058       59,168
2004-5A1, 5.75%, 1/25/35   United States   10,834       10,958
2005-2A1, 5.50%, 2/25/25   United States   11,279       11,525
h 2005-2A1, FRN, 0.656%, 5/25/35   United States   64,576       52,254
h Countrywide Home Loans Mortgage Pass-Through 2004-12 Trust, 8A1, FRN,                
2.969%, 8/25/34   United States   18,967       16,775
h Countrywide Home Loans Mortgage Pass-Through 2004-HYB4 Trust, 2A1, FRN,                
2.712%, 9/20/34   United States   148,360       142,987
Countrywide Home Loans Mortgage Pass-Through 2005-21 Trust, A17,                
5.50%, 10/25/35   United States   18,387       17,150
c CPS Auto Receivables 2014-B Trust, D, 144A, 4.62%, 5/15/20, B   United States   110,000       104,325
c CPS Auto Receivables 2016-B Trust, E, 144A, 8.14%, 5/15/23, B   United States   500,000       499,763
c,h Credit Suisse Mortgage Capital Certificates, 2015-A, 144A, FRN,                
1.684%, 3/15/17   United States   110,000       109,523
Deutsche Alt-A Securities Inc. Mortgage Loan 2005-3 Trust, 4A4,                
5.25%, 6/25/35   United States   883       883
h Deutsche Alt-A Securities Inc. Mortgage Loan 2005-5 Trust, 1A4, FRN,                
5.50%, 11/25/35   United States   13,028       12,421
h Discover Card Execution Note Trust, A1, FRN, 0.784%, 8/17/20   United States   210,000       210,583
h DSLA Mortgage Loan 2005-AR5 Trust, 2A1A, FRN, 0.769%, 9/19/45   United States   71,247       51,759
c DT Auto Owner 2014-3 Trust, D, 144A, 4.47%, 11/15/21   United States   50,000       50,518
c DT Auto Owner 2016-1 Trust, D, 144A, 4.66%, 12/15/22   United States   180,000       175,958
c DT Auto Owner 2016-2 Trust, D, 144A, 5.43%, 11/15/22   United States   240,000       238,993
c,h Extended Stay America 2013-ESH Trust, D7, 144A, FRN, 4.036%, 12/05/31   United States   220,000       221,583
c First Investors Auto Owner 2016-1 Trust, D, 144A, 4.70%, 4/18/22   United States   110,000       107,410
Ford Credit Auto Owner Trust,                
c 2014-A, 144A, 2.31%, 4/15/26   United States   100,000       101,548
2014-A3, 0.90%, 10/15/18   United States   83,179       83,162
2014-A3, 1.06%, 5/15/19   United States   55,000       55,014
2015-A3, 1.28%, 9/15/19   United States   85,000       85,199
2015-A3, 1.41%, 2/15/20   United States   396,000       397,261
h Freddie Mac Structured Agency Credit Risk Debt Notes, FRN,                
2013-M2, 4.696%, 11/25/23   United States   250,000       253,386
2015-M2, 2.296%, 10/25/27   United States   250,000       249,629
2015-M3, 3.746%, 10/25/27   United States   250,000       244,820
h GMACM Mortgage Loan 2005-AR4 Trust, 3A1, FRN, 3.223%, 7/19/35   United States   241,164       219,514
c,h GP Portfolio 2014-GGP Trust, A, 144A, FRN, 1.384%, 2/15/27   United States   75,976       75,438
GSR Mortgage Loan 2005-4F Trust, 6A1, 6.50%, 2/25/35   United States   35,789       35,992
h GSR Mortgage Loan 2005-AR6 Trust, 4A5, FRN, 2.806%, 9/25/35   United States   210,072       209,704
h Harborview Mortgage Loan 2004-2 Trust, 1A1, FRN, 0.959%, 6/19/34   United States   190,013       162,659
h Harborview Mortgage Loan Trust, 1A, FRN, 0.809%, 10/19/33   United States   139,535       130,807
c Hilton USA 2013-HLT Trust, CFX, 144A, 3.714%, 11/05/30   United States   100,000       100,486
Honda Auto Receivables 2013-4 Owner Trust, A3, 0.69%, 9/18/17   United States   10,803       10,798
Honda Auto Receivables 2014-2 Owner Trust, A3, 0.77%, 3/19/18   United States   58,259       58,213
Honda Auto Receivables 2014-3 Owner Trust,                
A3, 0.88%, 6/15/18   United States   37,262       37,252
A4, 1.31%, 10/15/20   United States   30,000       30,054
Honda Auto Receivables 2014-4 Owner Trust, A3, 0.99%, 9/17/18   United States   52,446       52,448

 

46 Annual Report

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F R A N K L I N   A L T E R N A T I V E   S T R A T E G I E S   F U N D S
C O N S O L I D A T E D   S T A T E M E N T   O F   I N V E S T M E N T S

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)

        Principal        
    Country   Amount*       Value

 
 
 
 
Asset-Backed Securities and Commercial                
Mortgage-Backed Securities (continued)                
Diversified Financial Services (continued)                
Honda Auto Receivables 2015-1 Owner Trust, A3, 1.05%, 10/15/18   United States   60,000   $   60,011
Honda Auto Receivables 2015-2 Owner Trust, A3, 1.04%, 2/21/19   United States   400,000       399,939
Honda Auto Receivables 2015-3 Owner Trust, A3, 1.27%, 4/18/19   United States   135,000       135,210
Honda Auto Receivables 2015-4 Owner Trust, A3, 1.23%, 9/23/19   United States   390,000       389,973
Honda Auto Receivables 2016-2 Owner Trust, A3, 1.39%, 4/15/20   United States   180,000       179,997
Hyundai Auto Receivables 2014-4 Owner Trust, A3, 0.79%, 7/16/18   United States   57,108       57,076
Hyundai Auto Receivables 2015-A Owner Trust, A3, 1.05%, 4/15/19   United States   55,000       55,008
Hyundai Auto Receivables 2015-B Owner Trust, A3, 1.12%, 11/15/19   United States   230,000       229,863
h IndyMac Mortgage Loan 2005-AR11 Trust, A3, FRN, 2.718%, 8/25/35   United States   99,215       82,102
c,h Invitation Homes 2014-SFR1 Trust, D, 144A, FRN, 3.034%, 6/17/31   United States   160,000       158,419
c,h Invitation Homes Trust, B, 144A, FRN, 1.934%, 6/17/31   United States   100,000       98,609
h JP Morgan Alternative Loan 2006-A1 Trust, 3A1, FRN, 2.747%, 3/25/36   United States   85,888       71,598
c,h JP Morgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities 2015-SGP Trust, D, 144A,                
FRN, 4.934%, 7/15/36   United States   180,000       176,848
h JP Morgan Mortgage 2003-A2 Trust, 3A1, FRN, 2.468%, 11/25/33   United States   17,955       17,095
JP Morgan Mortgage 2004-S1 Trust, 2A1, 6.00%, 9/25/34   United States   195,148       197,587
h JP Morgan Mortgage 2005-A1 Trust, 6T1, FRN, 2.873%, 2/25/35   United States   31,670       30,122
h JP Morgan Mortgage 2005-A3 Trust, 4A1, FRN, 2.816%, 6/25/35   United States   14,333       14,386
JP Morgan Mortgage 2005-S3 Trust, 1A11, 6.00%, 1/25/36   United States   208,516       167,421
h JP Morgan Mortgage 2006-A1 Trust, 1A2, FRN, 2.669%, 2/25/36   United States   52,551       46,607
h JP Morgan Mortgage 2006-A7 Trust, 2A4, FRN, 2.791%, 1/25/37   United States   42,631       37,846
h JP Morgan Mortgage 2007-A1 Trust, 4A2, FRN, 2.714%, 7/25/35   United States   10,348       10,348
JP Morgan Mortgage 2007-S1 Trust, 2A22, 5.75%, 3/25/37   United States   64,283       52,041
h Lehman XS Trust Series, A2A, FRN, 0.666%, 4/25/46   United States   98,454       68,680
h Merrill Lynch Mortgage Investors MLCC, FRN,                
2006-1A, 2.677%, 2/25/36   United States   155,649       144,023
2006-2A, 2.515%, 5/25/36   United States   14,874       14,386
c,h Morgan Stanley Capital I 2011-C2 Trust, E, 144A, FRN, 5.465%, 6/15/44   United States   150,000       152,009
c Motel 6 2015-M6MZ Trust, M, 144A, 8.23%, 2/05/20   United States   996,109       953,874
National City Mortgage Capital 2008-1 Trust, 2A1, 6.00%, 3/25/38   United States   71,617       74,743
h New York Mortgage 2006-1 Trust, 2A2, FRN, 2.952%, 5/25/36   United States   36,293       32,659
Nissan Auto Lease 2014-B Trust, A3, 1.12%, 9/15/17   United States   45,000       45,036
Nissan Auto Receivables 2013-C Owner Trust, A3, 0.67%, 8/15/18   United States   11,623       11,607
Nissan Auto Receivables 2015-C Owner Trust, A3, 1.37%, 5/15/20   United States   400,000       401,005
h Ocwen Loan Servicing LLC, MASTR Adjustable Rate Mortgages 2004-7 Trust,                
3A1, FRN, 2.644%, 7/25/34   United States   54,562       52,919
Ocwen Loan Servicing LLC, MASTR Alternative Loan 2004-8 Trust, 2A1,                
6.00%, 9/25/34   United States   107,142       111,259
c OneMain Financial Issuance 2015-1 Trust, A, 144A, 3.19%, 3/18/26   United States   150,000       151,136
c OneMain Financial Issuance 2015-3 Trust, B, 144A, 4.16%, 11/20/28   United States   155,000       145,980
c OneMain Financial Issuance 2016-2 Trust, B, 144A, 5.94%, 3/20/28   United States   235,000       239,616
c Prestige Auto Receivables 2016-1 Trust, E, 144A, 7.69%, 3/15/23   United States   200,000       200,970
c,h RCO Depositor II LLC 2015-2A Trust, FRN, 144A,                
A, 4.50%, 11/25/45   United States   156,001       156,374
M, 5.00%, 11/25/45   United States   213,000       204,106
h RFMSI Series 2005-SA1 Trust, 1A1, FRN, 3.793%, 3/25/35   United States   151,857       116,678
c,h SCG Trust 2013-SRP1, FRN, 144A,                
A, 1.834%, 11/15/26   United States   100,000       99,889
B, 2.934%, 11/15/26   United States   100,000       98,140
C, 3.684%, 11/15/26   United States   100,000       97,315
D, 3.778%, 11/15/26   United States   245,000       230,358

 

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Annual Report

47


 

F R A N K L I N   A L T E R N A T I V E   S T R A T E G I E S   F U N D S
C O N S O L I DAT E D   S T A T E M E N T   O F   I N V E S T M E N T S

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)                
 
        Principal        
    Country   Amount*       Value

 
 
 
 
Asset-Backed Securities and Commercial                
Mortgage-Backed Securities (continued)                
Diversified Financial Services (continued)                
c Sierra Timeshare 2013-3 Receivables Funding LLC, A, 144A, 2.20%, 10/20/30   United States   53,907   $   53,836
c Sofi Professional Loan Program 2016-A LLC, B, 144A, 3.57%, 1/26/38   United States   230,000       225,246
h Structured Adjustable Rate Mortgage Loan Trust, FRN,                
1A, 2.638%, 6/25/34   United States   25,118       24,518
7A3, 2.838%, 9/25/34   United States   46,192       45,864
Structured Asset Securities Corp. 2005-1 Trust, 7A7, 5.50%, 2/25/35   United States   21,608       21,979
c TAL Advantage V LLC, A, 144A, 3.55%, 11/20/38   United States   75,000       72,272
Toyota Auto Receivables 2014-C Owner Trust, A3, 0.93%, 7/16/18   United States   36,108       36,110
Toyota Auto Receivables 2015-B Owner Trust, A3, 1.27%, 5/15/19   United States   255,000       255,379
Toyota Auto Receivables 2015-C Owner Trust, A3, 1.34%, 6/17/19   United States   135,000       135,388
USAA Auto Owner 2015-1 Trust, A3, 1.20%, 6/17/19   United States   150,000       150,222
c VOLT LLC, 2015-NPL2 A1, 144A, 3.375%, 2/25/55   United States   77,622       76,765
h WaMu Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates Series 2007-HY5 Trust, 2A3, FRN,                
2.30%, 5/25/37   United States   159,520       132,692
h Wells Fargo Bank, N. A. , Adjustable Rate Mortgage 2004-4 Trust, 3A1, FRN,                
3.008%, 3/25/35   United States   55,052       53,592
c,h WF-RBS Commercial Mortgage 2012-C6 Trust, D, 144A, FRN, 5.56%, 4/15/45   United States   150,000       151,580
World Financial Network Credit Card Master Trust,                
h 2015-A, FRN, 0.914%, 2/15/22   United States   120,000       119,981
2015-C, 1.26%, 3/15/21   United States   400,000       399,967
           
 
                17,757,868
           
 
Other ABS 0.0%                
c Oak Hill Advisors Residential Loan 2015-NPL2 Trust, A1, 144A,                
3.721%, 7/25/55   United States   99,503       98,880
           
 
Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) 0.1%                
c American Homes 4 Rent, 144A,                
h 2014-E, FRN, 2.934%, 6/17/31   United States   100,000       96,434
2014-E, 6.231%, 10/17/36   United States   250,000       254,217
2014-E, 6.418%, 12/17/36   United States   100,000       106,952
2015-E, 5.639%, 4/17/52   United States   210,000       211,177
h Citigroup Mortgage Loan 2005-2 Trust, 1A4, FRN, 2.946%, 5/25/35   United States   25,355       23,740
c,h Citigroup Mortgage Loan 2009-10 Trust, 6A2, 144A, FRN, 2.938%, 9/25/34   United States   120,000       110,208
c,h Citigroup Mortgage Loan 2015-2 Trust, 1A1, 144A, FRN, 0.639%, 6/25/47   United States   94,928       83,314
h Citigroup Mortgage Loan Trust Inc. , FRN,                
c 2A1, 144A, 0.579%, 8/25/36   United States   81,697       71,853
2A3, 2.766%, 8/25/35   United States   127,006       118,123
           
 
                1,076,018
           
 
Thrifts & Mortgage Finance 0.1%                
Citibank Credit Card Issuance Trust,                
h 2013-A2, FRN, 0.723%, 5/26/20   United States   125,000       125,206
h 2013-A7, FRN, 0.868%, 9/10/20   United States   200,000       200,718
2014-A2, 1.02%, 2/22/19   United States   100,000       100,065
2014-A4, 1.23%, 4/24/19   United States   100,000       100,227
h 2014-A7, FRN, 0.643%, 8/24/18   United States   100,000       100,023
2014-A8, 1.73%, 4/09/20   United States   100,000       100,935
Credit Suisse First Boston Mortgage Securities Corp. ,                
h 2003-4A1, FRN, 2.833%, 12/25/33   United States   6,439       6,336
2003-4A4, 5.75%, 11/25/33   United States   3,690       3,865

 

48 Annual Report

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F R A N K L I N   A L T E R N A T I V E   S T R A T E G I E S   F U N D S
C O N S O L I D A T E D   S T A T E M E N T   O F   I N V E S T M E N T S

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)                
 
        Principal        
    Country   Amount*       Value

 
 
   
Asset-Backed Securities and Commercial              
Mortgage-Backed Securities (continued)              
Thrifts & Mortgage Finance (continued)              
Credit Suisse First Boston Mortgage Securities Corp. ,              
h 2003-7A1, FRN, 2.755%, 11/25/33   United States   10,060    $ 9,721
h 2004-3A1, FRN, 2.972%, 5/25/34   United States   25,741     24,214
2005-2A1, 5.25%, 11/25/20   United States   61,545     60,545
h GS Mortgage Securities 2007-GG10 Trust, AM, FRN, 5.794%, 8/10/45   United States   510,000     486,974
             
              1,318,829
             
Total Asset-Backed Securities and Commercial              
Mortgage-Backed Securities (Cost $23,558,556)             23,447,879
             
 
        Number of        
        Contracts        
       
       
Options Purchased 0.5%                
Calls Exchange-Traded                
Air Freight & Logistics 0.0%                
Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings Inc. , November Strike Price $55.00,                
Expires 11/18/16   United States   57       10,402
             
Biotechnology 0.0%              
Array BioPharma Inc. , June Strike Price $4.00, Expires 6/17/16   United States   75     1,125
Baxalta Inc. , June Strike Price $35.00, Expires 6/17/16   United States   93     95,325
             
              96,450
             
Chemicals 0.0%              
Monsanto Co. , October Strike Price $110.00, Expires 10/21/16   United States   80     65,600
             
Construction Materials 0.0%              
Cemex SAB de CV, ADR, June Strike Price $5.77, Expires 6/17/16   Mexico   166     12,689
             
Consumer Finance 0.0%              
Encore Capital Group Inc. , June Strike Price $30.00, Expires 6/17/16   United States   14     315
Encore Capital Group Inc. , September Strike Price $35.00, Expires 9/16/16   United States   39     3,120
             
              3,435
             
Diversified Consumer Services 0.0%              
Ascent Capital Group Inc. , July Strike Price $17.50, Expires 7/15/16   United States   26     8,710
             
Diversified Financial Services 0.0%              
Nikkei 225 Index, September Strike Price 17,500.00 JPY, Expires 9/09/16   Japan   15     88,725
             
Electrical Equipment 0.0%                
SolarCity Corp. , October Strike Price $22.00, Expires 10/21/16   United States   13       4,875
             
Exchange Traded Funds 0.0%              
iShares Russell 2000 ETF, June Strike Price $116.00, Expires 6/17/16   United States   345     33,465
SPDR Barclays High Yield Bond ETF, June Strike Price $34.00,              
Expires 6/17/16   United States   148     19,240
SPDR S&P500 ETF Trust, June Strike Price $212.00, Expires 6/17/16   United States   371     32,648
SPDR S&P500 ETF Trust, August Strike Price $224.00, Expires 8/19/16   United States   329     6,909
             
              92,262
             
Food Products 0.0%              
Bunge Ltd. , July Strike Price $67.50, Expires 7/15/16   United States   15     2,130
             

 

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Annual Report

49


 

FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)        
 
    Number of    
  Country Contracts   Value
Options Purchased (continued)        
Calls – Exchange-Traded (continued)        
Health Care Technology 0.0%        
Allscripts Healthcare Solutions Inc., June Strike Price $15.00, Expires 6/17/16 United States 88 $ 880
Household Durables 0.0%        
Meritage Homes Corp., June Strike Price $37.50, Expires 6/17/16 United States 22   1,342
Toll Brothers Inc., June Strike Price $32.00, Expires 6/17/16 United States 14   126
Toll Brothers Inc., June Strike Price $33.00, Expires 6/17/16 United States 22   132
        1,600
Insurance 0.0%        
AmTrust Financial Services Inc., September Strike Price $28.75,        
Expires 9/16/16 United States 41   3,075
Internet & Catalog Retail 0.0%        
Shutterfly Inc., June Strike Price $50.00, Expires 6/17/16 United States 26   910
Internet Software & Services 0.0%        
Blucora Inc., July Strike Price $10.00, Expires 7/15/16 United States 39   780
MercadoLibre Inc., July Strike Price $145.00, Expires 7/15/16 Argentina 43   11,395
Monster Worldwide Inc., June Strike Price $3.00, Expires 6/17/16 United States 236   2,360
Twitter Inc., September Strike Price $17.00, Expires 9/16/16 United States 45   5,130
Web.com Group Inc., September Strike Price $22.50, Expires 9/16/16 United States 36   540
Web.com Group Inc., June Strike Price $22.50, Expires 6/17/16 United States 36   1,710
WebMD Health Corp., June Strike Price $65.00, Expires 6/17/16 United States 26   5,460
WebMD Health Corp., September Strike Price $70.00, Expires 9/16/16 United States 45   14,400
Yahoo! Inc., June Strike Price $35.00, Expires 6/17/16 United States 96   31,680
        73,455
Machinery 0.0%        
The Greenbrier Cos Inc., September Strike Price $35.00, Expires 9/16/16 United States 53   4,346
Trinity Industries Inc., July Strike Price $22.00, Expires 7/15/16 United States 27   135
        4,481
Media 0.1%        
Charter Communications Inc., January Strike Price $220.00, Expires 1/20/17 United States 333   306,360
Charter Communications Inc., January Strike Price $250.00, Expires 1/20/17 United States 107   23,005
Dish Network Corp., A, September Strike Price $50.00, Expires 9/16/16 United States 132   55,440
Time Warner Inc., July Strike Price $75.00, Expires 7/15/16 United States 144   35,568
        420,373
Metals & Mining 0.0%        
AK Steel Holding Corp., July Strike Price $4.50, Expires 7/15/16 United States 60   2,100
Newmont Mining Corp., June Strike Price $41.00, Expires 6/17/16 United States 29   116
        2,216
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels 0.0%        
Aegean Marine Petroleum Network Inc., September Strike Price $10.00,        
Expires 9/16/16 Greece 54   864
Energy Transfer Equity LP, October Strike Price $11.00, Expires 10/21/16 United States 252   75,600
Energy Transfer Equity LP, October Strike Price $12.00, Expires 10/21/16 United States 272   65,552
        142,016
Pharmaceuticals 0.0%        
Allergan PLC, January Strike Price $210.00, Expires 1/20/17 United States 26   105,612
Allergan PLC, September Strike Price $310.00, Expires 9/16/16 United States 25   1,375

 

50 Annual Report

franklintempleton.com


 

FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)            
 
        Number of    
  Country     Contracts   Value
Options Purchased (continued)            
Calls – Exchange-Traded (continued)            
Pharmaceuticals (continued)            
Allergan PLC, September Strike Price $325.00, Expires            
9/16/16 United States     54 $ 1,350
Innoviva Inc., September Strike Price $12.50, Expires 9/16/16 United States     30   1,950
            110,287
Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) 0.0%            
Starwood Property Trust Inc., June Strike Price $20.00,            
Expires 6/17/16 United States     83   5,810
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment 0.0%            
Micron Technology Inc., July Strike Price $15.00,            
Expires 7/01/16 United States     15   240
Software 0.0%            
NetSuite Inc., July Strike Price $90.00, Expires 7/15/16 United States     11   1,595
Red Hat Inc., July Strike Price $80.00, Expires 7/15/16 United States     36   7,200
            8,795
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals 0.0%            
NCR Corp., July Strike Price $34.00, Expires 7/15/16 United States     60   1,050
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods 0.0%            
Iconix Brand Group Inc., August Strike Price $10.00,            
Expires 8/19/16 United States     54   1,350
Wireless Telecommunication Services 0.0%            
Vodafone Group PLC, ADR, January Strike Price $40.00,            
Expires 1/19/18 United Kingdom     36   2,808
Vodafone Group PLC, ADR, January Strike Price $40.00,            
Expires 1/20/17 United Kingdom     79   1,383
            4,191
 
        Notional    
    Counterparty   Amount    
Calls – Over-the-Counter            
Currency Options 0.0%            
USD/CAD, July Strike Price $1.41, Expires 7/08/16 United States MSCO $ 1,000,000   411
Payer Swaptions – Over-the-Counter            
Interest Rate 0.0%            
Pay fixed 10 year 2.57%, receive float 3-month USD LIBOR,            
Expires 9/19/16 United States BOFA   6,200,000   3,532
 
        Number of    
        Contracts    
Puts – Exchange-Traded            
Diversified Financial Services 0.4%            
CAC 40 Index, June Strike Price 4,050.00 EUR, Expires            
6/17/16 France     12   497
EURO STOXX 50 Price EUR, June Strike Price 2,750.00 EUR,            
Expires 6/17/16 Germany     105   3,388
S&P 500 Index, June Strike Price $1,950.00, Expires 6/17/16 United States     251   31,375
S&P 500 Index, June Strike Price $2,025.00, Expires 6/17/16 United States     22   9,790
S&P 500 Index, June Strike Price $2,050.00, Expires 6/17/16 United States     31   25,110
S&P 500 Index, June Strike Price $2,000.00, Expires 6/30/16 United States     199   167,160

 

franklintempleton.com

Annual Report

51


 

FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)        
 
    Number of    
  Country Contracts   Value
Options Purchased (continued)        
Puts – Exchange-Traded (continued)        
Diversified Financial Services (continued)        
S&P 500 Index, July Strike Price $2,000.00, Expires 7/15/16 United States 108 $ 151,200
S&P 500 Index, September Strike Price $1,750.00, Expires 9/16/16 United States 4   4,000
S&P 500 Index, December Strike Price $2,050.00, Expires 12/16/16 United States 504   4,193,280
S&P 500 Index, December Strike Price $2,075.00, Expires 12/16/16 United States 24   228,960
STOXX Europe 600 Basic Resources Price EUR, September Strike Price 250.00        
EUR, Expires 9/16/16 Germany 74   59,281
        4,874,041
Exchange Traded Funds 0.0%        
Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF, September Strike Price $68.00,        
Expires 9/16/16 United States 211   30,595
Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund, September Strike Price $54.00,        
Expires 9/16/16 United States 665   91,770
iShares iBoxx USD High Yield Corporate Bond ETF, September Strike Price        
$80.00, Expires 9/16/16 United States 481   52,910
iShares JP Morgan USD Emerging Markets Bond ETF, June Strike Price $110.00,        
Expires 6/17/16 United States 63   3,150
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF, June Strike Price $31.00, Expires 6/30/16 United States 263   6,575
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF, July Strike Price $32.00, Expires 7/15/16 United States 158   10,112
iShares Russell 2000 ETF, June Strike Price $100.00, Expires 6/30/16 United States 526   6,312
iShares U.S. Real Estate ETF, June Strike Price $74.00, Expires 6/17/16 United States 243   3,402
iShares U.S. Real Estate ETF, July Strike Price $75.00, Expires 7/15/16 United States 242   17,908
SPDR S&P Metals & Mining ETF, September Strike Price $19.00,        
Expires 9/16/16 United States 308   26,488
Utilities Select Sector SPDR Fund, September Strike Price $45.00,        
Expires 9/16/16 United States 396   24,948
VanEck Vectors Steel ETF, September Strike Price $25.00, Expires 9/16/16 United States 51   11,985
        286,155
Internet Software & Services 0.0%        
Alibaba Group Holding Ltd., ADR, July Strike Price $72.50, Expires 7/15/16 China 518   39,368
Yahoo! Inc., October Strike Price $32.00, Expires 10/21/16 United States 1,277   137,916
        177,284
Leisure Products 0.0%        
JAKKS Pacific Inc., June Strike Price $5.00, Expires 6/17/16 United States 112   1,120
Media 0.0%        
Charter Communications Inc., July Strike Price $180.00, Expires 7/15/16 United States 57   3,420
Vivendi SA, July Strike Price 16.00 EUR, Expires 7/15/16 France 715   7,160
        10,580
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels 0.0%        
Golar LNG Ltd., January Strike Price $10.00, Expires 1/20/17 Bermuda 100   11,250
Scorpio Tankers Inc., July Strike Price $5.00, Expires 7/15/16 Monaco 124   1,240
Southwestern Energy Co., June Strike Price $5.00, Expires 6/17/16 United States 100   100
WPX Energy Inc., August Strike Price $5.00, Expires 8/19/16 United States 65   1,138
        13,728
Professional Services 0.0%        
ManpowerGroup Inc., September Strike Price $65.00, Expires 9/16/16 United States 16   1,120
Robert Half International Inc., September Strike Price $35.00, Expires 9/16/16 United States 27   1,485
        2,605

 

52 Annual Report

franklintempleton.com


 

F R A N K L I N   A L T E R N A T I V E   S T R A T E G I E S   F U N D S
C O N S O L I D A T E D   S T A T E M E N T   O F   I N V E S T M E N T S

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)                    
 
            Number of        
    Country       Contracts       Value

 
 
 
 
 
Options Purchased (continued)                    
Puts Exchange-Traded (continued)                    
Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) 0.0%                    
Spirit Realty Capital Inc. , July Strike Price $10.00, Expires 7/15/16   United States       73   $   2,555
               
 
Specialty Retail 0.0%                    
Restoration Hardware Holdings Inc. , August Strike Price $20.00,                    
Expires 8/19/16   United States       68       1,530
               
 
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals 0.0%                    
EMC Corp. , June Strike Price $25.00, Expires 6/17/16   United States       245       2,940
NCR Corp. , July Strike Price $27.00, Expires 7/15/16   United States       337       5,897
NCR Corp. , July Strike Price $28.00, Expires 7/15/16   United States       358       11,635
               
 
                    20,472
               
 
 
            Notional        
        Counterparty   Amount*        
       
 
       
Puts Over-the-Counter                    
Currency Options 0.0%                    
EUR/NOK, July Strike Price 9.76 EUR, Expires 7/08/16   Norway   BOFA   740,000 EUR   40,190
               
Receiver Swaptions Over-the-Counter                    
Interest Rate 0.0%                    
Receive fixed 1 year 4.89%, pay float 28 Day TIIE, Expires 8/17/16   Mexico   DBAB   45,000,000 MXN   3,837
Receive fixed 1 year 8.48%, pay float 28 Day TIIE, Expires 1/09/17   South Africa   DBAB   98,700,000 ZAR   31,090
               
                    34,927
               
 
Total Options Purchased (Cost $9,729,993)                   6,635,137
               
 
Total Investments before Short Term Investments                    
(Cost $833,160,750)                   878,807,428
               
 
 
            Principal        
            Amount*        
           
       
Short Term Investments 3.6%                    
U. S. Government and Agency Securities 3.6%                    
m U. S. Treasury Bill,                    
6/23/16   United States       15,000,000       14,998,365
a 7/14/16 - 5/25/17   United States       10,250,000       10,209,171
a 8/25/16   United States       19,000,000       18,987,194
               
 
Total U. S. Government and Agency Securities                    
(Cost $44,195,710)                   44,194,730
               
 
Total Investments before Money Market Funds and                    
Repurchase Agreements (Cost $877,356,460)                   923,002,158
               
 
 
            Shares        
           
       
Money Market Funds 22.3%                    
n,o Dreyfus Government Cash Management, Institutional Shares,                    
0.21%   United States       112,500,978       112,500,978
o Fidelity Institutional Money Market Funds, Money Market Portfolio,                    
Class I, 0.234%   United States       162,744,301       162,744,301
               
 
Total Money Market Funds (Cost $275,245,279)                   275,245,279
               
 

 

franklintempleton.com

Annual Report

53


 

F R A N K L I N   A L T E R N A T I V E   S T R A T E G I E S   F U N D S
C O N S O L I D A T E D   S T A T E M E N T   O F   I N V E S T M E N T S

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)            
 
        Principal    
    Country   Amount*   Value

 
 
 
Repurchase Agreements (Cost $52,451,581) 4.3%            
p Joint Repurchase Agreement, 0.281%, 6/01/16            
(Maturity Value $52,451,990)   United States   52,451,581   $ 52,451,581
BNP Paribas Securities Corp. (Maturity Value $20,887,956)            
Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. (Maturity Value $4,931,536)            
HSBC Securities (USA) Inc. (Maturity Value $26,110,076)            
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Inc. (Maturity Value $522,422)            
Collateralized by U. S. Government Agency Securities, 0.00% - 5.50%,            
6/10/16 - 2/01/20; U. S. Government Agency Securities, Strips, 6/01/17;            
m U. S. Treasury Bill, 5/25/17; and U. S. Treasury Note, 0.875%,            
10/15/17 - 4/15/19 (valued at $53,504,497)            
           
Total Investments (Cost $1,205,053,320) 101.1%           1,250,699,018
Options Written (0.1)%           (781,661)
Securities Sold Short (20.4)%           (252,329,246)
Other Assets, less Liabilities 19.4%           239,051,931
           
Net Assets 100.0%           $1,236,640,042
           
 
        Number of    
        Contracts    
       
   
q Options Written (0.1%)            
Calls Exchange-Traded            
Banks (0.0)%            
JPMorgan Chase & Co. , June Strike Price $65.00, Expires 6/17/16   United States   13   (1,599)
Wells Fargo & Co. , June Strike Price $50.00, Expires 6/17/16   United States   17   (1,989)
           
            (3,588)
           
Beverages (0.0)%            
The Coca-Cola Co. , June Strike Price $46.00, Expires 6/17/16   United States   12   (48)
The Coca-Cola Co. , July Strike Price $48.00, Expires 7/15/16   United States   15   (30)
           
            (78)
           
Biotechnology (0.0)%            
Baxalta Inc. , June Strike Price $40.00, Expires 6/17/16   United States   93   (50,220)
           
Chemicals (0.0)%            
Monsanto Co. , October Strike Price $125.00, Expires 10/21/16   United States   80   (11,200)
           
Diversified Financial Services (0.0)%            
Nikkei 225 Index, September Strike Price 19,000.00 JPY, Expires 9/09/16   Japan   15   (29,801)
           
Electric Utilities (0.0)%            
NextEra Energy Inc. , June Strike Price $125.00, Expires 6/17/16   United States   7   (140)
           
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels (0.0)%            
Chevron Corp. , June Strike Price $105.00, Expires 6/17/16   United States   5   (125)
Energy Transfer Equity LP, October Strike Price $16.00, Expires 10/21/16   United States   437   (41,952)
Exxon Mobil Corp. , June Strike Price $90.00, Expires 6/17/16   United States   12   (876)
Ship Finance International Ltd. , November Strike Price $15.00, Expires 11/18/16   Norway   167   (22,962)
           
            (65,915)
           
Pharmaceuticals (0.0)%            
Allergan PLC, January Strike Price $300.00, Expires 1/20/17   United States   27   (10,530)
Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. , June Strike Price $72.50, Expires 6/17/16   United States   6   (636)
Johnson & Johnson, June Strike Price $115.00, Expires 6/17/16   United States   9   (216)
           
            (11,382)
           

 

54 Annual Report

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F R A N K L I N   A L T E R N A T I V E   S T R A T E G I E S   F U N D S
C O N S O L I D A T E D   S T A T E M E N T   O F   I N V E S T M E N T S

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)            
 
        Number of    
    Country   Contracts   Value

 
 
 
q Options Written (continued)            
Calls Exchange-Traded (continued)            
Software (0.0)%            
Microsoft Corp. , July Strike Price $55.00, Expires 7/15/16   United States   19   $ (912)
           
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals (0.0)%            
EMC Corp. , July Strike Price $28.00, Expires 7/15/16   United States   1,329   (126,255)
NCR Corp. , October Strike Price $34.00, Expires 10/21/16   United States   647   (67,935)
NCR Corp. , October Strike Price $36.00, Expires 10/21/16   United States   48   (3,600)
           
            (197,790)
           
Puts Exchange-Traded            
Air Freight & Logistics (0.0%)            
Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings Inc. , November Strike Price $40.00,            
Expires 11/18/16   United States   57   (18,810)
           
Chemicals (0.0%)            
Monsanto Co. , October Strike Price $92.50, Expires 10/21/16   United States   80   (16,000)
           
Consumer Finance (0.0%)            
Encore Capital Group Inc. , June Strike Price $25.00, Expires 6/17/16   United States   14   (875)
Encore Capital Group Inc. , September Strike Price $20.00, Expires 9/16/16   United States   1   (88)
Encore Capital Group Inc. , September Strike Price $22.50, Expires 9/16/16   United States   38   (5,130)
           
            (6,093)
           
Diversified Consumer Services (0.0%)            
Ascent Capital Group Inc. , July Strike Price $12.50, Expires 7/15/16   United States   26   (4,485)
           
Diversified Financial Services (0.0%)            
EURO STOXX 50 Price EUR, June Strike Price 2,550.00 EUR, Expires 6/17/16   Germany   94   (941)
S&P 500 Index, July Strike Price $1,875.00, Expires 7/15/16   United States   28   (11,480)
S&P 500 Index, September Strike Price $1,550.00, Expires 9/16/16   United States   4   (1,380)
STOXX Europe 600 Basic Resources Price EUR, September Strike Price 200.00            
EUR, Expires 9/16/16   Germany   74   (16,467)
           
            (30,268)
           
Electrical Equipment (0.0%)            
SolarCity Corp. , October Strike Price $17.00, Expires 10/21/16   United States   13   (3,906)
           
Exchange Traded Funds (0.0%)            
Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF, September Strike Price $62.00,            
Expires 9/16/16   United States   211   (10,128)
Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund, September Strike Price $50.00,            
Expires 9/16/16   United States   665   (38,570)
iShares iBoxx USD High Yield Corporate Bond ETF, September Strike Price $75.00,            
Expires 9/16/16   United States   481   (12,506)
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF, June Strike Price $31.00, Expires 6/10/16   United States   263   (1,184)
iShares Russell 2000 ETF, June Strike Price $100.00, Expires 6/17/16   United States   526   (2,104)
iShares U. S. Real Estate ETF, June Strike Price $66.00, Expires 6/17/16   United States   485   (1,455)
Utilities Select Sector SPDR Fund, September Strike Price $40.00,            
Expires 9/16/16   United States   396   (6,336)
           
            (72,283)
           
Food Products (0.0%)            
Bunge Ltd. , July Strike Price $52.50, Expires 7/15/16   United States   9   (90)
Bunge Ltd. , July Strike Price $57.50, Expires 7/15/16   United States   14   (385)
           
            (475)
           

 

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F R A N K L I N   A L T E R N A T I V E   S T R A T E G I E S   F U N D S
C O N S O L I D A T E D   S T A T E M E N T   O F   I N V E S T M E N T S

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)                
 
        Number of        
    Country   Contracts       Value

 
 
 
 
q Options Written (continued)                
Puts Exchange-Traded (continued)                
Health Care Technology (0.0%)                
Allscripts Healthcare Solutions Inc. , June Strike Price $12.00, Expires 6/17/16   United States   88   $   (880)
           
 
Household Durables (0.0%)                
Meritage Homes Corp. , June Strike Price $30.00, Expires 6/17/16   United States   22       (330)
Toll Brothers Inc. , June Strike Price $26.00, Expires 6/17/16   United States   37       (277)
           
 
                (607)
           
 
Insurance (0.0%)                
AmTrust Financial Services Inc. , September Strike Price $23.75, Expires 9/16/16   United States   28       (2,450)
AmTrust Financial Services Inc. , September Strike Price $25.00, Expires 9/16/16   United States   13       (1,528)
           
 
                (3,978)
           
 
Internet & Catalog Retail (0.0%)                
Shutterfly Inc. , June Strike Price $42.50, Expires 6/17/16   United States   26       (780)
           
 
Internet Software & Services (0.0%)                
Blucora Inc. , July Strike Price $7.50, Expires 7/15/16   United States   39       (585)
MercadoLibre Inc. , June Strike Price $115.00, Expires 6/17/16   Argentina   44       (1,320)
MercadoLibre Inc. , July Strike Price $125.00, Expires 7/15/16   Argentina   43       (9,245)
Twitter Inc. , September Strike Price $13.00, Expires 9/16/16   United States   45       (3,600)
Web. com Group Inc. , June Strike Price $17.50, Expires 6/17/16   United States   36       (3,240)
Web. com Group Inc. , September Strike Price $15.00, Expires 9/16/16   United States   36       (2,160)
WebMD Health Corp. , June Strike Price $60.00, Expires 6/17/16   United States   14       (280)
WebMD Health Corp. , September Strike Price $60.00, Expires 9/16/16   United States   45       (11,025)
Yahoo! Inc. , October Strike Price $25.00, Expires 10/21/16   United States   671       (15,433)
           
 
                (46,888)
           
 
Machinery (0.0%)                
The Greenbrier Cos Inc. , September Strike Price $25.00, Expires 9/16/16   United States   53       (7,950)
Trinity Industries Inc. , July Strike Price $18.00, Expires 7/15/16   United States   27       (2,565)
           
 
                (10,515)
           
 
Media (0.1%)                
Charter Communications Inc. , July Strike Price $165.00, Expires 7/15/16   United States   57       (8,550)
Charter Communications Inc. , January Strike Price $145.00, Expires 1/20/17   United States   297       (114,345)
           
 
                (122,895)
           
 
Metals & Mining (0.0%)                
AK Steel Holding Corp. , July Strike Price $3.50, Expires 7/15/16   United States   60       (1,080)
Newmont Mining Corp. , June Strike Price $28.00, Expires 6/17/16   United States   29       (522)
           
 
                (1,602)
           
 
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels (0.0%)                
Aegean Marine Petroleum Network Inc. , September Strike Price $7.50,                
Expires 9/16/16   Greece   54       (5,940)
Energy Transfer Equity LP, October Strike Price $7.00, Expires 10/21/16   United States   545       (21,800)
           
 
                (27,740)
           
 
Pharmaceuticals (0.0%)                
Allergan PLC, January Strike Price $200.00, Expires 1/20/17   United States   27       (28,080)
Innoviva Inc. , September Strike Price $10.00, Expires 9/16/16   United States   30       (2,850)
           
 
                (30,930)
           
 

 

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F R A N K L I N   A L T E R N A T I V E   S T R A T E G I E S   F U N D S
C O N S O L I D A T E D   S T A T E M E N T   O F   I N V E S T M E N T S

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)                    
 
            Number of        
    Country       Contracts       Value

 
 
 
 
 
q Options Written (continued)                    
Puts Exchange-Traded (continued)                    
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment (0.0%)                    
Micron Technology Inc. , July Strike Price $10.00, Expires 7/01/16   United States       15   $   (150)
               
 
Software (0.0%)                    
NetSuite Inc. , June Strike Price $65.00, Expires 6/17/16   United States       11       (303)
NetSuite Inc. , July Strike Price $70.00, Expires 7/15/16   United States       11       (1,485)
Red Hat Inc. , June Strike Price $65.00, Expires 6/17/16   United States       36       (360)
Red Hat Inc. , July Strike Price $70.00, Expires 7/15/16   United States       36       (4,140)
               
 
                    (6,288)
               
 
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods (0.0%)                    
Iconix Brand Group Inc. , August Strike Price $7.50, Expires 8/19/16   United States       54       (4,590)
               
 
 
            Notional        
        Counterparty   Amount*        
   
 
 
       
Receiver Swaptions Over-the-Counter                    
Interest Rate (0.0%)                    
Receive fixed 10 year 3.07%, pay float 3-month USD LIBOR,                    
Expires 9/19/16   United States   BOFA   6,200,000       (472)
               
 
Total Options Written                    
(Premiums Received $1,021,236)                   (781,661)
               
 
 
            Shares        
           
       
r Securities Sold Short (20.4)%                    
Common Stocks (9.2)%                    
Aerospace & Defense (0.0)%                    
The Boeing Co   United States       2,751       (347,039)
               
 
Air Freight & Logistics (0.1)%                    
CH Robinson Worldwide Inc   United States       7,721       (578,921)
XPO Logistics Inc   United States       8,754       (256,142)
               
 
                    (835,063)
               
 
Airlines (0.1)%                    
American Airlines Group Inc   United States       17,633       (562,669)
ANA Holdings Inc   Japan       152,235       (445,288)
Deutsche Lufthansa AG   Germany       28       (392)
               
 
                    (1,008,349)
               
 
Auto Components (0.0)%                    
Borgwarner Inc   United States       2,508       (85,347)
Lear Corp   United States       709       (84,201)
Magna International Inc   Canada       2,508       (101,649)
               
 
                    (271,197)
               
 
Automobiles (0.0)%                    
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV   United Kingdom       21,727       (155,079)
General Motors Co   United States       2,510       (78,513)
Tesla Motors Inc   United States       491       (109,606)
               
 
                    (343,198)
               
 
Beverages (0.0)%                    
Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV, ADR   Belgium       2,241       (282,859)
Brown-Forman Corp. , B   United States       2,340       (229,484)
               
 
                    (512,343)
               
 

 

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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)          
 
  Country Shares   Value  
r Securities Sold Short (continued)          
Common Stocks (continued)          
Biotechnology (0.5)%          
Ablynx NV Belgium 11,489 $ (183,119 )
Acorda Therapeutics Inc United States 10,286   (292,637 )
AMAG Pharmaceuticals Inc United States 30,836   (661,124 )
Anacor Pharmaceuticals Inc United States 6,058   (601,559 )
Exelixis Inc United States 270,995   (1,758,758 )
Ligand Pharmaceuticals Inc United States 16,045   (1,918,822 )
PDL BioPharma Inc United States 10,211   (36,657 )
PTC Therapeutics Inc United States 8,870   (72,379 )
        (5,525,055 )
Building Products (0.1)%          
Griffon Corp United States 39,446   (664,665 )
Capital Markets (0.0)%          
Cowen Group Inc., A United States 69,770   (233,729 )
FXCM Inc United States 2,338   (24,105 )
        (257,834 )
Chemicals (0.2)%          
The Mosaic Co United States 53,393   (1,347,105 )
Potash Corp. of Saskatchewan Inc Canada 26,383   (430,835 )
TerraVia Holdings Inc United States 61,229   (151,848 )
Westlake Chemical Corp United States 17,694   (780,836 )
        (2,710,624 )
Communications Equipment (0.2)%          
ARRIS International PLC United States 7,788   (187,691 )
Palo Alto Networks Inc United States 20,295   (2,647,686 )
        (2,835,377 )
Construction & Engineering (0.0)%          
Dycom Industries Inc United States 5,826   (494,569 )
Construction Materials (0.1)%          
Cemex SAB de CV, ADR Mexico 169,578   (1,078,517 )
LafargeHolcim Ltd., B Switzerland 5,687   (255,743 )
        (1,334,260 )
Consumer Finance (0.1)%          
Encore Capital Group Inc United States 22,853   (614,517 )
PRA Group Inc United States 5,880   (161,759 )
        (776,276 )
Diversified Consumer Services (0.2)%          
Ascent Capital Group Inc United States 13,719   (257,094 )
Carriage Services Inc United States 35,365   (832,492 )
TAL Education Group, ADR China 26,508   (1,416,058 )
        (2,505,644 )
Diversified Financial Services (0.0)%          
Element Financial Corp Canada 25,627   (300,563 )
Diversified Telecommunication Services (0.0)%          
CenturyLink Inc United States 5,770   (156,482 )
Iridium Communications Inc United States 17,930   (156,529 )

 

58 Annual Report

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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)          
 
