N-CSRS 1 d797300dncsrs.htm FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS - CLASS 4 FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS - CLASS 4

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 20549

 

 

FORM N-CSRS

 

 

CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF REGISTERED

MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES

Investment Company Act file number 811-05583

 

 

Franklin Templeton Variable Insurance Products Trust

(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: 12/31

Date of reporting period: 06/30/19

 

 

 


Item 1.

Reports to Stockholders.

 


LOGO


 

Internet Delivery of Shareholder Reports: Effective January 1, 2021, as permitted by regulations adopted by the SEC, you may not be receiving paper copies of the Fund’s annual or semiannual shareholder reports by mail, unless you specifically request them from the insurance company that offers your variable annuity or variable life insurance contract or your financial intermediary. Instead of delivering paper copies of the report, the insurance company may choose to make the reports available on a website, and will notify you by mail each time a shareholder report is posted and provide you with a website link to access the report. Instructions for requesting paper copies will be provided by your insurance company.

If you already elected to receive shareholder reports electronically, you will not be affected by this change and you need not take any action. You may elect to receive shareholder reports and other communications from the insurance company or your financial intermediary electronically by following the instructions provided by the insurance company or by contacting your financial intermediary.

You may elect to receive all future Fund shareholder reports in paper free of charge from the insurance company. You can inform the insurance company or your financial intermediary that you wish to continue receiving paper copies of your shareholder reports by following the instructions provided by the insurance company or by contacting your financial intermediary. Your election to receive reports in paper will apply to all portfolio companies available under your contract with the insurance company.

This notice is not legally a part of the shareholder report.


Franklin Templeton Variable Insurance

Products Trust Semiannual Report

 

 

 

Table of Contents

 

       
Important Notes to Performance Information      i  
Fund Summaries   

Franklin Allocation VIP Fund

     FFA-1  

Franklin Flex Cap Growth VIP Fund

     FFC-1  

Franklin Income VIP Fund

     FI-1  

Franklin Mutual Global Discovery VIP Fund

     MGD-1  

Franklin Mutual Shares VIP Fund

     MS-1  

Franklin Rising Dividends VIP Fund

     FRD-1  

Franklin Small Cap Value VIP Fund

     FSV-1  

Franklin Small-Mid Cap Growth VIP Fund

     FSC-1  

Franklin Strategic Income VIP Fund

     FSI-1  

Templeton Developing Markets VIP Fund

     TD-1  

Templeton Foreign VIP Fund

     TF-1  

Templeton Global Bond VIP Fund

     TGB-1  

Templeton Growth VIP Fund

     TG-1  
Index Descriptions      I-1  
Shareholder Information      SI-1  

 

 

         
Not FDIC Insured   |   May Lose Value   |   No Bank Guarantee 
 

 

MASTER CLASS – 4


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

 

 

Important Notes to

Performance Information

 

Performance data is historical and cannot predict or guarantee future results. Principal value and investment return will fluctuate with market conditions, and you may have a gain or loss when you withdraw your money. Inception dates of the funds may have preceded the effective dates of the subaccounts, contracts or their availability in all states.

When reviewing the index comparisons, please keep in mind that indexes have a number of inherent performance differentials over the funds. First, unlike the funds, which must hold a minimum amount of cash to maintain liquidity,

indexes do not have a cash component. Second, the funds are actively managed and, thus, are subject to management fees to cover salaries of securities analysts or portfolio managers in addition to other expenses. Indexes are unmanaged and do not include any commissions or other expenses typically associated with investing in securities. Third, indexes often contain a different mix of securities than the fund to which they are compared. Additionally, please remember that indexes are simply a measure of performance and cannot be invested in directly.

 

 

     
  Semiannual Report              i  


 

Franklin Allocation VIP Fund

(Formerly, Franklin Founding Funds Allocation VIP Fund)

This semiannual report for Franklin Allocation VIP Fund covers the period ended June 30, 2019. As previously communicated, effective May 1, 2019, the Fund changed its name to Franklin Allocation VIP Fund and changed from a fund of funds that invested fixed percentages in three underlying funds to an actively managed fund that invests in a variety of equity and fixed income investments.

Class 4 Performance Summary as of June 30, 2019

The Fund’s Class 4 Shares posted a +12.87% total return* for the six-month period ended June 30, 2019.