  Country Shares   Value  
r Securities Sold Short (continued)          
Common Stocks (continued)          
Diversified Telecommunication Services (continued)          
Verizon Communications Inc United States 3,563 $ (181,357 )
        (494,368 )
Electric Utilities (0.3)%          
Emera Inc Canada 38,119   (1,343,256 )
Fortis Inc Canada 54,914   (1,735,283 )
        (3,078,539 )
Electrical Equipment (0.1)%          
General Cable Corp United States 29,295   (400,170 )
Rockwell Automation Inc United States 1,269   (147,267 )
SolarCity Corp United States 8,872   (198,644 )
        (746,081 )
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components (0.2)%          
Knowles Corp United States 14,852   (217,136 )
Vishay Intertechnology Inc United States 121,082   (1,569,223 )
        (1,786,359 )
Energy Equipment & Services (0.0)%          
Hornbeck Offshore Services Inc United States 12,533   (104,149 )
Food & Staples Retailing (0.1)%          
Wal-Mart Stores Inc United States 9,421   (666,819 )
Whole Foods Market Inc United States 18,286   (591,552 )
        (1,258,371 )
Food Products (0.3)%          
Bunge Ltd United States 3,974   (266,536 )
Campbell Soup Co United States 3,164   (191,644 )
The Hershey Co United States 7,677   (712,809 )
The JM Smucker Co United States 8,160   (1,053,864 )
Post Holdings Inc United States 22,062   (1,676,933 )
        (3,901,786 )
Health Care Equipment & Supplies (0.3)%          
Abbott Laboratories United States 9,094   (360,395 )
Integra LifeSciences Holdings Corp United States 16,809   (1,255,800 )
Invacare Corp United States 18,948   (202,744 )
Nipro Corp Japan 3,600   (40,638 )
NuVasive Inc United States 9,031   (491,015 )
Quidel Corp United States 9,064   (150,553 )
Wright Medical Group NV United States 35,478   (686,145 )
        (3,187,290 )
Health Care Providers & Services (0.3)%          
Aceto Corp United States 15,320   (341,789 )
Aetna Inc United States 2,857   (323,498 )
Amsurg Corp United States 1,014   (75,837 )
HealthSouth Corp United States 38,122   (1,537,079 )
Molina Healthcare Inc United States 31,490   (1,525,061 )
        (3,803,264 )

 

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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)          
 
  Country Shares   Value  
r Securities Sold Short (continued)          
Common Stocks (continued)          
Health Care Technology (0.0)%          
Allscripts Healthcare Solutions Inc United States 30,643 $ (413,374 )
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure (0.2)%          
Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc United States 331   (146,289 )
Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc United States 52,664   (1,094,358 )
Marriott International Inc., A United States 11,309   (746,846 )
        (1,987,493 )
Household Durables (0.1)%          
CalAtlantic Group Inc United States 11,949   (441,993 )
LGI Homes Inc United States 22,752   (614,759 )
M/I Homes Inc United States 7,112   (134,275 )
Meritage Homes Corp United States 2,981   (108,777 )
        (1,299,804 )
Household Products (0.0)%          
Unicharm Corp Japan 8,400   (164,495 )
Independent Power & Renewable Electricity Producers (0.1)%          
Pattern Energy Group Inc United States 31,612   (688,509 )
Industrial Conglomerates (0.0)%          
3M Co United States 989   (166,469 )
Keihan Holdings Co. Ltd Japan 2,700   (18,238 )
        (184,707 )
Insurance (0.2)%          
AmTrust Financial Services Inc United States 20,125   (533,715 )
CNP Assurances France 89,924   (1,525,814 )
        (2,059,529 )
Internet & Catalog Retail (0.5)%          
Ctrip.com International Ltd., ADR China 27,639   (1,264,760 )
HSN Inc United States 1,319   (69,076 )
Netflix Inc United States 11,426   (1,171,965 )
Priceline Group Inc United States 2,494   (3,153,239 )
Shutterfly Inc United States 10,833   (523,234 )
        (6,182,274 )
Internet Software & Services (1.2)%          
Akamai Technologies Inc United States 1,956   (106,758 )
Blucora Inc United States 2,001   (17,969 )
j2 Global Inc United States 9,323   (624,361 )
Linkedin Corp United States 530   (72,345 )
MercadoLibre Inc Argentina 12,240   (1,670,760 )
Monster Worldwide Inc United States 64,185   (170,090 )
Twitter Inc United States 33   (502 )
VeriSign Inc United States 113,436   (9,694,241 )
Web.com Group Inc United States 10,450   (177,337 )
WebMD Health Corp United States 22,585   (1,484,964 )
Yahoo! Inc United States 8,746   (331,823 )
        (14,351,150 )
IT Services (0.1)%          
CSG Systems International Inc United States 29,322   (1,246,478 )

 

60 Annual Report

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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)          
 
  Country Shares   Value  
r Securities Sold Short (continued)          
Common Stocks (continued)          
IT Services (continued)          
International Business Machines Corp United States 1,311 $ (201,553 )
Unisys Corp United States 31,415   (265,143 )
        (1,713,174 )
Leisure Products (0.0)%          
JAKKS Pacific Inc United States 42,245   (315,148 )
Life Sciences Tools & Services (0.1)%          
Albany Molecular Research Inc United States 26,718   (387,945 )
Illumina Inc United States 961   (139,182 )
Sequenom Inc United States 151,018   (154,038 )
        (681,165 )
Machinery (0.3)%          
Altra Industrial Motion Corp United States 24,856   (672,106 )
Caterpillar Inc United States 2,309   (167,426 )
Deere & Co United States 3,055   (251,396 )
Dover Corp United States 3,036   (202,653 )
Flowserve Corp United States 6,262   (301,390 )
The Greenbrier Cos Inc United States 14,931   (428,520 )
Navistar International Corp United States 11,225   (126,281 )
PACCAR Inc United States 15,031   (837,978 )
Trinity Industries Inc United States 35,158   (634,954 )
Wabash National Corp United States 43,367   (614,944 )
        (4,237,648 )
Media (0.2)%          
Comcast Corp., A United States 17,585   (1,113,131 )
Liberty Braves Group United States 1,020   (15,871 )
Liberty Media Group United States 2,735   (53,278 )
Liberty SiriusXM Group United States 10,326   (329,296 )
Rizzoli Corriere Della Sera Mediagroup SpA Italy 1,471   (1,247 )
Sirius XM Holdings Inc United States 320,619   (1,288,888 )
The Walt Disney Co United States 1,573   (156,073 )
        (2,957,784 )
Metals & Mining (0.0)%          
AK Steel Holding Corp United States 65,530   (280,468 )
Alcoa Inc United States 11,146   (103,324 )
Newmont Mining Corp United States 5,057   (163,897 )
        (547,689 )
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels (0.6)%          
Aegean Marine Petroleum Network Inc Greece 42,684   (284,275 )
Cobalt International Energy Inc United States 28,787   (64,483 )
Energy Transfer Equity LP United States 87,752   (1,109,185 )
Exxon Mobil Corp United States 3,119   (277,653 )
Golar LNG Ltd Bermuda 4,563   (79,396 )
Green Plains Inc United States 31,458   (583,860 )
Renewable Energy Group Inc United States 21,360   (196,726 )
Scorpio Tankers Inc Monaco 6,010   (35,339 )
Ship Finance International Ltd Norway 6,392   (102,464 )
TransCanada Corp Canada 115,379   (4,781,100 )

 

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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)          
 
  Country Shares   Value  
r Securities Sold Short (continued)          
Common Stocks (continued)          
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels (continued)          
Whiting Petroleum Corp United States 10,216 $ (126,168 )
WPX Energy Inc United States 12,000   (123,480 )
        (7,764,129 )
Pharmaceuticals (0.5)%          
Allergan PLC United States 87   (20,510 )
Innoviva Inc United States 49,896   (562,827 )
The Medicines Co United States 57,426   (2,159,792 )
Shire PLC, ADR United States 16,021   (2,982,469 )
        (5,725,598 )
Professional Services (0.0)%          
51job Inc., ADR China 3,004   (93,154 )
Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) (0.4)%          
American Homes 4 Rent United States 35,548   (651,949 )
Colony Capital Inc United States 16,135   (295,593 )
Colony Starwood Homes United States 24,674   (671,626 )
Forest City Realty Trust Inc United States 21,097   (481,223 )
Gramercy Property Trust United States 240,124   (2,144,305 )
National Health Investors Inc United States 7,249   (506,198 )
Spirit Realty Capital Inc United States 9,896   (113,309 )
Starwood Property Trust Inc United States 13,410   (276,514 )
Welltower Inc United States 3,307   (227,885 )
        (5,368,602 )
Road & Rail (0.0)%          
Norfolk Southern Corp United States 3,261   (274,119 )
SAIA Inc United States 8,782   (228,947 )
        (503,066 )
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment (0.6)%          
Intel Corp United States 47,844   (1,511,392 )
Microchip Technology Inc United States 30,552   (1,578,927 )
Micron Technology Inc United States 12,284   (156,253 )
NVIDIA Corp United States 74,577   (3,484,237 )
Trina Solar Ltd., ADR China 17,403   (139,746 )
        (6,870,555 )
Software (0.7)%          
Bottomline Technologies de Inc United States 11,545   (289,318 )
BroadSoft Inc United States 18,273   (796,703 )
FireEye Inc United States 3,166   (50,403 )
NetSuite Inc United States 4,537   (359,829 )
Nuance Communications Inc United States 21,638   (361,787 )
Red Hat Inc United States 7,464   (578,161 )
Salesforce.com Inc United States 11,308   (946,593 )
Take-Two Interactive Software Inc United States 99,619   (3,876,175 )
VMware Inc., A United States 4,944   (299,409 )
Workday Inc., A United States 7,912   (600,046 )
        (8,158,424 )

 

62 Annual Report

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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)          
 
  Country Shares   Value  
r Securities Sold Short (continued)          
Common Stocks (continued)          
Specialty Retail (0.1)%          
AutoNation Inc United States 1,799 $ (90,742 )
Dick’s Sporting Goods Inc United States 4,363   (187,173 )
Restoration Hardware Holdings Inc United States 2,821   (93,826 )
Vitamin Shoppe Inc United States 7,627   (230,641 )
Williams-Sonoma Inc United States 4,032   (213,857 )
        (816,239 )
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals (0.0)%          
Violin Memory Inc United States 35,018   (19,883 )
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods (0.0)%          
Iconix Brand Group Inc United States 30,078   (231,901 )
Tobacco (0.0)%          
Universal Corp United States 5,983   (327,270 )
Trading Companies & Distributors (0.1)%          
Air Lease Corp United States 11,923   (358,286 )
Kaman Corp United States 8,295   (354,280 )
        (712,566 )
Wireless Telecommunication Services (0.0)%          
T-Mobile U.S. Inc United States 140   (5,986 )
Vodafone Group PLC, ADR United Kingdom 850   (28,892 )
        (34,878 )
Total Common Stocks (Proceeds $111,018,866)       (113,492,471 )
Exchange Traded Funds (10.8)%          
Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR Fund United States 37,020   (2,933,465 )
Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF United States 79,208   (5,650,699 )
iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF United States 30,875   (3,573,781 )
iShares iBoxx USD High Yield Corporate Bond ETF United States 1,369   (114,463 )
iShares Micro-Cap ETF United States 20,086   (1,428,516 )
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF United States 16,850   (558,241 )
iShares MSCI Japan ETF Japan 116,395   (1,371,133 )
iShares Nasdaq Biotechnology ETF United States 16,797   (4,699,297 )
iShares North American Tech ETF United States 12,451   (1,404,846 )
iShares North American Tech-Multimedia Networking ETF United States 72,564   (2,603,669 )
iShares North American Tech-Software ETF United States 16,292   (1,730,048 )
iShares PHLX Semiconductor ETF United States 5,252   (498,782 )
iShares Russell 2000 ETF United States 33,385   (3,838,607 )
iShares Russell 2000 Growth ETF United States 22,207   (3,059,681 )
iShares Russell Mid-Cap Growth ETF United States 14,355   (1,343,628 )
iShares S&P Small-Cap 600 Growth ETF United States 11,255   (1,441,090 )
iShares Transportation Average ETF United States 12,000   (1,679,040 )
iShares U.S. Consumer Goods ETF United States 18,060   (2,032,111 )
iShares U.S. Technology ETF United States 12,921   (1,396,631 )
iShares U.S. Telecommunications ETF United States 22,402   (707,903 )
Powershares Dynamic Media Portfolio United States 80,190   (2,023,996 )
Powershares Dynamic Retail Portfolio United States 53,700   (1,863,927 )
PureFunds ISE Cyber Security ETF United States 129,940   (3,148,446 )
SPDR Barclays High Yield Bond ETF United States 15,096   (531,832 )
SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust United States 336,391   (70,669,021 )

 

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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)          
 
  Country Shares   Value  
r Securities Sold Short (continued)          
Exchange Traded Funds (continued)          
SPDR S&P MidCap 400 ETF Trust United States 8,292 $ (2,254,097 )
SPDR S&P Retail ETF United States 61,382   (2,597,072 )
SPDR S&P Transportation ETF United States 55,890   (2,506,667 )
Technology Select Sector SPDR Fund United States 12,609   (557,444 )
Utilities Select Sector SPDR Fund United States 28,211   (1,386,571 )
Vanguard Consumer Staples ETF United States 15,265   (2,060,775 )
Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF United States 13,920   (1,720,651 )
Total Exchange Traded Funds (Proceeds $134,310,533)       (133,386,130 )
 
    Principal      
    Amount*      
Convertible Bonds and Notes (0.1)%          
Internet & Catalog Retail (0.0)%          
The Priceline Group Inc., senior note, 0.90%, 9/15/21 United States 484,000   (495,798 )
Metals & Mining (0.0)%          
RTI International Metals Inc., senior note, 1.625%, 10/15/19 United States 267,000   (286,858 )
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment (0.0)%          
NXP Semiconductors NV, senior note, 1.00%, 12/01/19 Netherlands 267,000   (316,562 )
Software (0.1)%          
Red Hat Inc., senior note, 0.25%, 10/01/19 United States 535,000   (678,781 )
Total Convertible Bonds and Notes          
(Proceeds $1,757,674)       (1,777,999 )
Corporate Bonds and Notes (0.2)%          
Diversified Telecommunication Services (0.1)%          
c Frontier Communications Corp., senior note, 144A, 11.00%, 9/15/25 United States 1,681,000   (1,716,721 )
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure (0.0)%          
Caesars Entertainment Resort Properties LLC / Caesars Entertainment Resort          
Properties, senior secured note, first lien, 8.00%, 10/01/20 United States 179,000   (181,238 )
Independent Power & Renewable Electricity Producers (0.0)%          
NRG Energy Inc., senior note,          
7.875%, 5/15/21 United States 78,000   (81,315 )
6.25%, 7/15/22 United States 181,000   (178,681 )
        (259,996 )
Media (0.1)%          
c CCO Holdings LLC / CCO Holdings Capital Corp., senior note, 144A,          
5.875%, 4/01/24 United States 843,000   (880,935 )
Total Corporate Bonds and Notes (Proceeds $2,949,752)       (3,038,890 )
U.S. Government and Agency Securities (Proceeds $629,868) (0.1)%          
U.S. Treasury Note, 1.625%, 2/15/26 United States 647,000   (633,756 )
Total Securities Sold Short (Proceeds $250,666,693)     $ (252,329,246 )

 

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F R A N K L I N   A L T E R N A T I V E   S T R A T E G I E S   F U N D S
C O N S O L I D A T E D   S T A T E M E N T   O F   I N V E S T M E N T S

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)

Rounds to less than 0.1% of net assets.
*The principal/notional amount is stated in U.S. dollars unless otherwise indicated.

a A portion or all of the security has been segregated as collateral for securities sold short, open swap, forward, futures and written options contracts. At May 31, 2016, the
aggregate value of these securities and/or cash pledged amounted to $475,149,464, representing 38.42% of net assets.
b Non-income producing.
c Security 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
May 31, 2016, the net value of these securities was $147,618,445, representing 11.94% of net assets.
d A portion or all of the security is held in connection with written option contracts open at period end.
e Variable rate security. The rate shown represents the yield at period end.
f Security 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 May 31, 2016, the aggregate value of these secu-
rities was $35,899,001, representing 2.90% of net assets.
g See Note 7 regarding credit risk and defaulted securities.
h The coupon rate shown represents the rate at period end.
i Perpetual security with no stated maturity date.
j A portion or all of the security purchased on a delayed delivery basis. See Note 1(d).
k Income may be received in additional securities and/or cash.
l See Note 1(i) regarding senior floating rate interests.
m The security is traded on a discount basis with no stated coupon rate.
n A portion or all of the security is owned by K2 Holdings Investment Corp., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Fund. See Note 1(g).
o The rate shown is the annualized seven-day yield at period end.
p See Note 1(c) regarding joint repurchase agreement.
q See Note 1(e) regarding written options.
r See Note 1(f) regarding securities sold short.

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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)                  
At May 31, 2016, the Fund had the following futures contracts outstanding. See Note 1(e).            
 
Futures Contracts                    
    Number of   Notional Expiration   Unrealized   Unrealized  
Description Type Contracts   Value Date   Appreciation   Depreciation  
Commodity Contractsa                    
Aluminum Long 245 $ 9,467,719 6/13/16 $ $ (217,867 )
Aluminum Short 245   9,467,719 6/13/16     (187,523 )
Aluminum Long 15   584,438 9/19/16     (16,206 )
Aluminum Short 15   584,438 9/19/16     (17,793 )
Brent Crude Oil Long 155   7,732,950 6/30/16   116,564    
Cocoa Long 71   2,301,402 7/14/16   113,379    
Coffee Short 25   1,157,344 9/20/16   1,432    
Copper Long 89   10,413,556 6/13/16     (555,112 )
Copper Short 89   10,413,556 6/13/16     (148,849 )
Copper Long 9   1,051,087 9/19/16     (69,176 )
Copper Short 9   1,051,087 9/19/16     (1,426 )
Corn Short 92   1,861,850 7/14/16     (191,363 )
Gold 100 Oz Long 111   13,514,250 8/29/16     (327,200 )
Kansas City Wheat Short 62   1,386,475 7/14/16   87,021    
Low Sulfur Gas Oil Long 47   2,132,625 7/12/16   57,729    
Natural Gas Short 81   1,853,280 6/28/16     (39,619 )
NY Harbor Ultra-Low Sulfur Diesel Long 18   1,131,808 6/30/16   8,701    
RBOB Gasoline Long 66   4,472,345 6/30/16   290,040    
Silver Long 60   4,798,200 7/27/16     (353,579 )
Soybean Meal Long 71   2,815,860 7/14/16   363,447    
Soybean Oil Long 42   801,864 7/14/16     (66,923 )
Soybeans Long 84   4,529,700 7/14/16   600,688    
Sugar Long 73   1,443,882 9/30/16   6,108    
Wheat Short 124   2,879,900 7/14/16   108,120    
Zinc Long 80   3,839,500 6/13/16   206,368    
Zinc Short 80   3,839,500 6/13/16     (302,351 )
Zinc Long 37   1,780,856 9/19/16   26,811    
Zinc Short 5   240,656 9/19/16     (4,277 )
        107,547,847     1,986,408   (2,499,264 )
Equity Contracts                    
CAC 40 10 Euroa Long 66   3,289,866 6/17/16   35,468    
DAX Indexa Long 9   2,569,415 6/17/16   45,190    
DJIA Mini E-CBOT Indexa Long 201   17,862,870 6/17/16   407,867    
EURO STOXX 50 Price EURa Short 95   3,227,057 6/17/16     (110,595 )
FTSE 100 Indexa Long 10   900,802 6/17/16     (3,135 )
FTSE 100 Index Short 52   4,684,173 6/17/16   41,914    
Hang Seng Indexa Short 34   4,479,079 6/29/16     (215,856 )
Nasdaq 100 E-Mini Indexa Long 125   11,310,625 6/17/16   238,054    
Nikkei 225 Indexa Short 24   3,734,321 6/09/16     (72,069 )
Russell 2000 Mini Indexa Long 118   13,610,120 6/17/16   484,263    
Russell 2000 Mini Index Short 27   3,114,180 6/17/16     (101,740 )
S&P 500 E-Mini Indexa Long 129   13,512,105 6/17/16   433,249    
S&P 500 E-Mini Index Short 329   34,461,105 6/17/16     (917,080 )
STOXX 600 Bank Index Short 81   685,845 6/17/16     (38,990 )
TOPIX Indexa Short 39   4,849,686 6/09/16     (119,220 )
        122,291,249     1,686,005   (1,578,685 )
Interest Rate Contracts                    
3 Month Euribora Long 844   235,472,206 6/19/17   214,851    
90 Day Eurodollara Long 277   68,498,637 6/19/17   27,206    
90 Day Eurodollar Short 162   40,001,850 12/18/17     (74,573 )
90 Day Sterlinga Long 1,267   227,731,157 6/21/17   447,754    
Australian 10 Yr. Bonda Long 233   22,378,075 6/15/16   137,484    
Euro-Bunda Long 125   22,805,031 6/08/16   111,796    

 

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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)                    
 
Futures Contracts (continued)                          
        Number of   Notional Expiration   Unrealized   Unrealized  
Description   Type Contracts   Value   Date   Appreciation   Depreciation  
Interest Rate Contracts (continued)                          
Euro-Bund   Short 133 $ 24,264,553   6/08/16 $ $ (65,235 )
Long Gilta   Long 3   533,356   9/28/16   852    
U.S. Treasury 10 Yr. Note   Short 70   9,078,125   9/21/16     (23,697 )
U.S. Treasury Long Bonda   Long 165   26,946,563   9/21/16   38,423    
U.S. Treasury Long Bond   Short 17   2,776,313   9/21/16     (21,157 )
            680,485,866       978,366   (184,662 )
Total Futures Contracts         $ 910,324,962     $ 4,650,779 $ (4,262,611 )
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)               $ 388,168      
 
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).          
 
At May 31, 2016, the Fund had the following forward exchange contracts outstanding. See Note 1(e).          
 
Forward Exchange Contracts                          
            Contract   Settlement   Unrealized   Unrealized  
Currency Counterpartya Type   Quantity   Amount*   Date   Appreciation   Depreciation  
OTC Forward Exchange Contracts                          
Brazilian Real BOFA Buy   7,135,000   1,987,465   6/02/16 $ $ (12,980 )
Brazilian Real BOFA Sell   7,135,000   2,006,780   6/02/16   32,295    
Euro BOFA Sell   1,740,000   1,996,646   6/03/16   60,420    
Hungarian Forint BOFA Buy   538,400,000   1,978,239   6/03/16     (67,933 )
New Zealand Dollar DBAB Sell   2,848,040   1,887,302 AUD 6/07/16     (47,625 )
Euro BNYM Sell   2,246,953   2,567,144   6/09/16   66,208    
New Zealand Dollar CBOA Sell   1,300,000   894,576   6/09/16   15,424    
New Zealand Dollar DBAB Sell   805,000   554,598   6/09/16   10,201    
Swiss Franc BNYM Sell   1,863,736   1,921,377   6/09/16   45,558    
Turkish Lira DBAB Sell   4,200,000   1,425,962   6/09/16   6,634    
Brazilian Real BOFA Sell   275,000   73,308   6/10/16     (2,557 )
Japanese Yen MSCS Buy   160,250,000   1,479,584   6/10/16     (31,866 )
Chilean Peso MSCS Sell 1,000,000,000   1,479,290   6/13/16   37,794    
Euro BNYM Sell   10,000   11,401   6/13/16   269    
South Korean Won BOFA Sell 1,710,000,000   1,465,170   6/13/16   30,757    
British Pound BNYM Buy   50,000   72,432   6/15/16     (6 )
British Pound BNYM Sell   335,000   475,514   6/15/16   38   (9,782 )
Chinese Yuan MSCO Sell   3,140,715   480,541   6/15/16   4,009    
Euro BNYM Buy   759,105   862,355   6/15/16     (17,247 )
Euro BNYM Sell   7,730,049   8,594,024   6/15/16   13,405   (25,203 )
Euro MSCO Buy   5,635,168   6,360,715   6/15/16     (87,111 )
Euro MSCO Sell   21,270,969   23,774,111   6/15/16   93,255    
Japanese Yen MSCO Sell   188,316,736   1,660,918   6/15/16     (40,692 )
Mexican Peso MSCO Buy   52,378,177   2,927,573   6/15/16     (94,764 )
Mexican Peso MSCO Sell   52,378,177   3,023,717   6/15/16   190,908    
South Korean Won MSCO Sell 2,556,880,299   2,169,865   6/15/16   25,146    
Swiss Franc BNYM Buy   508,766   534,974   6/15/16     (22,758 )
Swiss Franc BNYM Sell   6,685,600   6,807,843   6/15/16   76,907    
Australian Dollarb MSCO Buy   29,967,000   22,362,854   6/17/16     (718,933 )
Australian Dollarb MSCO Sell   32,297,000   23,529,588   6/17/16   267,082   (64,271 )
British Poundb MSCO Buy   8,976,000   12,922,712   6/17/16   129,109   (49,600 )
British Poundb MSCO Sell   23,016,000   32,970,250   6/17/16   12,250   (381,917 )
Canadian Dollarb MSCO Buy   33,986,000   25,792,050   6/17/16   271,259   (146,840 )
Canadian Dollarb MSCO Sell   24,814,000   18,923,095   6/17/16   54,193   (53,337 )
Eurob MSCO Buy   42,290,000   47,636,029   6/17/16   33,482   (584,607 )
Eurob MSCO Sell   39,706,000   44,642,322   6/17/16   435,194   (801 )
Japanese Yenb MSCO Buy 5,463,293,000   49,421,094   6/17/16   327,599   (379,096 )
Japanese Yenb MSCO Sell 2,649,474,000   24,267,621   6/17/16   352,662   (27,283 )
Mexican Pesob MSCO Buy   26,142,000   1,466,742   6/17/16     (53,223 )

 

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F R A N K L I N   A L T E R N A T I V E   S T R A T E G I E S   F U N D S
C O N S O L I D A T E D   S T A T E M E N T   O F   I N V E S T M E N T S

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)                    
 
Forward Exchange Contracts (continued)                            
                Contract   Settlement   Unrealized   Unrealized
Currency   Counterparty a Type   Quantity   Amount*   Date   Appreciation   Depreciation

 
 
 
 
 
 
OTC Forward Exchange Contracts (continued)                            
Mexican Peso b   MSCO   Sell   186,222,000   10,391,403   6/17/16   $ 322,226   $  
New Zealand Dollar b   MSCO   Buy   25,470,000   17,300,723   6/17/16   98,073       (181,647)
New Zealand Dollar b   MSCO   Sell   18,577,000   12,530,665   6/17/16   61,700       (88,670)
Swiss Franc b   MSCO   Buy   25,744,000   26,803,080   6/17/16   73       (882,023)
Swiss Franc b   MSCO   Sell   39,568,000   40,563,225   6/17/16   722,974      
Canadian Dollar   MSCS   Sell   2,600,000   1,994,416   6/20/16   11,756      
Mexican Peso   MSCS   Buy   36,800,000   1,987,417   6/20/16   1,676      
Colombian Peso   CSFB   Sell   780,000,000   255,236   6/23/16   4,103      
Indonesian Rupiah   CSFB   Sell   11,300,000,000   837,658   6/23/16   14,272      
Indonesian Rupiah   MSCS   Sell   1,500,000,000   111,152   6/23/16   1,853      
Australian Dollar   BNYM   Sell   186,000   140,690   6/30/16   6,421      
Australian Dollar   MSCO   Buy   25,567   19,048   6/30/16         (592)
Australian Dollar   MSCO   Sell   25,567   19,695   6/30/16   1,238      
British Pound   BNYM   Sell   121,000   177,834   6/30/16   2,540      
British Pound   MSCO   Buy   624,909   906,050   6/30/16   900       (1,639)
British Pound   MSCO   Sell   656,590   952,571   6/30/16   2,282       (918)
Canadian Dollar   BNYM   Buy   300,000   233,918   6/30/16         (5,151)
Canadian Dollar   BNYM   Sell   567,000   432,735   6/30/16   366      
Canadian Dollar   MSCO   Buy   1,517,664   1,175,291   6/30/16         (17,988)
Canadian Dollar   MSCO   Sell   4,913,218   3,861,316   6/30/16   115,134       (419)
Canadian Dollar   MSCS   Sell   3,150,000   2,492,503   6/30/16   90,453      
Euro   BNYM   Buy   1,305,000   1,488,114   6/30/16         (34,415)
Euro   BNYM   Sell   7,424,909   8,387,337   6/30/16   116,392      
Euro   CSFB   Sell   130,000   145,630   6/30/16   817      
Euro   DBAB   Sell   613,000   686,511   6/30/16   3,662      
Euro   MSCO   Buy   564,029   648,288   6/30/16         (19,991)
Euro   MSCO   Sell   2,597,408   2,939,205   6/30/16   45,868       (35)
Hong Kong Dollar   BNYM   Buy   9,000,000   1,160,324   6/30/16         (1,606)
Hong Kong Dollar   BNYM   Sell   10,293,000   1,327,483   6/30/16   2,295      
Japanese Yen   BNYM   Sell   90,184,000   801,137   6/30/16         (14,236)
Japanese Yen   MSCO   Buy   46,797,039   422,472   6/30/16   630      
Mexican Peso   MSCS   Sell   335,125   18,128   6/30/16   36      
Norwegian Krone   MSCS   Buy   20,300,000   2,489,774   6/30/16         (63,379)
Singapore Dollar   BNYM   Buy   360,000   264,706   6/30/16         (3,425)
Singapore Dollar   BNYM   Sell   2,769,000   2,036,928   6/30/16   27,246      
South African Rand   MSCO   Buy   9,067,517   582,606   6/30/16   2,725       (12,197)
South African Rand   MSCO   Sell   14,324,263   969,386   6/30/16   63,988      
South African Rand   MSCS   Sell   15,000,000   957,854   6/30/16   9,744      
Swedish Krona   MSCO   Sell   3,948,429   485,322   6/30/16   11,327      
Swiss Franc   MSCO   Buy   273,772   282,406   6/30/16         (6,573)
Brazilian Real   BOFA   Sell   7,135,000   1,968,276   7/05/16   14,947      
Colombian Peso   MSCS   Buy   3,100,000,000   1,032,817   7/29/16         (41,431)
Colombian Peso   MSCS   Sell   3,100,000,000   1,054,063   7/29/16   62,677      
Chinese Yuan   MSCO   Sell   38,445,840   5,738,379   8/22/16   1,902       (78,477)
Taiwan Dollar   BOFA   Sell   78,550,000   2,405,819   8/23/16         (6,984)
Chinese Yuan   MLCO   Sell   11,100,000   1,682,838   9/19/16   6,729      
Chinese Yuan   MSCS   Sell   4,300,000   637,320   9/19/16         (11,983)
Turkish Lira   MLCO   Sell   5,652,374   1,864,916   9/21/16   4,296      
Taiwan Dollar   DBAB   Sell   48,000,000   1,489,758   10/06/16   13,983      
Saudi Riyal   MSCO   Sell   13,022,466   3,391,267   1/19/17         (50,851)
                       
 
 
Total Forward Exchange Contracts                   $4,439,362   $(4,445,062)
                   
 
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)                       $   (5,700)
                       
 

 

*In U.S. dollars unless otherwise indicated.
a May be comprised of multiple contracts with the same counterparty, currency and settlement date.
b A portion or all of the contract is owned by K2 Holdings Investment Corp., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Fund. See Note 1(g).

68 Annual Report

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F R A N K L I N  A L T E R N A T I V E  S T R A T E G I E S  F U N D S
C O N S O L I D A T E D  S T A T E M E N T  O F  I N V E S T M E N T S

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)                        
At May 31, 2016, the Fund had the following credit default swap contracts outstanding. See Note 1(e) .            
 
Credit Default Swap Contracts                                    
                    Unamortized                
    Periodic               Upfront                
    Payment Counterparty/   Notional   Expiration   Payments   Unrealized   Unrealized        
Description   Rate   Exchange   Amount a   Date   (Receipts)   Appreciation   Depreciation   Value   Rating b

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Centrally Cleared Swap Contracts                                    
Contracts to Buy Protection                                    
Single Name                                    
Government of Brazil   1.00%   ICE   423,000   6/20/20   $ 26,854   $ 6,029   $   $ 32,883    
Government of Russia   1.00%   ICE   631,000   9/20/20   52,695     (19,721)   32,974    
Government of Russia   1.00%   ICE   486,000   9/20/20   43,032     (17,635)   25,397    
Government of South Africa   1.00%   ICE   1,617,000   6/20/21   148,020   9,645     157,665    
Government of South Africa   1.00%   ICE   1,310,000   6/20/21   126,444   1,288     127,732    
Government of Turkey   1.00%   ICE   1,976,000   9/20/20   157,717     (46,930)   110,787    
Government of Turkey   1.00%   ICE   1,286,000   12/20/20   93,791     (12,278)   81,513    
Government of Turkey   1.00%   ICE   448,000   12/20/20   39,795     (11,398)   28,397    
Government of Turkey   1.00%   ICE   1,721,000   12/20/20   104,376   4,710     109,086    
Government of Turkey   1.00%   ICE   629,000   6/20/21   50,876     (2,069)   48,807    
Traded Index                                    
CDX. NA. HY. 26   5.00%   ICE   4,850,000   6/20/21   (85,845)     (46,047)   (131,892)    
iTraxx Europe Crossover   5.00%   ICE   697,000 EUR   12/20/20   (43,995)     (7,976)   (51,971)    
Contracts to Sell Protection c                                    
Single Name                                    
Government of Brazil   1.00%   ICE   89,000   6/20/20   (10,805)   3,887     (6,918)   BB
Government of Brazil   1.00%   ICE   334,000   6/20/20   (47,199)   21,236     (25,963)   BB
Government of Brazil   1.00%   ICE   5,222,000   6/20/21   (594,435)     (15,115)   (609,550)   BB
Government of Russia   1.00%   ICE   1,868,856   9/20/20   (219,442)   121,781     (97,661)   BB+
Government of Russia   1.00%   ICE   1,333,073   9/20/20   (158,959)   89,296     (69,663)   BB+
Government of Russia   1.00%   ICE   715,202   9/20/20   (91,902)   54,527     (37,375)   BB+
Government of Turkey   1.00%   ICE   387,000   12/20/20   (35,846)   11,316     (24,530)   BB+
                   
 
 
 
   
Total Centrally Cleared Swap Contracts               $(444,828)   $323,715   $(179,169)   $(300,282)    
               
 
 
 
   
 
OTC Swap Contracts                                    
Contracts to Buy Protection                                    
Single Name                                    
Deutsche Bank AG   1.00%   BZWS   120,000 EUR   6/20/21   5,743     (1,559)   4,184    
Government of Turkey   1.00%   BZWS   325,000   6/20/21   22,511   2,057     24,568    
Traded Index                                    
iTraxx Asia Ex Japan   1.00%   BZWS   310,000   6/20/21   6,101     (705)   5,396    
iTraxx Asia Ex Japan   1.00%   MSCS   635,000   6/20/21   12,935     (1,881)   11,054    
Contracts to Sell Protection c                                    
Single Name                                    
Deutsche Bank AG   1.00%   BZWS   120,000 EUR   6/20/21   (17,177)   2,606     (14,571)   BBB+
                   
 
 
 
   
Total OTC Swap Contracts                   $ 30,113   $ 4,663   $ (4,145)   $ 30,631    
           
     
 
 
 
   
Total Credit Default Swap Contracts           27,533,131       $(414,715)   $328,378   $(183,314)   $(269,651)    
           
     
 
 
 
   
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)                   $145,064            
                   
           

 

See Notes 1(e) and 8 regarding derivative financial instruments and other derivative information, respectively.

a In 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.
b Based on Standard and Poor s (S&P) Rating for single name swaps.
c The Fund enters contracts to sell protection to create a long credit position. Performance triggers include default, bankruptcy or restructuring for single name swaps and fail-
ure to pay or bankruptcy of the underlying securities for traded index swaps.

franklintempleton.com

Annual Report

69


 

F R A N K L I N   A L T E R N A T I V E   S T R A T E G I E S   F U N D S
C O N S O L I D A T E D   S T A T E M E N T   O F   I N V E S T M E N T S

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)                        
At May 31, 2016, the Fund had the following interest rate swap contracts outstanding. See Note 1(e) .            
 
Interest Rate Swap Contracts                            
        Counterparty/   Notional Expiration   Unrealized   Unrealized
Description       Exchange   Amount   Date Appreciation Depreciation

 
 
 
 
OTC Swap Contracts                            
Receive Floating rate 3 Month ZAR-JIBAR-SAFEX                        
Pay Fixed rate 7.95%       BZWS   12,500,000 ZAR 5/05/25   $48,852       $
               
 
 
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)                   $48,852        
                   
       
 
At May 31, 2016, the Fund had the following total return swap contracts outstanding. See Note 1(e) .                
 
Total Return Swap Contracts                            
        Counter-       Expiration   Unrealized   Unrealized
Underlying Instrument   Financing Rate   Party Notional Value*   Date   Appreciation   Depreciation

 
 
 
 
 
OTC Swap Contracts                            
Long                            
Allergan PLC   LIBOR + 75   DBAB   1,953,810   6/30/16   $109,947   $  
Amsurg Corp   LIBOR + 75   DBAB   1,165,386   6/30/16   2,489      
Black Hills Corp   LIBOR + 75   DBAB   4,487,678   6/30/16   42,178      
Frontier Communications Corp   LIBOR + 75   DBAB   3,043,542   6/30/16         (40,381)
Health Care REIT Inc   LIBOR + 75   DBAB   1,379,694   6/30/16         (44,550)
Liberty Interactive LLC   LIBOR + 75   DBAB   1,328,124   6/30/16   14,238      
NextEra Energy Inc   LIBOR + 75   DBAB   2,540,087   6/30/16   18,041      
Scorpio Tankers Inc   LIBOR + 75   DBAB   1,108,514   6/30/16   10,303      
Ship Finance International Ltd   LIBOR + 75   DBAB   5,213,187   6/30/16   264,090      
Siliconware Precision Industries Co. Ltd   LIBOR + 35   DBAB   56,946   6/30/16   3,841      
Spirit Realty Capital Inc   LIBOR + 75   DBAB   323,211   6/30/16         (5,660)
T-Mobile U. S. Inc   LIBOR + 75   DBAB   336,146   6/30/16   16,321      
WPX Energy Inc   LIBOR + 75   DBAB   1,098,576   6/30/16   56,746      
Aabar Investments PJSC   LIBOR + 100   DBAB   856,996 EUR   7/18/16   9,947      
Aabar Investments PJSC   LIBOR + 100   DBAB   466,192 EUR   7/18/16   2,480      
Inmarsat PLC   LIBOR + 75   DBAB   2,153,889   7/18/16         (5,716)
Alstria Office REIT AG   LIBOR + 75   DBAB   2,383,993 EUR   7/19/16         (1,487)
Aroundtown Property Holdings PLC   LIBOR + 75   DBAB   663,238 EUR   7/19/16   26,328      
British Land White 2015 Ltd   LIBOR + 75   DBAB   860,718 GBP   7/19/16   10,016      
Carillion Finance Jersey Ltd   LIBOR + 75   DBAB   1,454,551 GBP   7/19/16   18,206      
Drillisch AG   LIBOR + 75   DBAB   3,563,571 EUR   7/19/16         (9,576)
Enterprise Funding Corp   LIBOR + 75   DBAB   156,246 GBP   7/19/16   7,180      
Great Portland Estates Capital Jersey Ltd   LIBOR + 75   DBAB   1,881,968 GBP   7/19/16         (61,511)
Helical Bar Jersey Ltd   LIBOR + 75   DBAB   416,472 GBP   7/19/16   3,805      
PHP Finance Jersey Ltd   LIBOR + 75   DBAB   564,465 GBP   7/19/16         (8,598)
Salzgitter Finance BV   LIBOR + 75   DBAB   447,503 EUR   7/19/16   4,729      
St. Modwen Properties Securities Jersey Ltd   LIBOR + 75   DBAB   296,423 GBP   7/19/16   3,798      
Unite Jersey Issuer Ltd   LIBOR + 75   DBAB   1,999,018 GBP   7/19/16   95,544      
BW Group Ltd   LIBOR + 75   DBAB   683,007   7/20/16   1,884      
Hansteen Jersey Securities Ltd   LIBOR + 75   DBAB   1,682,689 EUR   7/29/16   56,538      
Cahaya Capital Ltd   LIBOR + 100   DBAB   316,736   8/17/16   30      
Indah Capital Ltd   LIBOR + 100   DBAB   938,357 SGD   8/22/16         (8,744)
Advanced Semiconductor Engineering Inc   LIBOR + 100   DBAB   2,351,738   8/24/16   297,949      
Siliconware Precision Industries Co. Ltd   LIBOR + 100   DBAB   781,735   8/24/16         (7,670)
Marine Harvest   LIBOR + 75   DBAB   5,698,456 EUR   9/19/16   364,526      
Ebara Corp   LIBOR + 85   DBAB   181,679,702 JPY   11/17/16   57,139      
EDION Corp   LIBOR + 85   DBAB   157,500,000 JPY   11/17/16   33,430      
Japan Airport Terminal Co. Ltd   LIBOR + 85   DBAB   90,045,000 JPY   11/17/16   7,473      
Japan Airport Terminal Co. Ltd   LIBOR + 85   DBAB   200,740,000 JPY   11/17/16   13,083      
K s Holdings Corp   LIBOR + 85   DBAB   573,450,715 JPY   11/17/16         (60,964)
Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha Ltd   LIBOR + 85   DBAB   38,354,200 JPY   11/17/16   14,305      
LIXIL Group Corp   LIBOR + 85   DBAB   78,461,733 JPY   11/17/16   129      
LIXIL Group Corp   LIBOR + 85   DBAB   116,166,600 JPY   11/17/16         (3,044)

 

70 Annual Report franklintempleton.com


 

FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)                  
 
Total Return Swap Contracts (continued)                    
    Counter-     Expiration   Unrealized   Unrealized  
Underlying Instrument Financing Rate Party Notional Value*   Date   Appreciation   Depreciation  
OTC Swap Contracts (continued)                    
Long (continued)                    
Maeda Corp LIBOR + 85 DBAB 193,088,940 JPY 11/17/16 $ 21,467 $  
Nagoya Railroad Co. Ltd LIBOR + 85 DBAB 22,285,867 JPY 11/17/16   6,026    
Nippon Ceramic Co. Ltd LIBOR + 85 DBAB 30,937,500 JPY 11/17/16     (1,214 )
Nippon Light Metal Holdings Co. Ltd LIBOR + 85 DBAB 412,888,011 JPY 11/17/16   102,031    
OSG Corp LIBOR + 85 DBAB 156,648,000 JPY 11/17/16   17,015    
Sankyo Co. Ltd LIBOR + 85 DBAB 111,784,861 JPY 11/17/16   4,682    
SBI Holdings Inc LIBOR + 85 DBAB 20,893,686 JPY 11/17/16     (858 )
Shionogi & Co. Ltd LIBOR + 85 DBAB 90,075,400 JPY 11/17/16   21,421    
Sony Corp LIBOR + 85 DBAB 216,935,780 JPY 11/17/16   55,222    
Taiyo Yuden Co. Ltd LIBOR + 85 DBAB 120,238,400 JPY 11/17/16   26,504    
Takashimaya Co Ltd LIBOR + 85 DBAB 39,921,771 JPY 11/17/16   1,499    
Teijin Ltd LIBOR + 85 DBAB 251,329,885 JPY 11/17/16   73,991    
Toho Holdings Co. Ltd LIBOR + 85 DBAB 163,054,579 JPY 11/17/16   81,123    
Tohoku Electric Power Co Inc LIBOR + 85 DBAB 256,699,645 JPY 11/17/16   12,164    
Tohoku Electric Power Co Inc LIBOR + 85 DBAB 213,875,101 JPY 11/17/16   4,715    
Toppan Printing Co LIBOR + 85 DBAB 30,330,471 JPY 11/17/16   996    
Unicharm Corp LIBOR + 85 DBAB 139,292,599 JPY 11/17/16     (28,312 )
Yamada Denki Co. Ltd LIBOR + 85 DBAB 619,495,250 JPY 11/17/16   31,917    
Bank of Nagoya Ltd LIBOR + 85 DBAB 288,550   12/19/16   11,306    
Gunma Bank Ltd LIBOR + 85 DBAB 93,001   12/19/16   952    
Oita Bank Ltd LIBOR + 85 DBAB 1,202,988   12/19/16   2,161    
Yamagata Bank Ltd LIBOR + 85 DBAB 750,110   12/19/16   21,515    
Yamaguchi Financial Group Inc LIBOR + 85 DBAB 2,404,972   12/19/16   25,918    
APERAM SA LIBOR + 75 DBAB 1,829,939   1/18/17   79,715    
Dana Gas Sukuk Ltd LIBOR + 75 DBAB 115,764   1/18/17   3,778    
Magyar Nemzeti Vagyonkezelo Zrt LIBOR + 75 DBAB 2,283,696 EUR 1/18/17   20,893    
Anglo American PLC LIBOR + 50 MSCS 410,563 GBP 1/18/17     (92,319 )
ANTOFAGASTA PLC LIBOR + 50 MSCS 871,918 GBP 1/18/17     (123,034 )
Rio Tinto PLC LIBOR + 50 MSCS 979,033 GBP 1/18/17   39,791    
Wizz Air Holdings PLC LIBOR + 50 MSCS 558,138 GBP 1/18/17   93,232    
Worldpay Group PLC LIBOR + 100 DBAB 95,852 GBP 2/02/17   3,953    
Telepizza Group SA LIBOR + 100 DBAB 182,233 EUR 2/02/17     (25,764 )
ACS Actividades Finance BV LIBOR + 75 DBAB 1,852,480 EUR 2/09/17     (881 )
Ascent Capital Group Inc LIBOR + 100 DBAB 100,874   2/09/17     (38,456 )
Bunge Ltd LIBOR + 100 DBAB 73,500   2/09/17     (5,355 )
Green Plains Inc LIBOR + 100 DBAB 290,973   2/09/17     (10,853 )
Nyrstar NV LIBOR + 75 DBAB 269,659 EUR 2/09/17   15,474    
OCI NV LIBOR + 75 DBAB 1,642,856 EUR 2/09/17     (106,768 )
Shenzhou International Group Holdings Ltd LIBOR + 100 DBAB 6,860,580 HKD 2/17/17   19,924    
Industrivarden AB LIBOR + 90 DBAB 988,981 EUR 2/27/17     (3,573 )
PT Jersey Ltd LIBOR + 75 DBAB 1,403,567 EUR 2/27/17   87,912    
BT Group PLC LIBOR + 40 MSCS 106,395 GBP 2/28/17     (594 )
SABMiller PLC LIBOR + 40 MSCS 3,288,352 GBP 2/28/17   274,550    
Vodafone Group PLC LIBOR + 40 MSCS 58,491 GBP 2/28/17   3,412    
Fonciere Des Regions LIBOR + 75 DBAB 902,749 EUR 3/15/17     (2,643 )
Orpar SA LIBOR + 75 DBAB 306,513 EUR 3/15/17   4,417    
ASM Pacific Technology Ltd LIBOR + 90 DBAB 8,035,222 HKD 3/17/17   7,639    
Nyrstar NV LIBOR + 75 DBAB 238,871 EUR 3/17/17   17,188    
Premier Oil Finance Jersey Ltd LIBOR + 75 DBAB 446,679   3/17/17   38,670    
Johnson Electric Holdings Ltd LIBOR + 90 DBAB 1,563,964   3/20/17     (21,271 )
OSIM International Ltd LIBOR + 100 DBAB 406,523 SGD 3/20/17   4,573    
Coach Inc LIBOR + 50 MSCS 732,645   4/17/17     (21,831 )
Mead Johnson Nutrition Co LIBOR + 50 MSCS 799,312   4/17/17     (35,326 )
Aroundtown Property Holdings PLC LIBOR + 100 DBAB 6,749 EUR 4/18/17   299    
Barclays PLC LIBOR + 50 MSCS 442,568 GBP 4/18/17   74,617    
BNP Paribas SA LIBOR + 50 MSCS 876,029 EUR 4/18/17   105,832    

 

franklintempleton.com

Annual Report

71


 

F R A N K L I N   A L T E R N A T I V E   S T R A T E G I E S   F U N D S
C O N S O L I D A T E D   S T A T E M E N T   O F   I N V E S T M E N T S

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)                        
 
Total Return Swap Contracts (continued)                            
        Counter-       Expiration   Unrealized   Unrealized
Underlying Instrument   Financing Rate   Party   Notional Value*   Date   Appreciation   Depreciation

 
 
 
 
 
 
OTC Swap Contracts (continued)                            
Long (continued)                            
Croda International PLC   LIBOR + 50   MSCS   1,267,659 GBP   4/18/17   $ 6,533   $  
Iliad SA   LIBOR + 50   MSCS   1,837,413 EUR   4/18/17   24,519      
ITV PLC   LIBOR + 50   MSCS   1,326,111 GBP   4/18/17         (31,859)
Remy Cointreau SA   LIBOR + 50   MSCS   2,093,202 EUR   4/18/17   52,130      
Rexam PLC   LIBOR + 50   MSCS   2,273,305 GBP   4/18/17         (9,664)
RSA Insurance Group PLC   LIBOR + 50   MSCS   531,748 GBP   4/18/17   15,946      
Smith & Nephew PLC   LIBOR + 50   MSCS   870,432 GBP   4/18/17   16,319      
Smiths Group PLC   LIBOR + 50   MSCS   488,790 GBP   4/18/17   18,391      
Societe Generale SA   LIBOR + 50   MSCS   966,855 EUR   4/18/17   106,090      
Sports Direct International PLC   LIBOR + 50   MSCS   1,030,626 GBP   4/18/17         (21,249)
Acciona SA   LIBOR + 75   DBAB   494,728 EUR   4/25/17   6,365      
NH Hotel Group SA   LIBOR + 75   DBAB   782,637 EUR   4/25/17   34,591      
China Overseas Finance Investment                            
Cayman V Ltd   LIBOR + 90   DBAB   598,950   5/17/17   1,939      
ENN Energy Holdings Ltd   LIBOR + 90   DBAB   264,635   5/17/17   540      
TPK Holding Co. Ltd   LIBOR + 90   DBAB   215,625   5/17/17   4,575      
Alaska Air Group Inc   LIBOR + 50   MSCS   2,319,081   5/25/17         (53,931)
Brunswick Corp   LIBOR + 50   MSCS   1,825,894   5/25/17   59,132      
Constellation Brands Inc   LIBOR + 50   MSCS   2,412,591   5/25/17   264,165      
Louisiana-Pacific Corp   LIBOR + 50   MSCS   865,052   5/25/17   58,398      
NVR Inc   LIBOR + 50   MSCS   3,600,886   5/25/17   731,613      
Resorttrust Inc   LIBOR + 85   DBAB   10,450,000 JPY   6/19/17   437      
America Movil SAB de CV   LIBOR + 75   DBAB   3,808,950 EUR   7/25/17   27,502      
OHL Investments SA   LIBOR + 75   DBAB   92,301 EUR   7/25/17         (2,129)
Air France   EURIBOR + 50   MSCS   882,237 EUR   8/23/17         (35,396)
Meda AB   STIBOR + 65   MSCS   36,220,040 SEK   8/23/17        
Peugeot SA   EURIBOR + 50   MSCS   580,755 EUR   8/23/17         (22,148)
Plastic Omnium SA   EURIBOR + 50   MSCS   1,002,021 EUR   8/23/17   25,739      
St. Jude Medical Inc   LIBOR + 35   MSCS   2,461,790   10/11/17   94,136      
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc   LIBOR + 35   MSCS   2,480,909   10/11/17         (70,456)
Tyco International PLC   LIBOR + 35   MSCS   1,225,660   10/11/17   76,402      
Rexam PLC   SONIA + 65   MSCS   842,247 GBP   10/26/17        
SABMiller PLC   SONIA + 65   MSCS   3,321,366 GBP   10/26/17        
Vivendi SA   EONIA + 65   MSCS   2,199,117 EUR   10/30/17        
Celesio AG   EONIA + 65   MSCS   1,116,085 EUR   11/02/17        
ThyssenKrupp AG   EONIA + 65   MSCS   1,112,906 EUR   11/02/17        
Wincor Nixdorf AG   EONIA + 65   MSCS   779,154 EUR   11/02/17        
Wincor Nixdorf AG   EONIA + 65   MSCS   197,478 EUR   11/02/17        
Asciano Ltd   RBACR + 54   MSCS   5,610,195 AUD   12/05/17        
NCR Corp   FEDEF + 40   MSCS   689,149   12/21/17        
Moncler SpA   EURIBOR + 50   MSCS   144,550 EUR   1/10/18   18,464      
Ryanair Holdings PLC   EURIBOR + 50   MSCS   947,230 EUR   1/10/18   29,344      
Home Retail Group PLC   SONIA + 65   MSCS   1,817,325 GBP   2/06/18   44,585      
Vinci SA   EURIBOR + 40   MSCS   175,246 EUR   5/08/18   8,285      
Janus Capital Group Inc   LIBOR   CITI   784,088   5/29/18   34,460      
OTC Swap Contracts                            
Short                            
iBoxx USD Liquid High Yield Index   LIBOR   JPHQ   4,872,000   6/20/16         (21,370)
iBoxx USD Liquid High Yield Index   LIBOR   MSCS   277,000   6/20/16         (1,855)
Advanced Semiconductor Engineering Inc   LIBOR - 35   DBAB   270,959   6/30/16         (41,473)
Allergan PLC   LIBOR - 35   DBAB   1,308,041   6/30/16         (62,362)
Amsurg Corp   LIBOR - 35   DBAB   1,056,318   6/30/16   2,686      
Black Hills Corp   LIBOR - 35   DBAB   3,978,621   6/30/16         (52,203)
Frontier Communications Corp   LIBOR - 35   DBAB   2,482,707   6/30/16   33,187      
HSN Inc   LIBOR - 35   DBAB   45,374   6/30/16         (3,128)

 

72 Annual Report

franklintempleton.com


 

F R A N K L I N   A L T E R N A T I V E   S T R A T E G I E S   F U N D S
C O N S O L I D A T E D   S T A T E M E N T   O F   I N V E S T M E N T S

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)                        
 
Total Return Swap Contracts (continued)                            
        Counter-       Expiration   Unrealized   Unrealized
Underlying Instrument   Financing Rate   Party   Notional Value*   Date   Appreciation   Depreciation

 
 
 
 
 
 
OTC Swap Contracts (continued)                            
Short (continued)                            
NextEra Energy Inc   LIBOR - 35   DBAB   2,431,665   6/30/16   $ 9,829   $  
Scorpio Tankers Inc   LIBOR - 35   DBAB   329,750   6/30/16         (13,123)
Ship Finance International Ltd   LIBOR - 125   DBAB   3,452,071   6/30/16         (73,436)
Spirit Realty Capital Inc   LIBOR - 35   DBAB   93,707   6/30/16   3,997      
T-Mobile U. S. Inc   LIBOR - 35   DBAB   281,862   6/30/16         (14,847)
Welltower Inc   LIBOR - 35   DBAB   901,680   6/30/16   46,309      
WPX Energy Inc   LIBOR - 35   DBAB   772,810   6/30/16         (52,102)
Inmarsat PLC   LIBOR - 40   DBAB   151,912   7/18/16   4,740      
Alstria office REIT-AG   LIBOR - 40   DBAB   1,592,502 EUR   7/19/16         (5,055)
Aroundtown Property Holdings PLC   LIBOR - 439   DBAB   438,603 EUR   7/19/16         (18,222)
ASM Pacific Technology Ltd   LIBOR - 100   DBAB   350,460 HKD   7/19/16         (3,411)
Aurubis AG   LIBOR - 40   DBAB   188,560 EUR   7/19/16         (5,141)
China Overseas Land & Investment Ltd   LIBOR - 40   DBAB   439,066 HKD   7/19/16         (3,599)
Drillisch AG   LIBOR - 40   DBAB   2,998,154 EUR   7/19/16   157,626      
ENN Energy Holdings Ltd   LIBOR - 40   DBAB   602,400 HKD   7/19/16         (1,859)
Fonciere Des Regions   LIBOR - 40   DBAB   456,442 EUR   7/19/16         (4,099)
Hansteen Holdings PLC   LIBOR - 40   DBAB   1,023,154 EUR   7/19/16         (44,527)
Johnson Electric Holdings Ltd   LIBOR - 40   DBAB   861,900 HKD   7/19/16   15,751      
Playtech PLC   LIBOR - 40   DBAB   903,368 EUR   7/19/16         (82,369)
Shenzhou International Group Holdings Ltd   LIBOR - 40   DBAB   3,240,750 HKD   7/19/16         (20,743)
Siemens AG   LIBOR - 40   DBAB   1,033,003 EUR   7/19/16         (32,968)
Acciona SA   LIBOR - 40   DBAB   305,138 EUR   7/20/16         (5,518)
Iberdrola SA   LIBOR - 40   DBAB   1,008,541 EUR   7/20/16   2,632      
Koninklijke KPN NV   LIBOR - 40   DBAB   745,768 EUR   7/20/16         (17,760)
NH Hotel Group SA   LIBOR - 40   DBAB   257,285 EUR   7/20/16         (28,441)
OCI NV   LIBOR - 40   DBAB   151,596 EUR   7/20/16   12,716      
Advanced Semiconductor Engineering Inc   LIBOR - 125   DBAB   789,954   8/24/16         (203,046)
IHH Healthcare Bhd   LIBOR - 309   DBAB   844,701 SGD   8/25/16   20,989      
Marine Harvest ASA   LIBOR - 40   DBAB   4,875,400 EUR   10/19/16         (295,044)
Tenaga Nasional Bhd   LIBOR - 50   DBAB   606,229   10/19/16   15,325      
Abbott Laboratories   LIBOR - 35   MSCS   1,075,849   10/25/16         (50,081)
Consumer Staples Select Sector                            
SPDR Fund   LIBOR - 78   MSCS   300,717   10/25/16         (9,847)
Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund   LIBOR - 77   MSCS   155,063   10/25/16         (144)
Johnson Controls Inc   LIBOR - 35   MSCS   1,487,328   10/25/16         (64,150)
Marriott International Inc   LIBOR - 250   MSCS   2,890,652   10/25/16   67,794      
Shire PLC   LIBOR - 77   MSCS   2,779,817   10/25/16         (267,493)
Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd   LIBOR - 30   MSCS   459,958   10/25/16         (2,973)
VMware Inc. , A   LIBOR - 175   MSCS   568,123   10/25/16         (60,748)
BW LPG Ltd   LIBOR - 40   DBAB   125,981   11/09/16   17,701      
Bank of Nagoya Ltd   LIBOR - 150   DBAB   112,400   11/18/16         (6,964)
Ebara Corp   LIBOR - 40   DBAB   113,935,950 JPY   11/18/16         (61,916)
EDION Corp   LIBOR - 350   DBAB   57,786,600 JPY   11/18/16         (19,160)
Gunma Bank Ltd   LIBOR - 40   DBAB   14,698   11/18/16         (1,340)
Japan Airport Terminal Co. Ltd   LIBOR - 300   DBAB   22,661,000 JPY   11/18/16         (11,532)
K s Holdings Corp   LIBOR - 100   DBAB   260,686,437 JPY   11/18/16   33,774      
Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha Ltd   LIBOR - 100   DBAB   5,242,800 JPY   11/18/16         (9,440)
LIXIL Group Corp   LIBOR - 40   DBAB   19,239,800 JPY   11/18/16   161      
Maeda Corp   LIBOR - 100   DBAB   101,925,399 JPY   11/18/16         (29,169)
Nagoya Railroad Co. Ltd   LIBOR - 40   DBAB   9,486,000 JPY   11/18/16         (5,053)
Nippon Ceramic Co. Ltd   LIBOR - 600   DBAB   29,819,509 JPY   11/18/16         (1,029)
Nippon Light Metal Holdings Co. Ltd   LIBOR - 40   DBAB   204,824,618 JPY   11/18/16         (110,826)
Oita Bank Ltd   LIBOR - 40   DBAB   507,553   11/18/16         (3,899)
OSG Corp   LIBOR - 40   DBAB   97,794,256 JPY   11/18/16         (14,830)
Resorttrust Inc   LIBOR - 40   DBAB   2,112,300 JPY   11/18/16   120      

 

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73


 

FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)                  
 
Total Return Swap Contracts (continued)                    
    Counter-     Expiration   Unrealized   Unrealized  
Underlying Instrument Financing Rate Party Notional Value*   Date   Appreciation   Depreciation  
OTC Swap Contracts (continued)                    
Short (continued)                    
Sankyo Co. Ltd LIBOR - 40 DBAB 31,503,061 JPY 11/18/16 $ $ (11,887 )
SBI Holdings Inc LIBOR - 40 DBAB 5,399,915 JPY 11/18/16   1,646    
Shionogi & Co. Ltd LIBOR - 40 DBAB 72,844,059 JPY 11/18/16     (27,233 )
Sony Corp LIBOR - 40 DBAB 40,946,365 JPY 11/18/16     (25,025 )
Taiyo Yuden Co. Ltd LIBOR - 40 DBAB 18,651,935 JPY 11/18/16     (26,336 )
Teijin Ltd LIBOR - 40 DBAB 107,888,599 JPY 11/18/16     (72,560 )
Toho Holdings Co. Ltd LIBOR - 40 DBAB 104,963,643 JPY 11/18/16     (75,921 )
Tohoku Electric Power Co Inc LIBOR - 40 DBAB 106,095,208 JPY 11/18/16     (19,319 )
Toppan Printing Co. Ltd LIBOR - 40 DBAB 5,790,000 JPY 11/18/16     (4,695 )
Unicharm Corp LIBOR - 40 DBAB 50,826,668 JPY 11/18/16   24,176    
Yamada Denki Co. Ltd LIBOR - 100 DBAB 276,877,541 JPY 11/18/16     (89,955 )
Yamagata Bank Ltd LIBOR - 150 DBAB 483,946   11/18/16     (54,742 )
Yamaguchi Financial Group Inc LIBOR - 40 DBAB 3,200,228   11/18/16   14,902    
British Land Co. PLC LIBOR - 40 DBAB 64,350 GBP 1/18/17     (3,255 )
Carillion PLC LIBOR - 250 DBAB 406,727 GBP 1/18/17     (43,290 )
Enterprise Inns PLC LIBOR - 40 DBAB 46,879 GBP 1/18/17     (6,617 )
Great Portland Estates PLC LIBOR - 40 DBAB 1,007,894 GBP 1/18/17   52,532    
Primary Health Properties PLC LIBOR - 300 DBAB 274,449 GBP 1/18/17     (2,243 )
Richter Gedeon Nyrt LIBOR - 40 DBAB 789,212 EUR 1/18/17     (19,001 )
St. Modwen Properties PLC LIBOR - 40 DBAB 13,789 GBP 1/18/17     (1,185 )
UNITE Group PLC LIBOR - 40 DBAB 1,522,307 GBP 1/18/17     (42,701 )
Ball Corp SONIA - 35 MSCS 304,836 GBP 1/18/17     (737 )
Burberry Group PLC SONIA - 35 MSCS 63,135 GBP 1/18/17   8,656    
APERAM SA LIBOR - 40 DBAB 1,586,325   2/01/17     (73,053 )
Larsen & Toubro Ltd LIBOR + 150 DBAB 74,748   2/20/17   828    
Sky PLC LIBOR - 35 MSCS 115,193 GBP 2/28/17   8,771    
OHL Mexico SAB de CV LIBOR - 50 DBAB 17,901 EUR 3/14/17     (7,057 )
Larsen & Toubro Ltd LIBOR - 200 DBAB 241,211   3/17/17     (32,643 )
Nyrstar NV LIBOR - 550 DBAB 29,621 EUR 3/17/17   898    
Ball Corp FEDEF - 35 MSCS 427,548   4/17/17     (1,595 )
Industrivarden AB LIBOR - 40 DBAB 190,708 EUR 4/21/17     (2,431 )
Swire Pacific Ltd HONIX - 50 MSCS 2,217,274 HKD 7/13/17     (5,951 )
Sandvik AB STIBOR - 82 MSCS 1,508,920 SEK 8/23/17      
J Sainsbury PLC SONIA - 188 MSCS 947,566 GBP 10/26/17     (41,402 )
Altice NV EONIA - 40 MSCS 146,907 EUR 10/30/17      
Faurecia EONIA - 40 MSCS 74,539 EUR 10/30/17      
Kone OYJ EONIA - 50 MSCS 1,420,361 EUR 10/30/17      
Bayerische Motoren Werke AG EONIA - 40 MSCS 67,390 EUR 11/02/17      
Daimler AG EONIA - 40 MSCS 63,723 EUR 11/02/17      
Volkswagen AG EONIA - 40 MSCS 88,268 EUR 11/02/17      
STOXX Europe 600 Index EURIBOR - 45 MSCS 571,579 EUR 11/22/17   55,483    
Alibaba Group Holding Ltd LIBOR - 30 MSCS 725,982   12/14/17     (81,436 )
Diebold Inc EONIA - 35 MSCS 162,923 EUR 1/31/18     (1,484 )
Weir Group PLC SONIA - 35 MSCS 108,905 GBP 2/06/18     (5,157 )
Mylan NV STIBOR - 35 MSCS 3,960,527 SEK 2/15/18     (157 )
SPDR S&P500 ETF Trust FEDEF - 35 MSCS 807,389   2/27/18     (61,922 )
America Movil SAB de CV MXONBR - 50 MSCS 2,503,433 MXN 3/06/18     (481 )
Williams Partners LP FEDEF - 35 MSCS 51,423   4/24/18      
Janus Capital Group Inc LIBOR CITI 645,149   5/29/18     (30,255 )
Total Return Swap Contracts           $ 5,359,036 $ (3,733,806 )
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)           $ 1,625,230      
 
*In U.S. dollars unless otherwise indicated.                    
 
 
 
See Abbreviations on page 94.                    

 

74 Annual Report | The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

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F R A N K L I N   A L T E R N A T I V E   S T R A T E G I E S   F U N D S

Consolidated Financial Statements

Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities
May 31, 2016

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund    
 
Assets:    
Investments in securities:    
Cost - Unaffiliated issuers   $1,152,601,739
Cost - Repurchase agreements   52,451,581
   
Total cost of investments   $1,205,053,320
   
Value - Unaffiliated issuers   $1,198,247,437
Value - Repurchase agreements   52,451,581
   
Total value of investments   1,250,699,018
Cash   38,853,159
Foreign currency, at value (cost $4,397,854)   4,411,390
Receivables:    
Investment securities sold   23,559,625
Capital shares sold   688,034
Dividends and interest   7,786,780
Due from brokers   213,365,350
OTC swap contracts (upfront payments $48,520)   47,290
Unrealized appreciation on OTC forward exchange contracts   4,439,362
Unrealized appreciation on OTC swap contracts   5,412,551
Other assets   640
   
Total assets   1,549,263,199
   
Liabilities:    
Payables:    
Investment securities purchased   35,837,269
Capital shares redeemed   2,058,482
Management fees   1,896,590
Distribution fees   99,001
Transfer agent fees   84,766
Variation margin   298,199
OTC swap contracts (upfront receipts $17,278)   17,177
Options written, at value (premiums received $1,021,236)   781,661
Securities sold short, at value (proceeds $250,666,693)   252,329,246
Due to brokers   10,532,196
Unrealized depreciation on OTC forward exchange contracts   4,445,062
Unrealized depreciation on OTC swap contracts   3,737,951
Accrued expenses and other liabilities   505,557
   
Total liabilities   312,623,157
   
Net assets, at value   $1,236,640,042
   
Net assets consist of:    
Paid-in capital   $1,249,367,286
Undistributed net investment income   2,947,721
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)   46,430,604
Accumulated net realized gain (loss)   (62,105,569)
   
Net assets, at value   $1,236,640,042
   

 

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The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. | Annual Report 75


 

FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities (continued)
May 31, 2016

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund    
 
Class A:    
Net assets, at value $ 177,412,256
Shares outstanding   16,811,534
Net asset value per sharea $ 10.55
Maximum offering price per share (net asset value per share ÷ 94.25%) $ 11.19
Class C:    
Net assets, at value $ 71,154,106
Shares outstanding   6,807,724
Net asset value and maximum offering price per sharea $ 10.45
Class R:    
Net assets, at value $ 341,147
Shares outstanding   32,149
Net asset value and maximum offering price per share $ 10.61
Class R6:    
Net assets, at value $ 265,516,807
Shares outstanding   25,078,664
Net asset value and maximum offering price per share $ 10.59
Advisor Class:    
Net assets, at value $ 722,215,726
Shares outstanding   68,270,344
Net asset value and maximum offering price per share $ 10.58
 
aRedemption price is equal to net asset value less contingent deferred sales charges, if applicable.    

 

76 Annual Report | The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

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F R A N K L I N   A L T E R N A T I V E   S T R A T E G I E S   F U N D S
C O N S O L I D A T E D   F I N A N C I A L   S T A T E M E N T S

Consolidated Statement of Operations
for the year ended May 31, 2016

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund    
 
Investment income:    
Dividends   $ 4,644,737
Interest   21,892,135
   
Total investment income   26,536,872
   
Expenses:    
Management fees (Note 3a)   22,239,457
Distribution fees: (Note 3c)    
Class A   452,515
Class C   653,269
Class R   2,026
Transfer agent fees: (Note 3e)    
Class A   158,193
Class C   58,727
Class R   364
Class R6   882
Advisor Class   530,788
Custodian fees (Note 4)   188,774
Reports to shareholders   144,805
Registration and filing fees   237,446
Professional fees   450,129
Trustees fees and expenses   575,412
Dividends and/or interest on securities sold short   4,658,416
Security borrowing fees   2,592,051
Other   108,241
   
Total expenses   33,051,495
Expense reductions (Note 4)   (20,293)
Expenses waived/paid by affiliates (Note 3f)   (3,695,122)
   
Net expenses   29,336,080
   
Net investment income (loss)   (2,799,208)
   
Realized and unrealized gains (losses):    
Net realized gain (loss) from:    
Investments   (43,440,368)
Written options   521,714
Foreign currency transactions   (2,491,308)
Futures contracts   (5,429,267)
Securities sold short   (1,348,197)
Swap contracts   (1,172,359)
   
Net realized gain (loss)   (53,359,785)
   
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:    
Investments   16,280,460
Translation of other assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies   510,070
Written options   341,679
Futures contracts   (134,549)
Swap contracts   1,803,640
   
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)   18,801,300
   
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)   (34,558,485)
   
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations   $(37,357,693)
   

 

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The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. | Annual Report 77


 

F R A N K L I N   A L T E R N A T I V E   S T R A T E G I E S   F U N D S
C O N S O L I D A T E D   F I N A N C I A L   S T A T E M E N T S

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Net Assets        
 
Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund        
 
    Year Ended May 31,
   
    2016   2015

 
 
Increase (decrease) in net assets:        
Operations:        
Net investment income (loss)   $ (2,799,208)   $ (3,810,717)
Net realized gain (loss)   (53,359,785)   18,827,021
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)   18,801,300   16,163,590
   
 
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations   (37,357,693)   31,179,894
   
 
Distributions to shareholders from:        
Net investment income:        
Class A   (2,592,416)   (612,244)
Class C   (644,384)   (65,590)
Class R     (45,777)
Class R6   (4,016,413)   (1,926,596)
Advisor Class   (10,110,090)   (1,393,965)
Net realized gains:        
Class A   (696,387)  
Class C   (262,371)  
Class R   (1,174)  
Class R6   (894,391)  
Advisor Class   (2,315,995)  
   
 
Total distributions to shareholders   (21,533,621)   (4,044,172)
   
 
Capital share transactions: (Note 2)        
Class A   38,612,258   46,690,910
Class C   37,013,071   20,037,814
Class R   (8,810,100)   (3,054,919)
Class R6   39,418,868   13,262,210
Advisor Class   424,302,558   265,636,309
   
 
Total capital share transactions   530,536,655   342,572,324
   
 
Net increase (decrease) in net assets   471,645,341   369,708,046
Net assets:        
Beginning of year   764,994,701   395,286,655
   
 
End of year   $1,236,640,042   $764,994,701
   
 
Undistributed net investment income included in net assets:        
End of year   $ 2,947,721   $ 15,818,264
   
 

 

78 Annual Report | The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

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F R A N K L I N   A L T E R N A T I V E   S T R A T E G I E S   F U N D S

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund

1. Organization and Significant Accounting Policies

Franklin Alternative Strategies Funds (Trust) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (1940 Act) as an open-end management investment company, consisting of three separate funds and applies the specialized accounting and reporting guidance in U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (U.S. GAAP). Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (Fund) is included in this report. The financial statements of the remaining funds in the Trust are 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 as of 4 p.m. Eastern time each day the New York Stock Exchange (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 Committee (VC). The VC 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 4 p.m. Eastern time whichever is earlier. The value is then converted into its U.S. dollar equivalent at the foreign exchange rate in effect at 4 p.m. Eastern time on the day

that the value of the security is determined. Over-the-counter (OTC) securities are valued within the range of the most recent quoted bid and ask prices. Securities that trade in multiple markets or on multiple exchanges are valued according to the broadest and most representative market. Certain equity securities are valued based upon fundamental characteristics or relationships to similar securities.

Debt securities generally trade in the OTC market rather than on a securities exchange. The Fund s pricing services use multiple valuation techniques to determine fair value. In instances where sufficient market activity exists, the pricing services may utilize a market-based approach through which quotes from market makers are used to determine fair value. In instances where sufficient market activity may not exist or is limited, the pricing services also utilize proprietary valuation models which may consider market characteristics such as benchmark yield curves, credit spreads, estimated default rates, anticipated market interest rate volatility, coupon rates, anticipated timing of principal repayments, underlying collateral, and other unique security features in order to estimate the relevant cash flows, which are then discounted to calculate the fair value. Securities denominated in a foreign currency are converted into their U.S. dollar equivalent at the foreign exchange rate in effect at the NYSE close on the date that the values of the foreign debt securities are determined.

Investments in open-end mutual funds are valued at the closing NAV. 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 VC 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 VC 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

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F R A N K L I N   A L T E R N A T I V E   S T R A T E G I E S   F U N D S
N O T E S   T O   C O N S O L I D A T E D   F I N A N C I A L   S T A T E M E N T S

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)

1. Organization and Significant Accounting

Policies (continued)

a. Financial Instrument Valuation (continued)

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 VC 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 4 p.m. Eastern time. 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 VC 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.

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 in the Consolidated Statement of Operations.

Realized foreign exchange gains or losses arise from sales of foreign currencies, currency gains or losses realized between the trade and settlement dates on securities transactions and the difference between the recorded amounts of dividends, interest, and foreign withholding taxes and the U.S. dollar equivalent of the amounts actually received or paid. Net unrealized foreign exchange gains and losses arise from changes in foreign exchange rates on foreign denominated assets and liabilities other than investments in securities held at the end of the reporting period.

c. Joint Repurchase Agreement

The Fund enters into a joint repurchase agreement whereby its uninvested cash balance is deposited into a joint cash account with other funds managed by the investment manager or an affiliate of the investment manager and is used to invest in one or more repurchase agreements. The value and face amount of the joint repurchase agreement are allocated to the funds based on their pro-rata interest. A repurchase agreement is accounted for as a loan by the Fund to the seller, collateralized by securities which are delivered to the Fund s custodian. The fair value, including accrued interest, of the initial collateralization is required to be at least 102% of the dollar amount invested by the funds, with the value of the underlying securities marked to

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N O T E S   T O   C O N S O L I D A T E D   F I N A N C I A L   S T A T E M E N T S

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)

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 agree -ments. 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 year end, as indicated in the Consolidated Statement of Investments, had been entered into on May 31, 2016.

d. Securities Purchased on a Delayed Delivery Basis

The Fund purchases securities on a delayed delivery basis, with payment and delivery scheduled for a future date. These transactions are subject to market fluctuations and are subject to the risk that the value at delivery may be more or less than the trade date purchase price. Although the Fund will generally purchase these securities with the intention of holding the securities, it may sell the securities before the settlement date. Sufficient assets have been segregated for these securities.

e. 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 in the Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Realized gain and loss and unrealized appreciation and depreciation on these contracts for the period are included in the Consolidated Statement of Operations.

Derivative counterparty credit risk is managed through a formal evaluation of the creditworthiness of all potential counterparties. The Fund attempts to reduce its exposure to

counterparty credit risk on OTC derivatives, whenever possible, by entering into International Swaps and Derivatives Association (ISDA) master agreements with certain counterparties. These agreements contain various provisions, including but not limited to collateral requirements, events of default, or early termination. Termination events applicable to the counterparty include certain deteriorations in the credit quality of the counterparty. Termination events applicable to the Fund include failure of the Fund to maintain certain net asset levels and/or limit the decline in net assets over various periods of time. In the event of default or early termination, the ISDA master agreement gives the non-defaulting party the right to net and close-out all transactions traded, whether or not arising under the ISDA agreement, to one net amount payable by one counterparty to the other. However, absent an event of default or early termination, OTC derivative assets and liabilities are presented gross and not offset in the Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Early termination by the counterparty may result in an immediate payment by the Fund of any net liability owed to that counterparty under the ISDA agreement.

Collateral requirements differ by type of derivative. Collateral or initial margin requirements are set by the broker or exchange clearing house for exchange traded and centrally cleared derivatives. Initial margin deposited is held at the exchange and can be in the form of cash and/or securities. For OTC derivatives traded under an ISDA master agreement, posting of collateral is required by either the Fund or the applicable 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. To the extent that the amounts due to the Fund from its counterparties are not subject to collateralization or are not fully collateralized, the Fund bears the risk of loss from counterparty non-performance.

The Fund entered into exchange traded futures contracts primarily to manage and/or gain exposure to commodity price, interest rate and equity price risk. A futures contract is an agreement

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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)

1. Organization and Significant Accounting

Policies (continued)

e. Derivative Financial Instruments (continued)

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 in the Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

The Fund entered into OTC forward exchange contracts primarily to manage and/or gain exposure to certain foreign currencies. A forward exchange contract is an agreement between the Fund and a counterparty to buy or sell a foreign currency at a specific exchange rate on a future date.

The Fund entered into credit default swap contracts primarily to manage and/or gain exposure to credit risk. A credit default swap is an agreement between the Fund and a counterparty whereby the buyer of the contract receives credit protection and the seller of the contract guarantees the credit worthiness of a referenced debt obligation. These agreements may be privately negotiated in the over-the-counter market (OTC credit default swaps) or may be executed in a multilateral trade facility platform, such as a registered exchange (centrally cleared credit default swaps). The underlying referenced debt obligation may be a single issuer of corporate or sovereign debt, a credit index, a basket of issuers or indices, or a tranche of a credit index or basket of issuers or indices. In the event of a default of the underlying referenced debt obligation, the buyer is entitled to receive the notional amount of the credit default swap contract from the seller in exchange for the referenced debt obligation, a net settlement amount equal to the notional amount of the credit default swap less the recovery value of the referenced debt obligation, or other agreed upon amount. For centrally cleared credit default swaps, required initial margins are pledged by the Fund, and the daily change in fair value is accounted for as a variation margin payable or receivable in the Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Over the term of the contract, the buyer pays the seller a periodic stream of payments, provided that no event of default has occurred. Such periodic payments are accrued daily as an unrealized appreciation or depreciation until the payments are made, at which time they are realized. Upfront payments and receipts are reflected in the Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities and represent compensating factors between stated terms of the credit default swap agreement and prevailing market conditions (credit spreads and other relevant factors). These upfront payments and

receipts are amortized over the term of the contract as a realized gain or loss in the Consolidated Statement of Operations.

The Fund entered into interest rate swap contracts primarily to manage interest rate risk. An interest rate swap is an agreement between the Fund and a counterparty to exchange cash flows based on the difference between two interest rates, applied to a notional amount. These agreements may be privately negotiated in the over-the-counter market (OTC interest rate swaps) or may be executed on a registered exchange (centrally cleared interest rate swaps). For centrally cleared interest rate swaps, required initial margins are pledged by the Fund, and the daily change in fair value is accounted for as a variation margin payable or receivable in the Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Over the term of the contract, contractually required payments to be paid and to be received are accrued daily and recorded as unrealized depreciation and appreciation until the payments are made, at which time they are realized.

The Fund entered into OTC total return swap contracts primarily to manage and/or gain exposure to interest rate, equity price and credit risk of an underlying instrument such as a stock, bond, index or basket of securities or indices. A total return swap is an agreement between the Fund and a counterparty to exchange a return linked to an underlying instrument for a floating or fixed rate payment, both based upon a notional amount. Over the term of the contract, contractually required payments to be paid or received are accrued daily and recorded as unrealized appreciation or depreciation until the payments are made, at which time they are recognized as realized gain or loss.

The Fund purchased or wrote exchange traded and/or OTC option contracts primarily to manage and/or gain exposure to equity price, interest rate and foreign exchange rate risk. An option is a contract entitling the holder to purchase or sell a specific amount of shares or units of an asset or notional amount of a swap (swaption), at a specified price. When an option is purchased or written, an amount equal to the premium paid or received is recorded as an asset or liability, respectively. Upon exercise of an option, the acquisition cost or sales proceeds of the underlying investment is adjusted by any premium received or paid. Upon expiration of an option, any premium received or paid is recorded as a realized gain or loss. Upon closing an option other than through expiration or exercise, the difference between the premium received or paid and the cost to close the position is recorded as a realized gain or loss.

See Notes 6 and 8 regarding investment transactions and other derivative information, respectively.

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Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (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. Investments in K2 Holdings Investment Corp. (K2 Subsidiary)

The Fund invests in certain financial instruments and commodity-linked derivative investments through its investment in the K2 Subsidiary. The K2 Subsidiary is a Cayman Islands exempted company with limited liability, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Fund, and is able to invest in certain financial instruments and commodity-linked derivative investments consistent with the investment objective of the Fund. At May 31, 2016, 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 May 31, 2016, the net assets of the K2 Subsidiary were $112,591,405, representing 9.10% 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 may recognize an income tax liability related to its uncertain tax positions under U.S. GAAP when the uncertain tax position has a less than 50% probability that it will be sustained upon examination by the tax authorities based on its technical merits. As of May 31, 2016, the Fund has determined that no tax liability is required in its consolidated financial statements related to uncertain tax positions for any open tax years (or expected to be taken in future tax years). Open tax years are those that remain subject to examination and are based on each tax jurisdiction s 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

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F R A N K L I N   A L T E R N A T I V E   S T R A T E G I E S   F U N D S

N O T E S   T O   C O N S O L I D A T E D   F I N A N C I A L   S T A T E M E N T S

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)

1. Organization and Significant Accounting

Policies (continued)

j. Security Transactions, Investment Income, Expenses and Distributions (continued)

expenses are accrued daily. Amortization of premium and 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 for certain dividends from foreign securities where the dividend rate is not available. In such cases, the dividend is recorded as soon as the information is received by the Fund. Distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date 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.

Inflation-indexed bonds are adjusted for inflation through periodic increases or decreases in the security s interest accruals, face amount, or principal redemption value, by amounts corresponding to the rate of inflation as measured by an index. Any increase or decrease in the face amount or principal redemption value will be included as interest income on the Consolidated Statement of Operations.

k. 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.

l. 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 May 31, 2016, there were an unlimited number of shares authorized (without par value). Transactions in the Fund s shares were as follows:

        Year Ended May 31,    
   

 
      2016       2015
   

 
 
    Shares Amount   Shares   Amount

 

 
 
Class A Shares:              
Shares sold   13,295,280 $ 143,673,278   11,313,392   $123,061,270
Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions   298,189 3,172,727   49,813   539,977
Shares redeemed   (10,133,166) (108,233,747)   (7,114,359)   (76,910,337)
   

 
 
Net increase (decrease)   3,460,303 $ 38,612,258   4,248,846   $ 46,690,910
   
 
 
 

 

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N O T E S   T O   C O N S O L I D A T E D   F I N A N C I A L   S T A T E M E N T S

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)                        
 
            Year Ended May 31,        

 








 
        2016           2015    

 
 
 
 
 
 
    Shares       Amount   Shares       Amount

 
 
 
 
 
 
Class C Shares:                        
Shares sold   5,119,256   $   55,145,221   3,173,984   $   34,546,633
Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions   79,128       836,381   3,444       37,196
Shares redeemed   (1,811,936)       (18,968,531)   (1,323,981)       (14,546,015)
   
 
 
 
 
 
Net increase (decrease)   3,386,448   $   37,013,071   1,853,447   $   20,037,814
   
 
 
 
 
 
Class R Shares:                        
Shares sold   13,984   $   149,262   28,828   $   310,648
Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions   106       1,140   92       1,001
Shares redeemed   (804,855)       (8,960,502)   (303,567)       (3,366,568)
   
 
 
 
 
 
Net increase (decrease)   (790,765)   $   (8,810,100)   (274,647)   $   (3,054,919)
   
 
 
 
 
 
Class R6 Shares:                        
Shares sold   5,337,514   $   57,004,431   3,740,127   $   41,206,775
Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions   459,924       4,902,787   167,937       1,822,117
Shares redeemed   (2,155,223)       (22,488,350)   (2,694,521)       (29,766,682)
   
 
 
 
 
 
Net increase (decrease)   3,642,215   $   39,418,868   1,213,543   $   13,262,210
   
 
 
 
 
 
Advisor Class Shares:                        
Shares sold   64,566,684   $ 695,799,599   30,206,978   $329,751,933
Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions   966,546       10,303,451   106,628       1,156,912
Shares redeemed   (26,703,118)       (281,800,492)   (5,999,090)       (65,272,536)
   
 
 
 
 
 
Net increase (decrease)   38,830,112   $ 424,302,558   24,314,516   $265,636,309
   
 
 
 

 

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 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

 

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F R A N K L I N   A L T E R N A T I V E   ST R A T E G I E S   F U N D S
N O T E S   T O   C O N S O L I D A T E D   F I N A N C I A L   S T A T E M E N T S

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)
 
3. Transactions with Affiliates (continued)
 
a. Management Fees (continued)
Subadvisors (continued)

Emso Asset Management Limited

Graham Capital Management, L. P.

Impala Asset Management, LLC

Jennison Associates, LLC

Lazard Asset Management, LLC

Loomis Sayles & Company, L. P.

P. Schoenfeld Asset Management L. P.

Portland Hill Capital LLP

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.

c. Distribution Fees

The Board has adopted distribution plans for each share class, with the exception of Class R6 and Advisor Class shares, pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. Under the Fund s Class A reimbursement distribution plan, the Fund reimburses Distributors for costs incurred in connection with the servicing, sale and distribution of the Fund s shares up to the maximum annual plan rate. Under the Class A reimbursement distribution plan, costs exceeding the maximum for the current plan year cannot be reimbursed in subsequent periods. In addition, under the Fund s Class C and R compensation distribution plans, the Fund pays Distributors for costs incurred in connection with the servicing, sale and distribution of the Fund s shares up to the maximum annual plan rate for each class. The plan year, for purposes of monitoring compliance with the maximum annual plan rates, is February 1 through January 31 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%

 

Effective August 1, 2015, the Board has set the current rate at 0.25% per year for Class A shares until further notice and approval by the Board.

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 year:

Sales charges retained net of commissions paid to unaffiliated broker/dealers   $168,709
CDSC retained   $ 26,681

 

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N O T E S   T O   C O N S O L I D A T E D   F I N A N C I A L   S T A T E M E N T S

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (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 shareholder servicing fees paid to third parties. These fees are allocated daily based upon their relative proportion of such classes aggregate net assets. Class R6 pays Investor Services transfer agent fees specific to that class.

For the year ended May 31, 2016, the Fund paid transfer agent fees of $748,954, of which $241,624 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 dividend expense on securities sold short) for each class of the Fund do not exceed 1.95%, and Class R6 does not exceed 1.86% 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, 2016. Total expenses waived or paid are not subject to recapture subsequent to the Fund s fiscal year end. Prior to October 1, 2015, expenses for Class R6 were limited to 1.88%.

g. Other Affiliated Transactions        
At May 31, 2016, the shares of the Fund were owned by the following entities:    
        Percentage of
        Outstanding
    Shares   Shares

 
 
Franklin Moderate Allocation Fund   9,471,811   8.09%

 
 
Franklin Conservative Allocation Fund   6,250,790   5.34%

 
 
Franklin Growth Allocation Fund   5,328,337   4.55%

 
 
Franklin LifeSmart 2025 Retirement Target Fund   360,753   0.31%

 
 
Franklin LifeSmart 2035 Retirement Target Fund   280,062   0.24%

 
 
Franklin LifeSmart 2045 Retirement Target Fund   190,719   0.16%

 
 
Franklin LifeSmart 2020 Retirement Target Fund   93,750   0.08%

 
 
Franklin LifeSmart 2030 Retirement Target Fund   92,595   0.08%

 
 
Franklin LifeSmart 2040 Retirement Target Fund   66,979   0.06%

 
 
Franklin LifeSmart 2050 Retirement Target Fund   62,135   0.05%

 
 
Franklin NextStep Moderate Fund   8,672   0.01%

 
 
Franklin LifeSmart 2055 Retirement Target Fund   6,949   0.01%

 
 
Franklin NextStep Growth Fund   3,278   0.00%*

 
 
    22,216,830   18.98%
   
 
*Rounds to less than 0.01%.        

 

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 year ended May 31, 2016, 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

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, 2016, the capital loss carryfor-wards were as follows:

Capital loss carryforwards:    
Short term $ 35,428,734
Long term   6,268,117
Total capital loss carryforwards $ 41,696,851

 

The tax character of distributions paid during the years ended May 31, 2016 and 2015 was as follows:

    2016   2015
Distributions paid from:        
Ordinary income $ 17,363,303 $ 4,044,172
Long term capital gain   4,170,318  
Total distributions paid $ 21,533,621 $ 4,044,172

 

At May 31, 2016, the cost of investments, net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) and undistributed ordinary income for income tax purposes were as follows:

Cost of investments $ 1,228,537,026  
Unrealized appreciation $ 51,377,099  
Unrealized depreciation   (29,215,107 )
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) $ 22,161,992  
Distributable earnings - undistributed ordinary income $ 7,202,192  

 

The difference 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, passive foreign investment company shares, bond discounts and premiums, commodity-based derivatives, investments in the K2 Subsidiary and wash sales.

6. Investment Transactions

Purchases and sales of investments and securities sold short (excluding short term securities) for the year ended May 31, 2016, aggregated $2,491,376,328 and $2,258,965,710, respectively.

Transactions in options written during the year ended May 31, 2016, were as follows:                  
 
            Options                 Swaptions          
 
  Number of         Notional             Notional       Notional          
  Contracts     Premiums   Amount     Premiums     Amount   Premiums   Amount       Premiums  
Options outstanding                                            
at May 31, 2015 3,168   $ 395,803   2,438,000,000 KRW $ 33,740   $ $   50,000,000   MXN $ 3,293  
Options written 37,778     5,840,136             6,200,000   84,940          
Options expired (5,263 )   (422,450) (2,438,000,000) KRW     (33,740 )              
Options exercised (320 )   (56,070 )                      
Options closed (26,397 )   (4,821,123 )               (50,000,000 ) MXN   (3,293 )
Options outstanding                                            
at May 31, 2016 8,966     936,296       $   $ 6,200,000 $ 84,940 $     $  

 

See Notes 1(e) and 8 regarding derivative financial instruments and other derivative information, respectively.

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F R A N K L I N   A L T E R N A T I V E   S T R A T E G I E S   F U N D S
N O T E S   T O   C O N S O L I D A T E D   F I N A N C I A L   S T A T E M E N T S

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)

The Fund sold certain long positions held in the portfolio and simultaneously entered into total return swaps on the positions, retaining substantially all of the exposure to the economic return and the related risks on the long positions. At May 31, 2016, the transfers of financial assets accounted for as sales were as follows:

                At Year Ended    
    At Original Transactions Dates       May 31, 2016    
   
 
 
 
 
        Gross   Fair Value of   Gross   Gross
    Cost Basis   Cash Received   Transferred   Derivative Assets   Derivative Liabilities
    of Positions Sold   for Positions Sold   Assets a   Recorded b   Recorded b

 
 
 
 
 
Sales and total return swaps   $1,336,321   $1,561,793   $114,311   $1,676,104   $1,561,793
   
 
 
 
 

 

a $114,311 of gross derivative assets is included as unrealized appreciation on OTC swap contracts in the Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities. See Note 8 regard-
ing other derivative information.
b Balances are presented on a gross basis, based on each leg of the swap contract, before the application of counterparty and cash collateral offsetting.

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.

At May 31, 2016, the aggregate long value of distressed company securities for which interest recognition has been discontinued was $4,038,890 representing 0.33% of the Fund s net assets. For information as to specific securities, see the accompanying Consolidated Statement of Investments.