*On May 1, 2019, the Fund’s investment strategies changed. Performance prior to May 1, 2019, is attributable to the Fund’s performance before the strategy change. The Fund has an expense reduction and a fee waiver associated with any investments in a Franklin Templeton money fund and/or other Franklin Templeton fund, contractually guaranteed through 4/30/20. Fund investment results reflect the expense reduction and fee waiver; without these reductions, the results would have been lower.

Performance reflects the Fund’s Class 4 operating expenses, but does not include any contract fees, expenses or sales charges. If they had been included, performance would be lower. These charges and deductions, particularly for variable life policies, can have a significant effect on contract values and insurance benefits. See the contract prospectus for a complete description of these expenses, including sales charges.

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.

 

     
  Semiannual Report             FFA-1  


FRANKLIN ALLOCATION VIP FUND

 

Fund Goal and Main Investments

The Fund seeks capital appreciation, with income as a secondary goal. Under normal market conditions, the Fund allocates approximately 60% of its assets to the equity asset class and 40% of its assets to the fixed income asset class by allocating the Fund’s assets among various sleeves (investment strategies).

Fund Risks

All investments involve risks, including possible loss of principal. Because the Fund invests in underlying funds, and the Fund’s performance is directly related to the performance of the underlying funds held by it, the ability of the Fund to achieve its investment goals is directly related to the ability of the underlying funds to meet their investment goals. Additionally, because these underlying funds may engage in a variety of investment strategies involving certain risks, the Fund may be subject to these same risks. Stock prices fluctuate, sometimes rapidly and dramatically, due to factors affecting individual companies, particular industries or sectors, or general market conditions. Bonds are affected by changes in interest rates and the creditworthiness of their issuers. Bond prices generally move in the opposite direction of interest rates. Thus, as prices of bonds adjust to a rise in interest rates, the Fund’s share price may decline. Higher yielding, lower rated corporate bonds entail a greater degree of credit risk compared to investment-grade securities. Foreign investing carries additional risks such as currency and market volatility and political or social instability, risks that are heightened in developing countries. Value securities may not increase in price as anticipated or may decline further in value. The Fund’s prospectus also includes a description of the main investment risks.

Performance Overview

You can find the Fund’s six-month total return in the Performance Summary. In comparison, one of the Fund’s benchmarks, the Standard & Poor’s® 500 Index (S&P 500®) posted a +18.54% total return. The Fund’s new benchmarks, the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Index posted a +6.11% total return; the MSCI World ex USA Index posted a +17.38% total return; and the Linked Allocation VIP Fund Benchmark (Blended Benchmark) posted a +12.63% total

Portfolio Composition

Based on Total Net Assets as of 6/30/19

 

LOGO

return.1,2 One of the Fund’s old benchmarks, the MSCI World Index posted a +17.38% total return for the same period.1 The Fund changed from a fund that invested fixed percentages in three underlying funds to an actively managed fund that invests in a variety of equity and fixed income investments; its benchmarks also changed.

Economic and Market Overview

The global economy expanded during the six months ended June 30, 2019, despite weakness in certain regions. Global developed and emerging market stocks were aided by upbeat economic data in some regions, encouraging corporate earnings reports and periods of optimism about a potential U.S.-China trade deal. Further supporting markets were the U.S. Federal Reserve’s (Fed’s) patient approach to its monetary policy in 2019 and recent indication it will act as appropriate to sustain U.S. economic expansion.

However, markets reflected concerns about political uncertainties in the U.S. and the European Union,

 

 

1. Source: Morningstar.

2. Source: Factset. The Fund’s blended benchmark was calculated internally and rebalanced monthly and was composed of 40% S&P 500, 40% Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index and 20% MSCI World ex USA Index.

One cannot invest directly in an index, and an index is not representative of the Fund’s portfolio. Please see Index Descriptions following the Fund Summaries.

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).