8. Other Derivative Information

At May 31, 2016, the Fund s investments in derivative contracts are reflected in 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 Value   Liabilities Location   Fair Value

 
 
 
 
Interest rate contracts   Investments in securities, at   $ 38,459a   Options written, at value   $ 472
    value            
    Variation margin   978,366b   Variation margin   184,662b
    Unrealized appreciation on   2,300,048   Unrealized depreciation on   387,285
    OTC swap contracts       OTC swap contracts    
Foreign exchange contracts   Investments in securities, at   40,601a        
    value            
    Unrealized appreciation on   4,439,362   Unrealized depreciation on   4,445,062
    OTC forward exchange       OTC forward exchange    
    contracts       contracts    
Credit contracts   Variation margin   323,715b   Variation margin   179,169b
    OTC swap contracts (upfront   47,290   OTC swap contracts (upfront   17,177
    payments)       receipts)    
    Unrealized appreciation on   4,663   Unrealized depreciation on   27,370
    OTC swap contracts       OTC swap contracts    

 

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F R A N K L I N   A L T E R N A T I V E   S T R A T E G I E S   F U N D S
N O T E S   T O   C O N S O L I D A T E D   F I N A N C I A L   S T A T E M E N T S

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)            
 
8. Other Derivative Information (continued)            
    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 Value   Liabilities Location   Fair Value

 
 
 
 
Equity contracts   Investments in securities, at   $ 6,556,077a   Options written, at value   $ 781,189
    value            
    Variation margin   1,686,005b   Variation margin   1,578,685b
    Unrealized appreciation on   3,107,840   Unrealized depreciation on   3,323,296
    OTC swap contracts       OTC swap contracts    
Commodity contracts   Variation margin   1,986,408b   Variation margin   2,499,264b
       
     
Totals       $21,508,834       $13,423,631
       
     

 

a Purchased option contracts are included in investments in securities, at value in the Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities. b This amount reflects the cumulative appreciation (depreciation) of futures contracts and centrally cleared swaps contracts as reported in the Consolidated Statement of Investments. Only the variation margin receivable/payable at period end is separately reported within the Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Prior variation margin movements were recorded to cash upon receipt or payment.

For the year ended May 31, 2016, the effect of derivative contracts in the Fund s Consolidated Statement of Operations was as follows:

                Net Change in
                Unrealized
Derivative Contracts       Net Realized       Appreciation
Not Accounted for as   Consolidated Statement of   Gain (Loss)   Consolidated Statement of   (Depreciation)
Hedging Instruments   Operations Locations   for the Year   Operations Locations   for the Year

 
 
 
 
    Net realized gain (loss) from:       Net change in unrealized    
            appreciation (depreciation) on:    
Interest rate contracts   Investments   $ (45,503)a   Investments   $ (150,866)a
    Written options   3,114   Written options   83,525
    Futures contracts   (893,064)   Futures contracts   644,247
    Swap contracts   (8,994,941)   Swap contracts   1,902,366
Foreign exchange contracts   Investments   102,224 a   Investments   7,500 a
    Written options   201   Written options   1,832
    Foreign currency transactions   (2,583,230)b   Translation of other assets and   526,101b
            liabilities denominated in    
            foreign currencies    
    Futures contracts   2,109        
Credit contracts   Swap contracts   1,199,667   Swap contracts   164,811
Equity contracts   Investments   (4,083,058)a   Investments   (2,547,211)a
    Written options   518,399   Written options   256,322
    Futures contracts   (7,969,266)   Futures contracts   (328,069)
    Swap contracts   6,622,915   Swap contracts   (263,537)
Commodity contracts   Futures contracts   3,430,954   Futures contracts   (450,727)
       
     
Totals       $(12,689,479)       $ (153,706)
       
     

 

a Purchased option contracts are included in net realized gain (loss) from investments and net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments in the Consolidated Statement of Operations. b Forward exchange contracts are included in net realized gain (loss) from foreign currency transactions and net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) translation of other assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies in the Consolidated Statement of Operations.

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F R A N K L I N   A L T E R N A T I V E   S T R A T E G I E S   F U N D S
N O T E S   T O   C O N S O L I D A T E D   F I N A N C I A L   S T A T E M E N T S

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)

For the year ended May 31, 2016, the average month end fair value of derivatives represented 2.45% of average month end net assets. The average month end number of open derivative contracts for the year was 814.

At May 31, 2016, 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
   
 
    Assets a   Liabilitiesa

 
 
Derivatives        
Forward Exchange Contracts   $4,439,362   $4,445,062
Options Purchased   79,060  
Options Written     472
Swap Contracts   5,459,841   3,755,128
   
 
Total   $9,978,263   $8,200,662
   
 

 

a 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.

At May 31, 2016, the Fund s OTC derivative assets, which may be offset against the Fund s OTC derivative liabilities and collateral received from the counterparty, are as follows:

        Amounts Not Offset in the Consolidated    
        Statement of Assets and Liabilities        
       
 
   
 
    Gross and Net                        
    Amounts of Assets           Financials            
    Presented in the       Financial   Instruments       Cash    
    Consolidated Statement of   Instruments   Collateral   Collateral   Net Amount (Not
    Assets and Liabilities   Available for Offset   Received a   Received a   Less than Zero)

 
 
 
 
 
Counterparty                            
BNYM   $ 357,645   $     $   $     $ 357,645
BOFA   182,141       (90,926)           91,215
BZWS   87,870       (19,441)           68,429
CBOA   15,424                 15,424
CITI   34,460       (30,255)           4,205
CSFB   19,192                 19,192
DBAB   3,011,654       (2,554,386)         (30,000)   427,268
JPHQ                  
MLCO   11,025                 11,025
MSCO   559,723       (412,247)           147,476
MSCOc   3,087,876       (3,087,876)          
MSCS   2,611,253       (1,325,960)           1,285,293
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total   $9,978,263   $(7,521,091)   $   $(30,000)   $2,427,172
   
 
 
 
 

 

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F R A N K L I N   A L T E R N A T I V E   S T R A T E G I E S   F U N D S
N O T E S   T O   C O N S O L I D A T E D   F I N A N C I A L   S T A T E M E N T S

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)

8. Other Derivative Information (continued)

At May 31, 2016, the Fund s OTC derivative liabilities, which may be offset against the Fund s OTC derivative assets and collateral pledged to the counterparty, are as follows:

        Amounts Not Offset in the Consolidated    
        Statement of Assets and Liabilities        
       
 
   
 
    Gross and Net                        
    Amounts of Liabilities           Financials            
    Presented in the       Financial   Instruments       Cash    
    Consolidated Statement of   Instruments   Collateral   Collateral   Net Amount (Not
    Assets and Liabilities   Available for Offset   Pledged a   Pledged a   Less than Zero)

 
 
 
 
 
Counterparty                            
BNYM   $ 133,829   $     $   $     $133,829
BOFA   90,926       (90,926)          
BZWS   19,441       (19,441)          
CBOA                  
CITI   30,255       (30,255)          
CSFB                  
DBAB   2,554,386       (2,554,386)          
JPHQ   21,370                 21,370
MLCO                  
MSCO   412,247       (412,247)          
MSCOb   3,612,248       (3,087,876)     (524,372)  
MSCS   1,325,960       (1,325,960)          
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total   $8,200,662   $(7,521,091)   $   $(524,372)   $155,199
   
 
 
 
 

 

a In 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.
b Represents derivatives owned by the K2 Holdings Investment Corp., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Fund. See Note 1(g).

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

See Abbreviations on page 94.

9. 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 $2 billion (Global Credit Facility) which matures on February 10, 2017. 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. Effective February 12, 2016, the annual commitment fee is 0.15%. These fees are reflected in other expenses in the Consolidated Statement of Operations. During the year ended May 31, 2016, the Fund did not use the Global Credit Facility.

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F R A N K L I N   A L T E R N A T I V E   S T R A T E G I E S   F U N D S
N O T E S   T O   C O N S O L I D A T E D   F I N A N C I A L   S T A T E M E N T S

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 May 31, 2016, 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   $413,512,300   $   $   $ 413,512,300
Exchange Traded Funds   1,595,254       1,595,254
Convertible Preferred Stocks   1,053,778   1,827,800     2,881,578
Preferred Stocks   2,680,863       2,680,863
Convertible Bonds     172,672,647     172,672,647
Convertible Bonds in Reorganization     24,245     24,245
Corporate Bonds and Notes     221,571,622     221,571,622
Corporate Bonds and Notes in Reorganization     4,038,890     4,038,890
Senior Floating Rate Interests     1,692,352     1,692,352
Foreign Government and Agency Securities     28,054,661     28,054,661
Asset-Backed Securities and Commercial Mortgage-Backed                
Securities     23,447,879     23,447,879
Options Purchased   6,556,077   79,060     6,635,137
U. S. Government and Agency Securities   44,194,730       44,194,730
Short Term Investments   275,245,279   52,451,581     327,696,860
   
 
 
 
Total Investments in Securities   $744,838,281   $505,860,737   $   $1,250,699,018
   
 
 
 
Other Financial Instruments:                
Futures Contracts   $ 4,650,779   $   $   $ 4,650,779
Forward Exchange Contracts     4,439,362     4,439,362
Swap Contracts     5,736,266     5,736,266
   
 
 
 
Total Other Financial Instruments   $ 4,650,779   $ 10,175,628   $   $ 14,826,407
   
 
 
 
 
Liabilities:                
Other Financial Instruments:                
Options Written   $ 781,189   $ 472   $   $ 781,661
Securities Sold Shorta   246,878,601   5,450,645     252,329,246
Futures Contracts   4,262,611       4,262,611
Forward Exchange Contracts     4,445,062     4,445,062
Swap Contracts     3,917,120     3,917,120
   
 
 
 
Total Other Financial Instruments   $251,922,401   $ 13,813,299   $   $ 265,735,700
   
 
 
 
a For detailed categories, see the accompanying Consolidated Statement of Investments.                
   
 
 
 

 

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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)

10. Fair Value Measurements (continued)

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 year.

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/Exchange Currency Selected Portfolio
BNYM The Bank of New York Mellon AUD Australian Dollar ABS Asset Backed Security
BOFA Bank of America Corp BRL Brazilian Real ADR American Depositary Receipt
BZWS Barclays Bank PLC CAD Canadian Dollar ARM Adjustable Rate Mortgage
CBOA Commonwealth Bank of Australia COP Colombian Peso ETF Exchange Traded Fund
CITI Citigroup, Inc. EUR Euro EONIA Euro Overnight Index Average
CSFB Credit Suisse First Boston GBP British Pound EURIBOR Euro Interbank Offered Rate
DBAB Deutsche Bank AG HKD Hong Kong Dollar FEDEF Federal Funds Effective Rate
ICE Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. JPY Japanese Yen FRN Floating Rate Note
JPHQ JP Morgan Chase & Co. KRW Korean Won HONIX Hong Kong Overnight Index Rate
MLCO Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. MXN Mexican Peso IDR International Depositary Receipt
MSCO Morgan Stanley & Co., Inc. SEK Swedish Krona JIBAR Johannesburg Interbank Agreed Rate
MSCS Morgan Stanley Capital Services SGD Singapore Dollar LIBOR London InterBank Offered Rate
    USD United States Dollar MXONBR Bank of Mexico Official Overnight Rate
    ZAR South African Rand PIK Payment In-Kind
        RBACR Reserve Bank of Australia Cash Rate
        REIT Real Estate Investment Trust
        SAFEX South African Futures Exchange
        SONIA Sterling Overnight Index Average
        SPDR Standard & Poor’s Depositary Receipt
        STIBOR Stockholm Interbank Offered Rate

 

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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Board of Trustees of Franklin Alternative Strategies Funds and Shareholders of Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund:

We have audited the accompanying consolidated statement of assets and liabilities, including the consolidated statement of investments, of Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (the “Fund”) (one of the funds constituting the Franklin Alternative Strategies Funds), as of May 31, 2016, and the related consolidated statement of operations for the year then ended, the consolidated statement of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and the financial highlights for each of the periods indicated therein. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. We were not engaged to perform an audit of the Fund’s internal control over financial reporting. Our audit included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Fund’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements and financial highlights, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of May 31, 2016, by correspondence with the custodian and brokers or by other appropriate auditing procedures where replies from the brokers were not received. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (one of the funds constituting the Franklin Alternative Strategies Funds) at May 31, 2016, the consolidated results of its operations for the year then ended, the consolidated changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and the financial highlights for each of the periods indicated therein, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

Boston, Massachusetts
July 26, 2016

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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

Tax Information (unaudited)

Under Section 852(b)(3)(C) of the Internal Revenue Code (Code), the Fund hereby reports the maximum amount allowable but no less than $4,170,318 as a long term capital gain dividend for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2016.

Under Section 854(b)(1)(A) of the Code, the Fund hereby reports 11.99% of the ordinary income dividends as income qualifying for the dividends deduction for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2016.

Under Section 854(b)(1)(B) of the Code, the Fund hereby reports the maximum amount allowable but no less than $4,002,303 as qualified dividends for purposes of the maximum rate under Section 1(h)(11) of the Code for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2016. Distributions, including qualified dividend income, paid during calendar year 2016 will be reported to shareholders on Form 1099-DIV by mid-February 2017. Shareholders are advised to check with their tax advisors for information on the treatment of these amounts on their individual income tax returns.

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F R A N K L I N   A L T E R N A T I V E   S T R A T E G I E S   F U N D S

Board Members and Officers

The name, year of birth and address of the officers and board members, as well as their affiliations, positions held with the Trust,
principal occupations during at least the past five years and number of U.S. registered portfolios overseen in the Franklin Templeton
Investments fund complex are shown below. Generally, each board member serves until that person s successor is elected
and qualified.

Independent Board Members            
 
            Number of Portfolios in    
Name, Year of Birth       Length of   Fund Complex Overseen   Other Directorships Held During
and Address   Position   Time Served   by Board Member*   at Least the Past 5 Years

 
 
 
 
 
Edward I. Altman, Ph. D. (1941)   Trustee   Since 2011   15   None
c/o Franklin Mutual Advisers, LLC                
101 John F. Kennedy Parkway                
Short Hills, NJ 07078-2789                

 

Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:

       
Max L. Heine Professor of Finance, Emeritus and Director of The Credit and Debt Markets Research Program, Salomon Center, Stern School
of Business, New York University; editor and author of numerous financial publications; financial consultant; an adviser to numerous financial
and publishing organizations; and formerly, Vice Director, Salomon Center, Stern School of Business, New York University.

 
Ann Torre Bates (1958)   Trustee   Since 2011   39   Navient Corporation (loan
c/o Franklin Mutual Advisers, LLC               management, servicing and asset
101 John F. Kennedy Parkway               recovery) (2014-present), Ares Capital
Short Hills, NJ 07078-2789               Corporation (specialty finance
                company) (2010-present), United
                Natural Foods, Inc. (distributor of
                natural, organic and specialty foods)
                (2013-present), Allied Capital
                Corporation (financial services) (2003-
                2010) and SLM Corporation (Sallie
                Mae) (1997-2014) .
Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:        
Director of various companies; and formerly, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, NHP Incorporated (manager of multifamily
housing) (1995-1997); and Vice President and Treasurer, US Airways, Inc. (until 1995) .    

 
 
Burton J. Greenwald (1929)   Trustee   Trustee since   15   Franklin Templeton Emerging Markets
c/o Franklin Mutual Advisers, LLC   and Vice   2011 and Vice       Debt Opportunities Fund PLC and
101 John F. Kennedy Parkway   Chairman of   Chairman since       Fiduciary International Ireland Limited
Short Hills, NJ 07078-2789   the Board   2015       (1999-2015) .

 

Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:

       
Managing Director, B. J. Greenwald Associates (management consultants to the financial services industry); and formerly, Chairman,
Fiduciary Trust International Funds; Executive Vice President, L. F. Rothschild Fund Management, Inc. ; President and Director, Merit Mutual
Funds; President, Underwriting Division and Director, National Securities & Research Corporation; Governor, Investment Company Institute;
and Chairman, ICI Public Information Committee.            

 
 
 
 
Keith E. Mitchell (1954)   Trustee   Since 2011   15   None
c/o Franklin Mutual Advisers, LLC                
101 John F. Kennedy Parkway                
Short Hills, NJ 07078-2789                

 

Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:

       
Director of various boards of asset management firms; and formerly, Managing Member, Mitchell, Hartley & Bechtel Advisers, LLC (formerly,
Mitchell Advisers, LLC) (advisory firm) (2003-2015) and Managing Director, Putman Lovell NBF.    

 

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Independent Board Members (continued)        
 
            Number of Portfolios in    
Name, Year of Birth       Length of   Fund Complex Overseen   Other Directorships Held During
and Address   Position   Time Served   by Board Member*   at Least the Past 5 Years

 
 
 
 
 
David W. Niemiec (1949)   Trustee   Since 2015   39   Emeritus Corporation (assisted living)
c/o Franklin Mutual Advisers, LLC               (1999-2010) and OSI Pharmaceuticals,
101 John F. Kennedy Parkway               Inc. (pharmaceutical products)
Short Hills, NJ 07078-2789               (2006-2010) .

 

Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:

       
Advisor, Saratoga Partners (private equity fund); and formerly, Managing Director, Saratoga Partners (1998-2001) and SBC Warburg Dillon
Read (investment banking) (1997-1998); Vice Chairman, Dillon, Read & Co. Inc. (investment banking) (1991-1997); and Chief Financial
Officer, Dillon, Read & Co. Inc. (1982-1997) .            

 
 
 
 
Charles Rubens II (1930)   Trustee   Since 2011   15   None
c/o Franklin Mutual Advisers, LLC                
101 John F. Kennedy Parkway                
Short Hills, NJ 07078-2789                

 

Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:

       
Private investor and president of non-profit organizations; and formerly, an executive of Time, Inc. ; and Trustee of Colorado College.

 
Jan Hopkins Trachtman (1947)   Trustee   Since 2011   15   None
c/o Franklin Mutual Advisers, LLC                
101 John F. Kennedy Parkway                
Short Hills, NJ 07078-2789                

 

Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:

       
President and Founder, The Jan Hopkins Group (communications consulting firm); serves on Advisory Board of Knight Bagehot Fellowship;
and formerly, President, Economic Club of New York (2001-2015); Anchor/Correspondent, CNN Financial News (until 2003); Managing
Director and Head of Client Communications, Citigroup Private Bank (until 2005); Off-Air Reporter, ABC News World News Tonight; and
Editor, CBS Network News.                

 
 
 
 
 
Robert E. Wade (1946)   Trustee and   Trustee and   39   El Oro Ltd (investments)
c/o Franklin Mutual Advisers, LLC   Chairman of   Chairman of the       (2003-present) .
101 John F. Kennedy Parkway   the Board   Board since        
Short Hills, NJ 07078-2789       2011        
Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:        
Attorney at law engaged in private practice (1972-2008) and member of various boards.    

 
 
Gregory H. Williams (1943)   Trustee   Since 2015   15   None
c/o Franklin Mutual Advisers, LLC                
101 John F. Kennedy Parkway                
Short Hills, NJ 07078-2789                

 

Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:

       
Private investor; Consultant; and formerly, President, University of Cincinnati (2009-2012); President, The City College of New York (2001-
2009); Dean, College of Law, Ohio State University (1993-2001); and Associate Vice President, Academic Affairs and Professor of Law,
University of Iowa (1977-1993) .                

 

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Interested Board Members and Officers        
 
            Number of Portfolios in    
Name, Year of Birth       Length of   Fund Complex Overseen   Other Directorships Held During
and Address   Position   Time Served   by Board Member*   at Least the Past 5 Years

 
 
 
 
 
**Gregory E. Johnson (1961)   Trustee   Since 2011   160   None
One Franklin Parkway                
San Mateo, CA 94403-1906                
Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:        
Chairman of the Board, Member Office of the Chairman, Director and Chief Executive Officer, Franklin Resources, Inc. ; officer and/or director
or trustee, as the case may be, of some of the other subsidiaries of Franklin Resources, Inc. and of 44 of the investment companies in Franklin
Templeton Investments; Vice Chairman, Investment Company Institute; and formerly, President, Franklin Resources, Inc. (1994-2015) .

 
**Jennifer M. Johnson (1964)   Trustee   Since 2015   12   None
One Franklin Parkway                
San Mateo, CA 94403-1906                
Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:        
Co-President, Franklin Resources, Inc. ; officer and/or director or trustee, as the case may be, of some of the other subsidiaries of Franklin
Resources, Inc. and of four of the investment companies in Franklin Templeton Investments; and formerly, Chief Operating Officer and
Executive Vice President, Franklin Resources, Inc. (1994-2015); Executive Vice President of Operations and Technology, Franklin Resources,
Inc. (2005-2010); and Senior Vice President, Franklin Resources, Inc. (2003-2005) .    

 
 
Alison E. Baur (1964)   Vice   Since 2012   Not Applicable   Not Applicable
One Franklin Parkway   President            
San Mateo, CA 94403-1906                
Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:        
Deputy General Counsel, Franklin Templeton Investments; and officer of some of the other subsidiaries of Franklin Resources, Inc. and of 45
of the investment companies in Franklin Templeton Investments.        

 
 
 
Laura F. Fergerson (1962)   Chief   Since 2011   Not Applicable   Not Applicable
One Franklin Parkway   Executive            
San Mateo, CA 94403-1906   Officer            
    Finance and            
    Administration            
Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:        
Senior Vice President, Franklin Templeton Services, LLC; Vice President, Franklin Advisers, Inc. and Franklin Templeton Institutional, LLC;
and officer of 45 of the investment companies in Franklin Templeton Investments.    

 
 
Aliya S. Gordon (1973)   Vice   Since 2011   Not Applicable   Not Applicable
One Franklin Parkway   President            
San Mateo, CA 94403-1906                
Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:        
Senior Associate General Counsel, Franklin Templeton Investments; and officer of 45 of the investment companies in Franklin Templeton Investments.

 
Steven J. Gray (1955)   Secretary   Secretary and   Not Applicable   Not Applicable
One Franklin Parkway   and Vice   Vice President        
San Mateo, CA 94403-1906   President   since 2011        
Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:        
Senior Associate General Counsel, Franklin Templeton Investments; Vice President, Franklin Templeton Distributors, Inc. and Franklin
Alternative Strategies Advisers, LLC; and officer of 45 of the investment companies in Franklin Templeton Investments.

 

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Interested Board Members and Officers (continued)    
 
            Number of Portfolios in    
Name, Year of Birth       Length of   Fund Complex Overseen   Other Directorships Held During
and Address   Position   Time Served   by Board Member*   at Least the Past 5 Years

 
 
 
 
 
Robert G. Kubilis (1973)   Treasurer,   Since 2015   Not Applicable   Not Applicable
300 S. E. 2nd Street   Chief            
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301-1923   Financial            
    Officer and            
    Chief            
    Accounting            
    Officer            
Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:        
Treasurer, U. S. Fund Administration & Reporting, Franklin Templeton Investments; and officer of four of the investment companies in Franklin
Templeton Investments.                

 
 
 
 
 
Robert Lim (1948)   Vice   Since May 2016   Not Applicable   Not Applicable
One Franklin Parkway   President            
San Mateo, CA 94403-1906   AML            
    Compliance            
Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:        
Vice President, Franklin Templeton Companies, LLC; Chief Compliance Officer, Franklin Templeton Distributors, Inc. and Franklin Templeton
Investor Services, LLC; and officer of 45 of the investment companies in Franklin Templeton Investments

 
Kimberly H. Novotny (1972)   Vice   Since 2013   Not Applicable   Not Applicable
300 S. E. 2nd Street   President            
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301-1923                
Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:        
Associate General Counsel, Franklin Templeton Investments; Vice President and Corporate Secretary, Fiduciary Trust International of the
South; Vice President, Templeton Investment Counsel, LLC; Assistant Secretary, Franklin Resources, Inc. ; and officer of 45 of the investment
companies in Franklin Templeton Investments.            

 
 
 
 
Robert C. Rosselot (1960)   Chief   Since 2013   Not Applicable   Not Applicable
300 S. E. 2nd Street   Compliance            
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301-1923   Officer            
Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:        
Director, Global Compliance, Franklin Templeton Investments; Vice President, Franklin Templeton Companies, LLC; officer of 45 of the
investment companies in Franklin Templeton Investments; and formerly, Senior Associate General Counsel, Franklin Templeton Investments
(2007-2013); and Secretary and Vice President, Templeton Group of Funds (2004-2013) .    

 
 
Karen L. Skidmore (1952)   Vice   Since 2011   Not Applicable   Not Applicable
One Franklin Parkway   President            
San Mateo, CA 94403-1906                
Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:        
Senior Associate General Counsel, Franklin Templeton Investments; and officer of 45 of the investment companies in Franklin Templeton Investments.

 
Navid Tofigh (1972)   Vice   Since   Not Applicable   Not Applicable
One Franklin Parkway   President   November 2015        
San Mateo, CA 94403-1906                
Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:        
Associate General Counsel, Franklin Templeton Investments; and officer of 45 of the investment companies in Franklin Templeton Investments.

 

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Interested Board Members and Officers (continued)    
 
            Number of Portfolios in    
Name, Year of Birth       Length of   Fund Complex Overseen   Other Directorships Held During
and Address   Position   Time Served   by Board Member*   at Least the Past 5 Years

 
 
 
 
 
Craig S. Tyle (1960)   Vice   Since 2011   Not Applicable   Not Applicable
One Franklin Parkway   President            
San Mateo, CA 94403-1906                
Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:        
General Counsel and Executive Vice President, Franklin Resources, Inc. ; and officer of some of the other subsidiaries of Franklin Resources,
Inc. and of 45 of the investment companies in Franklin Templeton Investments.    

 
 
Lori A. Weber (1964)   Vice   Since 2011   Not Applicable   Not Applicable
300 S. E. 2nd Street   President            
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301-1923                
Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:        
Senior Associate General Counsel, Franklin Templeton Investments; Assistant Secretary, Franklin Resources, Inc. ; Vice President and
Secretary, Templeton Investment Counsel, LLC; and officer of 45 of the investment companies in Franklin Templeton Investments.

 
William Y. Yun (1959)   President   Since 2011   Not Applicable   Not Applicable
600 Fifth Avenue   and Chief            
New York, NY 10020   Executive            
    Officer            
    Investment            
    Management            
Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:        
Executive Vice President, Franklin Advisers, Inc. and Franklin Templeton Institutional, LLC; Chief Executive Officer, Franklin Alternative
Strategies Advisers, LLC; Director, Fiduciary Investments Corporation and K2 Advisors Holdings, LLC; officer and/or director or trustee, as the
case may be, of some of the other subsidiaries of Franklin Resources, Inc. and of one of the investment companies in Franklin Templeton
Investments; and formerly, Executive Vice President Alternative Strategies, Franklin Resources, Inc. (2005-2015) .

 

*We base the number of portfolios on each separate series of the U.S. registered investment companies within the Franklin Templeton Investments fund complex. These
portfolios have a common investment manager or affiliated investment managers.
**Gregory E. Johnson is considered to be an interested person of the Fund under the federal securities laws due to his position as an officer and director of Franklin
Resources, Inc., which is the parent company of the Fund s investment manager and distributor. Jennifer M. Johnson is considered to be an interested person of the Fund
under the federal securities laws due to her position as officer and director of Resources.
Note 1: Gregory E. Johnson and Jennifer M. Johnson are siblings.
Note 2: Officer information is current as of the date of this report. It is possible that after this date, information about officers may change.

The Fund s Board has determined that certain of the members of the Audit Committee, including Ann Torre Bates, are audit committee financial experts, and
independent, under those provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, and the rules and form amendments adopted by the Securities and Exchange
Commission, relating to audit committee financial experts.

The Statement of Information (SAI) include additional information about board members and is available, without charge, upon request. Shareholders may
call (800) DIAL BEN/342-5236 to request the SAI.

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FRANKLIN FRANKLIN

ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS K2 ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUND

 

Shareholder Information

Board Review of Investment Management Agreement and Sub-Advisory Agreements

The Board of Trustees (Board), including a majority of trustees that are not “interested persons” as such term is defined in section 2(a)(19) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (hereinafter referred to as “independent Trustees”), at a Board meeting held on May 16, 2016, unanimously approved the renewal of the Fund’s investment management agreement with K2/D&S Management Co., L.L.C. (K2 Advisors), and of each sub-advisory agreement between K2 Advisors and each of Basso Capital Management, L.P. (Basso), Chatham Asset Management, LLC (Chatham), Chilton Investment Company, LLC (Chilton), Graham Capital Management, L.P. (Graham), Impala Asset Management, LLC (Impala), Jennison Associates, LLC (Jennison), Lazard Asset Management, LLC (Lazard), Loomis Sayles & Company, L.P. (Loomis), P. Schoenfeld Asset Management L.P. (PSAM), Wellington Management Company LLP (Wellington) and York Registered Holdings, L.P. (together with Basso, Chatham, Chilton, Graham, Impala, Jennison, Lazard, Loomis, PSAM and Wellington, the Sub-Advisors).

Prior to a meeting of all of the trustees for the purpose of considering such renewal, the independent trustees held two other meetings dedicated to the renewal process (those trustees unable to attend in person were present by telephonic conference means). Throughout the process, the independent trustees received assistance and advice from and met separately with independent counsel. The independent trustees met with and interviewed officers of K2 Advisors and certain Sub-Advisors (including portfolio managers), the transfer agent and shareholder services group and the distributor. In approving the renewal of the investment management agreement and the sub-advisory agreements for the Fund, the Board, including the independent trustees, determined that the investment management fee structure was fair and reasonable and that continuance of the agreement was in the best interests of the Fund and its shareholders.

In making the foregoing approvals, the Board considered various materials related to the investment management agreement and the sub-advisory agreements including: (1) a copy of the investment management agreement and sub-advisory agreements; (2) information describing the nature, quality and extent of services that K2 Advisors and each Sub-Advisor provided, and is expected to provide, to the Fund, and the investment management fees and sub-advisory fees payable to K2 Advisors and each Sub-Advisor; (3) reports from K2 Advisors on the

continued diligence conducted on each Sub-Advisor and the reasons for recommending renewal of each of the sub-advisory agreements, including, but not limited to, each Sub-Advisor’s background, experience, personnel, operations, policies, procedures and compliance functions; and (4) a report from the Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer regarding K2 Advisors’ and each Sub-Advisor’s compliance program and capabilities, including policies and procedures in place to address potential conflicts of interest, and the diligence undertaken by the Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer with respect thereto. The Board also noted that they received an annual report on all marketing support payments made by Franklin Templeton Investments (FTI) to financial intermediaries, as well as a memorandum relating to third-party servicing arrangements in response to a Guidance Update from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) relating to mutual fund distribution and sub accounting fees.

The Board also took into account information furnished throughout the year at regular Board meetings, as well as information specifically requested and furnished for the renewal process, which culminated in the meetings referred to above for the specific purpose of considering such agreements. Information furnished throughout the year included, among others, reports on the Fund’s investment performance, expenses, portfolio composition, derivatives, asset segregation, portfolio turnover, Rule 12b-1 plans, distribution, shareholder servicing, legal and compliance matters, pricing of securities and sales and redemptions, and marketing support payments made to financial intermediaries, as well as a third-party survey of transfer agent fees charged funds within the FTI complex in comparison with those charged other fund complexes deemed comparable. Also, related financial statements and other information about the scope and quality of services provided by K2 Advisors and its affiliates and enhancements to such services over the past year were provided. In addition, the trustees received periodic reports throughout the year and during the renewal process relating to compliance with the Fund’s investment policies and restrictions. During the renewal process, the independent trustees considered K2 Advisors’ methods of operation within the Franklin Templeton group and its activities on behalf of other clients.

The information obtained by the trustees during the renewal process also included a special report prepared by Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. (Broadridge), an independent third-party analyst, comparing the Fund’s investment performance and expenses with those of other mutual funds deemed comparable to such Fund as selected by Broadridge (Broadridge

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Section 15(c) Report). The trustees reviewed this information and its usefulness in the renewal process with respect to matters such as comparative fees, expenses, expense ratios and performance. The Board considered K2 Advisors views that the peer group determined by Broadridge for comparison purposes may not be an entirely appropriate representation of the Fund s peer universe. K2 Advisors explained that the universe of funds that are managed using multi-manager, multi-strategy structures, like the Fund, is still evolving, and has presented challenges in identifying an appropriate set of peers for the Fund. It was noted by K2 Advisors that the peer group compiled by Broadridge includes several single-manager funds which, due to their nature and relative simplicity, have lower expense ratios and are not very useful for comparison purposes. In addition, many of the sponsors of funds with multi-manager strategies that K2 Advisors considers to be peers were excluded from the peer group and K2 Advisors believes that the Fund s expenses are consistent with those funds. It was noted that as more funds are launched that are managed similarly to the Fund, the peer group likely will become larger, and may also be sub-divided so that a peer group is available that is comprised of funds that provide a more meaningful comparison. While noting the limitations of the Broadridge Section 15(c) Report, the Board concluded that the Broadridge Section 15(c) Report was helpful in the performance of its duties.

In addition, the trustees received a Profitability Study (Profitability Study) prepared by management discussing the profitability to FTI from its overall U.S. Fund operations, as well as on an individual fund-by-fund basis. Over the past year, the Board and counsel to the independent trustees continued to receive reports on management s handling of recent regulatory inquiries and pending legal actions against K2 Advisors and its affiliates. The independent trustees were satisfied with the actions taken to date by management in response to such regulatory and legal matters. The independent trustees also received reports from the Trust s Chief Compliance Officer on regulatory inquiries and pending legal actions against the Sub-Advisors applicable to the services provided by the Sub-Advisors to the Fund and noted that there were not any issues in this regard that should prevent the renewal of the sub-advisory agreements.

The trustees reviewed the personnel, operations, financial condition, and investment management capabilities, methodologies and resources of K2 Advisors and each Sub-Advisor, including each management team s expertise in the management of other alternative strategies funds. As part of this review, particular attention was given to (1) the diligent risk management program

of K2 Advisors and its parent, including those aspects of the program related to selecting and overseeing sub-advisors to the Fund and continual monitoring and management of counter-party credit risk and collateral, (2) each Sub-Advisor s risk management program, and (3) derivatives and other complex instruments that are held and expected to be held by the Fund and how such instruments are used to carry out the Fund s investment objectives.

The Board also took into account, among other things, manage-ment s efforts in establishing a global credit facility for the benefit of the Fund and other accounts managed by FTI to provide a source of cash for temporary and emergency purposes or to meet unusual redemption requests as well as the strong financial position of K2 Advisors parent company and its commitment to the mutual fund business. In addition, the Board received updates from management on the SEC s progress in implementing the rule-making requirements established by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (Dodd-Frank Act), which was enacted July 21, 2010, and K2 Advisors and its affiliates compliance with rules and regulations already promulgated by the SEC under such act.

In addition to the above and other matters considered by the trustees throughout the course of the year, the following sets forth some of the primary information and factors relevant to the Board s decisions. This discussion of the information and factors considered by the Board (including the information and factors discussed above) is not intended to be exhaustive, but rather summarizes certain factors considered by the Board. In view of the wide variety of factors considered, the Board did not, unless otherwise noted, find it practicable to quantify or otherwise assign relative weights to the foregoing factors. In addition, individual trustees may have assigned different weights to various factors.

NATURE, EXTENT AND QUALITY OF SERVICES. The trustees reviewed the nature, extent and quality of the services provided, and to be provided, by K2 Advisors and each Sub-Advisor. In this regard, they reviewed the Fund s investment goal and K2 Advisors and each Sub-Advisor s investment strategy and sub-strategy, and K2 Advisors and each Sub-Advisor s ability to implement such investment strategy and/or sub-strategy, including, but not limited to, K2 Advisors and each Sub-Advisor s trading practices, investment decision processes and reputation.

The Board noted that the Fund employs a manager of manag-ers structure, whereby K2 Advisors is responsible for selecting sub-advisors (subject to Board approval), allocating the Fund s

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assets among them, and overseeing the sub-advisors day-today management of the Fund s assets. The Board noted the responsibilities that K2 Advisors has as the Fund s investment manager, including (1) due diligence on the Sub-Advisors and any potential new sub-advisors to the Fund, their respective trading strategies, risk management, operations and businesses, (2) on-going oversight and monitoring of the day-to-day investment activities of Sub-Advisors and other service providers, including their respective compliance with the investment mandate and restrictions, compliance policies and procedures and federal securities laws, and K2 Advisors ongoing assessment of their performance, (3) portfolio construction with respect to the allocation of assets among Sub-Advisors, investment funds, cash and other investments, (4) risk management, (5) preparing quarterly reports to the Board, and (6) the implementation of Board directives as they relate to the Fund. The Trustees also considered the successful performance of K2 Advisors in managing the Fund and other investment products with similar investment strategies to the investment strategies of the Fund that are not subject to the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

With respect to the sub-advisory services provided, and to be provided, by each Sub-Advisor, the Board noted the responsibilities that each Sub-Advisor has with respect to the portion of the Fund s assets allocated to the Sub-Advisor by K2 Advisors (Sub-Advised Portion), including, among others, implementing the investment strategies with respect to the Sub-Advised Portion and ensuring compliance with the investment strategies, policies and limitations of the Sub-Advised Portion. The trustees considered the successful performance of each Sub-Advisor in managing the Fund and other investment products with similar investment strategies to the investment strategies of its Sub-Advised Portion of the Fund, including, with respect to certain Sub-Advisors, mutual funds with similar investment strategies. The Board considered K2 Advisors rationale for recommending the continued retention of each Sub-Advisor.

The trustees reviewed the Fund s portfolio management teams at K2 Advisors and each Sub-Advisor, including each such team s performance, staffing, skills and compensation program. With respect to portfolio manager compensation, management assured the trustees that the Fund s long-term performance is a significant component of incentive-based compensation for K2 Advisors portfolio management team and noted that a portion of a K2 Advisors portfolio manager s incentive-based compensation is paid in shares of predesignated funds from the portfolio manager s fund management area. The trustees noted

that the portfolio manager compensation program aligned the interests of the portfolio managers with that of Fund shareholders. During regular Board meetings and the aforementioned meetings of the independent trustees, the trustees considered periodic reports provided to them showing that K2 Advisors and the Sub-Advisors complied with the investment policies and restrictions of the Fund as well as other reports periodically furnished to the Board covering matters such as the compliance of portfolio managers and other management personnel with the code of ethics covering the investment management personnel, the adherence to fair value pricing procedures established by the Board and the accuracy of net asset value calculations. The Board noted the extent of the benefits provided to Fund shareholders from being part of the Franklin Templeton group, including the right to exchange investments between funds (same class) without a sales charge, the ability to reinvest Fund dividends into other funds and the right to combine holdings of other funds to obtain reduced sales charges.

The trustees considered various other products, portfolios and entities that are advised by K2 Advisors and each Sub-Advisor and the allocation of assets and expenses among and within them, as well as their relative fees and reasons for differences with respect thereto and any potential conflicts.

The Board also considered a report from the Trust s Chief Compliance Officer regarding K2 Advisors and each Sub-Advisor s compliance programs and capabilities as such programs and capabilities relate to the operations of the Fund and the monitoring and testing of such program undertaken by the Trust s Chief Compliance Officer. The Board considered the selection and due diligence process employed by K2 Advisors in selecting and deciding to retain each Sub-Advisor as a sub-advisor to the Fund, including the due diligence undertaken with respect to the Sub-Advisor s compliance and risk management capabilities. The trustees considered K2 Advisors significant efforts in developing and implementing compliance procedures established in accordance with Securities and Exchange Commission and other requirements.

The Board also considered the nature, extent and quality of the services to be provided under the Fund s other service agreements to determine that, on an overall basis, Fund shareholders were well served. In this connection, the Board also took into account transfer agent and shareholder services provided to Fund shareholders by an affiliate of K2 Advisors, noting continuing expenditures by management to increase and improve the scope of such services and favorable periodic reports on shareholder services conducted by independent third

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parties. While such considerations directly affected the trustees decision in renewing the Fund s transfer agent and shareholder services agreement, the Board also considered these commitments as incidental benefits to Fund shareholders deriving from the investment management relationship.

Based on their review, the trustees were satisfied with the nature and quality of the overall services provided, and to be provided, by K2 Advisors and its affiliates and each Sub-Advisor to the Fund and its shareholders and were confident in the abilities of K2 Advisors and each Sub-Advisor to implement their respective investment strategy and/or sub-strategy and to provide quality services to the Fund and its shareholders.

INVESTMENT PERFORMANCE. As the Fund commenced operations in October 2013, the trustees reviewed the investment performance of the Fund and each Sub-Advisor for the one- and two-year periods ended December 31, 2015. As part of their review, they inquired of management regarding benchmark and hedging activities. Consideration was also given to performance in the context of available levels of cash, including as affected by net flows, during the periods. The trustees had meetings during the year, including the meetings referred to above held in connection with the renewal process, with the Fund s portfolio managers to discuss performance and the management of the Fund and each Sub-Advisor.

In addition, attention in assessing performance was given to the Broadridge Section 15(c) Report. That report showed the investment performance of the Fund (Class A shares) in comparison to other funds determined comparable by Broad-ridge. The comparable funds to the Fund, as chosen by Broadridge, included a representative class/fund from each retail portfolio in the alternative multi-strategy classification, excluding outliers. The Fund had total returns in the second-best performing quintile for the one-year period ended December 31, 2015 and total returns in the best performing quintile for the two-year period ended December 31, 2015. The Board was satisfied with such performance.

The trustees also compared Fund performance to other industry benchmarks, including measures of risk-adjusted performance of a fund, as part of their evaluation of investment performance. The trustees concluded that the Fund had performed well in comparison to its various benchmarks and in the context of the Fund s objectives.

COMPARATIVE EXPENSES AND PROFITABILITY.

The Board considered the cost of the services provided, and to be provided, by K2 Advisors and each Sub-Advisor and the

profits realized by K2 Advisors and its affiliates from their rela -tionships with the Fund. In considering the appropriateness of the management fee and other expenses charged to the Fund, the Board took into account various factors including investment performance and matters relating to Fund operations, including, but not limited to, the quality and experience of K2 Advisors personnel. The Board also reviewed and considered the investment management fees in light of the nature, extent and quality of the investment management services provided, and to be provided, by K2 Advisors and each Sub-Advisor, as more fully discussed above. The Board noted that the sub-advisory fees are paid by K2 Advisors to each Sub-Advisor and are not additional fees borne by the Fund. The Board also noted that the sub-advisory fees paid, and to be paid, by K2 Advisors to each Sub-Advisor were the product of arms-length negotiations between K2 Advisors and each Sub-Advisor. Furthermore, the Board took into account that information regarding Sub-Advisor profitability is not legally required to be provided and noted that, despite requests by K2 Advisors of such information, the Sub-Advisors had not provided profitability information. Accordingly, profitability information of the sub-advisors was given lesser weight than other factors. In addition, the Board considered the allocation of the investment management fee charged to the Fund between K2 Advisors and each Sub-Advisor in light of the nature, extent and quality of the investment management services provided, and to be provided, by K2 Advisors and each Sub-Advisor. As part of this discussion, the Board took into account the fee waiver and expense limitation arrangement in effect, and the amount of Fund expenses that were absorbed since inception of the Fund by K2 Advisors through such waivers and arrangements.

Consideration was also given to a comparative analysis in the Broadridge Section 15(c) Report of the investment management fee and total expense ratio of the Fund in comparison with those of a group of other funds selected by Broadridge as its appropriate Broadridge expense group. Broadridge expense data is based upon information taken from the Fund s most recent annual report, which reflects historical asset levels that may be quite different from those currently existing, particularly in a period of market volatility.

In reviewing comparative costs, emphasis was given to the Fund s contractual management fee in comparison with the contractual management fee that would have been charged by other funds within its Broadridge expense group assuming they were similar in size to the Fund, as well as the actual total expenses of the Fund in comparison with those of its Broad-ridge expense group. The Broadridge contractual management

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F R A N K L I N   A L T E R N A T I V E   S T R A T E G I E S   F U N D S
F R A N K L I N   K 2   A L T E R N A T I V E   S T R A T E G I E S   F U N D
S H A R E H O L D E R   I N F O R M A T I O N

fee analysis includes administrative charges as being part of the management fee, and total expenses, for comparative consistency, are shown by Broadridge for Fund Class A shares. The Fund s contractual management fee rate was in the most expensive quintile of its Broadridge expense group and its total expenses were in the middle quintile of such group. Noting the factors and limitations noted above with respect to the Broad-ridge Section 15(c) Report and factors relating to the Fund s operations, such as the quality and experience of K2 Advisors and the Sub-Advisors and the nature and quality of the services provided and to be provided by K2 Advisors and the Sub-Advisors, the Board found such comparative fees and expenses to be acceptable.

The trustees also reviewed the Profitability Study addressing profitability of Franklin Resources, Inc., from its overall U.S. fund business, as well as profitability to K2 Advisors and its affiliates, from providing investment management and other services to the Fund during the 12-month period ended September 30, 2015, the most recent fiscal year-end of Franklin Resources, Inc. The trustees reviewed the basis on which such reports are prepared and the cost allocation methodology utilized in the Profitability Study, it being recognized that allocation methodologies may each be reasonable while producing different results. In this respect, the Board noted that the reasonableness of the cost allocation methodologies was reviewed by independent accountants on an every other year basis.

The independent trustees met with management to discuss the Profitability Study. This included, among other things, a comparison of investment management income with investment management expenses of the Fund; comparison of underwriting revenues and expenses; the relative relationship of investment management and underwriting expenses; shareholder servicing profitability; economies of scale; and the relative contribution of the Fund to the profitability of K2 Advisors and its parent. In discussing the Profitability Study with the Board, K2 Advisors stated its belief that the costs incurred in establishing the infrastructure necessary to operate the type of mutual fund

operations conducted by it and its affiliates may not be fully reflected in the expenses allocated to the Fund in determining its profitability.

The Board also took into account management s expenditures in improving shareholder services provided to the Fund, as well as the need to meet additional regulatory and compliance requirements resulting from the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, the Dodd-Frank Act and recent SEC and other regulatory requirements. The trustees also considered the extent to which K2 Advisors and the Sub-Advisors may derive ancillary benefits from Fund operations, including those derived from the allocation of Fund brokerage and the use of commission dollars to pay for research and other similar services.

Based upon their consideration of all these factors, the trustees determined that the level of profits realized by K2 Advisors and its affiliates in providing services to the Fund was not excessive in view of the nature, quality and extent of services provided. In addition, the Board noted that shareholders are able to redeem their Fund shares at any time if shareholders believe that Fund fees and expenses are too high or if they are dissatisfied with the performance of the Fund.

ECONOMIES OF SCALE. The Board considered economies of scale realized by K2 Advisors and its affiliates and the Sub-Advisors as the Fund grows larger and the extent to which they are shared with Fund shareholders, as for example, in the level of the investment management fees charged, in the quality and efficiency of services rendered and in increased capital commitments benefiting the Fund directly or indirectly. The Board also considered the fee waiver and expense limitation arrangement in effect, and the amount of Fund expenses that were absorbed since inception of the Fund by K2 Advisors through such waiver and arrangement. The Board concluded that economies of scale were deemed not to be a significant factor at that time in light of, among other matters, the fee waiver and expense limitation arrangement in effect and the fact that the Fund had less than three complete years of operating results.

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F R A N K L I N   K 2   A L T E R N A T I V E   S T R A T E G I E S   F U N D

S H A R E H O L D E R   I N F O R M A T I O N

Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures

The Fund s investment manager has established Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures (Policies) that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities. Shareholders may view the Fund s complete Policies online at franklintempleton.com. Alternatively, shareholders may request copies of the Policies free of charge by calling the Proxy Group collect at (954) 527-7678 or by sending a written request to: Franklin Templeton Companies, LLC, 300 S.E. 2nd Street, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301, Attention: Proxy Group. Copies of the Fund s proxy voting records are also made available online at franklintempleton.com and posted on the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission s website at sec.gov and reflect the most recent 12-month period ended June 30.

Quarterly Statement of Investments

The Trust, on behalf of the Fund, files a complete statement of investments with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for the first and third quarters for each fiscal year 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.

Householding of Reports and Prospectuses

You will receive the Fund s financial reports every six months as well as an annual updated summary prospectus (prospectus available upon request). To reduce Fund expenses, we try to identify related shareholders in a household and send only one copy of the financial reports and summary prospectus. This process, called householding, will continue indefinitely unless you instruct us otherwise. If you prefer not to have these documents householded, please call us at (800) 632-2301. At any time you may view current prospectuses/summary prospectuses and financial reports on our website. If you choose, you may receive these documents through electronic delivery.

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Annual Report and Shareholder Letter
Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund

Investment Manager
K2/D&S Management Co., L.L.C.

Distributor
Franklin Templeton Distributors, Inc.
(800) DIAL BEN® / 342-5236
franklintempleton.com

Shareholder Services
(800) 632-2301

Authorized for distribution only when accompanied or preceded by a summary prospectus and/or prospectus. Investors should carefully consider a fund’s investment goals, risks, charges and expenses before investing. A prospectus contains this and other information; please read it carefully before investing.

To help ensure we provide you with quality service, all calls to and from our service areas are monitored and/or recorded.

© 2016 Franklin Templeton Investments. All rights reserved. 068 A 07/16

 


 


Annual Report
and Shareholder Letter
May 31, 2016

Franklin K2 Long Short Credit Fund

A SERIES OF FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS


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Contents  
Annual Report  
Franklin K2 Long Short Credit Fund 3
Performance Summary 7
Your Fund’s Expenses 12
Financial Highlights and Statement of Investments 14
Financial Statements 29
Notes to Financial Statements 33
Report of Independent Registered  
Public Accounting Firm 46
Tax Information 47
Board Members and Officers 48
Shareholder Information 53

 

 

2

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Annual Report

Franklin K2 Long Short Credit Fund

We are pleased to bring you Franklin K2 Long Short Credit Fund’s annual report for the period since the Fund’s inception on September 8, 2015, through May 31, 2016.

Your Fund’s Goal and Main Investments

The Fund seeks total return over a complete market cycle through a combination of current income, capital preservation and capital appreciation. The Fund seeks to achieve its investment goal by allocating its assets across multiple non-traditional or “alternative” strategies, including but not limited to credit long short, structured credit and emerging market credit. The Fund is structured as a multi-manager fund, meaning the Fund’s assets are managed by multiple investment advisors (subadvisors), while the Fund’s investment manager has overall responsibility for the Fund’s investments.

Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets, plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes, in credit-related investments. The Fund invests in a wide range of securities and other investments including, but not limited to: corporate bonds, mortgage-backed securities and asset-backed securities, U.S. government and agency securities, collateralized debt and loan obligations, foreign government and supranational debt securities, loans and loan participations and derivatives with similar economic characteristics. The Fund may also invest in mortgage dollar rolls, repurchase agreements, reverse repurchase agreements, mortgage real estate investment trusts (REITs) and other similar transactions.

Performance Overview

The Fund’s Class A shares posted a +2.99% cumulative total return for period since the Fund’s inception on September 8, 2015, through May 31, 2016. For comparison, the Fund’s primary benchmark, the BofA Merrill Lynch 3-Month U.S. Treasury Bill Index, which is an index of short-term U.S. government securities with a remaining term to final maturity of less than three months, produced a +0.15% total return for the same period.1 Also for comparison, the Fund’s secondary benchmark, the HFRX Fixed Income-Credit Index, which


*Figures reflect certain derivatives held in the portfolio (or their underlying reference assets) and may not total 100% or may be negative due to rounding, use of any derivatives, unsettled trades or other factors.

measures performance of strategies with exposure to credit across a broad continuum of credit substrategies, had a -3.42% total return for the same period.2 You can find more of the Fund’s performance data in the Performance Summary beginning on page 7.

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

Economic and Market Overview

The global economy expanded moderately during the period under review. Concerns about global economic growth, China’s slowing economy and tumbling stock market, declining commodity prices, geopolitical tensions in several regions, fear of the U.K.’s potential exit from the European Union (commonly referred to as Brexit) and uncertainty about the U.S. Federal Reserve’s (Fed’s) timing for raising interest rates contributed to stock market volatility. However, toward period-end, equity markets strengthened after the Fed’s decision to leave its federal funds target rate unchanged after raising it for the first time in nine years in December. Further helping

1. Source: Morningstar.
2. Source: FactSet. Hedge Fund Research, Inc. – www.hedgefundresearch.com. The HFRX Fixed Income-Credit Index is being used under license from Hedge Fund
Research, Inc., which does not endorse or approve of any of the contents of this report.
The indexes are unmanaged and include reinvestment of any income or distributions. They do not reflect any fees, expenses or sales charges. One cannot invest directly in an
index, and an index is not representative of the Fund’s portfolio.
See www.franklintempletondatasources.com for additional data provider information.

The dollar value, number of shares or principal amount, and names of all portfolio holdings are listed in the Fund’s Statement of Investments (SOI). The SOI
begins on page 19.

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FRANKLIN K2 LONG SHORT CREDIT FUND

global stocks were the Bank of Japan’s (BOJ’s) decision to cut interest rates, hopes of additional stimulus measures by global central banks, and finalization of a new debt deal for Greece. An improvement in metal prices and signs of stabilization in crude oil prices also improved investor sentiment. During much of the reporting period, oil prices declined, largely due to strong global supply, but lower output expectations resulted in a small gain by period-end. Prices of many other commodities also fell for much of the period but partially recovered toward period-end.

U.S. economic growth moderated in the third and fourth quarters of 2015. Growth slowed further in 2016’s first quarter as non-residential investments, private inventory investments and federal government spending declined, although the impact was partially offset by healthy consumer spending. After maintaining a near-zero interest rate for seven years to support the U.S. economy’s recovery, the Fed raised its target range for the federal funds rate to 0.25%–0.50% at its December meeting but kept interest rates unchanged through period-end. At its April meeting, the Fed indicated that its monetary policy remained accommodative, thus supporting further labor market improvement and progress toward its 2.0% inflation objective.

In Europe, U.K. economic growth moderated in 2016’s first quarter as production, construction and agriculture slowed, while services continued to grow. In the eurozone, stocks declined mainly due to China’s moderating economy, geopolitical tensions between Russia and Turkey, weak trade data and Brexit fears toward period-end. However, the region generally benefited during the period from lower oil prices, a weaker euro that supported exports, the European Central Bank’s (ECB’s) ongoing accommodative policy and Greece’s debt deal settlement. Also boosting investor sentiments were comments by the ECB in May about its work on new proposals for dealing with non-performing loans. The eurozone’s annual inflation rate rose for much of the period but declined in the second half.

Japan’s economy contracted in 2015’s fourth quarter as private consumption and housing investment declined. However, the economy grew in 2016’s first quarter as government and private consumption rebounded. The BOJ took several actions during the period, including lowering its inflation forecasts and reorganizing its stimulus program to increase exposure to long-term government bonds and exchange-traded funds. In January, the BOJ introduced a negative interest rate on excess reserves kept by financial institutions with the central bank in an effort to boost lending and support inflation. However, toward the period-end, it decided against further stimulus measures and kept interest rates unchanged. In April, the BOJ further reduced its gross domestic product and inflation forecasts for fiscal year 2016.

In emerging markets, economic growth generally moderated while retreating in some countries. China’s economy grew in

the fourth quarter of 2015 and the first quarter of 2016 at an annual rate that was largely in line with the government’s target. Russia’s 2015 economic growth contracted because of declining oil prices and a weakening Russian ruble. Brazil’s economy shrank during the reporting period amid lower oil prices, weakness in the mining and services sectors, and the country’s ongoing political turmoil, including the temporary suspension of its president in May pending an impeachment trial. The People’s Bank of China cut its benchmark interest rate and the cash reserve requirement ratio for the country’s banks and lowered its currency valuation in May to the lowest level since March 2011. Elsewhere, the Reserve Bank of India slashed interest rates to the lowest in five years and took steps to increase monetary liquidity. In the recent global environment, emerging market stocks overall, as measured by the MSCI Emerging Markets Index, were relatively flat over the reporting period.

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: credit long short, structured credit and emerging market credit. We allocate the Fund’s assets among these strategies utilizing a top-down approach, generating the Fund’s strategy weightings by taking into account market conditions, risk factors, diversification, liquidity, transparency, and availability of various subadvisors and other investment options, among other things.

Credit long short strategies seek to isolate issuer-specific exposure, while limiting general market risks, by taking long and/or short positions in debt securities and other related instruments. Structured credit strategies aim to profit from trading in interest-rate sensitive securities such as residential and commercial mortgage-backed securities, credit default swaps on various indexes, collateralized loan obligations and asset-backed securities. Emerging market credit strategies invest in corporate and sovereign securities in emerging markets countries with a focus on fixed income.

The Fund may take long and/or short positions in a wide range of asset classes, including credit, fixed income and currencies, among others. The Fund may gain long or short exposure to select instruments by utilizing derivatives, engaging in short sales or entering into a series of purchase and sale contracts or repurchase agreements. Long positions benefit from an increase in the price of the underlying instrument, while short positions benefit from a decrease in that price. The Fund may also use

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FRANKLIN K2 LONG SHORT CREDIT FUND

derivatives for hedging and nonhedging (investment) purposes. Such derivative investments may include currency forward contracts; futures contracts; put and call options on currencies, securities and indexes; and swaps. The Fund may engage in active and frequent trading as part of its investment strategies.

What is a currency forward contract?

A currency forward contract is an agreement between the Fund
and a counterparty to buy or sell a foreign currency in exchange
for another currency at a specific exchange rate on a future date.

What is a futures contract?

A futures contract is an agreement between the Fund and a
counterparty made through a U.S. or foreign futures exchange to
buy or sell an underlying instrument or 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.

What are swap agreements?

Swap agreements, such as interest rate, currency and credit
default swaps, are contracts between the Fund and another
party (the swap counterparty). In a basic swap transaction, the
Fund agrees with the swap counterparty to exchange the returns
(or differentials in rates of return) earned or realized on a partic-
ular “notional amount” of underlying instruments. The notional
amount is the set amount selected by the parties as the basis on
which to calculate the obligations that they have agreed to
exchange. The parties typically do not actually exchange the
notional amount. Instead, they agree to exchange the returns
that would be earned or realized if the notional amount were
invested in given instruments or at given interest rates.

Manager’s Discussion

The Fund’s subadvisors for the review period covering September 8, 2015, to May 31, 2016, were Apollo Credit Management, Candlewood Investment Group, Chatham Asset Management, Ellington Global Asset Management and Emso Asset Management.

All three strategies—credit long short, emerging market credit and structured credit—generated positive absolute performance. On a subadvisor level, four of the five subadvisors contributed to absolute performance for the period. The only subadvisor with modest negative performance was Candlewood, in the structured credit strategy.

Subadvisors
5/31/16

Credit Long Short

Apollo Credit Management LLC Chatham Asset Management, LLC

Emerging Market Credit

Emso Asset Management Limited

Structured Credit

Candlewood Investment Group, L.P. Ellington Global Asset Management, L.L.C.

Apollo led subadvisor performance in the credit long short strategy as the subadvisor effectively managed long and short exposures during a volatile period in the credit markets. Contributors were widespread across long and short positions in consumer cyclical, consumer non-cyclical, industrial and communications issuers. Investments in technology and energy also benefited returns, while utilities had a minor negative impact on performance. A short position in a communication services provider was a key contributor. In late 2015, the company’s pending acquisition by a European telecommunications firm caused the existing bonds to trade down as investors worried that the company’s bond offering to finance the transaction would add a significant amount of leverage to the capital structure. The subadvisor later purchased the new bond issue related to the acquisition and sold it into the secondary market for a gain. On the other hand, a long convertible bond position in a real estate developer declined in February as the subadvisor noted investors seemed to be broadly negative about the real estate sector. Although the position detracted from returns, the company completed an unsecured deal in March to refinance some of the front-end bonds.

Chatham, the other subadvisor in the long short strategy, provided modest positive returns as strong gains between mid-February and May 2016 (when high yield bonds rallied) were offset by losses earlier in the period. A long position in a U.S. magazine publisher contributed to performance as the company announced strong results from some of its subsidiaries. The company also successfully exchanged lien notes in the review period. In early 2016, a short-term trading position in a high yield exchange-traded index benefited performance. Also contributing to returns was a long position in a gaming company, as the company’s high yield bonds rallied in March. A short position in a petroleum company’s high yield securities also strengthened results, particularly in early 2016, as the energy sector faced volatility and pessimism. In January, returns were curbed by a security from a natural gas pipeline company amid sector pessimism. S&P Index options also detracted from performance as a robust market rally began in mid-February.

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FRANKLIN K2 LONG SHORT CREDIT FUND

Both structured credit subadvisors enjoyed solid performance near period-end, and overall for the period, healthy performance for Ellington more than offset a modest decline for Candlewood.

The structured credit market was muted during the period, but subadvisors were able to benefit from carry, or yield, from the mortgage-backed securities in their portfolios. Ellington also enjoyed a large price gain in one of their residential mortgage-backed security (RMBS) positions, which they exited. The subadvisor believed RMBS would enjoy lower volatility relative to high yield bonds and equities during periods of market unrest, and this thesis was rewarded during the review period. Conversely, detracting from performance were shorts in commercial mortgage backed index credit-default swaps and short exposure to the high yield bond credit index. The subadvisor remained defensively positioned, waiting for what the sub-advisor believes will be better entry points in the market.

For Candlewood, the other structured credit subadvisor, long positions in securitized bonds backed by private student loans and hedges in the high yield credit index weighed on returns, particularly in February. In contrast, mortgage-backed securities generally added value.

Emso was added to the Fund in late January, and credit securities rallied in emerging markets for much of the period between February and May. Argentinian sovereign government debt benefited returns as the country reached a resolution in February with holdout bondholders from the country’s 2001 bond default. Following the agreement, Argentina issued new government bonds across maturities, and investor appetite led to an over-subscribed bond auction. Likewise, Greek sovereign government debt contributed to gains as investors began to anticipate a favorable review with creditors. Near period-end, eurozone finance ministers and the International Monetary Fund reached an agreement that resulted in a new series of financial aid for Greece. In contrast, short exposure in the Chinese yuan relative to the U.S. dollar weighed on returns. A combination of U.S. dollar weakness and a generally stabilizing environment in China during the past few months provided a tailwind for the yuan. A short position in the euro also curbed returns as investors grew more skeptical of the Fed’s ability to raise interest rates in the near term.

Thank you for your participation in Franklin K2 Long Short Credit Fund. We look forward to continuing to serve your future investment needs.


Portfolio Management Team

The foregoing information reflects our analysis, opinions and portfolio holdings as of May 31, 2016, the end of the reporting period. The way we implement our main investment strategies and the resulting portfolio holdings may change depending on factors such as market and economic conditions. These opinions may not be relied upon as investment advice or an offer for a particular security. The information is not a complete analysis of every aspect of any market, country, industry, security or the Fund. Statements of fact are from sources considered reliable, but the investment manager makes no representation or warranty as to their completeness or accuracy. Although historical performance is no guarantee of future results, these insights may help you understand our investment management philosophy.

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FRANKLIN K2 LONG SHORT CREDIT FUND

Performance Summary as of May 31, 2016

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 and graphs do 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)   5/31/16   9/8/15   Change
A (FKLSX) $ 10.15 $ 10.00 +$ 0.15
C (FKLCX) $ 10.07 $ 10.00 +$ 0.07
R (FKLRX) $ 10.10 $ 10.00 +$ 0.10
R6 (FKLQX) $ 10.15 $ 10.00 +$ 0.15
Advisor (FKLZX) $ 10.15 $ 10.00 +$ 0.15
 
 
Distributions1 (9/8/15–5/31/16)            
 
    Dividend   Short-Term    
Share Class   Income   Capital Gain   Total
A $ 0.0812 $ 0.0637 $ 0.1449
C $ 0.0827 $ 0.0637 $ 0.1464
R $ 0.0813 $ 0.0637 $ 0.1450
R6 $ 0.0830 $ 0.0637 $ 0.1467
Advisor $ 0.0813 $ 0.0637 $ 0.1450

 

See page 11 for Performance Summary footnotes.

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F R A N K L I N K 2 L O N G S H O R T C R E D I T F U N D
P E R F O R M A N C E S U M M A R Y

 

Performance as of 5/31/162

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          
  Cumulative   Average Annual     Value of $10,000 Total Return   Total Annual Operating Expenses7  
Share Class Total Return3   Total Return4     Investment5 (6/30/16 )6 (with waiver)   (without waiver)  
 
A                 2.72 % 3.80 %
Since Inception (9/8/15) +2.99 % -2.93 % $ 9,707 -1.88 %        
 
C                 3.47 % 4.55 %
Since Inception (9/8/15) +2.20 % +1.20 % $ 10,120 +2.21 %        
 
R                 2.97 % 4.05 %
Since Inception (9/8/15) +2.48 % +2.48 % $ 10,248 +3.50 %        
 
R6                 2.41 % 3.49 %
Since Inception (9/8/15) +3.01 % +3.01 % $ 10,301 +4.12 %        
 
Advisor                 2.47 % 3.55 %
Since Inception (9/8/15) +2.99 % +2.99 % $ 10,299 +4.10 %        

 

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

See page 11 for Performance Summary footnotes.

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F R A N K L I N   K 2   L O N G   S H O R T   C R E D I T   F U N D
P E R F O R M A N C E   S U M M A R Y

Total Return Index Comparison for a Hypothetical $10,000 Investment 2

Total return represents the change in value of an investment over the periods shown. It includes any applicable maximum sales
charge, Fund expenses, account fees and reinvested distributions. The unmanaged indexes include reinvestment of any income or
distributions. These differ from the Fund in composition and do not pay management fees or expenses. One cannot invest directly in
an index.


See page 11 for Performance Summary footnotes.

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F R A N K L I N   K 2   L O N G   S H O R T   C R E D I T   F U N D
P E R F O R M A N C E   S U M M A R Y

Total Return Index Comparison for a Hypothetical $10,000 Investment 2 (continued)


See page 11 for Performance Summary footnotes.

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FRANKLIN K2 LONG SHORT CREDIT FUND
PERFORMANCE SUMMARY

  Total Return Index Comparison for a Hypothetical $10,000 Investment2 (continued)    
  Advisor Class (9/8/15–5/31/16) Average Annual Total Return    
$ 15,000 Advisor Class 5/31/16  
    Since Inception (9/8/15) +2.99 %

 


$ 5,000      
    9/15   5/16
 
    Franklin K2 Long Short BofA Merrill Lynch 3-Month HFRX Fixed Income -
    Credit Fund U.S. Treasury Bill Index8 Credit Index9

 

All investments involve risks, including possible loss of principal. The market values of securities owned by the Fund will go up or down, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably. The Fund’s performance depends on the manager’s skill in selecting, overseeing, and allocating Fund assets to the subadvisors. The Fund is actively managed and could experience losses if the manager’s and subadvisors’ judgment about particular Fund portfolio investments prove to be incorrect. Some subadvisors may have little or no experience managing the assets of a registered investment company. Bond prices generally move in the opposite direction of interest rates. Changes in the financial strength of a bond issuer or in a bond’s credit rating may affect its value. Lower rated or high yield debt securities (junk bonds) involve greater credit risk, including the possibility of default or bankruptcy. Liquidity risk exists when securities become more difficult to sell, or are unable to be sold, at the price at which they’ve been valued. Investments in derivatives involve costs and create economic leverage, which may result in significant volatility and cause the Fund to participate in losses (as well as gains) that significantly exceed the Fund’s initial investment. The Fund may make short sales of securities, which involves the risk that losses may exceed the original amount invested. 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. The distribution amount is the sum of the dividend payments to shareholders for the period shown and includes only estimated tax-basis net investment income
and capital gain.
2. The Fund has an expense reduction contractually guaranteed through at least 9/30/16. The transfer agent has contractually agreed to waive or limit its transfer agency fees
for Class R6 shares of the Fund so that transfer agency fees for that class do not exceed 0.01% until 9/30/16. Fund investment results reflect the expense reduction and fee
cap, 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. Return for less than one year, if any, 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 and may differ from the expense ratios disclosed in the Financial Highlights in this report. In periods of market vola-
tility, assets may decline significantly, causing total annual Fund operating expenses to become higher than the figures shown.
8. Source: Morningstar. The BofA Merrill Lynch 3-Month U.S. T-Bill Index is an index of short-term U.S. government securities with a remaining term to final maturity of less
than three months.
9. 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 HFRX Global Hedge Fund Index is designed to be representative of the overall
composition of the hedge fund universe. It is composed of all eligible hedge fund strategies, including but not limited to convertible arbitrage, distressed securities, equity
hedge, equity market neutral, event driven, macro, merger arbitrage and relative value arbitrage. The strategies are asset weighted based on the distribution of assets in the
hedge fund industry.
See www.franklintempletondatasources.com for additional data provider information.

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Annual Report

11


 

FRANKLIN K2 LONG SHORT CREDIT 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, 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.

12 Annual Report

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FRANKLIN K2 LONG SHORT CREDIT FUND
YOUR FUND’S EXPENSES

    Beginning Account   Ending Account   Expenses Paid During
Share Class   Value 12/1/15   Value 5/31/16   Period* 12/1/15–5/31/16
A            
Actual $ 1,000 $ 1,021.70 $ 10.87
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses) $ 1,000 $ 1,014.25 $ 10.83
C            
Actual $ 1,000 $ 1,015.90 $ 16.28
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses) $ 1,000 $ 1,008.85 $ 16.22
R            
Actual $ 1,000 $ 1,017.70 $ 13.77
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses) $ 1,000 $ 1,011.35 $ 13.73
R6            
Actual $ 1,000 $ 1,021.90 $ 11.37
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses) $ 1,000 $ 1,013.75 $ 11.33
Advisor            
Actual $ 1,000 $ 1,020.70 $ 11.27
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses) $ 1,000 $ 1,013.85 $ 11.23

 

*Expenses are calculated using the most recent six-month expense ratio, net of expense waivers, annualized for each class (A: 2.15%;
C: 3.23%; R: 2.73%; R6: 2.25% and Advisor: 2.23%), multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 183/366 to reflect
the one-half year period for Hypothetical expenses.

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Annual Report

13


 

FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

Financial Highlights      
Franklin K2 Long Short Credit Fund      
    Period Ended  
    May 31, 2016a  
Class A      
Per share operating performance      
(for a share outstanding throughout the period)      
Net asset value, beginning of period $ 10.00  
Income from investment operationsb:      
Net investment incomec   0.21  
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)   0.08  
Total from investment operations   0.29  
Less distributions from:      
Net investment income   (0.08 )
Net realized gains   (0.06 )
Total distributions   (0.14 )
Net asset value, end of period $ 10.15  
 
Total returnd   2.99 %
 
Ratios to average net assetse      
Expenses before waiver, payments by affiliates and expense reductionf,g   3.37 %
Expenses net of waiver, payments by affiliates and expense reductionf,h   2.30 %
Expenses incurred in connection with securities sold short   0.40 %
Net investment income   2.85 %
 
Supplemental data      
Net assets, end of period (000’s) $ 28,198  
Portfolio turnover rate   511.62 %

 

aFor the period September 8, 2015 (commencement of operations) to May 31, 2016.
bThe amount shown for a share outstanding throughout the period may not correlate with the Statement of Operations for the period due to the timing of sales and repurchases
of Fund’s 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/or interest expense on securities sold short and security borrowing fees, if any. See below for the ratios of such expenses to average net assets for the
periods presented. See Note 1(e).
gRatios are adjusted to exclude the effects of annualization for non-recurring expenses.
hBenefit of expense reduction rounds to less than 0.01%.

14 Annual Report | The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS
FINANCIAL H IGHLIGHTS

Franklin K2 Long Short Credit Fund (continued)      
    Period Ended  
    May 31, 2016a  
Class C      
Per share operating performance      
(for a share outstanding throughout the period)      
Net asset value, beginning of period $ 10.00  
Income from investment operationsb:      
Net investment incomec   0.09  
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)   0.12  
Total from investment operations   0.21  
Less distributions from:      
Net investment income   (0.08 )
Net realized gains   (0.06 )
Total distributions   (0.14 )
Net asset value, end of period $ 10.07  
 
Total returnd   2.20 %
 
Ratios to average net assetse      
Expenses before waiver, payments by affiliates and expense reductionf,g   3.62 %
Expenses net of waiver, payments by affiliates and expense reductionf,h   2.55 %
Expenses incurred in connection with securities sold short   0.40 %
Net investment income   2.60 %
 
Supplemental data      
Net assets, end of period (000’s) $ 270  
Portfolio turnover rate   511.62 %

 

aFor the period September 8, 2015 (commencement of operations) to May 31, 2016.
bThe amount shown for a share outstanding throughout the period may not correlate with the Statement of Operations for the period due to the timing of sales and repurchases
of Fund’s 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/or interest expense on securities sold short and security borrowing fees, if any. See below for the ratios of such expenses to average net assets for the
periods presented. See Note 1(e).
gRatios are adjusted to exclude the effects of annualization for non-recurring expenses.
hBenefit of expense reduction rounds to less than 0.01%.

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The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. | Annual Report 15


 

FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS
FINANCIAL H IGHLIGHTS

Franklin K2 Long Short Credit Fund (continued)      
    Period Ended  
    May 31, 2016a  
Class R      
Per share operating performance      
(for a share outstanding throughout the period)      
Net asset value, beginning of period $ 10.00  
Income from investment operationsb:      
Net investment incomec   0.08  
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)   0.16  
Total from investment operations   0.24  
Less distributions from:      
Net investment income   (0.08 )
Net realized gains   (0.06 )
Total distributions   (0.14 )
Net asset value, end of period $ 10.10  
 
Total returnd   2.48 %
 
Ratios to average net assetse      
Expenses before waiver, payments by affiliates and expense reductionf,g   3.37 %
Expenses net of waiver, payments by affiliates and expense reductionf,h   2.30 %
Expenses incurred in connection with securities sold short   0.40 %
Net investment income   2.85 %
 
Supplemental data      
Net assets, end of period (000’s) $ 12  
Portfolio turnover rate   511.62 %

 

aFor the period September 8, 2015 (commencement of operations) to May 31, 2016.
bThe amount shown for a share outstanding throughout the period may not correlate with the Statement of Operations for the period due to the timing of sales and repurchases
of Fund’s 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/or interest expense on securities sold short and security borrowing fees, if any. See below for the ratios of such expenses to average net assets for the
periods presented. See Note 1(e).
gRatios are adjusted to exclude the effects of annualization for non-recurring expenses.
hBenefit of expense reduction rounds to less than 0.01%.

16 Annual Report | The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS
FINANCIAL H IGHLIGHTS

Franklin K2 Long Short Credit Fund (continued)      
    Period Ended  
    May 31, 2016a  
Class R6      
Per share operating performance      
(for a share outstanding throughout the period)      
Net asset value, beginning of period $ 10.00  
Income from investment operationsb:      
Net investment incomec   0.23  
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)   0.06  
Total from investment operations   0.29  
Less distributions from:      
Net investment income   (0.08 )
Net realized gains   (0.06 )
Total distributions   (0.14 )
Net asset value, end of period $ 10.15  
 
Total returnd   3.01 %
 
Ratios to average net assetse      
Expenses before waiver, payments by affiliates and expense reductionf,g   3.35 %
Expenses net of waiver, payments by affiliates and expense reductionf,h   2.28 %
Expenses incurred in connection with securities sold short   0.40 %
Net investment income   2.87 %
 
Supplemental data      
Net assets, end of period (000’s) $ 12,384  
Portfolio turnover rate   511.62 %

 

aFor the period September 8, 2015 (commencement of operations) to May 31, 2016.
bThe amount shown for a share outstanding throughout the period may not correlate with the Statement of Operations for the period due to the timing of sales and repurchases
of Fund’s 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/or interest expense on securities sold short and security borrowing fees, if any. See below for the ratios of such expenses to average net assets for the
periods presented. See Note 1(e).
gRatios are adjusted to exclude the effects of annualization for non-recurring expenses.
hBenefit of expense reduction rounds to less than 0.01%.

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The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. | Annual Report 17


 

FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS
FINANCIAL H IGHLIGHTS

Franklin K2 Long Short Credit Fund (continued)      
    Period Ended  
    May 31, 2016a  
Advisor Class      
Per share operating performance      
(for a share outstanding throughout the period)      
Net asset value, beginning of period $ 10.00  
Income from investment operationsb:      
Net investment incomec   0.20  
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)   0.09  
Total from investment operations   0.29  
Less distributions from:      
Net investment income   (0.08 )
Net realized gains   (0.06 )
Total distributions   (0.14 )
Net asset value, end of period $ 10.15  
 
Total returnd   2.99 %
 
Ratios to average net assetse      
Expenses before waiver, payments by affiliates and expense reductionf,g   3.36 %
Expenses net of waiver, payments by affiliates and expense reductionf,h   2.29 %
Expenses incurred in connection with securities sold short   0.40 %
Net investment income   2.86 %
 
Supplemental data      
Net assets, end of period (000’s) $ 23,058  
Portfolio turnover rate   511.62 %

 

aFor the period September 8, 2015 (commencement of operations) to May 31, 2016.
bThe amount shown for a share outstanding throughout the period may not correlate with the Statement of Operations for the period due to the timing of sales and repurchases
of Fund’s 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/or interest expense on securities sold short and security borrowing fees, if any. See below for the ratios of such expenses to average net assets for the
periods presented. See Note 1(e).
gRatios are adjusted to exclude the effects of annualization for non-recurring expenses.
hBenefit of expense reduction rounds to less than 0.01%.

18 Annual Report | The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

Statement of Investments, May 31, 2016        
Franklin K2 Long Short Credit Fund        
  Country Shares   Value
Common Stocks 0.2%        
Health Care Providers & Services 0.1%        
a Community Health Systems Inc United States 3,352 $ 45,051
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure 0.1%        
a Pinnacle Entertainment Inc United States 2,960   33,329
Independent Power & Renewable Electricity Producers 0.0%        
NRG Yield Inc., A United States 1,513   21,939
NRG Yield Inc., C United States 720   11,131
        33,070
Total Common Stocks (Cost $109,328)       111,450
b Preferred Stocks (Cost $255,772) 0.5%        
Thrifts & Mortgage Finance 0.5%        
a FHLMC, pfd., Series Z, 0.00% United States 67,844   302,584
 
    Principal    
    Amount*    
Convertible Bonds 3.4%        
Health Care Providers & Services 0.8%        
c Brookdale Senior Living Inc., senior note, 2.75%, 6/15/18 United States 530,000   525,362
Independent Power & Renewable Electricity Producers 1.1%        
d NRG Yield Inc., senior note, 144A, 3.50%, 2/01/19 United States 175,000   169,313
d Pattern Energy Group Inc., senior note, 144A, 4.00%, 7/15/20 United States 543,000   530,782
        700,095
Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) 1.5%        
American Realty Capital Properties Inc., 3.00%, 8/01/18 United States 403,000   398,466
c iStar Inc., senior note, 3.00%, 11/15/16 United States 500,000   520,938
        919,404
Total Convertible Bonds (Cost $2,197,826)       2,144,861

 

Corporate Bonds and Notes 37.5%
Auto Components 0.8%

d Herc Spinoff Escrow Issuer LLC / Herc Spinoff Escrow Issuer Corp., secured note,      
      second lien, 144A,      
7.50%, 6/01/22 United States 251,000 252,883
7.75%, 6/01/24 United States 252,000 253,260
      506,143
Chemicals 1.2%      
d GCP Applied Technologies Inc., senior note, 144A, 9.50%, 2/01/23 United States 370,000 411,625
d TPC Group Inc., secured, first lien note, 144A, 8.75%, 12/15/20 United States 425,000 329,375
      741,000
Commercial Services & Supplies 0.5%      
RR Donnelley & Sons Co.,      
senior bond, 6.00%, 4/01/24 United States 253,000 226,435
senior note, 7.00%, 2/15/22 United States 104,000 101,140
      327,575
Construction Materials 0.5%      
c,d Standard Industries Inc., senior note, 144A, 5.125%, 2/15/21 United States 286,000 298,155

 

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Annual Report

19


 

FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS
STATEMENT O F INVESTMENTS

Franklin K2 Long Short Credit Fund (continued)          
 
    Principal      
  Country Amount*     Value
Corporate Bonds and Notes (continued)          
Containers & Packaging 1.2%          
c Reynolds Group Issuer Inc. / Reynolds Group Issuer LLC, senior secured note,          
first lien, 6.875%, 2/15/21 United States 750,000 $   778,087
Diversified Financial Services 4.8%          
c Everi Payments Inc., senior note, 10.00%, 1/15/22 United States 576,000     478,080
d Garfunkelux Holdco 3 SA, senior note, 144A, 8.50%, 11/01/22 Luxembourg 339,000 GBP 499,191
d iPayment Inc., senior note, 144A, 9.50%, 12/15/19 United States 677,673     684,450
NewStar Financial Inc., senior note, 7.25%, 5/01/20 United States 254,000     237,172
d Opal Acquisition Inc., senior note, 144A, 8.875%, 12/15/21 United States 368,000     289,800
d ROC Finance LLC / ROC Finance 1 Corp., secured note, second lien, 144A,          
12.125%, 9/01/18 United States 853,000     895,650
          3,084,343
Diversified Telecommunication Services 2.6%          
d Intelsat Jackson Holdings SA, senior secured note, first lien, 144A, 8.00%, 2/15/24 Luxembourg 407,000     416,666
c,d Level 3 Financing Inc., senior note, 144A, 5.25%, 3/15/26 United States 576,000     576,000
c,d Numericable-SFR SA, secured bond, 144A, 7.375%, 5/01/26 France 679,000     684,517
          1,677,183
Electric Utilities 0.5%          
c,d Real Alloy Holding Inc., senior note, 144A, 10.00%, 1/15/19 United States 296,000     296,000
Energy Equipment & Services 0.7%          
e Petroleos Mexicanos, senior bond, Reg S, 6.875%, 8/04/26 Mexico 409,000     445,442
Health Care Equipment & Supplies 0.7%          
Universal Hospital Services Inc., senior note, 7.625%, 8/15/20 United States 509,000     477,824
Health Care Providers & Services 0.9%          
Community Health Systems Inc., senior note, 6.875%, 2/01/22 United States 250,000     216,098
IASIS Healthcare LLC / IASIS Capital Corp., senior note, 8.375%, 5/15/19 United States 113,000     109,045
Kindred Healthcare Inc., senior note, 8.75%, 1/15/23 United States 226,000     222,045
          547,188
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure 3.6%          
d Downstream Development Authority of the Quapaw Tribe of Oklahoma, secured note,          
144A, 10.50%, 7/01/19 United States 478,000     449,320
d Golden Nugget Escrow Inc., senior note, 144A, 8.50%, 12/01/21 United States 281,000     292,943
Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority, senior note, 9.75%, 9/01/21 United States 123,000     130,226
d Pizzaexpress Financing 2 PLC, senior secured note, first lien, 144A,          
6.625%, 8/01/21 United Kingdom 543,000 GBP 788,959
c Scientific Games International Inc., senior note, 10.00%, 12/01/22 United States 770,000     627,550
          2,288,998
Independent Power & Renewable Electricity Producers 0.6%          
d TerraForm Power Operating LLC, senior note, 144A, 5.875%, 2/01/23 United States 407,000     362,230
IT Services 0.9%          
c,d First Data Corp., secured note, first lien, 144A, 5.00%, 1/15/24 United States 576,000     577,797
Life Sciences Tools & Services 2.3%          
inVentiv Health Inc.,          
c,d secured note, first lien, 144A, 9.00%, 1/15/18 United States 573,000     588,757
          senior note, 10.00%, 8/15/18 United States 562,000     560,595
          senior note, 10.00%, 8/15/18 United States 66,000     65,010
d,f senior note, 144A, PIK, 10.00%, 8/15/18 United States 249,000     254,603
          1,468,965

 

20 Annual Report

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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS
STATEMENT O F INVESTMENTS

Franklin K2 Long Short Credit Fund (continued)          
 
    Principal      
  Country Amount*     Value
Corporate Bonds and Notes (continued)          
Media 5.6%          
American Media Inc.,          
           d secured note, second lien, 144A, 7.00%, 7/15/20 United States 1,064,631   $ 1,189,725
senior secured note, first lien, 11.50%, 12/15/17 United States 26,000     26,650
d Lee Enterprises Inc., senior secured note, first lien, 144A, 9.50%, 3/15/22 United States 446,000     446,000
The McClatchy Co., senior secured note, first lien, 9.00%, 12/15/22 United States 515,000     491,825
c Postmedia Network Inc., secured note, second lien, 12.50%, 7/15/18 Canada 393,000     158,183
d Time Inc., senior note, 144A, 5.75%, 4/15/22 United States 586,000     561,095
WideOpenWest Finance LLC / Capital Corp., senior note, 10.25%, 7/15/19 United States 701,000     733,421
          3,606,899
Metals & Mining 1.1%          
AK Steel Corp.,          
senior bond, 7.625%, 5/15/20 United States 247,000     199,452
senior bond, 8.375%, 4/01/22 United States 254,000     196,533
senior note, 7.625%, 10/01/21 United States 331,000     255,284
d Teck Resources Ltd., senior note, 144A, 8.50%, 6/01/24 Canada 46,000     47,265
United States Steel Corp.,          
senior bond, 7.375%, 4/01/20 United States 16,000     13,960
senior bond, 7.50%, 3/15/22 United States 10,000     7,850
senior note, 6.875%, 4/01/21 United States 20,000     15,600
          735,944
Multiline Retail 0.9%          
J.C. Penney Corp. Inc., senior bond, 7.95%, 4/01/17 United States 543,000     561,326
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels 4.9%          
Kinder Morgan Inc., senior bond, 8.05%, 10/15/30 United States 228,000     249,143
d NGPL PipeCo LLC, secured note, 144A,          
7.119%, 12/15/17 United States 421,000     444,155
9.625%, 6/01/19 United States 430,000     450,962
Petrobras Global Finance BV,          
senior bond, 5.75%, 1/20/20 Brazil 33,000     31,045
senior bond, 8.75%, 5/23/26 Brazil 89,000     84,683
senior bond, 6.85%, 6/05/15 Brazil 315,000     214,200
senior note, 4.875%, 3/07/18 Brazil 100,000 EUR   110,652
senior note, 4.875%, 3/17/20 Brazil 498,000     451,038
senior note, 8.375%, 5/23/21 Brazil 53,000     52,587
e Petroleos de Venezuela SA, senior bond, Reg S,          
6.00%, 5/16/24 Venezuela 163,000     53,888
6.00%, 11/15/26 Venezuela 633,000     205,662
Southwestern Energy Co., senior bond, 7.50%, 2/01/18 United States 756,000     763,560
          3,111,575
Paper & Forest Products 0.3%          
Resolute Forest Products Inc., senior note, 5.875%, 5/15/23 United States 289,000     215,666
Pharmaceuticals 0.9%          
d ConvaTec Healthcare SA, senior note, 144A, 10.50%, 12/15/18 Luxembourg 543,000     559,969
Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) 0.4%          
d Communications Sales & Leasing Inc., secured note, first lien, 144A, 6.00%, 4/15/23 United States 271,000     270,323
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment 1.1%          
d Micron Technology Inc., senior secured note, 144A, 7.50%, 9/15/23 United States 677,000     712,542

 

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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS
STATEMENT O F INVESTMENTS

Franklin K2 Long Short Credit Fund (continued)            
 
      Principal      
    Country Amount*     Value
   Corporate Bonds and Notes (continued)            
   Software 0.3%            
    d Open Text Corp., senior bond, 144A, 5.875%, 6/01/26   Canada 201,000 $   202,005
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals 0.2%            
    d Diamond 1 Finance Corp. / Diamond 2 Finance Corp., senior secured note, first lien,            
      144A,          
        4.42%, 6/15/21   United States 51,000     52,128
        5.45%, 6/15/23   United States 99,000     100,758
            152,886
    Total Corporate Bonds and Notes (Cost $23,272,061)           24,006,065
 
    Foreign Government and Agency Securities 5.5%            
     Government of Argentina,            
           e senior bond, Reg S, 7.50%, 4/22/26   Argentina 150,000     157,800
senior bond, 7.82%, 12/31/33   Argentina                   499,525 EUR 563,833
senior note, 8.75%, 6/02/17   Argentina 300,000     316,500
Government of Brazil, senior bond, 6.00%, 4/07/26   Brazil 200,000     203,000
Government of Hellenic Republic,            
e senior bond, Reg S, 3.00% to 2/24/20, 3.65% to 2/24/21, 4.30% thereafter,            
           2/24/42   Greece                  606,400 EUR 461,884
         d senior note, 144A, 3.375%, 7/17/17   Greece                  974,000 EUR 1,041,949
         d senior note, 144A, 4.75%, 4/17/19   Greece                      25,000 EUR 26,015
Government of Hungary, senior bond, 5.375%, 2/21/23   Hungary 140,000     154,272
e Government of Iraq, senior bond, Reg S, 5.80%, 1/15/28   Iraq 250,000     182,813
e Government of Paraguay, senior note, Reg S, 4.625%, 1/25/23   Paraguay 200,000     205,500
e Government of Sri Lanka, senior note, Reg S, 6.85%, 11/03/25   Sri Lanka 209,000     201,216
Total Foreign Government and Agency Securities            
       (Cost $3,189,388)           3,514,782
Asset-Backed Securities and Commercial Mortgage-Backed            
       Securities 31.3%            
Banks 7.3%            
    g Wachovia Bank Commercial Mortgage 2007-C30 Trust, AJ, FRN,            
         5.413%, 12/15/43   United States 1,750,000     1,745,236
g Wachovia Bank Commercial Mortgage 2007-C31 Trust, AJ, FRN, 5.66%, 4/15/47   United States 2,610,000     2,618,357
    g Washington Mutual Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, 2006-4, 3A2B, FRN,            
         0.526%, 5/25/36   United States 552,413     291,518
            4,655,111
Consumer Finance 0.4%            
g Impac CMB 2004-11 Trust, 1A2, FRN, 0.966%, 3/25/35   United States 316,802     235,755
   Diversified Financial Services 18.3%            
d,g Anchorage Capital CLO Ltd. 2013-1A Trust, C, 144A, FRN, 4.13%, 7/13/25   Cayman Islands 1,000,000     913,993
d Avant Loans Funding 2016-B Trust, A, 144A, 3.92%, 8/15/19   United States 750,000     753,257
g Banc of America Funding 2006-G Trust, M1, FRN, 0.738%, 7/20/36   United States 3,500,000     2,300,649
g Bear Stearns ARM 2006-2 Trust, 4A1, FRN, 3.997%, 7/25/36   United States 134,598     116,920
g Bear Stearns ARM 2007-4 Trust, 22A1, FRN, 4.798%, 6/25/47   United States 118,290     105,371
d,g Cornerstone CLO Ltd. 2007-C Trust, 144A, FRN, 3.028%, 7/15/21   United States 1,000,000     938,987
Credit Suisse First Boston Mortgage Securities Corp., 1A2, 7.50%, 3/25/32   United States 665,836     671,919
g Home Equity Mortgage Loan Asset-Backed 2001-A Trust, AV, FRN,            
        0.966%, 3/25/31   United States 112,515     100,964
g IndyMac Index Mortgage Loan 2005-AR13 Trust, 4A1, FRN, 2.72%, 8/25/35   United States 614,796     534,653

 

22 Annual Report

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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS
STATEMENT O F INVESTMENTS

Franklin K2 Long Short Credit Fund (continued)          
 
      Principal    
  Country   Amount*   Value
Asset-Backed Securities and Commercial          
Mortgage-Backed Securities (continued)          
Diversified Financial Services (continued)          
g IndyMac Index Mortgage Loan 2007-AR7 Trust, 1A1, FRN,          
0.746%, 6/25/37 United States   2,938,610 $ 1,440,360
g JP Morgan Mortgage 2007-A2 Trust, 2A1, FRN,          
2.813%, 4/25/37 United States   482,841   426,691
d,g Katonah Ltd. 2007-B1L Trust, 144A, FRN, 3.638%, 4/23/22 United States   1,000,000   958,038
d OneMain Financial Issuance Trust, 2014-1A, A, 144A,          
2.43%, 6/18/24 United States   115,613   115,733
d,g Sound Point CLO Ltd., 2013-1A, B1L, 144A, FRN,          
4.386%, 4/26/25 Cayman Islands   1,000,000   959,069
g Structured Asset Mortgage Investments 2003-AR2 Trust, A1,          
FRN, 1.179%, 12/19/33 United States   32,071   30,858
g WaMu Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates 2007-OA3 Trust,          
2A1A, FRN, 1.17%, 4/25/47 United States   102,250   91,532
d,g Waterfall Commercial Mortgage 2015-SBC5 Trust, A, 144A,          
FRN, 4.104%, 9/14/22 United States   1,291,889   1,270,747
          11,729,741
Thrifts & Mortgage Finance 5.3%          
Banc of America Commercial Mortgage 2006-6 Trust, AJ,          
5.421%, 10/10/45 United States   900,000   896,754
g National Collegiate Student Loan 2007-4 Trust, FRN,          
A3A1, 3.682%, 3/25/38 United States   950,000   945,742
A3A2, 6.50%, 3/25/38 United States   2,000,000   1,571,442
          3,413,938
Total Asset-Backed Securities and Commercial          
Mortgage-Backed Securities          
(Cost $19,837,476)         20,034,545
 
      Number of    
      Contracts    
Options Purchased 0.1%          
Calls – Exchange-Traded          
Health Care Providers & Services 0.0%          
Community Health Systems Inc., September Strike Price $16.00,          
Expires 9/16/16 United States   34   2,295
 
      Notional    
    Counterparty Amount*    
Payer Swaptions – Over-the-Counter          
Interest Rate 0.0%          
Pay fixed 10 year 2.00%, receive float 6-month USD LIBOR,          
Expires 10/21/16 United States JPHQ 678,000   5,735
 
      Number of    
      Contracts    
Puts – Exchange-Traded          
Diversified Financial Services 0.0%          
S&P 500 Index, June Strike Price $1,950.00, Expires 6/17/16 United States   17   2,125
S&P 500 Index, June Strike Price $2,000.00, Expires 6/30/16 United States   13   10,920
          13,045

 

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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS
STATEMENT O F INVESTMENTS

Franklin K2 Long Short Credit Fund (continued)        
 
    Number of    
  Country Contracts   Value
 
Options Purchased (continued)        
Exchange Traded Funds 0.1%        
iShares iBoxx USD High Yield Corporate Bond ETF, July Strike Price $81.00,        
Expires 7/15/16 United States 147 $ 7,497
SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust, July Strike Price $205.00, Expires 7/15/16 United States 106   24,804
        32,301
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels 0.0%        
Southwestern Energy Co., June Strike Price $12.00, Expires 6/17/16 United States 30   870
Total Options Purchased (Cost $74,807)       54,246
 
    Principal    
    Amount*    

 

U.S.    Government and Agency Securities 2.9%

U.S.