 

     
FFA-2            Semiannual Report  


FRANKLIN ALLOCATION VIP FUND

 

geopolitical risks in certain regions, and the impact of U.S. trade disputes with China and other trading partners on global growth and corporate earnings. In this environment, global developed and emerging stocks, as measured by the MSCI All Country World Index, posted a +16.60% total return for the six-month period.1

The U.S. economy grew during the six months ended June 30, 2019. After moderating for two consecutive quarters, the economy grew significantly faster in 2019’s first quarter, driven by growth in consumer spending, inventory investment, exports, business investment, and state and local government spending. However, the economy moderated again in the second quarter, due to weakness in inventory investment, exports, business investment and housing investment. The unemployment rate decreased from 3.9% in December 2018 to 3.7% at period-end.3 However, the economy moderated again in the second quarter, due to weakness in inventory investment, exports, business investment and housing investment. The annual inflation rate, as measured by the Consumer Price Index, decreased from 1.9% in December 2018 to 1.6% at period-end.3

Geographic Composition

Based on Total Net Assets as of 6/30/19

 

LOGO

The Fed held its target range for the federal funds rate unchanged, at 2.25%–2.50%, during the reporting period. In March, the Fed mentioned it would end its balance sheet normalization program by the end of September 2019. In June, the Fed indicated increased uncertainties around its views on economic activity and the labor market. With

market-based inflation measures remaining low recently, the market has interpreted the Fed’s recent statements to mean it will likely cut rates in 2019’s second half to foster continued economic growth while attempting to achieve its inflation objective.

In Europe, the U.K.’s quarterly gross domestic product (GDP) growth accelerated in 2019’s first quarter. The Bank of England left its key policy rate unchanged during the period. The eurozone’s quarterly GDP accelerated in 2019’s first quarter. However, the bloc’s annual inflation rate decreased during the period. The European Central Bank (ECB) kept its benchmark interest rate unchanged during the period. In June, the ECB mentioned it would leave interest rates unchanged through the first half of 2020, provided details of its new stimulus, and indicated its openness to cut rates or increase stimulus.

In Asia, Japan’s quarterly GDP growth accelerated in 2019’s first quarter. In June, the Bank of Japan also left its benchmark interest rate unchanged, while continuing its stimulus measures, and expressed its openness to cut interest rates or increase stimulus.

In larger emerging markets, Brazil’s quarterly GDP growth contracted in 2019’s first quarter. The Central Bank of Brazil left its benchmark interest rate unchanged during the period. Russia’s annual GDP growth moderated in 2019’s first quarter. The Bank of Russia cut its key rate once during the period. China’s annual GDP growth rate stabilized in 2019’s first quarter. The People’s Bank of China left its benchmark interest rate unchanged, but it took measures to improve financial liquidity to mitigate the effects of the U.S.-China trade dispute and support economic growth. Overall, global emerging market stocks, as measured by the MSCI Emerging Markets Index, posted a +10.78% total return during the six-month period.1

Investment Strategy

The Fund seeks to achieve its investment goals by allocating its assets among the broad asset classes of equity and fixed income investments through a variety of investment strategies or “sleeves” managed by the investment manager or its affiliates, which include Franklin U.S. Smart Beta Equity Strategy, Franklin Total Return Strategy, Franklin Growth Strategy, Templeton Foreign Strategy, Franklin International Growth Strategy, Franklin U.S. Government Securities Strategy, Franklin Rising Dividends Strategy, Franklin Investment Grade Corporate Strategy and Templeton Global

 

 

3. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

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

 

     
  Semiannual Report              FFA-3  


FRANKLIN ALLOCATION VIP FUND

 

Bond VIP Fund Strategy. The Fund is structured as a multi-manager fund (meaning the Fund’s assets are managed by multiple sub-advisors), with the investment manager having overall responsibility for the Fund’s investments. Allocation to each sleeve will generally not exceed 20% and will vary with market conditions. However, under normal market conditions, no sleeve constitutes a majority of the Fund’s assets.

Manager’s Discussion

From January 1, 2019, through the date of the investment strategy change on May 1, 2019, the Fund’s performance can be attributed largely to its allocation among the underlying funds and their investments in domestic and foreign equities, fixed income securities, and short-term investments and other net assets. For the period after the investment strategy change through June 30, 2019, the Fund’s performance can be attributed largely to its allocation among the underlying sleeves and their investments in domestic and foreign equities, fixed income securities, and short-term investments and other net assets. The allocation to the sleeves did not change over the period.