 Treasury Note,
1.25%, 3/31/21 United States 581,000   577,527  
1.625%, 2/15/26 United States 1,284,000   1,257,718  
Total U.S. Government and Agency Securities          
(Cost $1,850,783)       1,835,245  
Total Investments before Short Term Investments          
(Cost $50,787,441)       52,003,778  
 
    Shares      
Short Term Investments 9.7%          
Money Market Funds (Cost $5,185,565) 8.1%          
h Fidelity Institutional Money Market Funds, Money Market Portfolio, Class I, 0.234% United States 5,185,565   5,185,565  
 
    Principal      
    Amount*      
Repurchase Agreements (Cost $1,037,523) 1.6%          
i Joint Repurchase Agreement, 0.281%, 6/01/16          
(Maturity Value $1,037,531), United States 1,037,523   1,037,523  
BNP Paribas Securities Corp. (Maturity Value $413,176)          
Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. (Maturity Value $97,549)          
HSBC Securities (USA) Inc. (Maturity Value $516,472)          
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Inc. (Maturity Value $10,334)          
Collateralized by U.S. Government Agency Securities, 0.00% - 5.50%,          
6/10/16 - 2/01/20; U.S. Government Agency Securities, Strips, 6/01/17;          
jU.S. Treasury Bill, 5/25/17; and U.S. Treasury Note, 0.875%,          
10/15/17 - 4/15/19 (valued at $1,058,350)          
Total Investments (Cost $57,010,529) 91.1%       58,226,866  
Options Written (0.0)%       (10,643 )
Securities Sold Short (8.5)%       (5,422,676 )
Other Assets, less Liabilities 17.4%       11,128,222  
Net Assets 100.0%     $ 63,921,769  

 

24 Annual Report

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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS
STATEMENT O F INVESTMENTS

Franklin K2 Long Short Credit Fund (continued)          
 
    Number of      
  Country Contracts   Value  
Options Written (0.0%)          
Puts – Exchange-Traded          
Exchange Traded Funds (0.0%)          
SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust, July Strike Price $195.00, Expires 7/15/16 United States 106 $ (9,328 )
Health Care Providers & Services (0.0%)          
Community Health Systems Inc., September Strike Price $9.00, Expires 9/16/16 United States 34   (1,105 )
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels (0.0%)          
Southwestern Energy Co., June Strike Price $10.00, Expires 6/17/16 United States 30   (210 )
Total Options Written (Premiums Received $9,583)       (10,643 )
 
    Principal      
    Amount*      
k Securities Sold Short (8.5)%          
Corporate Bonds and Notes (8.0)%          
Auto Components (1.8)%          
Dana Holding Corp., senior bond, 5.50%, 12/15/24 United States 576,000   (554,400 )
MPG Holdco I Inc., senior note, 7.375%, 10/15/22 United States 576,000   (573,120 )
        (1,127,520 )
Chemicals (2.5)%          
CF Industries Inc., senior bond, 3.45%, 6/01/23 United States 575,000   (566,257 )
The Mosaic Co., senior bond, 4.25%, 11/15/23 United States 500,000   (532,650 )
Potash Corp. of Saskatchewan Inc., senior bond, 3.00%, 4/01/25 Canada 500,000   (493,468 )
        (1,592,375 )
Commercial Services & Supplies (0.5)%          
United Rentals North America Inc., senior bond, 5.50%, 7/15/25 United States 326,000   (321,110 )
Diversified Telecommunication Services (0.2)%          
d Frontier Communications Corp., senior note, 144A, 11.00%, 9/15/25 United States 112,000   (114,380 )
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure (1.0)%          
d Scientific Games International Inc., senior secured note, first lien, 144A,          
7.00%, 1/01/22 United States 662,000   (671,930 )
Media (0.1)%          
d CCO Holdings LLC / CCO Holdings Capital Corp., senior note, 144A,          
5.875%, 4/01/24 United States 56,000   (58,520 )
Road & Rail (0.9)%          
Hertz Corp., senior note, 6.75%, 4/15/19 United States 576,000   (584,854 )
Trading Companies & Distributors (1.0)%          
GATX Corp., senior bond, 4.85%, 6/01/21 United States 576,000   (611,476 )
Total Corporate Bonds and Notes (Proceeds $5,010,775)       (5,082,165 )

 

U.      S. Government and Agency Securities (0.5)%
U.      S. Treasury Note,
1.375%, 4/30/21 United States 48,000   (47,989 )
1.625%, 4/30/23 United States 88,000   (87,800 )
1.625%, 2/15/26 United States 209,000   (204,722 )
Total U.S. Government and Agency Securities          
(Proceeds $343,070)       (340,511 )
Total Securities Sold Short (Proceeds $5,353,845)     $ (5,422,676 )

 

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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS
STATEMENT O F INVESTMENTS

Franklin K2 Long Short Credit Fund (continued)

Rounds to less than 0.1% of net assets.
*The principal/notional amount is stated in U.S. dollars unless otherwise indicated.
aNon-income producing.
bVariable rate security. The rate shown represents the yield at period end.

cA portion or all of the security has been segregated as collateral for securities sold short and open written option contracts. At May 31, 2016, the aggregate value of these securities and/or cash pledged amounted to $9,540,115, representing 14.92% of net assets. dSecurity 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 May 31, 2016, the net value of these securities was $21,072,161, representing 32.97% of net assets. eSecurity 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 May 31, 2016, the aggregate value of these securities was $1,914,205, representing 2.99% of net assets. fIncome may be received in additional securities and/or cash. gThe coupon rate shown represents the rate at period end. hThe rate shown is the annualized seven-day yield at period end. iSee Note 1(c) regarding joint repurchase agreement. jThe security is traded on a discount basis with no stated coupon rate. kSee Note 1(e) regarding securities sold short.

At May 31, 2016, 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  
Equity Contracts                      
S&P 500 E-Mini Index   Short 2 $ 209,490 6/17/16 $ $ (8,594 )
Interest Rate Contracts                      
90 Day Eurodollar   Short 7   1,728,475 12/18/17     (276 )
U.S. Treasury 10 Yr. Note   Short 1   129,688 9/21/16     (439 )
U.S. Treasury Long Bond   Short 3   489,937 9/21/16     (3,733 )
          2,348,100       (4,448 )
Total Futures Contracts       $ 2,557,590   $ $ (13,042 )
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)               $ (13,042 )
 
At May 31, 2016, 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  
OTC Forward Exchange Contracts                      
Chinese Yuan MSCO Sell 5,321,200 $ 814,164 6/15/16 $ 6,793 $  
Euro MSCO Buy 1,033,853   1,168,776 6/15/16     (17,796 )
Euro MSCO Sell 3,016,843   3,371,007 6/15/16   12,371    
Japanese Yen MSCO Sell 25,231,430   222,536 6/15/16     (5,452 )
Mexican Peso MSCO Buy 7,009,291   390,207 6/15/16     (11,118 )
Mexican Peso MSCO Sell 7,009,291   404,636 6/15/16   25,548    
South Korean Won MSCO Sell 339,815,557   288,380 6/15/16   3,342    
British Pound JPHQ Sell 930,000   1,356,413 6/30/16   9,114    
Turkish Lira MLCO Sell 785,511   259,168 9/21/16   597    
Total Forward Exchange Contracts             $ 57,765 $ (34,366 )
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)           $ 23,399      
 
aMay be comprised of multiple contracts with the same counterparty, currency and settlement date.                

 

26 Annual Report

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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS
STATEMENT O F INVESTMENTS

Franklin K2 Long Short Credit Fund (continued)                                  
At May 31, 2016, the Fund had the following credit default swap contracts outstanding. See Note 1(d).              
 
Credit Default Swap Contracts                                        
                  Unamortized                    
  Periodic               Upfront                    
  Payment Counterparty/ Notional Expiration   Payments     Unrealized   Unrealized        
Description Rate   Exchange Amounta     Date   (Receipts)     Appreciation   Depreciation   Value   Ratingb
Centrally Cleared Swap Contracts                                        
Contracts to Buy Protection                                        
Traded Index                                        
CDX.NA.HY.25 5.00 % ICE 1,445,400     12/20/20   $ 14,454     $ $        (67,821)               $(53,367)
Single Name                                        
Government of Turkey 1.00 % ICE 504,000     12/20/20     41,464         (9,518 ) 31,946    
Government of South Africa 1.00 % ICE 235,000     6/12/21     21,512       1,402     22,914    
Government of Turkey 1.00 % ICE 149,000     6/12/21     10,088       1,473     11,561    
Government of South Africa 1.00 % ICE 172,000     6/20/21     16,602       169     16,771    
Government of Turkey 1.00 % ICE 141,000     6/20/21     11,405         (464 ) 10,941    
Contracts to Sell Protectionc                                        
Single Name                                        
Government of Brazil 1.00 % ICE 701,000     6/20/21     (79,797 )       (2,028 ) (81,825) BB
Government of Russia 1.00 % ICE 395,000     6/20/21     (28,844 )     113     (28,731) BB+
Total Centrally Cleared Swap Contracts                 $ 6,884   $ 3,157 $              (79,831)          $(69,790)
OTC Swap Contracts                                        
Contracts to Buy Protection                                        
Single Name                                        
American Axle & Manufacturing Inc 5.00 % JPHQ 570,000     6/20/21     (29,064 )       (23,053 ) (52,117 )  
Catepillar Financial Services Corp 1.00 % JPHQ 882,000     6/20/21     3,777         (7,000 ) (3,223 )  
Domtar Corp 1.00 % JPHQ 679,000     6/20/21     31,090         (18,090 ) 13,000    
Eastman Chemical Co 1.00 % JPHQ 543,000     6/20/21     (519 )       (5,855 ) (6,374 )  
Expedia Inc 1.00 % JPHQ 597,000     6/20/21     7,596         (8,850 ) (1,254 )  
Marubeni Corp 1.00 % GSCO 62,079,000 JPY 6/20/21     3,888         (8,190 ) (4,302 )  
Pizzaexpress Financing 1 PLC 5.00 % JPHQ 651,000 EUR 6/20/21     (33,731 )     25,740     (7,991 )  
Sprint Nextel 5.00 % JPHQ 217,000     6/20/19     25,424         (8,231 ) 17,193    
Sprint Nextel 5.00 % JPHQ 217,000     6/20/21     49,190         (10,749 ) 38,441    
Transocean Inc 5.00 % JPHQ 271,000     6/20/21     58,541       2,880     61,421    
Whirlpool Corp 1.00 % JPHQ 746,000     6/20/21     (7,165 )     20     (7,145 )  
Windstream Corp 5.00 % JPHQ 271,000     6/20/21     27,275         (4,580 ) 22,695    
    Total OTC Swap Contracts               $ 136,302   $ 28,640 $ (94,598) $ 70,344    
Total Credit Default Swap Contracts       71,465,400       $ 143,186   $ 31,797 $ (174,429 ) $ 554    
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)                             $ (142,632 )      

 

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.
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 fail-
ure to pay or bankruptcy of the underlying securities for traded index swaps.

See Notes 1(d) and 8 regarding derivative financial instruments and other derivative information, respectively.

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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS
STATEMENT O F INVESTMENTS

Franklin K2 Long Short Credit Fund (continued)                  
At May 31, 2016, the Fund had the following total return swap contracts outstanding. See Note 1(d).          
Total Return Swap Contracts                    
    Counter-     Expiration   Unrealized   Unrealized  
Underlying Instrument Financing Rate party   Notional Value Date   Appreciation   Depreciation  
OTC Swap Contracts                    
Short                    
iBoxx USD Liquid High Yield Index LIBOR JPHQ $ 328,000 6/20/16 $ $ (1,449)
iBoxx USD Liquid High Yield Index LIBOR MSCS   18,000 6/20/16     (120)
     Total Return Swap Contracts           $ $ (1,569)
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)               $ (1,569)
 
See Abbreviations on page 45.                    

 

28 Annual Report | The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

Financial Statements

Statement of Assets and Liabilities
May 31, 2016

Franklin K2 Long Short Credit Fund      
 
Assets:      
Investments in securities:      
Cost - Unaffiliated issuers $ 55,973,006  
Cost - Repurchase agreements   1,037,523  
Total cost of investments $ 57,010,529  
Value - Unaffiliated issuers $ 57,189,343  
Value - Repurchase agreements   1,037,523  
Total value of investments   58,226,866  
Cash   4,035,978  
Foreign currency, at value (cost $61,104)   59,806  
Receivables:      
Investment securities sold   7,122,056  
Dividends and interest   688,455  
Due from brokers   4,548,808  
Offering costs   116,489  
OTC swap contracts (upfront payments $210,820)   206,781  
Unrealized appreciation on OTC forward exchange contracts   57,765  
Unrealized appreciation on OTC swap contracts   28,640  
Other assets   7  
            Total assets   75,091,651  
Liabilities:      
Payables:      
Investment securities purchased   5,349,823  
Management fees   76,156  
Distribution fees   589  
Transfer agent fees   485  
Variation margin   3,365  
OTC swap contracts (upfront receipts $71,302)   70,479  
Options written, at value (premiums received $9,583)   10,643  
Securities sold short, at value (proceeds $5,353,845)   5,422,676  
Due to brokers   896  
Unrealized depreciation on OTC forward exchange contracts   34,366  
Unrealized depreciation on OTC swap contracts   96,167  
Accrued expenses and other liabilities   104,237  
              Total liabilities   11,169,882  
                 Net assets, at value $ 63,921,769  
Net assets consist of:      
Paid-in capital $ 62,617,210  
Undistributed net investment income   498,976  
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)   1,010,861  
Accumulated net realized gain (loss)   (205,278 )
               Net assets, at value $ 63,921,769  

 

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The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. | Annual Report 29


 

FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Statement of Assets and Liabilities (continued)    
May 31, 2016    
 
Franklin K2 Long Short Credit Fund    
 
Class A:    
Net assets, at value $ 28,197,685
Shares outstanding   2,777,822
Net asset value per sharea $ 10.15
Maximum offering price per share (net asset value per share ÷ 94.25%) $ 10.77
Class C:    
Net assets, at value $ 270,043
Shares outstanding   26,807
Net asset value and maximum offering price per sharea $ 10.07
Class R:    
Net assets, at value $ 12,067
Shares outstanding   1,195
Net asset value and maximum offering price per share $ 10.10
Class R6:    
Net assets, at value $ 12,384,402
Shares outstanding   1,219,926
Net asset value and maximum offering price per share $ 10.15
Advisor Class:    
Net assets, at value $ 23,057,572
Shares outstanding   2,270,909
Net asset value and maximum offering price per share $ 10.15
 
aRedemption price is equal to net asset value less contingent deferred sales charges, if applicable.    

 

30 Annual Report | The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Statement of Operations
for the period ended May 31, 2016a

Franklin K2 Long Short Credit Fund      
 
Investment income:      
Dividends $ 61,199  
Interest   1,673,212  
Paydown gain (loss)   436,385  
Total investment income   2,170,796  
Expenses:      
Management fees (Note 3a)   864,522  
Distribution fees: (Note 3c)      
Class A   1,160  
Class C   899  
Class R   40  
Transfer agent fees: (Note 3e)      
Class A   1,102  
Class C   20  
Class R   15  
Class R6   52  
Advisor Class   960  
Custodian fees (Note 4)   42,309  
Reports to shareholders   15,569  
Registration and filing fees   9,952  
Professional fees   72,222  
Trustees’ fees and expenses   10,402  
Amortization of offering costs   309,861  
Interest on securities sold short   157,950  
Security borrowing fees   9,695  
Other   5,759  
Total expenses   1,502,489  
Expense reductions (Note 4)   (861 )
Expenses waived/paid by affiliates (Note 3f)   (535,116 )
                Net expenses   966,512  
Net investment income   1,204,284  
Realized and unrealized gains (losses):      
Net realized gain (loss) from:      
Investments   (314,645 )
Written options   45,054  
Foreign currency transactions   (94,505 )
Futures contracts   (7,200 )
Securities sold short   224,334  
Swap contracts   (111,686 )
Net realized gain (loss)   (258,648 )
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:      
Investments   1,147,506  
Translation of other assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies   21,658  
Written options   (1,060 )
Futures contracts   (13,042 )
Swap contracts   (144,201 )
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)   1,010,861  
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)   752,213  
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations $ 1,956,497  

 

aFor the period September 8, 2015 (commencement of operations) to May 31, 2016.

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The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. | Annual Report 31


 

FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Statement of Changes in Net Assets      
 
Franklin K2 Long Short Credit Fund      
 
    Period Ended  
    May 31, 2016a  
Increase (decrease) in net assets:      
Operations:      
Net investment income $ 1,204,284  
Net realized gain (loss)   (258,648 )
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)   1,010,861  
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations   1,956,497  
Distributions to shareholders from:      
Net investment income:      
Class A   (223,550 )
Class C   (748 )
Class R   (97 )
Class R6   (99 )
Advisor Class   (199,097 )
Net realized gains:      
Class A   (175,371 )
Class C   (576 )
Class R   (76 )
Class R6   (76 )
Advisor Class   (155,996 )
Total distributions to shareholders   (755,686 )
Capital share transactions: (Note 2)      
Class A   27,777,884  
Class C   262,842  
Class R   10,000  
Class R6   11,915,470  
Advisor Class   22,754,762  
Total capital share transactions   62,720,958  
Net increase (decrease) in net assets   63,921,769  
Net assets:      
End of period $ 63,921,769  
Undistributed net investment income included in net assets:      
End of period $ 498,976  
 
aFor the period September 8, 2015 (commencement of operations) to May 31, 2016.      

 

32 Annual Report | The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

Notes to Financial Statements

Franklin K2 Long Short Credit Fund

1. Organization and Significant Accounting Policies

Franklin Alternative Strategies Funds (Trust) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (1940 Act) as an open-end management investment company, consisting of three separate funds and applies the specialized accounting and reporting guidance in U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (U.S. GAAP). Franklin K2 Long Short Credit Fund (Fund) is included in this report. The financial statements of the remaining funds in the Trust are presented separately. The Fund commenced operations on September 8, 2015, with five classes of shares: Class A, Class C, Class R, Class R6 and Advisor Class. Effective September 28, 2015, the Fund began publicly offering its shares. 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 as of 4 p.m. Eastern time each day the New York Stock Exchange (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 Committee (VC). The VC 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 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. Over-the-counter (OTC) securities are valued within the range of the most recent quoted bid and ask prices. Securities that trade in multiple markets or on multiple exchanges are valued according

to the broadest and most representative market. Certain equity securities are valued based upon fundamental characteristics or relationships to similar securities.

Debt securities generally trade in the OTC market rather than on a securities exchange. The Fund’s pricing services use multiple valuation techniques to determine fair value. In instances where sufficient market activity exists, the pricing services may utilize a market-based approach through which quotes from market makers are used to determine fair value. In instances where sufficient market activity may not exist or is limited, the pricing services also utilize proprietary valuation models which may consider market characteristics such as benchmark yield curves, credit spreads, estimated default rates, anticipated market interest rate volatility, coupon rates, anticipated timing of principal repayments, underlying collateral, and other unique security features in order to estimate the relevant cash flows, which are then discounted to calculate the fair value. Securities denominated in a foreign currency are converted into their U.S. dollar equivalent at the foreign exchange rate in effect at the NYSE close on the date that the values of the foreign debt securities are determined.

Investments in open-end mutual funds are valued at the closing NAV. 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 VC 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 VC 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

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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Franklin K2 Long Short Credit Fund (continued)

1. Organization and Significant Accounting

Policies (continued)

a. Financial Instrument Valuation (continued)

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 VC 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 4 p.m. Eastern time. 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 VC 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.

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 in the Statement of Operations.

Realized foreign exchange gains or losses arise from sales of foreign currencies, currency gains or losses realized between the trade and settlement dates on securities transactions and the difference between the recorded amounts of dividends, interest, and foreign withholding taxes and the U.S. dollar equivalent of the amounts actually received or paid. Net unrealized foreign exchange gains and losses arise from changes in foreign exchange rates on foreign denominated assets and liabilities other than investments in securities held at the end of the reporting period.

c. Joint Repurchase Agreement

The Fund enters into a joint repurchase agreement whereby its uninvested cash balance is deposited into a joint cash account with other funds managed by the investment manager or an affiliate of the investment manager and is used to invest in one or more repurchase agreements. The value and face amount of the joint repurchase agreement are allocated to the funds based on their pro-rata interest. A repurchase agreement is accounted for as a loan by the Fund to the seller, collateralized by securities which are delivered to the Fund’s custodian. The fair value, including accrued interest, of the initial collateralization is required to be at least 102% of the dollar amount invested by the funds, with the value of the underlying securities marked to market daily to maintain coverage of at least 100%. Repurchase agreements are subject to the terms of Master Repurchase Agreements (MRAs) with approved counterparties (sellers).

34 Annual Report

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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Franklin K2 Long Short Credit Fund (continued)

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 Statement of Investments, had been entered into on May 31, 2016.

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 in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Realized gain and loss and unrealized appreciation and depreciation on these contracts for the period are included in the Statement of Operations.

Derivative counterparty credit risk is managed through a formal evaluation of the creditworthiness of all potential counter-parties. The Fund attempts to reduce its exposure to counterparty credit risk on OTC derivatives, whenever possible, by entering into International Swaps and Derivatives Association (ISDA) master agreements with certain counterparties. These agreements contain various provisions, including but not limited to collateral requirements, events of default, or early termination. Termination events applicable to the counterparty include certain deteriorations in the credit quality of the counterparty. Termination events applicable to the Fund include failure of the Fund to maintain certain net asset levels and/or limit the decline in net assets over various periods of time. In the event of default or early termination, the ISDA master agreement gives the non-defaulting party the right to net and close-out all transactions traded, whether or not arising under

the ISDA agreement, to one net amount payable by one counterparty to the other. However, absent an event of default or early termination, OTC derivative assets and liabilities are presented gross and not offset in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Early termination by the counterparty may result in an immediate payment by the Fund of any net liability owed to that counterparty under the ISDA agreement.

Collateral requirements differ by type of derivative. Collateral or initial margin requirements are set by the broker or exchange clearing house for exchange traded and centrally cleared derivatives. Initial margin deposited is held at the exchange and can be in the form of cash and/or securities. For OTC derivatives traded under an ISDA master agreement, posting of collateral is required by either the Fund or the applicable 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. To the extent that the amounts due to the Fund from its counterparties are not subject to collateralization or are not fully collateralized, the Fund bears the risk of loss from counterparty non-performance.

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

The Fund entered into OTC forward exchange contracts primarily to manage and/or gain exposure to certain foreign currencies. A forward exchange contract is an agreement between the Fund and a counterparty to buy or sell a foreign currency at a specific exchange rate on a future date.

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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Franklin K2 Long Short Credit Fund (continued)

1. Organization and Significant Accounting

Policies (continued)

d. Derivative Financial Instruments (continued)

The Fund entered into credit default swap contracts primarily to manage and/or gain exposure to credit risk. A credit default swap is an agreement between the Fund and a counterparty whereby the buyer of the contract receives credit protection and the seller of the contract guarantees the credit worthiness of a referenced debt obligation. These agreements may be privately negotiated in the over-the-counter market (OTC credit default swaps) or may be executed in a multilateral trade facility platform, such as a registered exchange (centrally cleared credit default swaps). The underlying referenced debt obligation may be a single issuer of corporate or sovereign debt, a credit index, a basket of issuers or indices, or a tranche of a credit index or basket of issuers or indices. In the event of a default of the underlying referenced debt obligation, the buyer is entitled to receive the notional amount of the credit default swap contract from the seller in exchange for the referenced debt obligation, a net settlement amount equal to the notional amount of the credit default swap less the recovery value of the referenced debt obligation, or other agreed upon amount. For centrally cleared credit default swaps, required initial margins are pledged by the Fund, and the daily change in fair value is accounted for as a variation margin payable or receivable in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Over the term of the contract, the buyer pays the seller a periodic stream of payments, provided that no event of default has occurred. Such periodic payments are accrued daily as an unrealized appreciation or depreciation until the payments are made, at which time they are realized. Upfront payments and receipts are reflected in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities and represent compensating factors between stated terms of the credit default swap agreement and prevailing market conditions (credit spreads and other relevant factors). These upfront payments and receipts are amortized over the term of the contract as a realized gain or loss in the Statement of Operations.

The Fund entered into OTC total return swap contracts primarily to manage and/or gain exposure to credit risk of an underlying instrument such as a stock, bond, index or basket of securities or indices. A total return swap is an agreement between the Fund and a counterparty to exchange a return linked to an underlying instrument for a floating or fixed rate payment, both based upon a notional amount. Over the term of the contract, contractually required payments to be paid or

received are accrued daily and recorded as unrealized appreciation or depreciation until the payments are made, at which time they are recognized as realized gain or loss.

The Fund purchased or wrote exchange traded and/or OTC option contracts primarily to manage and/or gain exposure to equity price, interest rate and credit risk. An option is a contract entitling the holder to purchase or sell a specific amount of shares or units of an asset or notional amount of a swap (swaption), at a specified price. When an option is purchased or written, an amount equal to the premium paid or received is recorded as an asset or liability, respectively. Upon exercise of an option, the acquisition cost or sales proceeds of the underlying investment is adjusted by any premium received or paid. Upon expiration of an option, any premium received or paid is recorded as a realized gain or loss. Upon closing an option other than through expiration or exercise, the difference between the premium received or paid and the cost to close the position is recorded as a realized gain or loss.

See Notes 6 and 8 regarding investment transactions and other derivative information, respectively.

e. 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.

36 Annual Report

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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Franklin K2 Long Short Credit Fund (continued)

f. Income and Deferred Taxes

It is the Fund’s policy to qualify as a regulated investment company under the Internal Revenue Code. The Fund intends to distribute to shareholders substantially all of its taxable income and net realized gains to relieve it from federal income and excise taxes. As a result, no provision for U.S. federal income taxes is required.

The Fund may be subject to foreign taxation related to income received, capital gains on the sale of securities and certain foreign currency transactions in the foreign jurisdictions in which it invests. Foreign taxes, if any, are recorded based on the tax regulations and rates that exist in the foreign markets in which the Fund invests. When a capital gain tax is determined to apply, the Fund records an estimated deferred tax liability in an amount that would be payable if the securities were disposed of on the valuation date.

The Fund may recognize an income tax liability related to its uncertain tax positions under U.S. GAAP when the uncertain tax position has a less than 50% probability that it will be sustained upon examination by the tax authorities based on its technical merits. As of May 31, 2016, the Fund has determined that no tax liability is required in its financial statements related to uncertain tax positions (or expected to be taken in future tax years).

g. Security Transactions, Investment Income, Expenses and Distributions

Security transactions are accounted for on trade date. Realized gains and losses on security transactions are determined on a specific identification basis. Interest income and estimated expenses are accrued daily. Amortization of premium and accretion of discount on debt securities are included in interest income. Paydown gains and losses are recorded as an adjustment to interest income separately in the Statement of Operations. Dividend income is recorded on 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.

h. Offering Costs

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

i. 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.

j. Guarantees and Indemnifications

Under the Trust’s organizational documents, its officers and trustees are indemnified by the Trust against certain liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties to the Trust. Additionally, in the normal course of business, the Trust, on behalf of the Fund, enters into contracts with service providers that contain general indemnification clauses. The Trust’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Trust that have not yet occurred. Currently, the Trust expects the risk of loss to be remote.

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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Franklin K2 Long Short Credit Fund (continued)

2. Shares of Beneficial Interest

At May 31, 2016, there were an unlimited number of shares authorized (without par value). Transactions in the Fund’s shares were as follows:

  Period Ended  
  May 31, 2016a  
  Shares     Amount  
 
Class A Shares:          
Shares sold 2,783,146   $ 27,833,801  
Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions 74     736  
Shares redeemed (5,398 )   (56,653 )
Net increase (decrease) 2,777,822   $ 27,777,884  
Class C Shares:          
Shares sold 526,223   $ 5,258,893  
Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions 117     1,149  
Shares redeemed (499,533 )   (4,997,200 )
Net increase (decrease) 26,807   $ 262,842  
Class R Shares:          
Shares sold 500,001   $ 5,000,010  
Shares redeemed (498,806 )   (4,990,010 )
Net increase (decrease) 1,195   $ 10,000  
Class R6 Shares:          
Shares sold 1,993,087   $ 19,659,680  
Shares redeemed (773,161 )   (7,744,210 )
Net increase (decrease) 1,219,926   $ 11,915,470  
Advisor Class Shares:          
Shares sold 2,506,772   $ 25,097,674  
Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions 2,934     29,016  
Shares redeemed (238,797 )   (2,371,928 )
Net increase (decrease) 2,270,909   $ 22,754,762  

 

aFor the period September 8, 2015 (commencement of operations) to May 31, 2016.

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 pays an investment management fee to K2 Advisors of 2.05% per year of the average daily net assets of the Fund.

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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Franklin K2 Long Short Credit Fund (continued)

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

Subadvisors
Apollo Credit Management LLC
Candlewood Investment Group, L.P.
Chatham Asset Management, LLC
Ellington Global Asset Management, L.L.C.
Emso Asset Management Limited

 

b. Administrative Fees

Under an agreement with K2 Advisors, FT Services provides administrative services to the Fund. The fee is paid by K2 Advisors based on the Fund’s average daily net assets, and is not an additional expense of the Fund.

c. Distribution Fees

The Board has adopted distribution plans for each share class, with the exception of Class R6 and Advisor Class shares, pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. Under the Fund’s Class A reimbursement distribution plan, the Fund reimburses Distributors for costs incurred in connection with the servicing, sale and distribution of the Fund’s shares up to the maximum annual plan rate. Under the Class A reimbursement distribution plan, costs exceeding the maximum for the current plan year cannot be reimbursed in subsequent periods. In addition, under the Fund’s Class C and R compensation distribution plans, the Fund pays Distributors for costs incurred in connection with the servicing, sale and distribution of the Fund’s shares up to the maximum annual plan rate for each class. The plan year, for purposes of monitoring compliance with the maximum annual plan rates, is February 1 through January 31 for each fund.

The maximum annual plan rates, based on the average daily net assets, for each class, are as follows:

Class A 0.25 %
Class C 1.00 %
Class R 0.50 %

 

d. Sales Charges/Underwriting Agreements

Front-end sales charges and contingent deferred sales charges (CDSC) do not represent expenses of the Fund. These charges are deducted from the proceeds of sales of Fund shares prior to investment or from redemption proceeds prior to remittance, as applicable. Distributors has advised the Fund of the following commission transactions related to the sales and redemptions of the Fund’s shares for the period:

Sales charges retained net of commissions paid to unaffiliated broker/dealers $ 618
CDSC retained $ 6

 

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 shareholder servicing fees paid to third parties. These fees are allocated daily based upon their relative proportion of such classes’ aggregate net assets. Class R6 pays Investor Services transfer agent fees specific to that class.

For the period ended May 31, 2016, the Fund paid transfer agent fees of $2,149, of which $972 was retained by Investor Services.

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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Franklin K2 Long Short Credit Fund (continued)

3. Transactions with Affiliates (continued)

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 related to securities sold short) for each class of the Fund do not exceed 1.95%, and Class R6 does not exceed 1.89% 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, 2016. Total expenses waived or paid are not subject to recapture subsequent to the Fund’s fiscal year end.

g. Other Affiliated Transactions      
At May 31, 2016, the shares of the Fund were owned by the following entities:    
    Percentage of  
    Outstanding  
  Shares Shares  
Franklin Resources, Inc 5,000,389 79.41 %a
Franklin LifeSmart 2025 Retirement Target Fund 372,832 5.92 %
Franklin LifeSmart 2035 Retirement Target Fund 295,504 4.69 %
Franklin LifeSmart 2045 Retirement Target Fund 202,253 3.21 %
Franklin LifeSmart 2030 Retirement Target Fund 102,505 1.63 %
Franklin LifeSmart 2020 Retirement Target Fund 98,026 1.56 %
Franklin LifeSmart 2040 Retirement Target Fund 74,832 1.19 %
Franklin LifeSmart 2050 Retirement Target Fund 65,441 1.04 %
Franklin LifeSmart 2055 Retirement Target Fund 7,340 0.12 %
  6,219,122 98.77 %
aInvestment activities of this shareholder could have a material impact on the Fund.      

 

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 May 31, 2016, the custodian fees were reduced as noted in the 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, 2016, the capital loss carryfor-wards were as follows:

Capital loss carryforwards:    
Short term $ 52,924
Long term   9,129
Total capital loss carryforwards $ 62,053

 

The tax character of distributions paid during the period ended May 31, 2016, was as follows:

Distributions paid from ordinary income

$755,686

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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Franklin K2 Long Short Credit Fund (continued)

At May 31, 2016, the cost of investments, net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) and undistributed ordinary income for income tax purposes were as follows:

Cost of investments $ 57,166,796  
Unrealized appreciation $ 1,922,858  
Unrealized depreciation   (862,788 )
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) $ 1,060,070  
Distributable earnings - undistributed ordinary income $ 499,669  

 

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, swaps, offering costs and wash sales.

6. Investment Transactions

Purchases and sales of investments and securities sold short (excluding short term securities) for the period ended May 31, 2016, aggregated $279,101,174 and $235,026,991, respectively.

Transactions in options written during the period ended May 31, 2016, were as follows:                      
  Options     Swaptions    
 
  Number of           Notional          
  Contracts     Premiums     Amount     Premiums  
Options written 330   $ 79,476   $ 6,000,000   $ 38,400  
Options expired (136 )   (40,055 )   (6,000,000 )   (38,400 )
Options exercised                
Options closed (24 )   (29,838 )          
Options outstanding at May 31, 2016 170   $ 9,583   $     $  

 

See Notes 1(d) and 8 regarding derivative financial instruments and other derivative information, respectively.

7. Credit Risk

At May 31, 2016, the Fund had 22.1% of its portfolio invested in high yield and other securities rated below investment grade. These securities may be more sensitive to economic conditions causing greater price volatility and are potentially subject to a greater risk of loss due to default than higher rated securities.

8. Other Derivative Information

At May 31, 2016, the Fund’s investments in derivative contracts are reflected in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities as follows:

  Asset Derivatives       Liability Derivatives  
 
Derivative Contracts                
Not Accounted for as Statement of Assets and       Statement of Assets and      
Hedging Instruments Liabilities Location   Fair Value   Liabilities Location   Fair Value  
Interest rate contracts Investments in securities, at $ 5,735 a Variation margin $ 4,448 b
  value              
Foreign exchange contracts Unrealized appreciation on   57,765   Unrealized depreciation on   34,366  
  OTC forward exchange       OTC forward exchange      
  contracts       contracts      

 

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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Franklin K2 Long Short Credit Fund (continued)              
 
8. Other Derivative Information (continued)              
  Asset Derivatives       Liability Derivatives  
Derivative Contracts                
Not Accounted for as Statement of Assets and       Statement of Assets and      
Hedging Instruments Liabilities Location   Fair Value   Liabilities Location   Fair Value  
Credit contracts Variation margin $ 3,157 b Variation margin $ 79,831 b
  OTC swap contracts   206,781   OTC swap contracts (upfront   70,479  
  (upfront payments)       receipts)      
  Unrealized appreciation on   28,640   Unrealized depreciation on   96,167  
  OTC swap contracts       OTC swap contracts      
Equity contracts Investments in securities, at   48,511 a Options written, at value   10,643  
  value              
          Variation margin   8,594 b
Totals   $ 350,589     $ 304,528  

 

aPurchased option contracts are included in investments in securities, at value in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.
bThis amount reflects the cumulative appreciation (depreciation) of futures contracts and centrally cleared swaps contracts as reported in the Statement of Investments. Only
the variation margin receivable/payable at period end is separately reported within the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Prior variation margin movements were recorded to
cash upon receipt or payment.

For the period ended May 31, 2016, the effect of derivative contracts in the Fund’s Statement of Operations was as follows:

              Net Change in  
              Unrealized  
Derivative Contracts     Net Realized       Appreciation  
Not Accounted for as Statement of   Gain (Loss)   Statement of   (Depreciation)  
Hedging Instruments Operations Locations   for the Period   Operations Locations   for the Period  
  Net realized gain (loss)       Net change in unrealized      
  from:       appreciation (depreciation) on:      
Interest rate contracts Futures contracts $ 2,353   Investments $ (4,096 )a
          Futures contracts   (4,448 )
Foreign exchange contracts Foreign currency   (136,975 ) Translation of other assets and   23,399 b
  transactions       liabilities denominated in      
          foreign currencies      
Credit contracts Written options   38,400   Swap contracts   (144,201 )
  Swap contracts   (111,686 )        
Equity contracts Investments   (101,671 )a Investments   (16,465 )a
  Written options   6,654   Written options   (1,060 )
  Futures contracts   (9,553 ) Futures contracts   (8,594 )
Totals   $ (312,478 )   $ (155,465 )

 

aPurchased option contracts are included in net realized gain (loss) from investments and net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments in the Statement
of Operations.
bForward exchange contracts are included in net realized gain (loss) from foreign currency transactions and net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) translation of
other assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies in the Statement of Operations.

For the period ended May 31, 2016, the average month end fair value of derivatives represented 0.34% of average month end net
assets. The average month end number of open derivative contracts for the period was 29.

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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Franklin K2 Long Short Credit Fund (continued)

At May 31, 2016, the Fund’s OTC derivative assets and liabilities are as follows:

    Gross and Net Amounts
    of Assets and Liabilities
                                   Presented in the
                                            Statement of
                                   Assets and Liabilities
 
    Assetsa   Liabilitiesa
Derivatives        
Forward Exchange Contracts $ 57,765 $ 34,366
Options Purchased   5,735  
Swap Contracts   235,421   166,646
Total $ 298,921 $ 201,012

 

aAbsent an event of default or early termination, OTC derivative assets and liabilities are presented gross and not offset in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

At May 31, 2016, the Fund’s OTC derivative assets, which may be offset against the Fund’s OTC derivative liabilities and collateral received from the counterparty, are as follows:

                            Amounts Not Offset in the        
        Statement of Assets and Liabilities    
 
    Gross and Net                  
    Amounts of Assets         Financial        
    Presented in the   Financial     Instruments   Cash    
    Statement of   Instruments     Collateral   Collateral   Net Amount (Not
    Assets and Liabilities   Available for Offset     Received   Received   less than zero)
Counterparty                      
JPHQ $ 246,382 $ (158,336 ) $ $ $ 88,046
GSCO   3,888   (3,888 )      
MLCO   597           597
MSCO   48,054   (34,366 )       13,688
MSCS            
Total $ 298,921 $ (196,590 ) $ $ $ 102,331

 

At May 31, 2016, the Fund’s OTC derivative liabilities, which may be offset against the Fund’s OTC derivative assets and collateral pledged to the counterparty, are as follows:

        Amounts Not Offset in the        
        Statement of Assets and Liabilities        
 
    Gross and Net                  
    Amounts of Liabilities         Financial        
    Presented in the   Financial     Instruments   Cash    
    Statement of   Instruments     Collateral   Collateral   Net Amount (Not
    Assets and Liabilities   Available for Offset     Pledgeda,b   Pledgeda   less than zero)
Counterparty                      
JPHQ $ 158,336 $ (158,336 ) $ $ $
GSCO   8,190   (3,888 )       4,302
MLCO            
MSCO   34,366   (34,366 )      
MSCS   120           120
Total $ 201,012 $ (196,590 ) $ $ $ 4,422

 

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 collateraliza-
tion. Actual collateral received and/or pledged may be more than the amounts disclosed herein.
bSee the accompanying Statement of Investments for securities pledged as collateral for derivatives.

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

See Abbreviations on page 45.

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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Franklin K2 Long Short Credit Fund (continued)

9. 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 $2 billion (Global Credit Facility) which matures on February 10, 2017. 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. The Fund began participating in the Global Credit Facility on February 12, 2016.

Under the terms of the Global Credit Facility, the Fund shall, in addition to interest charged on any borrowings made by the Fund and other costs incurred by the Fund, pay its share of fees and expenses incurred in connection with the implementation and maintenance of the Global Credit Facility, based upon its relative share of the aggregate net assets of all of the Borrowers, including an annual commitment fee of 0.15% based upon the unused portion of the Global Credit Facility. These fees are reflected in other expenses in the Statement of Operations. During the period ended May 31, 2016, the Fund did not use the Global Credit Facility.

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 May 31, 2016, in valuing the Fund’s assets and liabilities carried at fair value, is as follows:

    Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Total
 
Assets:                
   Investments in Securities:a                
Common Stocks $ 111,450 $ $ $ 111,450
Preferred Stocks   302,584       302,584
Convertible Bonds     2,144,861     2,144,861
Corporate Bonds and Notes     24,006,065     24,006,065
Foreign Government and Agency Securities     3,514,782     3,514,782
Asset-Backed Securities and Commercial Mortgage-Backed                
Securities     20,034,545     20,034,545
Options Purchased   48,511   5,735     54,246
U.S. Government and Agency Securities     1,835,245     1,835,245
Short Term Investments   5,185,565   1,037,523     6,223,088
Total Investments in Securities $ 5,648,110 $ 52,578,756 $ $ 58,226,866

 

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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Franklin K2 Long Short Credit Fund (continued)                
 
10. Fair Value Measurements (continued)                
 
    Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Total
Other Financial Instruments                
Forward Exchange Contracts $ $ 57,765 $ $ 57,765
Swap Contracts     31,797     31,797
Total Other Financial Instruments $ $ 89,562 $ $ 89,562
 
Liabilities:                
Other Financial Instruments                
Options Written $ 10,643 $ $ $ 10,643
Securities Sold Shorta     5,422,676     5,422,676
Futures Contracts   13,042       13,042
Forward Exchange Contracts     34,366     34,366
Swap Contracts     175,998     175,998
Total Other Financial Instruments $ 23,685 $ 5,633,040 $ $ 5,656,725

 

aFor detailed categories, see the accompanying Statement of Investments.

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.

11. Subsequent Events

The Fund has evaluated subsequent events through the issuance of the financial statements and determined that no events have occurred that require disclosure.

Abbreviations        
Counterparty/Exchange Currency Selected Portfolio
GSCO The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. EUR Euro ARM Adjustable Rate Mortgage
ICE Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. GBP British Pound CLO Collateralized Loan Obligation
JPHQ JP Morgan Chase & Co. JPY Japanese Yen FHLMC Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp.
MLCO Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. USD United States Dollar FRN Floating Rate Note
MSCO Morgan Stanley     LIBOR London InterBank Offered Rate
MSCS Morgan Stanley Capital Services     PIK Payment In-Kind
        REIT Real Estate Investment Trust

 

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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Board of Trustees of Franklin Alternative Strategies Funds and Shareholders of Franklin K2 Long Short Credit Fund:

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the statement of investments, of Franklin K2 Long Short Credit Fund (the “Fund”) (one of the funds constituting the Franklin Alternative Strategies Funds), as of May 31, 2016, and the related statement of operations, the statement of changes in net assets and the financial highlights for the period from September 8, 2015 (commencement of operations) through May 31, 2016. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. We were not engaged to perform an audit of the Fund’s internal control over financial reporting. Our audit included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Fund’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements and financial highlights, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of May 31, 2016, by correspondence with the custodian and brokers or by other appropriate auditing procedures where replies from the brokers were not received. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Franklin K2 Long Short Credit Fund (one of the funds constituting the Franklin Alternative Strategies Funds) at May 31, 2016, the results of its operations, the changes in its net assets and the financial highlights for the period from September 8, 2015 (commencement of operations) through May 31, 2016, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

Boston, Massachusetts
July 26, 2016

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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

Tax Information (unaudited)

Under Section 871(k)(1)(C) of the Internal Revenue Code (Code), the Fund hereby reports the maximum amount allowable but no
less than $423,472 as interest related dividends for purposes of the tax imposed under Section 871(a)(1)(A) of the Code for the fis-
cal year ended May 31, 2016.

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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

Board Members and Officers    
 
 
The name, year of birth and address of the officers and board members, as well as their affiliations, positions held with the Trust,
principal occupations during at least the past five years and number of U.S. registered portfolios overseen in the Franklin Templeton
Investments fund complex, are shown below. Generally, each board member serves until that person’s successor is elected
and qualified.        
 
 
Independent Board Members      
 
      Number of Portfolios in  
Name, Year of Birth   Length of Fund Complex Overseen Other Directorships Held During
and Address Position Time Served by Board Member* at Least the Past 5 Years
 
Edward I. Altman, Ph.D. (1941) Trustee Since 2011 15 None
c/o Franklin Mutual Advisers, LLC        
101 John F. Kennedy Parkway        
Short Hills, NJ 07078-2789        
Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:    
Max L. Heine Professor of Finance, Emeritus and Director of The Credit and Debt Markets Research Program, Salomon Center, Stern School
of Business, New York University; editor and author of numerous financial publications; financial consultant; an adviser to numerous financial
and publishing organizations; and formerly, Vice Director, Salomon Center, Stern School of Business, New York University.
 
Ann Torre Bates (1958) Trustee Since 2011 39 Navient Corporation (loan
c/o Franklin Mutual Advisers, LLC       management, servicing and asset
101 John F. Kennedy Parkway       recovery) (2014-present), Ares Capital
Short Hills, NJ 07078-2789       Corporation (specialty finance
        company) (2010-present), United
        Natural Foods, Inc. (distributor of
        natural, organic and specialty foods)
        (2013-present), Allied Capital
        Corporation (financial services) (2003-
        2010) and SLM Corporation (Sallie
        Mae) (1997-2014).
Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:    
Director of various companies; and formerly, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, NHP Incorporated (manager of multifamily
housing) (1995-1997); and Vice President and Treasurer, US Airways, Inc. (until 1995).  
 
Burton J. Greenwald (1929) Trustee Trustee since 15 Franklin Templeton Emerging Markets
c/o Franklin Mutual Advisers, LLC and Vice 2011 and Vice   Debt Opportunities Fund PLC and
101 John F. Kennedy Parkway Chairman of Chairman since   Fiduciary International Ireland Limited
Short Hills, NJ 07078-2789 the Board 2015   (1999-2015).
Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:    
Managing Director, B.J. Greenwald Associates (management consultants to the financial services industry); and formerly, Chairman,
Fiduciary Trust International Funds; Executive Vice President, L.F. Rothschild Fund Management, Inc.; President and Director, Merit Mutual
Funds; President, Underwriting Division and Director, National Securities & Research Corporation; Governor, Investment Company Institute;
and Chairman, ICI Public Information Committee.      
 
Keith E. Mitchell (1954) Trustee Since 2011 15 None
c/o Franklin Mutual Advisers, LLC        
101 John F. Kennedy Parkway        
Short Hills, NJ 07078-2789        
Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:    
Director of various boards of asset management firms; and formerly, Managing Member, Mitchell, Hartley & Bechtel Advisers, LLC (formerly,
Mitchell Advisers, LLC) (advisory firm) (2003-2015) and Managing Director, Putman Lovell NBF.  

 

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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

Independent Board Members (continued)    
 
      Number of Portfolios in  
Name, Year of Birth   Length of Fund Complex Overseen Other Directorships Held During
and Address Position Time Served by Board Member* at Least the Past 5 Years
 
David W. Niemiec (1949) Trustee Since 2015 39 Emeritus Corporation (assisted living)
c/o Franklin Mutual Advisers, LLC       (1999-2010) and OSI Pharmaceuticals,
101 John F. Kennedy Parkway       Inc. (pharmaceutical products)
Short Hills, NJ 07078-2789       (2006-2010).
Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:    
Advisor, Saratoga Partners (private equity fund); and formerly, Managing Director, Saratoga Partners (1998-2001) and SBC Warburg Dillon
Read (investment banking) (1997-1998); Vice Chairman, Dillon, Read & Co. Inc. (investment banking) (1991-1997); and Chief Financial
Officer, Dillon, Read & Co. Inc. (1982-1997).      
 
Charles Rubens II (1930) Trustee Since 2011 15 None
c/o Franklin Mutual Advisers, LLC        
101 John F. Kennedy Parkway        
Short Hills, NJ 07078-2789        
Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:    
Private investor and president of non-profit organizations; and formerly, an executive of Time, Inc.; and Trustee of Colorado College.
 
Jan Hopkins Trachtman (1947) Trustee Since 2011 15 None
c/o Franklin Mutual Advisers, LLC        
101 John F. Kennedy Parkway        
Short Hills, NJ 07078-2789        
Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:    
President and Founder, The Jan Hopkins Group (communications consulting firm); serves on Advisory Board of Knight Bagehot Fellowship;
and formerly, President, Economic Club of New York (2001-2015); Anchor/Correspondent, CNN Financial News (until 2003); Managing
Director and Head of Client Communications, Citigroup Private Bank (until 2005); Off-Air Reporter, ABC News’ World News Tonight; and
Editor, CBS Network News.        
 
Robert E. Wade (1946) Trustee and Trustee and 39 El Oro Ltd (investments)
c/o Franklin Mutual Advisers, LLC Chairman of Chairman of the   (2003-present).
101 John F. Kennedy Parkway the Board Board since    
Short Hills, NJ 07078-2789   2011    
Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:    
Attorney at law engaged in private practice (1972-2008) and member of various boards.  
 
Gregory H. Williams (1943) Trustee Since 2015 15 None
c/o Franklin Mutual Advisers, LLC        
101 John F. Kennedy Parkway        
Short Hills, NJ 07078-2789        
Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:    
Private investor; Consultant; and formerly, President, University of Cincinnati (2009-2012); President, The City College of New York (2001-
2009); Dean, College of Law, Ohio State University (1993-2001); and Associate Vice President, Academic Affairs and Professor of Law,
University of Iowa (1977-1993).        

 

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Interested Board Members and Officers    
 
      Number of Portfolios in  
Name, Year of Birth   Length of Fund Complex Overseen Other Directorships Held During
and Address Position Time Served by Board Member* at Least the Past 5 Years
 
**Gregory E. Johnson (1961) Trustee Since 2011 160 None
One Franklin Parkway        
San Mateo, CA 94403-1906        
Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:    
Chairman of the Board, Member – Office of the Chairman, Director and Chief Executive Officer, Franklin Resources, Inc.; officer and/or director
or trustee, as the case may be, of some of the other subsidiaries of Franklin Resources, Inc. and of 44 of the investment companies in Franklin
Templeton Investments; Vice Chairman, Investment Company Institute; and formerly, President, Franklin Resources, Inc. (1994-2015).
 
**Jennifer M. Johnson (1964) Trustee Since 2015 12 None
One Franklin Parkway        
San Mateo, CA 94403-1906        
Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:    
Co-President, Franklin Resources, Inc.; officer and/or director or trustee, as the case may be, of some of the other subsidiaries of Franklin
Resources, Inc. and of four of the investment companies in Franklin Templeton Investments; and formerly, Chief Operating Officer and
Executive Vice President, Franklin Resources, Inc. (1994-2015); Executive Vice President of Operations and Technology, Franklin Resources,
Inc. (2005-2010); and Senior Vice President, Franklin Resources, Inc. (2003-2005).  
 
Alison E. Baur (1964) Vice Since 2012 Not Applicable Not Applicable
One Franklin Parkway President      
San Mateo, CA 94403-1906        
Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:    
Deputy General Counsel, Franklin Templeton Investments; and officer of some of the other subsidiaries of Franklin Resources, Inc. and of 45
of the investment companies in Franklin Templeton Investments.    
 
Laura F. Fergerson (1962) Chief Since 2011 Not Applicable Not Applicable
One Franklin Parkway Executive      
San Mateo, CA 94403-1906 Officer –      
  Finance and      
  Administration      
Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:    
Senior Vice President, Franklin Templeton Services, LLC; Vice President, Franklin Advisers, Inc. and Franklin Templeton Institutional, LLC;
and officer of 45 of the investment companies in Franklin Templeton Investments.  
 
Aliya S. Gordon (1973) Vice Since 2011 Not Applicable Not Applicable
One Franklin Parkway President      
San Mateo, CA 94403-1906        
Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:    
Senior Associate General Counsel, Franklin Templeton Investments; and officer of 45 of the investment companies in Franklin Templeton Investments.
 
Steven J. Gray (1955) Secretary Secretary and Not Applicable Not Applicable
One Franklin Parkway and Vice Vice President    
San Mateo, CA 94403-1906 President since 2011    
Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:    
Senior Associate General Counsel, Franklin Templeton Investments; Vice President, Franklin Templeton Distributors, Inc. and Franklin
Alternative Strategies Advisers, LLC; and officer of 45 of the investment companies in Franklin Templeton Investments.

 

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Interested Board Members and Officers (continued)  
 
      Number of Portfolios in  
Name, Year of Birth   Length of Fund Complex Overseen Other Directorships Held During
and Address Position Time Served by Board Member* at Least the Past 5 Years
 
Robert G. Kubilis (1973) Treasurer, Since 2015 Not Applicable Not Applicable
300 S.E. 2nd Street Chief      
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301-1923 Financial      
  Officer and      
  Chief      
  Accounting      
  Officer      
Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:    
Treasurer, U.S. Fund Administration & Reporting, Franklin Templeton Investments; and officer of four of the investment companies in Franklin
Templeton Investments.        
 
Robert Lim (1948) Vice Since May 2016 Not Applicable Not Applicable
One Franklin Parkway President –      
San Mateo, CA 94403-1906 AML      
  Compliance      
Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:    
Vice President, Franklin Templeton Companies, LLC; Chief Compliance Officer, Franklin Templeton Distributors, Inc. and Franklin Templeton
Investor Services, LLC; and officer of 45 of the investment companies in Franklin Templeton Investments
 
Kimberly H. Novotny (1972) Vice Since 2013 Not Applicable Not Applicable
300 S.E. 2nd Street President      
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301-1923        
Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:    
Associate General Counsel, Franklin Templeton Investments; Vice President and Corporate Secretary, Fiduciary Trust International of the
South; Vice President, Templeton Investment Counsel, LLC; Assistant Secretary, Franklin Resources, Inc.; and officer of 45 of the investment
companies in Franklin Templeton Investments.      
 
Robert C. Rosselot (1960) Chief Since 2013 Not Applicable Not Applicable
300 S.E. 2nd Street Compliance      
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301-1923 Officer      
Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:    
Director, Global Compliance, Franklin Templeton Investments; Vice President, Franklin Templeton Companies, LLC; officer of 45 of the
investment companies in Franklin Templeton Investments; and formerly, Senior Associate General Counsel, Franklin Templeton Investments
(2007-2013); and Secretary and Vice President, Templeton Group of Funds (2004-2013).  
 
Karen L. Skidmore (1952) Vice Since 2011 Not Applicable Not Applicable
One Franklin Parkway President      
San Mateo, CA 94403-1906        
Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:    
Senior Associate General Counsel, Franklin Templeton Investments; and officer of 45 of the investment companies in Franklin Templeton Investments.
 
Navid Tofigh (1972) Vice Since Not Applicable Not Applicable
One Franklin Parkway President November 2015    
San Mateo, CA 94403-1906        
Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:    
Associate General Counsel, Franklin Templeton Investments; and officer of 45 of the investment companies in Franklin Templeton Investments.

 

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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

Interested Board Members and Officers (continued)  
 
      Number of Portfolios in  
Name, Year of Birth   Length of Fund Complex Overseen Other Directorships Held During
and Address Position Time Served by Board Member* at Least the Past 5 Years
 
Craig S. Tyle (1960) Vice Since 2011 Not Applicable Not Applicable
One Franklin Parkway President      
San Mateo, CA 94403-1906        
Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:    
General Counsel and Executive Vice President, Franklin Resources, Inc.; and officer of some of the other subsidiaries of Franklin Resources,
Inc. and of 45 of the investment companies in Franklin Templeton Investments.  
 
Lori A. Weber (1964) Vice Since 2011 Not Applicable Not Applicable
300 S.E. 2nd Street President      
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301-1923        
Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:    
Senior Associate General Counsel, Franklin Templeton Investments; Assistant Secretary, Franklin Resources, Inc.; Vice President and
Secretary, Templeton Investment Counsel, LLC; and officer of 45 of the investment companies in Franklin Templeton Investments.
 
William Y. Yun (1959) President Since 2011 Not Applicable Not Applicable
600 Fifth Avenue and Chief      
New York, NY 10020 Executive      
  Officer –      
  Investment      
  Management      
Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:    
Executive Vice President, Franklin Advisers, Inc. and Franklin Templeton Institutional, LLC; Chief Executive Officer, Franklin Alternative
Strategies Advisers, LLC; Director, Fiduciary Investments Corporation and K2 Advisors Holdings, LLC; officer and/or director or trustee, as the
case may be, of some of the other subsidiaries of Franklin Resources, Inc. and of one of the investment companies in Franklin Templeton
Investments; and formerly, Executive Vice President – Alternative Strategies, Franklin Resources, Inc. (2005-2015).

 

*We base the number of portfolios on each separate series of the U.S. registered investment companies within the Franklin Templeton Investments fund complex. These
portfolios have a common investment manager or affiliated investment managers.
**Gregory E. Johnson is considered to be an interested person of the Fund under the federal securities laws due to his position as an officer and director of Franklin
Resources, Inc., which is the parent company of the Fund’s investment manager and distributor. Jennifer M. Johnson is considered to be an interested person of the Fund
under the federal securities laws due to her position as officer and director of Resources.
Note 1: Gregory E. Johnson and Jennifer M. Johnson are siblings.
Note 2: Officer information is current as of the date of this report. It is possible that after this date, information about officers may change.

The Fund’s Board has determined that certain of the members of the Audit Committee, including Ann Torre Bates, are audit committee financial experts, and
“independent,” under those provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, and the rules and form amendments adopted by the Securities and Exchange
Commission, relating to audit committee financial experts.

The Statement of Information (SAI) include additional information about board members and is available, without charge, upon request. Shareholders may call
(800) DIAL BEN/342-5236 to request the SAI.

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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS
FRANKLIN K2 LONG SHORT CREDIT 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 Trust, on behalf of the Fund, files a complete statement of investments with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for the first and third quarters for each fiscal year 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.

Householding of Reports and Prospectuses

You will receive the Fund’s financial reports every six months as well as an annual updated summary prospectus (prospectus available upon request). To reduce Fund expenses, we try to identify related shareholders in a household and send only one copy of the financial reports and summary prospectus. This process, called “householding,” will continue indefinitely unless you instruct us otherwise. If you prefer not to have these documents householded, please call us at (800) 632-2301. At any time you may view current prospectuses/summary prospectuses and financial reports on our website. If you choose, you may receive these documents through electronic delivery.

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Annual Report and Shareholder Letter
Franklin K2 Long Short Credit Fund

Investment Manager
K2/D&S Management Co., L.L.C.

Distributor
Franklin Templeton Distributors, Inc.
(800) DIAL BEN® / 342-5236
franklintempleton.com

Shareholder Services
(800) 632-2301

Authorized for distribution only when accompanied or preceded by a summary prospectus and/or prospectus. Investors should carefully consider a fund’s investment goals, risks, charges and expenses before investing. A prospectus contains this and other information; please read it carefully before investing.

To help ensure we provide you with quality service, all calls to and from our service areas are monitored and/or recorded.

© 2016 Franklin Templeton Investments. All rights reserved. 948 A 07/16

 


 


Annual Report
and Shareholder Letter
May 31, 2016

Franklin Pelagos Commodities Strategy Fund

A SERIES OF FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS


Sign up for electronic delivery at franklintempleton.com/edelivery


 


 

Contents  
 
Annual Report  
Franklin Pelagos Commodities Strategy Fund 3
Performance Summary 7
Your Fund’s Expenses 12
Consolidated Financial Highlights and Consolidated  
Statement of Investments 14
Consolidated Financial Statements 21
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 25
Report of Independent Registered  
Public Accounting Firm 36
Board Members and Officers 37
Shareholder Information 42

 

 

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Annual Report

Franklin Pelagos Commodities Strategy Fund

This annual report for Franklin Pelagos Commodities Strategy Fund covers the fiscal year ended May 31, 2016.

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 -9.13% cumulative total return for the 12 months under review. In comparison, the benchmark Bloomberg Commodity Index, which measures performance of exchange-traded futures contracts on physical commodities, had a -15.32% total return for the same period.1 You can find more of the Fund’s performance data in the Performance Summary beginning on page 7.

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

What is a futures contract?

A futures contract is an agreement between the Fund and a counterparty made through a U.S. or foreign futures exchange to buy or sell an underlying instrument or asset at a specific priceonafuturedate.

Economic and Market Overview

The U.S. economy moderated during the 12 months under review. After strengthening in 2015’s second quarter, the economy moderated in the third and fourth quarters. Growth slowed further in 2016’s first quarter as non-residential

investments, private inventory investments and federal government spending declined. The manufacturing sector expanded in May for the third consecutive month, while the services sector expanded throughout the 12-month period. Growth in services contributed to new jobs and helped the unemployment rate decrease from 5.5% in May 2015 to 4.7% at period-end.2 Home sales and prices rose amid relatively low mortgage rates. Monthly retail sales grew during most of the review period and rose to the highest level in April in more than a year, due to a broad-based increase across most retail categories, particularly in motor vehicle sales and non-store retail. Inflation, as measured by the Consumer Price Index, remained subdued due to low energy prices but recorded its strongest monthly reading in three years in April, mainly led by a rebound in energy prices and a higher cost of rent.

After maintaining a near-zero interest rate for seven years to support the U.S. economy’s recovery, the U.S. Federal Reserve (Fed) raised its target range for the federal funds rate to 0.25%–0.50% at its December meeting maintaining the rate through period-end. At its April meeting, the Fed indicated that its monetary policy remained accommodative, thus supporting further labor market improvement and progress toward its 2.0% inflation objective.

U.S. stock markets experienced sell-offs during the period under review, resulting from investor concerns about the timing of the Fed’s interest rate increases, global economic growth, China’s slowing economy and tumbling stock market and the geopolitical tensions in certain regions. Investors generally remained confident as the European Central Bank expanded its quantitative easing measures and cut its benchmark interest rate to zero, the People’s Bank of China introduced further easing measures and the Bank of Japan adopted a negative interest rate policy. The rally in crude oil prices toward period-end also boosted investor sentiment. Despite periods of volatility, the broad U.S. stock market ended the 12-month period with

1. Source: Morningstar.
The index is unmanaged and includes reinvestment of any income or distributions. It does not reflect any fees, expenses or sales charges. One cannot invest directly in an
index, and an index is not representative of the Fund’s portfolio.
2. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics.
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 19.

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marginal gains, as measured by the Standard & Poor’s® 500 Index. Commodity prices, as measured by the Bloomberg Commodity Index, were sharply lower for the 12-month period despite a gain toward period-end. Oil prices fell sharply for most of the review period, largely due to strong global supply and ended lower overall, despite a recovery during period-end. In addition, gold and metal prices also fell in the beginning of the review period but recovered in the second half. Among agricultural commodities, sugar, cotton and soybeans rose in value, while wheat declined.

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 commodity futures 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 return,
that would have been earned or realized if a notional amount
were invested in specific instruments.

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.

Manager’s Discussion

During its fiscal year, the Fund obtained its commodities exposure through swaps on commodities indexes and through

Portfolio Breakdown*    
5/31/16    
% of Consolidated  
  Net Assets  
U.S. Treasury Bill 64.6 %
U.S. Treasury Note 16.8 %
FFCB 13.2 %
FHLB 3.3 %
Institutional Fiduciary Trust Money Market Portfolio 0.6 %
Other Assets, less Liabilities** 1.5 %

 

See Abbreviations on page 35.
*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.

commodities futures and options on commodities futures. These exposures were supported with U.S. Treasury bills and other fixed income securities.

During the period, commodity sector returns were mixed. For the first two thirds of the period, commodities had negative performance as global oversupply ran rampant across commodity sectors. However, commodities markets rebounded in the final third of the period as the outlook for production declines in oil and some industrial metals gained momentum and weather anomalies in key agricultural regions supported agriculture price levels. Overall contributors to Fund returns over the period came from precious metals, agriculture and livestock. The energy and industrial metals sectors, however, detracted. Within the commodity sectors, there were divergences in return that allowed the Fund’s active management to perform better than its benchmark. We believe active management helped the Fund perform better on a relative basis in all commodity sectors except agriculture.

During the period, a decline in U.S. production, oil outages in Nigeria and a disruption in a key Middle East pipeline supported crude oil prices as they rebounded from February lows. Back and forth discussions about a freeze in production levels dominated headlines. However, underneath the headlines, global refinery outputs and Chinese imports of crude oil remained strong. Within petroleum, gasoline had the strongest relative returns during the period as supply of gasoline blending components were tight and demand was robust. However, in the latter third of the period, refineries in the U.S. shifted to produce more gasoline and lowered their

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production of middle distillates (such as kerosene, jet fuel and diesel). Although natural gas production declined, mild winter weather led to below average demand for heating and an ensuing lackluster pace of inventory withdrawals. U.S. natural gas inventory levels reached a seasonal high at the end of March. The Fund sought to capitalize on a petroleum price recovery during the first five months of 2016, while managing the impact of natural gas price weakness.

Precious metals experienced renewed investor interest at the start of 2016, as evidenced by the pickup of exchange-traded product inflows after three years of outflows. In our opinion, investor uncertainty about central banks and currencies fueled a precious metals rally that pushed the ratio of gold to silver to levels not seen since 2008. Industrial metals felt the brunt of lowered Chinese economic growth prospects and a consumption growth decline across major industrial metals in non-Chinese markets. Suppliers responded in the form of commitments within China to manage metal production overcapacity. Elsewhere, major production companies announced curtailments as London Metal Exchange inventories fell and price levels stabilized later in the period. During the period, gold, silver and nickel contributed to Fund returns, while copper, aluminum and zinc detracted.

Although global grain stockpiles were ample during the period, global weather patterns supported corn and soybean price levels due to a strong El Niño pattern that challenged South American grain production. Asia also felt the influence of El Niño as investor expectations for a record Brazilian sugar crop were offset by dryer weather in Thailand and India, boosting price levels. Over the period, the agriculture sector’s contribution to Fund returns came from our positions in soybeans, soymeal, soybean oil and sugar. Livestock contributed to Fund returns as the positive effect of our positioning in lean hogs more than offset the negative effect of our positioning in live cattle.

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 May 31, 2016, the Fund’s exposure based on notional value represented 79.7% of consolidated net assets.

Commodity-Linked Total Return Swap Exposure*

  % of Consolidated Net Assets  
Gold 10.8 %
Brent Crude Oil 9.3 %
Copper 8.5 %
Soybeans 8.3 %
Sugar 5.0 %
Live Cattle 4.9 %
Heating Oil 4.5 %
Unleaded Gasoline 4.4 %
Aluminum 4.1 %
Kansas Wheat 3.9 %
Soybean Meal 3.7 %
Corn 3.6 %
Zinc 2.7 %
Soybean Oil 2.6 %
Coffee 2.0 %
Natural Gas 1.4 %

 

*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 Master 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 May 31, 2016, the Fund’s exposure based on
notional value represented 19.2% of consolidated net assets.

Commodity Futures Exposure*  
  % of Consolidated Net Assets  
  Long  
WTI Crude Oil 8.6 %
Natural Gas 5.4 %
Gold 3.9 %
Soybeans 1.3 %

 

*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 continued participation in Franklin Pelagos Commodities Strategy Fund. We look forward to continuing to serve your financial needs.



Stephen P. Burke


John C. Pickart, CFA

Wayne D. Ryan, CAIA

Portfolio Management Team

The foregoing information reflects our analysis, opinions and portfolio holdings as of May 31, 2016, the end of the reporting period. The way we implement our main investment strategies and the resulting portfolio holdings may change depending on factors such as market and economic conditions. These opinions may not be relied upon as investment advice or an offer for a particular security. The information is not a complete analysis of every aspect of any market, country, industry, security or the Fund. Statements of fact are from sources considered reliable, but the investment manager makes no representation or warranty as to their completeness or accuracy. Although historical performance is no guarantee of future results, these insights may help you understand our investment management philosophy.

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FRANKLIN PELAGOS COMMODITIES STRATEGY FUND

Performance Summary as of May 31, 2016

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 and graphs do 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)   5/31/16   5/31/15   Change
A (FLSQX) $ 6.47 $ 7.12 -$ 0.65
C (FLSVX) $ 6.36 $ 7.05 -$ 0.69
R (FLSWX) $ 6.44 $ 7.10 -$ 0.66
R6 (FPELX) $ 6.53 $ 7.16 -$ 0.63
Advisor (FSLPX) $ 6.60 $ 7.25 -$ 0.65

 

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FRANKLIN PELAGOS COMMODITIES STRATEGY FUND
PERFORMANCE SUMMARY

Performance as of 5/31/161

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.

            Value of Average Annual   Total Annual Operating Expenses6  
  Cumulative   Average Annual   $ 10,000 Total Return          
Share Class Total Return2   Total Return3     Investment4 (6/30/16 )5 (with waiver)   (without waiver)  
A                 1.20 % 2.19 %
1-Year -9.13 % -14.30 % $ 8,570 -11.90 %        
Since Inception (1/10/14) -27.14 % -14.57 % $ 6,868 -12.68 %        
C                 1.95 % 2.94 %
1-Year -9.79 % -10.56 % $ 8,944 -8.08 %        
Since Inception (1/10/14) -28.38 % -13.05 % $ 7,162 -11.22 %        
R                 1.45 % 2.44 %
1-Year -9.30 % -9.30 % $ 9,070 -6.68 %        
Since Inception (1/10/14) -27.48 % -12.60 % $ 7,252 -10.73 %        
R6                 0.73 % 1.72 %
1-Year -8.80 % -8.80 % $ 9,120 -6.07 %        
Since Inception (1/10/14) -26.46 % -12.09 % $ 7,354 -10.19 %        
Advisor                 0.95 % 1.94 %
1-Year -8.97 % -8.97 % $ 9,103 -6.27 %        
3-Year -30.01 % -11.21 % $ 6,999 -8.39 %        
Since Inception (12/7/11) -34.00 % -8.85 % $ 6,600 -7.87 %        

 

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

See page 11 for Performance Summary footnotes.

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PERFORMANCE SUMMARY

Total Return Index Comparison for a Hypothetical $10,000 Investment1

Total return represents the change in value of an investment over the periods shown. It includes any applicable maximum sales charge, Fund expenses, account fees and reinvested distributions. The unmanaged index includes reinvestment of any income or distributions. It differs from the Fund in composition and does not pay management fees or expenses. One cannot invest directly in an index.


See page 11 for Performance Summary footnotes.

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FRANKLIN PELAGOS COMMODITIES STRATEGY FUND
PERFORMANCE SUMMARY

Total Return Index Comparison for a Hypothetical $10,000 Investment1 (continued)

Class R (1/10/14–5/31/16)

Average Annual Total Return


Franklin Pelagos Commodities Strategy Fund

Bloomberg Commodity Index7

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FRANKLIN PELAGOS COMMODITIES STRATEGY FUND
PERFORMANCE SUMMARY


All investments involve risks, including possible loss of principal. Investing in physical commodities, either directly or through derivative instruments such as commodity-linked total return swaps, commodity futures, commodity index futures and options on commodity futures 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; currency exchange rate fluctuations; and monetary and other governmental policies, action and inaction. Derivative instruments 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 significantly exceeds the Fund’s initial investment. The Fund may not achieve the anticipated benefits and may realize losses, which could be significant. 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, social and economic instability, risks which are heightened in less developed or emerging market 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: 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. The Fund has an expense reduction contractually guaranteed through at least 9/30/16, a fee waiver related to the management fee paid by a subsidiary, and a fee waiver
associated with any investment in a Franklin Templeton money fund and/or other Franklin Templeton fund, as applicable, contractually guaranteed through at least the Fund’s
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. Return for less than one year, ifany,hasnotbeen
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 and may differ from the expense ratios disclosed in the Consolidated Financial Highlights in this report. In periods of
market volatility, assets may decline significantly, causing total annual Fund operating expenses to become higher than the figures shown.
7. Source: Morningstar. The Bloomberg Commodity Index comprises exchange-traded futures on physical commodities, which are weighted to account for economic
significance and market liquidity.
See www.franklintempletondatasources.com for additional data provider information.

franklintempleton.com

Annual Report

11


 

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, 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 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.

12 Annual Report

franklintempleton.com


 

FRANKLIN PELAGOS COMMODITIES STRATEGY FUND
YOUR FUND’S EXPENSES

    Beginning Account   Ending Account   Expenses Paid During
Share Class   Value 12/1/15   Value 5/31/16   Period* 12/1/15–5/31/16
A            
Actual $ 1,000 $ 1,100.30 $ 6.35
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses) $ 1,000 $ 1,018.95 $ 6.11
C            
Actual $ 1,000 $ 1,096.60 $ 10.22
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses) $ 1,000 $ 1,015.25 $ 9.82
R            
Actual $ 1,000 $ 1,099.00 $ 7.50
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses) $ 1,000 $ 1,017.85 $ 7.21
R6            
Actual $ 1,000 $ 1,101.20 $ 3.83
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses) $ 1,000 $ 1,021.35 $ 3.69
Advisor            
Actual $ 1,000 $ 1,100.00 $ 4.99
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses) $ 1,000 $ 1,020.25 $ 4.80

 

*Expenses are calculated using the most recent six-month expense ratio, net of expense waivers, annualized for each class (A: 1.21%;
C: 1.95%; R: 1.43%; R6: 0.73%; and Advisor: 0.95%), multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 183/366 to reflect
the one-half year period.

franklintempleton.com

Annual Report

13


 

FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

Consolidated Financial Highlights                  
Franklin Pelagos Commodities Strategy Fund                  
    Year Ended May 31,        
    2016     2015     2014 a
Class A                  
Per share operating performance                  
(for a share outstanding throughout the year)                  
Net asset value, beginning of year $ 7.12   $ 9.44   $ 8.88  
Income from investment operationsb:                  
  Net investment income (loss)c   (0.08 )   (0.09 )   (0.08 )
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)   (0.57 )   (2.23 )   0.64  
Total from investment operations.   (0.65 )   (2.32 )   0.56  
Net asset value, end of year $ 6.47   $ 7.12   $ 9.44  
 
Total returnd   (9.13 )%   (24.58 )%   6.31 %
 
Ratios to average net assetse                  
Expenses before waiver, payments by affiliates and expense reduction   2.14 %   2.05 %   3.38 %
Expenses net of waiver, payments by affiliates and expense reductionf   1.21 %   1.25 %   1.25 %
Net investment income (loss)   (0.79 )%   (0.94 )%   (0.94 )%
 
Supplemental data                  
Net assets, end of year (000’s) $ 3,814   $ 2,080   $ 601  
Portfolio turnover rate   28.03 %   62.10 %   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’s 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.
fBenefit of expense reduction rounds to less than 0.01%.

14 Annual 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)                  
    Year Ended May 31,        
    2016     2015     2014 a
Class C                  
Per share operating performance                  
(for a share outstanding throughout the year)                  
Net asset value, beginning of year $ 7.05   $ 9.41   $ 8.88  
Income from investment operationsb:                  
  Net investment income (loss)c   (0.16 )   (0.15 )   (0.09 )
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)   (0.53 )   (2.21 )   0.62  
Total from investment operations.   (0.69 )   (2.36 )   0.53  
Net asset value, end of year $ 6.36   $ 7.05   $ 9.41  
 
Total returnd   (9.79 )%   (25.08 )%   5.97 %
 
Ratios to average net assetse                  
Expenses before waiver, payments by affiliates and expense reduction   2.88 %   2.75 %   4.08 %
Expenses net of waiver, payments by affiliates and expense reductionf   1.95 %   1.95 %   1.95 %
Net investment income (loss)   (1.53 )%   (1.64 )%   (1.64 )%
 
Supplemental data                  
Net assets, end of year (000’s) $ 862   $ 377   $ 60  
Portfolio turnover rate   28.03 %   62.10 %   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’s 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.
fBenefit of expense reduction rounds to less than 0.01%.

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


 

FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

Franklin Pelagos Commodities Strategy Fund (continued)                  
    Year Ended May 31,        
    2016     2015     2014 a
Class R                  
Per share operating performance                  
(for a share outstanding throughout the year)                  
Net asset value, beginning of year $ 7.10   $ 9.44   $ 8.88  
Income from investment operationsb:                  
  Net investment income (loss)c   (0.06 )   (0.10 )   (0.06 )
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)   (0.60 )   (2.24 )   0.62  
Total from investment operations.   (0.66 )   (2.34 )   0.56  
Net asset value, end of year $ 6.44   $ 7.10   $ 9.44  
 
Total returnd   (9.30 )%   (24.79 )%   6.31 %
 
Ratios to average net assetse                  
Expenses before waiver, payments by affiliates and expense reduction   2.34 %   2.27 %   3.58 %
Expenses net of waiver, payments by affiliates and expense reductionf   1.41 %   1.47 %   1.45 %
Net investment income (loss)   (0.99 )%   (1.16 )%   (1.14 )%
 
Supplemental data                  
Net assets, end of year (000’s) $ 9   $ 4   $ 5  
Portfolio turnover rate   28.03 %   62.10 %   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’s 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.
fBenefit of expense reduction rounds to less than 0.01%.

16 Annual 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)                  
    Year Ended May 31,        
    2016     2015     2014 a
Class R6                  
Per share operating performance                  
(for a share outstanding throughout the year)                  
Net asset value, beginning of year $ 7.16   $ 9.46   $ 8.88  
Income from investment operationsb:                  
  Net investment income (loss)c   (0.02 )   (0.04 )   (0.03 )
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)   (0.61 )   (2.26 )   0.61  
Total from investment operations.   (0.63 )   (2.30 )   0.58  
Net asset value, end of year $ 6.53   $ 7.16   $ 9.46  
 
Total returnd   (8.80 )%   (24.31 )%   6.53 %
 
Ratios to average net assetse                  
Expenses before waiver, payments by affiliates and expense reduction   1.10 %   1.53 %   1.58 %
Expenses net of waiver, payments by affiliates and expense reductionf   0.76 %   0.86 %   0.86 %
Net investment income (loss)   (0.34 )%   (0.55 )%   (0.55 )%
 
Supplemental data                  
Net assets, end of year (000’s) $ 131,500   $ 53,068   $ 67,732  
Portfolio turnover rate   28.03 %   62.10 %   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’s 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.
fBenefit of expense reduction rounds to less than 0.01%.

franklintempleton.com The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements. | Annual Report 17


 

FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

Franklin Pelagos Commodities Strategy Fund (continued)                              
          Year Ended May 31,              
    2016     2015     2014     2013     2012 a
Advisor Class                              
Per share operating performance                              
(for a share outstanding throughout the year)                              
Net asset value, beginning of year $ 7.25   $ 9.58   $ 9.43   $ 9.15   $ 10.00  
Income from investment operationsb:                              
Net investment income (loss)c   (0.09 )   (0.07 )   (0.05 )   (0.08 )   (0.05 )
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)   (0.56 )   (2.26 )   0.20     0.36     (0.80 )
Total from investment operations   (0.65 )   (2.33 )   0.15     0.28     (0.85 )
Less distributions from net investment income               (—)d      
Net asset value, end of year. $ 6.60   $ 7.25   $ 9.58   $ 9.43   $ 9.15  
 
Total returne   (8.97 )%   (24.32 )%   1.59 %   3.06 %   (8.50 )%
 
Ratios to average net assetsf                              
Expenses before waiver, payments by affiliates and expense                              
reduction   1.88 %   1.75 %   1.88 %   1.14 %   5.08 %
Expenses net of waiver, payments by affiliates and expense                              
reduction   0.95 %g   0.95 %g   1.04 %g   1.10 %   1.10 %
Net investment income (loss)   (0.53 )%   (0.64 )%   (0.70 )%   (0.76 )%   (1.07 )%
 
Supplemental data                              
Net assets, end of year (000’s) $ 675   $ 248   $ 126   $ 107,853   $ 14,374  
Portfolio turnover rate   28.03 %   62.10 %   34.28 %   21.47 %   —%h  

 

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’s 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.
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).

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


 

FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

Consolidated Statement of Investments, May 31, 2016        
Franklin Pelagos Commodities Strategy Fund        
    Principal    
    Amount   Value
U.S. Government and Agency Securities 30.0%        
FFCB, 0.89%, 10/23/17 $ 18,000,000 $ 17,980,560
U.S. Treasury Note, 0.75%, 10/31/17   23,000,000   22,980,242
Total U.S. Government and Agency Securities (Cost $41,033,311)       40,960,802
 
Short Term Investments 68.5%        
U.S. Government and Agency Securities 67.9%        
a FHLB, 6/01/16   4,564,000   4,564,000
b U.S. Treasury Bill,        
               a 6/23/16   11,650,000   11,648,730
            7/21/16   25,000,000   24,991,500
          a,c 10/13/16   36,900,000   36,839,604
           5/25/17   15,000,000   14,900,850
Total U.S. Government and Agency Securities (Cost $92,972,487)       92,944,684
Total Investments before Money Market Funds        
(Cost $134,005,798)       133,905,486
 
 
    Shares    
Money Market Funds (Cost $836,916) 0.6%        
d,e Institutional Fiduciary Trust Money Market Portfolio   836,916   836,916
Total Investments (Cost $134,842,714) 98.5%       134,742,402
f Other Assets, less Liabilities 1.5%       2,116,703
Net Assets 100.0%     $ 136,859,105

 

aA portion or all of the security is owned by FPC Holdings Corp., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Fund. See Note 1(d).
bThe security is traded on a discount basis with no stated coupon rate.
cA portion or all of the security has been segregated as collateral for open futures contracts. At May 31, 2016, the value of this security and/or cash pledged amounted to
$2,416,310, representing 1.77% of net assets.
dNon-income producing.
eSee Note 3(f) regarding investments in affiliated management investment companies.
fIncludes unrealized appreciation/depreciation on open commodity futures and swap contracts, as well as other assets and liabilities.

franklintempleton.com

Annual Report

19


 

FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS

Franklin Pelagos Commodities Strategy Fund (continued)

At May 31, 2016, 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                            
Gold     Long 44 $ 5,357,000 8/29/16   $   $ (75 )
Natural Gas     Long 303   7,387,140 8/29/16       303,760    
Soybeans.     Long 34   1,794,775 11/14/16         (734 )
WTI Crude Oil     Long 236   11,783,480 8/22/16         (53,383 )
Total Futures Contracts         $ 26,322,395   $ 303,760 $ (54,192 )
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)         $ 249,568      
 
 
At May 31, 2016, the Fund had the following commodity-linked total return swap contracts outstanding. See Note 1(b).      
 
Commodity-Linked Total Return Swap Contractsa                    
  Pays         Notional Expiration   Unrealized   Unrealized  
Underlying Instruments Fixed Rate   Counterparty     Value Date   Appreciation   Depreciation  
OTC Swap Contracts                            
Long                            
FP Custom Master Indexb 0.22 % MSCS   $ 109,053,102 7/06/16     $ $ (346,898 )
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)                 $ (346,898 )

 

aA portion or all of the contract is owned by FPC Holdings Corp., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Fund. See Note 1(d).
bRepresents a custom index comprised of a basket of underlying instruments. Additional information regarding the custom basket’s underlying instruments and their
respective values and fees are as follows:

        Unrealized   Unrealized  
Underlying Instruments   Notional Valuec   Appreciation   Depreciation  
Bloomberg Commodity Aluminum Subindex 3 Month Forward $ 5,670,761 $ $ (1,043 )
Bloomberg Commodity Brent Crude Oil Subindex.   12,759,213     (13,023 )
Bloomberg Commodity Coffee Subindex   2,726,327   5,575    
Bloomberg Commodity Copper Subindex   11,668,682     (102,718 )
Bloomberg Commodity Corn Subindex 3 Month Forward   4,907,390     (59,652 )
Bloomberg Commodity Gold Subindex   14,831,222   9,432    
Bloomberg Commodity Heating Oil Subindex   6,106,974     (18,102 )
Bloomberg Commodity Kansas Wheat Subindex 3 Month Forward   5,343,602     (121,105 )
Bloomberg Commodity Live Cattle Subindex   6,761,292   94,498    
Bloomberg Commodity Natural Gas Subindex 3 Month Forward   1,962,956   38,305    
Bloomberg Commodity Soybean Meal Subindex   5,016,443     (75,120 )
Bloomberg Commodity Soybean Oil Subindex   3,489,699   37,728    
Bloomberg Commodity Soybeans Subindex   11,341,523     (84,052 )
Bloomberg Commodity Sugar Subindex   6,870,345     (11,966 )
Bloomberg Commodity Unleaded Gasoline Subindex   5,997,921     (89,787 )
Bloomberg Commodity Zinc Subindex.   3,598,752   44,132    
Total custom index $ 109,053,102 $ 229,670 $ (576,568 )
            Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)         $ (346,898 )

 

cNotional value represents the fair value of each underlying instrument (including the financing rate fee which is calculated based on the custom swap contract’s original
notional value of $109,400,000, allocated to each underlying instrument on a pro-rata basis).

See Abbreviations on page 35.

20 Annual 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
May 31, 2016

Franklin Pelagos Commodities Strategy Fund      
 
Assets:      
Investments in securities:      
Cost - Unaffiliated issuers $ 134,005,798  
Cost - Non-controlled affiliates (Note 3f)   836,916  
Total cost of investments $ 134,842,714  
Value - Unaffiliated issuers $ 133,905,486  
Value - Non-controlled affiliates (Note 3f)   836,916  
Total value of investments   134,742,402  
Cash   1,760,239  
Restricted Cash (Note 1c)   460,000  
Receivables:      
Capital shares sold   4,422  
Interest.   30,996  
Affiliates   6,638  
Due from brokers.   568,014  
Variation margin   237,332  
Other assets   47  
            Total assets   137,810,090  
Liabilities:      
Payables:      
Capital shares redeemed   8,962  
Management fees   75,713  
Distribution fees   1,345  
Professional fees   49,481  
Due to brokers   460,000  
Unrealized depreciation on OTC swap contracts   346,898  
Accrued expenses and other liabilities   8,586  
             Total liabilities   950,985  
                     Net assets, at value $ 136,859,105  
Net assets consist of:      
Paid-in capital $ 137,386,430  
Accumulated net investment loss   (153,903 )
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)   (197,642 )
Accumulated net realized gain (loss)   (175,780 )
                     Net assets, at value $ 136,859,105  

 

franklintempleton.com The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements. | Annual Report 21


 

FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities (continued) May 31, 2016

Franklin Pelagos Commodities Strategy Fund    
 
Class A:    
Net assets, at value $ 3,813,665
Shares outstanding   589,136
Net asset value per sharea $ 6.47
Maximum offering price per share (net asset value per share ÷ 94.25%) $ 6.86
Class C:    
Net assets, at value $ 862,499
Shares outstanding   135,697
Net asset value and maximum offering price per sharea $ 6.36
Class R:    
Net assets, at value $ 8,724
Shares outstanding   1,355
Net asset value and maximum offering price per share $ 6.44
Class R6:    
Net assets, at value $ 131,499,710
Shares outstanding   20,124,142
Net asset value and maximum offering price per share $ 6.53
Advisor Class:    
Net assets, at value $ 674,507
Shares outstanding   102,144
Net asset value and maximum offering price per share $ 6.60

 

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

22 Annual 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 year ended May 31, 2016

Franklin Pelagos Commodities Strategy Fund      
 
Investment income:      
Interest $ 417,399  
Expenses:      
Management fees (Note 3a)   843,284  
Distribution fees: (Note 3c)      
Class A   6,016  
Class C   4,849  
Class R   22  
Transfer agent fees: (Note 3e)      
Class A   18,315  
Class C   3,804  
Class R   38  
Class R6   102  
Advisor Class.   3,126  
Custodian fees (Note 4)   1,019  
Reports to shareholders   11,004  
Registration and filing fees   80,907  
Professional fees   101,878  
Trustees’ fees and expenses   48,391  
Other   4,311  
          Total expenses.   1,127,066  
Expense reductions (Note 4)   (134 )
Expenses waived/paid by affiliates (Note 3f and 3g)   (362,409 )
             Net expenses.   764,523  
Net investment income (loss)   (347,124 )
Realized and unrealized gains (losses):      
Net realized gain (loss) from:      
Investments   (169,797 )
Written options   46,715  
Futures contracts   (771,972 )
Swap contracts   (108,794 )
Net realized gain (loss)   (1,003,848 )
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:      
Investments   59,810  
Futures contracts   254,152  
Swap contracts   (960,591 )
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)   (646,629 )
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)   (1,650,477 )
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations $ (1,997,601 )

 

franklintempleton.com The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements. | Annual Report 23


 

FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Net Assets            
 
Franklin Pelagos Commodities Strategy Fund            
 
    Year Ended May 31,  
    2016     2015  
Increase (decrease) in net assets:            
Operations:            
Net investment income (loss) $ (347,124 ) $ (347,647 )
Net realized gain (loss)   (1,003,848 )   (17,829,683 )
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)   (646,629 )   902,653  
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations   (1,997,601 )   (17,274,677 )
Capital share transactions: (Note 2)            
Class A   1,805,061     1,790,679  
Class C   495,022     355,889  
Class R   4,615      
Class R6   80,347,873     2,216,679  
Advisor Class.   427,868     163,257  
Total capital share transactions   83,080,439     4,526,504  
Net increase (decrease) in net assets   81,082,838     (12,748,173 )
Net assets:            
Beginning of year   55,776,267     68,524,440  
End of year $ 136,859,105   $ 55,776,267  
Accumulated net investment loss included in net assets:            
End of year $ (153,903 ) $ (98,308 )

 

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


 

FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

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 (1940 Act) as an open-end management investment company, consisting of three separate funds and applies the specialized accounting and reporting guidance in U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (U.S. GAAP). Franklin Pelagos Commodities Strategy Fund (Fund) is included in this report. The financial statements of the remaining funds in the Trust are 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 as of 4 p.m. Eastern time each day the New York Stock Exchange (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 Committee (VC). The VC 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 VC 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 VC 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 VC 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

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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Franklin Pelagos Commodities Strategy Fund (continued)

1. Organization and Significant Accounting

Policies (continued)

b. Derivative Financial Instruments (continued)

amount, require no initial investment or an initial net investment that is smaller than would normally be required to have a similar response to changes in market factors, and require or permit net settlement. Derivatives contain various risks including the potential inability of the counterparty to fulfill their obligations under the terms of the contract, the potential for an illiquid secondary market, and/or the potential for market movements which expose the Fund to gains or losses in excess of the amounts shown in the Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Realized gain and loss and unrealized appreciation and depreciation on these contracts for the period are included in the Consolidated Statement of Operations.

Derivative counterparty credit risk is managed through a formal evaluation of the creditworthiness of all potential counter-parties. The Fund attempts to reduce its exposure to counterparty credit risk on OTC derivatives, whenever possible, by entering into International Swaps and Derivatives Association (ISDA) master agreements with certain counterparties. These agreements contain various provisions, including but not limited to collateral requirements, events of default, or early termination. Termination events applicable to the counterparty include certain deteriorations in the credit quality of the counterparty. Termination events applicable to the Fund include failure of the Fund to maintain certain net asset levels and/or limit the decline in net assets over various periods of time. In the event of default or early termination, the ISDA master agreement gives the non-defaulting party the right to net and close-out all transactions traded, whether or not arising under the ISDA agreement, to one net amount payable by one counterparty to the other. However, absent an event of default or early termination, OTC derivative assets and liabilities are presented gross and not offset in the Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Early termination by the counterparty may result in an immediate payment by the Fund of any net liability owed to that counterparty under the ISDA agreement.