Top 10 Holdings

6/30/19

 

Company

Sector/Industry

  

% of Total

Net Assets

 

Templeton Global Bond VIP Fund

     4.0%  

Diversified Financials

        

Microsoft Corp.

     1.1%  

Software & Services

        

Apple Inc.

     0.7%  

Technology Hardware & Equipment

        

Amazon.com Inc.

     0.6%  

Retailing

        

Linde PLC (United Kingdom)

     0.6%  

Materials

        

Texas Instruments Inc.

     0.5%  

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment

        

Mastercard Inc.

     0.5%  

Software & Services

        

Roper Technologies Inc.

     0.5%  

Capital Goods

        

Union Pacific Corp.

     0.5%  

Transportation

        

NIKE Inc.

     0.5%  

Consumer Durables & Apparel

        

For the period before the investment strategy change, Franklin Income VIP Fund – Class 1 and Franklin Mutual

Shares VIP Fund – Class 1 underperformed the S&P 500. Templeton Growth VIP Fund – Class 1 underperformed the MSCI World Index. For the period after the investment strategy change, the Franklin Growth Strategy outperformed the S&P 500, the Franklin Rising Dividends Strategy outperformed the S&P 500, the Templeton Foreign Strategy underperformed the MSCI All Country World ex U.S.A. Index, the Franklin International Growth Strategy underperformed the MSCI EAFE Index , the U.S. Smart Beta Equity Strategy outperformed the Russell 1000® Index, the Franklin U.S. Government Securities Strategy underperformed the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Government Index: Intermediate Component, the Investment-Grade Corporate Strategy outperformed the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Corporate Index: Investment-Grade Component.

Thank you for your participation in Franklin Allocation VIP Fund. We look forward to serving your future investment needs.

 

 

The foregoing information reflects our analysis, opinions and portfolio holdings as of June 30, 2019, 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.

 

 

     
FFA-4            Semiannual Report  


FRANKLIN ALLOCATION VIP FUND

 

Class 4 Fund Expenses

As an investor in a variable insurance contract (Contract) that indirectly provides for investment in an underlying mutual fund, you can incur transaction and/or ongoing expenses at both the Fund level and the Contract Level: (1) transaction expenses can include sales charges (loads) on purchases, surrender fees, transfer fees and premium taxes; and (2) ongoing expenses can include management fees, distribution and service (12b-1) fees, contract fees, annual maintenance fees, mortality and expense risk fees and other fees and expenses. All mutual funds and Contracts have some types of ongoing expenses. The table below shows Fund-level ongoing expenses and can help you understand these costs and compare them with those of other mutual funds offered through the Contract. The table assumes a $1,000 investment held for the six months indicated. Please refer to the Fund prospectus for additional information on operating expenses.

Actual Fund Expenses

The table below provides information about the actual account values and actual expenses in the columns under the heading “Actual.” In these columns the Fund’s actual return, which includes the effect of ongoing Fund expenses but does not include the effect of ongoing Contract expenses, is used to calculate the “Ending Account Value.” You can estimate the Fund-level expenses you paid during the period by following these steps (of course, your account value and expenses will differ from those in this illustration): Divide your account value by $1,000 (if your account had an $8,600 value, then $8,600 ÷ $1,000 = 8.6). Then multiply the result by the number under the headings “Actual” and “Fund-Level Expenses Paid During Period” (if Fund-Level Expenses Paid During Period were $ 7.50, then 8.6 x
$ 7.50 = $64.50
). In this illustration, the estimated expenses paid this period at the Fund level are $64.50.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison with Other Mutual Funds

Under the heading “Hypothetical” in the table, information is provided about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. This information may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period, but it can help you compare ongoing costs of investing in the Fund with those of other mutual funds offered through the Contract. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds offered through the Contract.

Please note that expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight ongoing costs at the Fund level only and do not reflect any ongoing expenses at the Contract level, or transaction expenses at either the Fund or Contract levels. In addition, while the Fund does not have transaction expenses, if the transaction and ongoing expenses at the Contract level were included, the expenses shown below would be higher. You should consult your Contract prospectus or disclosure document for more information.

 

            Actual
  (actual return after expenses)  
     

Hypothetical

   (5% annual return before expenses)    

        

  Share

  Class

  Beginning
Account
Value 1/1/19
    Ending      

Account      

Value 6/30/19      

   Fund-Level
Expenses

Paid During
Period
1/1/19–6/30/191, 2

    Ending

Account

Value 6/30/19

   Fund-Level
Expenses

Paid During

Period
1/1/19–6/30/191, 2

     Net
Annualized
Expense
Ratio2

Class 4

  $1,000            $1,128.70          $3.11            $1,021.87    $2.96             0.59%

1. Expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio for the six-month period as indicated above—in the far right column—multiplied by the simple average account value over the period indicated, and then multiplied by 181/365 to reflect the one-half year period.

2. Reflects expenses after fee waivers and expense reimbursements. Does not include acquired fund fees and expenses from 1/1/2019 to 4/30/2019 and includes acquired fees and expenses from 5/1/2019 to 6/30/2019.

Effective 5/01/2019, the expense waiver changed and the new annualized net expense ratio was 0.92%. Had such expense waiver been in effect for the full period, the expenses paid would have been $4.86 based upon the Fund’s actual performance and $4.61 based upon a hypothetical 5% return.

 

     
  Semiannual Report              FFA-5  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

 

 

Financial Highlights

Franklin Allocation VIP Fund

 

   

Six Months Ended

June 30, 2019

(unaudited)

     Year Ended December 31,  
      2018      2017      2016      2015      2014  

Class 1

                
Per share operating performance                 

(for a share outstanding throughout the period)

                

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $ 6.37        $ 7.44        $ 7.13        $ 6.80        $ 7.47        $ 7.47  
Income from investment operationsa:                 

Net investment incomeb,c

    0.05        0.23        0.21        0.21        0.26        0.22  

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)

    0.77        (0.89      0.63        0.64        (0.68      0.02  

Total from investment operations

    0.82        (0.66      0.84        0.85        (0.42      0.24  
Less distributions from:                 

Net investment income

    (0.27      (0.24      (0.22      (0.29      (0.24      (0.23

Net realized gains

    (0.46      (0.17      (0.31      (0.23      (0.01      (0.01
Total distributions     (0.73      (0.41      (0.53      (0.52      (0.25      (0.24
Net asset value, end of period     $ 6.46        $ 6.37        $ 7.44        $ 7.13        $ 6.80        $ 7.47  

Total returnd

    13.04%        (9.34)%        12.17%        13.43%        (5.93)%        3.05%  
Ratios to average net assetse                 

Expenses before waiver and payments by affiliatesf

    0.27%        0.12%        0.12%        0.11%        0.11%        0.11%  

Expenses net of waiver and payments by affiliatesf

    0.24%        0.10%        0.10%        0.10%        0.10%        0.10%  

Net investment incomec

    1.36%        3.13%        2.75%        3.09%        3.51%        2.88%  
Supplemental data                 

Net assets, end of period (000’s)

    $1,139        $984        $1,047        $1,025        $1,083        $1,114  

Portfolio turnover rate

    130.55%        2.23%        1.28%        0.10%        0.26%        4.80%  

Portfolio turnover rate excluding mortgage dollar rolls

    128.50% g       2.23%        1.28%        0.10%        0.26%        4.80%  

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

bBased on average daily shares outstanding.

cRecognition of net investment income by the Fund is affected by the timing of declaration of dividends by the Underlying Funds and exchange traded funds in which the Fund invests.

dTotal return does not include fees, charges or expenses imposed by the variable annuity and life insurance contracts for which Franklin Templeton Variable Insurance Products Trust serves as an underlying investment vehicle. Total return is not annualized for periods less than one year.

eRatios are annualized for periods less than one year.

fDoes not include expenses of the Underlying Funds and exchange traded funds in which the Fund invests. The weighted average indirect expenses of the Underlying Funds and exchange traded funds was 0.39% for the period ended June 30, 2019.

gSee Note 1(e) regarding mortgage dollar rolls.