Collateral requirements differ by type of derivative. Collateral or initial margin requirements are set by the broker or exchange clearing house for exchange traded and centrally cleared derivatives. Initial margin deposited is held at the exchange and can be in the form of cash and/or securities. For OTC derivatives traded under an ISDA master agreement, posting of

collateral is required by either the Fund or the applicable counterparty if the total net exposure of all OTC derivatives with the applicable counterparty exceeds the minimum transfer amount, which typically ranges from $100,000 to $250,000, and can vary depending on the counterparty and the type of the agreement. Generally, collateral is determined at the close of Fund business each day and any additional collateral required due to changes in derivative values may be delivered by the Fund or the counterparty within a few business days. Collateral pledged and/or received by the Fund for OTC derivatives, if any, is held in segregated accounts with the Fund’s custodian/counterparty broker and can be in the form of cash and/or securities. Unrestricted cash may be invested according to the Fund’s investment objectives. To the extent that the amounts due to the Fund from its counterparties are not subject to collateralization or are not fully collateralized, the Fund bears the risk of loss from counterparty non-performance.

The Fund entered into exchange traded futures contracts primarily to 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 in 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 such as a stock, bond, index or basket of securities or indices. A total return swap is an agreement between the Fund and a counterparty to exchange a return linked to an underlying instrument for a floating or fixed rate payment, both based upon a notional amount. Over the term of the contract, contractually required payments to be paid or received are accrued daily and recorded as unrealized appreciation or depreciation until the payments are made, at which time they are recognized as realized gain or loss.

The Fund purchased or wrote exchange traded 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. When an option is purchased or written, an amount equal to the premium paid or received is recorded as an asset or liability, respectively. Upon exercise of an option, the acquisition cost or sales proceeds of the underlying investment is adjusted by any

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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Franklin Pelagos Commodities Strategy Fund (continued)

premium received or paid. Upon expiration of an option, any premium received or paid is recorded as a realized gain or loss. Upon closing an option other than through expiration or exercise, the difference between the premium received or paid and the cost to close the position is recorded as a realized gain or loss.

See Notes 6 and 7 regarding investment transactions and other derivative information, respectively.

c. Restricted Cash

At May 31, 2016, the Fund held restricted cash in connection with investments in certain derivative securities. Restricted cash is held in a segregated account with the Fund’s custodian and is reflected in the Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

d. 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 May 31, 2016, 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 May 31, 2016, the net assets of the FP Subsidiary were $31,379,451 representing 22.93% of the Fund’s consolidated net assets. The Fund’s investment in the FP Subsidiary is limited to 25% of consolidated assets.

e. 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 may recognize an income tax liability related to its uncertain tax positions under U.S. GAAP when the uncertain tax position has a less than 50% probability that it will be sustained upon examination by the tax authorities based on its technical merits. As of May 31, 2016, the Fund has determined that no tax liability is required in its consolidated financial statements related to uncertain tax positions for any open tax years (or expected to be taken in future tax years). Open tax years are those that remain subject to examination and are based on each tax jurisdiction’s statute of limitation.

f. 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.

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

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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Franklin Pelagos Commodities Strategy Fund (continued)

1. Organization and Significant Accounting
Policies (continued)

g. Accounting Estimates (continued)

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.

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.

2. Shares of Beneficial Interest

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.

At May 31, 2016, there were an unlimited number of shares authorized (without par value). Transactions in the Fund’s shares were as follows:

        Year Ended May 31,        
  2016         2015  
  Shares     Amount   Shares     Amount  
Class A Shares:                    
Shares sold 410,630   $ 2,517,563   320,203   $ 2,539,217  
Shares redeemed. (113,450 )   (712,502 ) (91,847 )   (748,538 )
Net increase (decrease) 297,180   $ 1,805,061   228,356   $ 1,790,679  
Class C Shares:                    
Shares sold 97,440   $ 584,239   50,914   $ 386,347  
Shares redeemed. (15,208 )   (89,217 ) (3,870 )   (30,458 )
Net increase (decrease) 82,232   $ 495,022   47,044   $ 355,889  
Class R Shares:                    
Shares sold 792   $ 4,615     $  
Class R6 Shares:                    
Shares sold 14,259,716   $ 89,857,489   394,647   $ 3,320,920  
Shares redeemed. (1,547,056 )   (9,509,616 ) (145,850 )   (1,104,241 )
Net increase (decrease) 12,712,660   $ 80,347,873   248,797   $ 2,216,679  
Advisor Class Shares:                    
Shares sold 75,153   $ 475,789   34,562   $ 277,151  
Shares redeemed. (7,203 )   (47,921 ) (13,531 )   (113,894 )
Net increase (decrease) 67,950   $ 427,868   21,031   $ 163,257  

 

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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

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. 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 %

 

Effective August 1, 2015, the Board has set the current rate at 0.25% per year for Class A shares until further notice and approval by the Board.

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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Franklin Pelagos Commodities Strategy Fund (continued)

3. Transactions with Affiliates (continued)
d. Sales Charges/Underwriting Agreements

 

Front-end sales charges and contingent deferred sales charges (CDSC) do not represent expenses of the Fund. These charges are deducted from the proceeds of sales of Fund shares prior to investment or from redemption proceeds prior to remittance, as applicable. Distributors has advised the Fund of the following commission transactions related to the sales and redemptions of the Fund’s shares for the year:

Sales charges retained net of commissions paid to unaffiliated    
broker/dealers. $ 5,804
CDSC retained $ 109
 
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 shareholder servicing fees paid to third parties. These fees are allocated daily based upon their relative proportion of such classes’ aggregate net assets. Class R6 pays Investor Services transfer agent fees specific to that class.

For the year ended May 31, 2016, the Fund paid transfer agent fees of $25,385, of which $12,154 was retained by Investor Services.

f. Investments in Affiliated Management Investment Companies

The Fund invests in one or more affiliated management investment companies for purposes other than exercising a controlling influence over the management or policies. Management fees paid by the Fund are waived on assets invested in the affiliated management investment companies, as noted in the Consolidated Statement of Operations, in an amount not to exceed the management and administrative fees paid directly or indirectly by each affiliate. Prior to June 1, 2013, the waiver was accounted for as a reduction to management fees.

                    % of
                    Affiliated
  Number of       Number of         Fund Shares
  Shares Held       Shares   Value     Outstanding
  at Beginning Gross Gross   Held at End   at End Investment Realized Held at End
  of Year Additions Reductions   of Year   of Year Income Gain (Loss) of Year
 
Non-Controlled Affiliates                    
Institutional Fiduciary Trust Money Market                    
Portfolio 787,280 57,625,344 (57,575,708 ) 836,916 $ 836,916 $— $— —%a

 

aRounds to less than 0.01%.

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 0.73% 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, 2016. Total expenses waived or paid are not subject to recapture subsequent to the Fund’s fiscal year end. Prior to
October 1, 2015, expenses for Class R6 were limited to 0.86%.

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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Franklin Pelagos Commodities Strategy Fund (continued)      
 
h. Other Affiliated Transactions      
 
At May 31, 2016, the shares of the Fund were owned by the following entities:    
 
    Percentage of  
  Shares Outstanding Shares  
Franklin Moderate Allocation Fund 8,448,086 40.32 %a
Franklin Conservative Allocation Fund 5,595,894 26.71 %
Franklin Growth Allocation Fund 4,744,341 22.64 %
Franklin LifeSmart 2025 Retirement Target Fund 416,245 1.99 %
Franklin LifeSmart 2035 Retirement Target Fund 323,621 1.54 %
Franklin LifeSmart 2045 Retirement Target Fund 220,224 1.05 %
Franklin LifeSmart 2020 Retirement Target Fund 112,259 0.54 %
Franklin LifeSmart 2030 Retirement Target Fund 106,801 0.51 %
Franklin LifeSmart 2040 Retirement Target Fund 77,346 0.37 %
Franklin LifeSmart 2050 Retirement Target Fund 71,606 0.34 %
Franklin LifeSmart 2055 Retirement Target Fund 7,719 0.04 %
Franklin Resources, Inc 563 —%b  
  20,124,705 96.05 %
aInvestment activities of this investment company could have a material impact on the Fund.      
bRounds to less than 0.01%      

 

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 year ended May 31, 2016, 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, 2016, the Fund had long-term capital loss carryforwards of $175,775.

During the year ended May 31, 2016, the Fund utilized $12,607 of capital loss carryforwards.

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, 2016, the Fund deferred late-year ordinary losses of $72,053.

At May 31, 2016, the cost of investments and net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) for income tax purposes were as follows:

Cost of investments $ 134,857,019  
 
Unrealized appreciation $ 4,366  
Unrealized depreciation   (118,983 )
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) $ (114,617 )

 

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, investments in the FP Subsidiary and non-deductible expenses.

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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Franklin Pelagos Commodities Strategy Fund (continued)

6. Investment Transactions

Purchases and sales of investments (excluding short term securities) for the year ended May 31, 2016, aggregated $23,047,617 and $10,999,652, respectively.

Transactions in options written during the year ended May 31, 2016, were as follows:

          Number of          
          Contracts     Premiums  
Options outstanding at May 31, 2015.             $  
Options written         212       46,715  
Options expired.         (212 )     (46,715 )
Options exercised                
Options closed                
Options outstanding at May 31, 2016.             $  
 
See Notes 1(b) and 7 regarding derivative financial instruments and other derivative information, respectively.          
 
 
7. Other Derivative Information                  
 
At May 31, 2016, the Fund’s investments in derivative contracts are reflected in the Consolidated Statement of Assets and    
Liabilities as follows:                    
 
  Asset Derivatives       Liability Derivatives          
Derivative Contracts                    
Not Accounted for as Consolidated Statement of       Consolidated Statement of          
Hedging Instruments Assets and Liabilities Location   Fair Value   Assets and Liabilities Location     Fair Value  
Commodity contracts Variation margin $ 303,760 a Variation margin   $ 54,192 a
  Unrealized appreciation on OTC     Unrealized depreciation on OTC       346,898  
  swap contracts       swap contracts          
Totals   $ 303,760       $ 401,090  

 

aThis amount reflects the cumulative appreciation (depreciation) of futures contracts as reported in the Consolidated Statement of Investments. Only the variation margin receivable/payable at year end is separately reported within the Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Prior variation margin movements were recorded to cash upon receipt or payment.

For the year ended May 31, 2016, the effect of derivative contracts in the Fund’s Consolidated Statement of Operations was as follows:

              Net Change in  
              Unrealized  
Derivative Contacts Consolidated   Net Realized   Consolidated   Appreciation  
Not Accounted for as Statement of   Gain (Loss) for the   Statement of   (Depreciation)  
Hedging Instruments Operations Locations   Year   Operations Locations   for the Year  
  Net realized gain (loss) from:       Net change in unrealized      
          appreciation (depreciation) on:      
Commodity contracts Investments $ (168,589 ) Investments $ 74,559 a
  Written options   46,715          
  Futures contracts   (771,972 ) Futures contracts   254,152  
  Swap contracts   (108,794 ) Swap contracts   (960,591 )
Totals   $ (1,002,640 )   $ (631,880 )

 

aPurchased option contracts are included in net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments in the Consolidated Statement of Operations.

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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Franklin Pelagos Commodities Strategy Fund (continued)

For the year ended May 31, 2016, the average month end fair value of derivatives represented 1.62% of average month end net assets. The average month end number of open derivative contracts for the year was 4.

At May 31, 2016, 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 $— $ 346,898

 

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 May 31, 2016, the Fund’s OTC derivative assets, which may be offset against the Fund’s OTC derivative liabilities and collateral received from the counterparty, are 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 Receiveda than zero)
 
Counterparty          
MSCS $ — $ — $ — $ — $ —

 

aIn some instances, the collateral amounts disclosed in the table above were adjusted due to the requirement to limit the collateral amounts to avoid the effect of over collateralization. Actual collateral received and/or pledged may be more than the amounts disclosed herein.

At May 31, 2016, the Fund’s OTC derivative liabilities, which may be offset against the Fund’s OTC derivative assets and collateral pledged to the counterparty, are 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 Pledged Pledged   than zero)
 
Counterparty              
MSCS $ 346,898 $ — $ — $ — $ 346,898

 

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

See Abbreviations on page 35.

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 $2 billion (Global Credit
Facility) which matures on February 10, 2017. 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.

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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Franklin Pelagos Commodities Strategy Fund (continued)

8. Credit Facility (continued)

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. Effective February 12, 2016, the annual commitment fee is 0.15%. These fees are reflected in other expenses in the Consolidated Statement of Operations. During the year ended May 31, 2016, 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.

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 May 31, 2016, 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 $ $ 40,960,802 $ $ 40,960,802
Short Term Investments   89,217,600   4,564,000     93,781,600
Total Investments in Securities $ 89,217,600 $ 45,524,802 $ $ 134,742,402
 
Other Financial Instruments                
Futures Contracts $ 303,760 $ $ $ 303,760
 
Liabilities:                
Other Financial Instruments                
Futures Contracts $ 54,192 $ $ $ 54,192
Swap Contracts.     346,898     346,898
Total Other Financial Instruments $ 54,192 $ 346,898 $ $ 401,090

 

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 year.

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Franklin Pelagos Commodities Strategy Fund (continued)

10. 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

 

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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Board of Trustees of Franklin Alternative Strategies Funds and Shareholders of Franklin Pelagos Commodities Strategy Fund:

We have audited the accompanying consolidated statement of assets and liabilities, including the consolidated statement of investments, of Franklin Pelagos Commodities Strategy Fund (the "Fund") (one of the funds constituting the Franklin Alternative Strategies Funds), as of May 31, 2016, and the related consolidated statement of operations for the year then ended, the consolidated statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and the financial highlights for each of the periods indicated therein. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. We were not engaged to perform an audit of the Fund’s internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Fund’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements and financial highlights, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of May 31, 2016, by correspondence with the custodian and brokers. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Franklin Pelagos Commodities Strategy Fund (one of the funds constituting the Franklin Alternative Strategies Funds) at May 31, 2016, the consolidated results of its operations for the year then ended, the consolidated changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and the financial highlights for each of the periods indicated therein, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.


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Board Members and Officers

The name, year of birth and address of the officers and board members, as well as their affiliations, positions held with the Trust, principal occupations during at least the past five years and number of U.S. registered portfolios overseen in the Franklin Templeton Investments fund complex, are shown below. Generally, each board member serves until that person’s successor is elected and qualified.

Independent Board Members      
 
      Number of Portfolios in  
Name, Year of Birth   Length of Fund Complex Overseen Other Directorships Held
and Address Position Time Served by Board Member* During at Least the Past 5 Years
 
Edward I. Altman, Ph.D. (1941) Trustee Since 2011 15 None
c/o Franklin Mutual Advisers, LLC        
101 John F. Kennedy Parkway        
Short Hills, NJ 07078-2789        
Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:    
Max L. Heine Professor of Finance, Emeritus and Director of The Credit and Debt Markets Research Program, Salomon Center, Stern School
of Business, New York University; editor and author of numerous financial publications; financial consultant; an adviser to numerous financial
and publishing organizations; and formerly, Vice Director, Salomon Center, Stern School of Business, New York University.
 
Ann Torre Bates (1958) Trustee Since 2011 39 Navient Corporation (loan
c/o Franklin Mutual Advisers, LLC       management, servicing and asset
101 John F. Kennedy Parkway       recovery) (2014-present), Ares Capital
Short Hills, NJ 07078-2789       Corporation (specialty finance
        company) (2010-present), United
        Natural Foods, Inc. (distributor of
        natural, organic and specialty foods)
        (2013-present), Allied Capital
        Corporation (financial services)
        (2003-2010) and SLM Corporation
        (Sallie Mae) (1997-2014).
Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:    
Director of various companies; and formerly, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, NHP Incorporated (manager of multifamily
housing) (1995-1997); and Vice President and Treasurer, US Airways, Inc. (until 1995).  
 
Burton J. Greenwald (1929) Trustee Since 2011 15 Franklin Templeton Emerging Markets
c/o Franklin Mutual Advisers, LLC       Debt Opportunities Fund PLC and
101 John F. Kennedy Parkway       Fiduciary International Ireland Limited
Short Hills, NJ 07078-2789       (1999-2015).
Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:    
Managing Director, B.J. Greenwald Associates (management consultants to the financial services industry); and formerly, Chairman, Fiduciary
Trust International Funds; Executive Vice President, L.F. Rothschild Fund Management, Inc.; President and Director, Merit Mutual Funds;
President, Underwriting Division and Director, National Securities & Research Corporation; Governor, Investment Company Institute; and
Chairman, ICI Public Information Committee.      
 
Keith E. Mitchell (1954) Trustee Since 2011 15 None
c/o Franklin Mutual Advisers, LLC        
101 John F. Kennedy Parkway        
Short Hills, NJ 07078-2789        
Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:    
Director of various boards of asset management firms; and formerly, Managing Member, Mitchell, Hartley & Bechtel Advisers, LLC (formerly,
Mitchell Advisers, LLC) (advisory firm) (2003-2015) and Managing Director, Putman Lovell NBF.  
 
David W. Niemiec (1949) Trustee Since 2015 39 Emeritus Corporation (assisted living)
c/o Franklin Mutual Advisers, LLC       (1999-2010) and OSI Pharmaceuticals,
101 John F. Kennedy Parkway       Inc. (pharmaceutical products)
Short Hills, NJ 07078-2789       (2006-2010).
Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:    
Advisor, Saratoga Partners (private equity fund); and formerly, Managing Director, Saratoga Partners (1998-2001) and SBC Warburg Dillon
Read (investment banking) (1997-1998); Vice Chairman, Dillon, Read & Co. Inc. (investment banking) (1991-1997); and Chief Financial Officer,
Dillon, Read & Co. Inc. (1982-1997).      

 

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Independent Board Members (continued)    
 
 
 
      Number of Portfolios in  
Name, Year of Birth   Length of Fund Complex Overseen Other Directorships Held
and Address Position Time Served by Board Member* During at Least the Past 5 Years
 
Charles Rubens II (1930) Trustee Since 2011 15 None
c/o Franklin Mutual Advisers, LLC        
101 John F. Kennedy Parkway        
Short Hills, NJ 07078-2789        
Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:    
Private investor and president of non-profit organizations; and formerly, an executive of Time, Inc.; and Trustee of Colorado College.
 
Jan Hopkins Trachtman (1947) Trustee Since 2011 15 None
c/o Franklin Mutual Advisers, LLC        
101 John F. Kennedy Parkway        
Short Hills, NJ 07078-2789        
Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:    
President and Founder, The Jan Hopkins Group (communications consulting firm); serves on Advisory Board of Knight Bagehot Fellowship;
and formerly, President, Economic Club of New York (2001-2015); Anchor/Correspondent, CNN Financial News (until 2003); Managing
Director and Head of Client Communications, Citigroup Private Bank (until 2005); Off-Air Reporter, ABC News’ World News Tonight; and Editor,
CBS Network News.        
 
Robert E. Wade (1946) Trustee and Trustee and 39 El Oro Ltd (investments)
c/o Franklin Mutual Advisers, LLC Chairman of Chairman of the   (2003-present).
101 John F. Kennedy Parkway the Board Board since 2011    
Short Hills, NJ 07078-2789        
Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:    
Attorney at law engaged in private practice (1972-2008) and member of various boards.  
 
Gregory H. Williams (1943) Trustee Since 2015   None
c/o Franklin Mutual Advisers, LLC        
101 John F. Kennedy Parkway        
Short Hills, NJ 07078-2789        
Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:    
Private investor; Consultant; and formerly, President, University of Cincinnati (2009-2012); President, The City College of New York
(2001-2009); Dean, College of Law, Ohio State University (1993-2001); and Associate Vice President, Academic Affairs and Professor of Law,
University of Iowa (1977-1993).        
 
 
Interested Board Members and Officers    
 
      Number of Portfolios in  
Name, Year of Birth   Length of Fund Complex Overseen Other Directorships Held
and Address Position Time Served by Board Member* During at Least the Past 5 Years
 
**Gregory E. Johnson (1961) Trustee Since 2011 160 None
One Franklin Parkway        
San Mateo, CA 94403-1906        
Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:    
Chairman of the Board, Member – Office of the Chairman, Director and Chief Executive Officer, Franklin Resources, Inc.; officer and/or
director or trustee, as the case may be, of some of the other subsidiaries of Franklin Resources, Inc. and of 44 of the investment companies in
Franklin Templeton Investments; and Chairman, Investment Company Institute; and formerly, President, Franklin Resources, Inc. (1994-2015).
 
**Jennifer M. Johnson (1964) Trustee Since 2015 12 None
One Franklin Parkway        
San Mateo, CA 94403-1906        
Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:    
Co-President, Franklin Resources, Inc.; officer and/or director or trustee, as the case may be, of some of the other subsidiaries of Franklin
Resources, Inc. and of four of the investment companies in Franklin Templeton Investments; and formerly, Chief Operating Officer and
Executive Vice President, Franklin Resources, Inc. (1994-2015); Executive Vice President of Operations and Technology, Franklin Resources,
Inc. (2005-2010); and Senior Vice President, Franklin Resources, Inc. (2003-2005).  

 

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Interested Board Members and Officers (continued)  
 
 
 
      Number of Portfolios in  
Name, Year of Birth   Length of Fund Complex Overseen Other Directorships Held
and Address Position Time Served by Board Member* During at Least the Past 5 Years
 
Alison E. Baur (1964) Vice President Since 2012 Not Applicable Not Applicable
One Franklin Parkway        
San Mateo, CA 94403-1906        
Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:    
Deputy General Counsel, Franklin Templeton Investments; and officer of some of the other subsidiaries of Franklin Resources, Inc. and of 45
of the investment companies in Franklin Templeton Investments.    
 
Laura F. Fergerson (1962) Chief Executive Since 2011 Not Applicable Not Applicable
One Franklin Parkway Officer –      
San Mateo, CA 94403-1906 Finance and      
  Administration      
Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:    
Senior Vice President, Franklin Templeton Services, LLC; Vice President, Franklin Advisers, Inc. and Franklin Templeton Institutional, LLC; and
officer of 45 of the investment companies in Franklin Templeton Investments.  
 
Aliya S. Gordon (1973) Vice President Since 2011 Not Applicable Not Applicable
One Franklin Parkway        
San Mateo, CA 94403-1906        
Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:and    
formerly, Executive Vice President – Alternative Strategies, Franklin    
Resources, Inc. (2005-2015).        
Senior Associate General Counsel, Franklin Templeton Investments; and officer of 45 of the investment companies in Franklin Templeton
Investments.        
 
Steven J. Gray (1955) Secretary and Secretary and Vice Not Applicable Not Applicable
One Franklin Parkway Vice President President since    
San Mateo, CA 94403-1906   2011    
Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:    
Senior Associate General Counsel, Franklin Templeton Investments; Vice President, Franklin Templeton Distributors, Inc. and Franklin
Alternative Strategies Advisers, LLC; and officer of 45 of the investment companies in Franklin Templeton Investments.
 
Robert G. Kubilis (1973) Treasurer, Since 2015 Not Applicable Not Applicable
300 S.E. 2nd Street Chief Financial      
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301-1923 Officer and      
  Chief      
  Accounting      
  Officer      
Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:    
Treasurer, U.S. Fund Administration & Reporting, Franklin Templeton Investments; and officer of four of the investment companies in Franklin
Templeton Investments.        
 
Robert Lim (1948) Vice Since May 2016 Not Applicable Not Applicable
One Franklin Parkway President –      
San Mateo, CA 94403-1906 AML      
  Compliance      
Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:    
Portfolio Manager, Franklin Advisers, Inc.; officer of one of the investment companies in Franklin Templeton Investments; and formerly,
Manager of Americas market specialist sales team, Bloomberg LP (1991-2007).  
 
Kimberly H. Novotny (1972) Vice President Since 2013 Not Applicable Not Applicable
300 S.E. 2nd Street        
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301-1923        
Principal Occupation During at        
Least the Past 5 Years:        
Associate General Counsel, Franklin Templeton Investments; Vice President and Corporate Secretary, Fiduciary Trust International of the
South; Vice President, Templeton Investment Counsel, LLC; Assistant Secretary, Franklin Resources, Inc.; and officer of 45 of the investment
companies in Franklin Templeton Investments.      

 

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Interested Board Members and Officers (continued)  
 
 
 
      Number of Portfolios in  
Name, Year of Birth   Length of Fund Complex Overseen Other Directorships Held
and Address Position Time Served by Board Member* During at Least the Past 5 Years
 
Robert C. Rosselot (1960) Chief Since 2013 Not Applicable Not Applicable
300 S.E. 2nd Street Compliance      
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301-1923 Officer      
Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:    
Director, Global Compliance, Franklin Templeton Investments; Vice President, Franklin Templeton Companies, LLC; officer of 45 of the
investment companies in Franklin Templeton Investments; and formerly, Senior Associate General Counsel, Franklin Templeton Investments
(2007-2013); and Secretary and Vice President, Templeton Group of Funds (2004-2013).  
 
Karen L. Skidmore (1952) Vice President Since 2011 Not Applicable Not Applicable
One Franklin Parkway        
San Mateo, CA 94403-1906        
Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:    
Senior Associate General Counsel, Franklin Templeton Investments; and officer of 45 of the investment companies in Franklin Templeton
Investments.        
 
Navid Tofigh (1972) Vice President Since Not Applicable Not Applicable
One Franklin Parkway   November 2015    
San Mateo, CA 94403-1906        
Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:    
Associate General Counsel, Franklin Templeton Investments; and officer of 45 of the investment companies in Franklin Templeton Investments.
 
Craig S. Tyle (1960) Vice President Since 2011 Not Applicable Not Applicable
One Franklin Parkway        
San Mateo, CA 94403-1906        
Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:    
General Counsel and Executive Vice President, Franklin Resources, Inc.; and officer of some of the other subsidiaries of Franklin Resources,
Inc. and of 45 of the investment companies in Franklin Templeton Investments.  
 
Lori A. Weber (1964) Vice President Since 2011 Not Applicable Not Applicable
300 S.E. 2nd Street        
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301-1923        
Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:    
Senior Associate General Counsel, Franklin Templeton Investments; Assistant Secretary, Franklin Resources, Inc.; Vice President and
Secretary, Templeton Investment Counsel, LLC; and officer of 45 of the investment companies in Franklin Templeton Investments.
 
William Y. Yun (1959) President and Since 2011 Not Applicable Not Applicable
600 Fifth Avenue Chief      
New York, NY 10020 Executive      
  Officer –      
  Investment      
  Management      
Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:    
Executive Vice President, Franklin Advisers, Inc. and Franklin Templeton Institutional, LLC; Chief Executive Officer, Franklin Alternative
Strategies Advisers, LLC; Director, Fiduciary Investments Corporation and K2 Advisors Holdings, LLC; officer and/or director or trustee, as the
case may be, of some of the other subsidiaries of Franklin Resources, Inc. and of one of the investment companies in Franklin Templeton
Investments; and formerly, Executive Vice President – Alternative Strategies, Franklin Resources, Inc. (2005-2015).

 

*We base the number of portfolios on each separate series of the U.S. registered investment companies within the Franklin Templeton Investments fund complex. These
portfolios have a common investment manager or affiliated investment managers.
**Gregory E. Johnson is considered to be an interested person of the Fund under the federal securities laws due to his position as an officer and director ofFranklin
Resources, Inc. (Resources), which is the parent company of the Fund’s investment manager and distributor. Rupert H. Johnson, Jr. is considered to be an interested person
of the Fund under the federal securities laws due to his position as officer and director and major shareholder of Resources.
Note 1: Rupert H. Johnson, Jr. is the uncle of Gregory E. Johnson.

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Interested Board Members and Officers (continued)

Note 2: Officer information is current as of the date of this report. It is possible that after this date, information about officers may change.

The Fund’s Board has determined that certain of the members of the Audit Committee, including Ann Torre Bates, are audit committee financial experts, and “independent,” under those provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, and the rules and form amendments adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, relating to audit committee financial experts.

The Statement of Additional Information (SAI) includes additional information about the board members and is available, without charge, upon request.

Shareholders may call (800) DIAL BEN/342-5236 to request the SAI.

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Shareholder Information

Board Review of Investment Management Agreement

The Board of Trustees (Board), including a majority of trustees that are not “interested persons” as such term is defined in section 2(a)(19) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (hereinafter referred to as “independent Trustees”), at an in-person meeting held on May 16, 2016, unanimously approved the renewal of the Fund’s investment management agreement. Prior to a meeting of all of the trustees for the purpose of considering such renewal, the independent trustees held two meetings dedicated to the renewal process (those trustees unable to attend in person were present by telephonic conference means). Throughout the process, the independent trustees received assistance and advice from and met separately with independent counsel. The independent trustees met with and interviewed officers of the investment manager (including portfolio managers), the transfer agent and shareholder services group and the distributor. In approving the renewal of the agreement, the Board, including the independent trustees, determined that the existing investment management fee structure was fair and reasonable and that continuance of the agreement was in the best interests of the Fund and its shareholders.

In reaching their decision on the agreement, the trustees took into account information furnished throughout the year at regular Board meetings, as well as information specifically requested and furnished for the renewal process, which culminated in the meetings referred to above for the specific purpose of considering such agreement. Information furnished included, among others, reports on the Fund’s investment performance, expenses, portfolio composition, derivatives, asset segregation, portfolio turnover, Rule 12b-1 plans, distribution, shareholder servicing, legal and compliance matters, pricing of securities, sales and redemptions, and marketing support payments made to financial intermediaries, as well as a third-party survey of transfer agent fees charged to funds within the Franklin Templeton Investments (FTI) complex in comparison with those charged to other fund complexes deemed comparable. Also, related financial statements and other information about the scope and quality of services provided by the investment manager and its affiliates and enhancements to such services over the past year were provided. In addition, the trustees received periodic reports throughout the year and during the renewal process relating to compliance with the Fund’s investment policies and restrictions. During the renewal process, the independent trustees considered the investment manager’s methods of

operation within the Franklin Templeton group and its activities on behalf of other clients. The Board also noted that they received an annual report on all marketing support payments made by FTI to financial intermediaries, as well as a memorandum relating to third-party servicing arrangements in response to a Guidance Update from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) relating to mutual fund distribution and sub-accounting fees.

The information obtained by the trustees during the renewal process also included a special report prepared by Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. (Broadridge), an independent third-party analyst, comparing the Fund’s investment performance and expenses with those of other mutual funds deemed comparable to such Fund as selected by Broadridge (Broadridge Section 15(c) Report). The trustees reviewed the Broadridge Section 15(c) Report and its usefulness in the renewal process with respect to matters such as comparative fees, expenses, expense ratios and performance. They concluded that the report was a reliable resource in the performance of their duties.

In addition, the trustees received a Profitability Study (Profitability Study) prepared by management discussing the profitability to FTI from its overall U.S. fund operations, as well as on an individual fund-by-fund basis. Over the past year, the Board and counsel to the independent trustees continued to receive reports on management’s handling of recent regulatory inquiries and pending legal actions against the investment manager and its affiliates. The independent trustees were satisfied with the actions taken to date by management in response to such regulatory and legal matters.

Particular attention was given to the diligent risk management program of the investment manager, including continual monitoring and management of counterparty credit risk and collateral, and attention given to derivatives and other complex instruments that are held and expected to be held by the Fund and how such instruments are used to carry out the Fund’s investment objectives. The Board also took into account, among other things, management’s efforts in establishing a global credit facility for the benefit of the Fund and other accounts managed by FTI to provide a source of cash for temporary and emergency purposes or to meet unusual redemption requests as well as the strong financial position of the investment manager’s parent company and its commitment to the mutual fund business. In addition, the Board received updates from management on the SEC’s progress in implementing the rule-making requirements established by the

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FRANKLIN PELAGOS COMMODITIES STRATEGY FUND
SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION

Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (Dodd-Frank Act), which was enacted July 21, 2010, and the compliance of the investment manager with rules and regulations already promulgated by the SEC under such act, as well as the compliance of the investment manager with new rules and regulations promulgated by the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission.

In addition to the above and other matters considered by the trustees throughout the course of the year, the following discussion relates to certain primary factors relevant to the Board’s decision. This discussion of the information and factors considered by the Board (including the information and factors discussed above) is not intended to be exhaustive, but rather summarizes certain factors considered by the Board. In view of the wide variety of factors considered, the Board did not, unless otherwise noted, find it practicable to quantify or otherwise assign relative weights to the foregoing factors. In addition, individual trustees may have assigned different weights to various factors.

NATURE, EXTENT AND QUALITY OF SERVICES. The trustees reviewed the nature, extent and quality of the services provided, and to be provided, by the investment manager. In this regard, they reviewed the Fund’s actively managed fundamental and quantitative investment philosophy and process and the investment manager’s ability to implement such philosophy and process, including, but not limited to, the investment manager’s trading practices and investment decision processes and efforts to ensure compliance with the Fund’s investment goals, policies, and limitations. The Board also considered the investment management services that the investment manager provides to the Cayman Islands-based company, which is wholly owned by the Fund (Cayman Subsidiary).

The trustees reviewed the Fund’s portfolio management team, including its performance, staffing, skills and compensation program. With respect to portfolio manager compensation, management assured the trustees that the Fund’s long-term performance is a significant component of incentive-based compensation and noted that a portion of a portfolio manager’s incentive-based compensation is paid in shares of pre-designated funds from the portfolio manager’s fund management area. The trustees noted that the portfolio manager compensation program aligned the interests of the portfolio managers with that of shareholders of the Fund. The trustees considered various other products, portfolios and entities that are advised by the investment manager and the allocation of

assets and expenses among and within them, as well as their relative fees and reasons for differences with respect thereto and any potential conflicts.

During regular Board meetings and the aforementioned meetings of the independent trustees, the trustees considered periodic reports provided to them showing that the investment manager complied with the investment policies and restrictions of the Fund as well as other reports periodically furnished to the Board covering matters such as the compliance of portfolio managers and other management personnel with the code of ethics covering the investment management personnel, the adherence to fair value pricing procedures established by the Board and the accuracy of net asset value calculations. The Board noted the extent of the benefits provided to Fund shareholders from being part of the Franklin Templeton group, including the right to exchange investments between funds (same class) without a sales charge, the ability to reinvest Fund dividends into other funds and the right to combine holdings of other funds to obtain reduced sales charges.

The Board considered the investment manager’s significant efforts in developing and implementing compliance procedures established in accordance with SEC and other requirements. The Board also considered the nature, extent and quality of the services to be provided under the Fund’s other service agreements with affiliates of the investment manager and considered whether, on an overall basis, Fund shareholders were well served. In this connection, the Board also took into account transfer agent and shareholder services provided to Fund shareholders by an affiliate of the investment manager, noting continuing expenditures by management to increase and improve the scope of such services and favorable periodic reports on shareholder services conducted by independent third parties. While such considerations directly affected the trustees’ decision in renewing the Fund’s transfer agent and shareholder services agreement, the Board also considered these commitments as incidental benefits to Fund shareholders deriving from the investment management relationship.

Based on their review, the trustees were satisfied with the nature and quality of the overall services provided, and to be provided, by the investment manager and its affiliates to the Fund and its shareholders and were confident in the abilities of the management team to continue to implement the Fund’s actively managed fundamental and quantitative investment philosophy and process and to provide quality services to the Fund and its shareholders.

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INVESTMENT PERFORMANCE. As the Fund commenced operations in December 2011, the trustees reviewed the investment performance of the Fund for the one-, three- and four-year periods ended December 31, 2015. As part of their review, they inquired of management regarding benchmark and hedging activities. Consideration was also given to performance in the context of available levels of cash, including as affected by net flows, during the periods. The trustees had meetings during the year, including the meetings referred to above held in connection with the renewal process, with the Fund’s portfolio managers to discuss performance and the management of the Fund.

In addition, attention in assessing performance was given to the Broadridge Section 15(c) Report. That report showed the investment performance of the Fund (Class A shares) in comparison to other funds determined comparable by Broadridge.

The comparable funds to the Fund, as chosen by Broadridge, included all retail and institutional commodities general funds. The Fund had total returns in the second-highest performing quintile for the one-year period ended December 31, 2015, and had annualized total returns for the three- and four-year periods in the middle and second-highest performing quintiles respectively. The Board found such comparative performance to be acceptable.

COMPARATIVE EXPENSES AND PROFITABILITY.

The trustees considered the cost of the services provided and to be provided and the losses incurred by the investment manager and its affiliates from their respective relationships with the Fund. As part of the approval process, they explored with management the trends in expense ratios over the past three fiscal years and the reasons for any increases in the Fund’s expense ratios (or components thereof). The Board considered the extent to which the investment manager may derive ancillary benefits from Fund operations. In considering the appropriateness of the management fee and other expenses charged to the Fund, the Board took into account various factors including investment performance and matters relating to Fund operations, including, but not limited to, the quality and experience of its portfolio managers and research staff. As part of this discussion, the Board took into account the fee waiver and expense limitation arrangement in effect. The Board also considered the investment management services that the investment manager provides to the Cayman Subsidiary and the related fee waivers that were in place. The Board considered the nature of the services provided by the investment manager

to the other mutual fund it subadvises with similar investment objectives as the Fund, the fees that it charges for such services and any potential conflicts.

Consideration was also given to a comparative analysis in the Broadridge Section 15(c) Report of the investment management fee and total expense ratio of the Fund in comparison with those of a group of other funds selected by Broadridge as its appropriate Broadridge expense group. Broadridge expense data is based upon information taken from the Fund’s most recent annual report, which reflects historical asset levels that may be quite different from those currently existing, particularly in a period of market volatility. While recognizing such inherent limitation and the fact that expense ratios generally increase as assets decline and decrease as assets grow, the Board believed the independent analysis conducted by Broadridge to be an appropriate measure of comparative expenses. In reviewing comparative costs, emphasis was given to the Fund’s contractual management fee in comparison with the contractual management fee that would have been charged by other funds within its Broadridge expense group assuming they were similar in size to the Fund, as well as the actual total expenses of the Fund in comparison with those of its Broadridge expense group. The Broadridge contractual management fee analysis includes administrative charges as being part of the management fee, and total expenses, for comparative consistency, are shown by Broadridge for Fund Class A shares. The Fund’s contractual management fee rate was in the least expensive quintile of its Broadridge expense group and its total expenses (including Rule 12b-1 fees) were in the second-least expensive quintile of such group. The Board was satisfied with such comparative fees and expenses.

The trustees also reviewed the Profitability Study addressing profitability of Franklin Resources, Inc., from its overall U.S. fund business, as well as profitability to the Fund’s investment manager and its affiliates, from providing investment management and other services to the Fund during the 12-month period ended September 30, 2015, the most recent fiscal year end of Franklin Resources, Inc. The trustees reviewed the basis on which such reports are prepared and the cost allocation methodology utilized in the Profitability Study, it being recognized that allocation methodologies may each be reasonable while producing different results. In this respect, the Board noted that the reasonableness of the cost allocation methodologies was reviewed by independent accountants on an every other year basis.

44 Annual Report

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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS
FRANKLIN PELAGOS COMMODITIES STRATEGY FUND
SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION

The independent trustees met with management to discuss the Profitability Study. This included, among other things, a comparison of investment management income with investment management expenses of the Fund; comparison of underwriting revenues and expenses; the relative relationship of investment management and underwriting expenses; shareholder servicing profitability; economies of scale; and the relative contribution of the Fund to the profitability of the investment manager and its parent. In discussing the Profitability Study with the Board, the investment manager stated its belief that the costs incurred in establishing the infrastructure necessary to operate the type of mutual fund operations conducted by it and its affiliates may not be fully reflected in the expenses allocated to the Fund in determining its profitability. The Board also took into account management’s expenditures in improving shareholder services provided to the Fund, as well as the need to meet additional regulatory and compliance requirements resulting from the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, the Dodd-Frank Act and recent SEC and other regulatory requirements. The trustees also considered the extent to which the investment manager may derive ancillary benefits from Fund operations.

ECONOMIES OF SCALE. The Board considered economies of scale realized by the investment manager and its affiliates as the Fund grows larger and the extent to which they are shared with Fund shareholders, as for example, in the level of the investment management fees charged, in the quality and efficiency of services rendered and in increased capital commitments benefiting the Fund directly or indirectly. The Board also considered the fee waiver and expense limitation arrangement in effect, and the amount of Fund expenses that were absorbed since inception of the Fund by the investment manager through such waiver and arrangement. The Board concluded that economies of scale were deemed not to be a significant factor at that time in light of, among other matters, the fee waiver and expense limitation arrangement in effect and the limited size of assets under management.

Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures

The Fund’s investment manager has established Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures (Policies) that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities. Shareholders may view the Fund’s complete Policies online at franklintempleton.com. Alternatively, shareholders may request copies of the Policies free of charge by calling the Proxy Group collect at (954) 527-7678 or by sending a written request to: Franklin Templeton Companies, LLC, 300 S.E. 2nd Street, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301, Attention: Proxy Group. Copies of the Fund’s proxy voting records are also made available online

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

Quarterly Statement of Investments

The Trust, on behalf of the Fund, files a complete statement of investments with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for the first and third quarters for each fiscal year 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.

Householding of Reports and Prospectuses

You will receive each Fund’s financial reports every six months as well as an annual updated summary prospectus (prospectus available upon request). To reduce Fund expenses, we try to identify related shareholders in a household and send only one copy of the financial reports and summary prospectus. This process, called “householding,” will continue indefinitely unless you instruct us otherwise. If you prefer not to have these documents householded, please call us at (800) 632-2301. At any time you may view current prospectuses/summary prospectuses and financial reports on our website. If you choose, you may receive these documents through electronic delivery.

franklintempleton.com

Annual Report

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Annual Report and Shareholder Letter
Franklin Pelagos Commodities Strategy Fund

Investment Manager
Franklin Alternative Strategies Advisers, LLC

Distributor
Franklin Templeton Distributors, Inc.
(800) DIAL BEN® / 342-5236
franklintempleton.com

Shareholder Services
(800) 632-2301

Authorized for distribution only when accompanied or preceded by a summary prospectus and/or prospectus. Investors should carefully consider a fund’s investment goals, risks, charges and expenses before investing. A prospectus contains this and other information; please read it carefully before investing.

To help ensure we provide you with quality service, all calls to and from our service areas are monitored and/or recorded.

© 2016 Franklin Templeton Investments. All rights reserved. 995 A 07/16

 


 

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.

 

(a)  Audit Fees

The aggregate fees paid to the principal accountant for professional services rendered by the principal accountant for the audit of the registrant’s annual financial statements or for services that are normally provided by the principal accountant in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements were $221,182 for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2016 and $165,375 for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2015.

 

(b)  Audit-Related Fees

There were no fees paid to the principal accountant for assurance and related services rendered by the principal accountant to the registrant that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit of the registrant's financial statements and are not reported under paragraph (a) of Item 4.

 

There were no fees paid to the principal accountant for assurance and related services rendered by the principal accountant to the registrant's investment adviser and any entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with the investment adviser that provides ongoing services to the registrant that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit of their financial statements. 

 

(c)  Tax Fees

The aggregate fees paid to the principal accountant for professional services rendered by the principal accountant to the registrant for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning were $4,299 for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2016 and $3,103 for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2015. The services for which these fees were paid include identifying passive foreign investment companies to manage exposure to tax liabilities.


 

 

The aggregate fees paid to the principal accountant for professional services rendered by the principal accountant to the registrant’s investment adviser and any entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with the investment adviser that provides ongoing services to the registrant for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning were $114,500 for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2016 and $77,000 for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2015.  The services for which these fees were paid included technical tax consultation for withholding tax report to foreign governments, application of local country tax laws and tax advice.

 

(d)  All Other Fees

There were no fees paid to the principal accountant for products and services rendered by the principal accountant to the registrant not reported in paragraphs (a)-(c) of Item 4.

 

There were no fees paid to the principal accountant for products and services rendered by the principal accountant to the registrant’s investment adviser and any entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with the investment adviser that provides ongoing services to the registrant other than the services reported in paragraphs (a)-(c) of Item 4.

 

(e) (1) The registrant’s audit committee is directly responsible for approving the services to be provided by the auditors, including:

 

      (i)   pre-approval of all audit and audit related services;

 

      (ii)  pre-approval of all non-audit related services to be provided to the Fund by the auditors;

 

      (iii) pre-approval of all non-audit related services to be provided to the registrant by the auditors to the registrant’s investment adviser or to any entity that controls, is controlled by or is under common control with the registrant’s investment adviser and that provides ongoing services to the registrant where the non-audit services relate directly to the operations or financial reporting of the registrant; and

 

      (iv)  establishment by the audit committee, if deemed necessary or appropriate, as an alternative to committee pre-approval of services to be provided by the auditors, as required by paragraphs (ii) and (iii) above, of policies and procedures to permit such services to be pre-approved by other means, such as through establishment of guidelines or by action of a designated member or members of the committee; provided the policies and procedures are detailed as to the particular service and the committee is informed of each service and such policies and procedures do not include delegation of audit committee responsibilities, as contemplated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, to management; subject, in the case of (ii) through (iv), to any waivers, exceptions or exemptions that may be available under applicable law or rules.

 


 

(e) (2) None of the services provided to the registrant described in paragraphs (b)-(d) of Item 4 were approved by the audit committee pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(i)(C) of Rule 2-01 of regulation S-X.

 

(f) No disclosures are required by this Item 4(f).

 

(g) The aggregate non-audit fees paid to the principal accountant for services rendered by the principal accountant to the registrant and the registrant’s investment adviser and any entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with the investment adviser that provides ongoing services to the registrant were $118,799 for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2016 and $80,103 for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2015.

 

(h) The registrant’s audit committee of the board has considered whether the provision of non-audit services that were rendered to the registrant’s investment adviser (not including any sub-adviser whose role is primarily portfolio management and is subcontracted with or overseen by another investment adviser), and any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the investment adviser that provides ongoing services to the registrant that were not pre-approved pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(ii) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X is compatible with maintaining the principal accountant’s independence.

 

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 Robert G. Kubilis, 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 Robert G. Kubilis, 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  July 27, 2016

 

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  July 27, 2016

 

 

By /s/ Robert G. Kubilis

Robert G. Kubilis

      Chief Financial Officer and

Chief Accounting Officer

Date  July 27, 2016