 

     
FFA-6              Semiannual Report   |    The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

 

Franklin Allocation VIP Fund (continued)

 

   

Six Months Ended

June 30, 2019

(unaudited)

     Year Ended December 31,  
      2018      2017      2016      2015      2014  

Class 2

                
Per share operating performance                 

(for a share outstanding throughout the period)

                

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $ 6.32        $ 7.39        $ 7.08        $ 6.75        $ 7.42        $ 7.42  
Income from investment operationsa:                 

Net investment incomeb,c

    0.04        0.21        0.18        0.19        0.24        0.20  

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)

    0.77        (0.89      0.64        0.64        (0.68      0.02  

Total from investment operations

    0.81        (0.68      0.82        0.83        (0.44      0.22  
Less distributions from:                 

Net investment income

    (0.25      (0.22      (0.20      (0.27      (0.22      (0.21

Net realized gains

    (0.46      (0.17      (0.31      (0.23      (0.01      (0.01
Total distributions     (0.71      (0.39      (0.51      (0.50      (0.23      (0.22
Net asset value, end of period     $ 6.42        $ 6.32        $ 7.39        $ 7.08        $ 6.75        $ 7.42  

Total returnd

    12.99%        (9.65)%        11.98%        13.18%        (6.21)%        2.85%  
Ratios to average net assetse                 

Expenses before waiver and payments by affiliatesf

    0.52%        0.37%        0.37%        0.36%        0.36%        0.36%  

Expenses net of waiver and payments by affiliatesf

    0.49%        0.35%        0.35%        0.35%        0.35%        0.35%  

Net investment incomec

    1.11%        2.88%        2.50%        2.84%        3.26%        2.63%  
Supplemental data                 

Net assets, end of period (000’s)

    $415,902        $390,300        $480,402        $474,669        $480,715        $557,704  

Portfolio turnover rate

    130.55%        2.23%        1.28%        0.10%        0.26%        4.80%  

Portfolio turnover rate excluding mortgage dollar rolls

    128.50% g       2.23%        1.28%        0.10%        0.26%        4.80%  

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

bBased on average daily shares outstanding.

cRecognition of net investment income by the Fund is affected by the timing of declaration of dividends by the Underlying Funds and exchange traded funds in which the Fund invests.

dTotal return does not include fees, charges or expenses imposed by the variable annuity and life insurance contracts for which Franklin Templeton Variable Insurance Products Trust serves as an underlying investment vehicle. Total return is not annualized for periods less than one year.

eRatios are annualized for periods less than one year.

fDoes not include expenses of the Underlying Funds and exchange traded funds in which the Fund invests. The weighted average indirect expenses of the Underlying Funds and exchange traded funds was 0.39% for the period ended June 30, 2019.

gSee Note 1(e) regarding mortgage dollar rolls.

 

     
  The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.    |   Semiannual Report             FFA-7  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

 

Franklin Allocation VIP Fund (continued)

 

   

Six Months Ended

June 30, 2019

(unaudited)

     Year Ended December 31,  
      2018      2017      2016      2015      2014  

Class 4

                
Per share operating performance                 

(for a share outstanding throughout the period)

                

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $ 6.46        $ 7.53        $ 7.21        $ 6.87        $ 7.54        $ 7.54  
Income from investment operationsa:                 

Net investment incomeb,c

    0.03        0.20        0.18        0.19        0.23        0.20  

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)

    0.79        (0.89      0.64        0.64        (0.68      0.02  

Total from investment operations

    0.82        (0.69      0.82        0.83        (0.45      0.22  
Less distributions from:                 

Net investment income

    (0.24      (0.21      (0.19      (0.26      (0.21      (0.21

Net realized gains

    (0.46      (0.17      (0.31      (0.23      (0.01      (0.01
Total distributions     (0.70      (0.38      (0.50      (0.49      (0.22      (0.22
Net asset value, end of period     $ 6.58        $ 6.46        $ 7.53        $ 7.21        $ 6.87        $ 7.54  

Total returnd

    12.87%        (9.58)%        11.78%        12.92%        (6.24)%        2.75%  
Ratios to average net assetse                 

Expenses before waiver and payments by affiliatesf

    0.62%        0.47%        0.47%        0.46%        0.46%        0.46%  

Expenses net of waiver and payments by affiliatesf

    0.59%        0.45%        0.45%        0.45%        0.45%        0.45%  

Net investment incomec

    1.01%        2.78%        2.40%        2.74%        3.16%        2.53%  
Supplemental data                 

Net assets, end of period (000’s)

    $408,472        $393,385        $528,862        $530,403        $550,825        $702,324  

Portfolio turnover rate

    130.55%        2.23%        1.28%        0.10%        0.26%        4.80%  

Portfolio turnover rate excluding mortgage dollar rolls

    128.50% g       2.23%        1.28%        0.10%        0.26%        4.80%  

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

bBased on average daily shares outstanding.

cRecognition of net investment income by the Fund is affected by the timing of declaration of dividends by the Underlying Funds and exchange traded funds in which the Fund invests.

dTotal return does not include fees, charges or expenses imposed by the variable annuity and life insurance contracts for which Franklin Templeton Variable Insurance Products Trust serves as an underlying investment vehicle. Total return is not annualized for periods less than one year.

eRatios are annualized for periods less than one year.

fDoes not include expenses of the Underlying Funds and exchange traded funds in which the Fund invests. The weighted average indirect expenses of the Underlying Funds and exchange traded funds was 0.39% for the period ended June 30, 2019.

gSee Note 1(e) regarding mortgage dollar rolls.

 

     
FFA-8              Semiannual Report   |    The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

 

Statement of Investments, June 30, 2019 (unaudited)

Franklin Allocation VIP Fund

 

           Country        Shares        Value  
 

Common Stocks 57.5%

            
 

Automobiles & Components 0.6%

            

    

 

Aptiv PLC

     United States          26,000        $ 2,101,579  
 

BorgWarner Inc.

     United States          11,694          490,914  
 

Cie Generale des Etablissements Michelin SCA

     France          7,087          898,742  
 

Ford Motor Co.

     United States          49,009          501,362  
 

Gentex Corp.

     United States          7,242          178,226  
 

Lear Corp.

     United States          1,609          224,086  
 

Sumitomo Rubber Industries Ltd.

     Japan          56,200          649,464  
 

Thor Industries Inc.

     United States          1,287          75,225  
              

 

 

 
                 5,119,598  
              

 

 

 
 

Banks 2.7%

            
 

Bangkok Bank PCL, fgn

     Thailand          46,100          298,921  
 

Bangkok Bank PCL, NVDR

     Thailand          23,800          152,773  
 

Bank of Ireland Group PLC

     Ireland          184,044          961,623  
 

Barclays PLC

     United Kingdom          428,479          815,132  
 

BNP Paribas SA

     France          56,661          2,690,295  
 

FinecoBank Banca Fineco SpA

     Italy          190,000          2,118,975  
 

Hana Financial Group Inc.

     South Korea          36,260          1,172,165  
 

HSBC Holdings PLC (GBP Traded)

     United Kingdom          192,145          1,602,931  
 

HSBC Holdings PLC (HKD Traded)

     United Kingdom          16,000          132,716  
 

ING Groep NV

     Netherlands          171,468          1,987,541  
 

Kasikornbank PCL, fgn

     Thailand          100,800          622,405  
 

KB Financial Group Inc.

     South Korea          62,761          2,487,244  
 

KBC Groep NV

     Belgium          30,000          1,965,841  
 

People’s United Financial Inc.

     United States          8,691          145,835  
 

Shinhan Financial Group Co. Ltd.

     South Korea          21,953          851,980  
 

Standard Chartered PLC

     United Kingdom          299,437          2,715,888  
 

Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group Inc., ADR

     Japan          209,200          1,476,952  
              

 

 

 
                   22,199,217  
              

 

 

 
 

Capital Goods 6.2%

            
 

3M Co.

     United States          12,027          2,084,760  
 

Allegion PLC

     United States          4,995          552,197  
 

Allison Transmission Holdings Inc.

     United States          965          44,728  
 

AMETEK Inc.

     United States          4,953          449,930  
 

BAE Systems PLC

     United Kingdom          158,378          996,409  
 

The Boeing Co.

     United States          9,974          3,630,636  
 

BWX Technologies Inc.

     United States          14,545          757,794  
 

CAE Inc.

     Canada          47,000          1,263,501  
 

Carlisle Cos. Inc.

     United States          3,300          463,353  
 

Caterpillar Inc.

     United States          3,957          539,300  
 

CK Hutchison Holdings Ltd.

     Hong Kong          179,500          1,769,231  
 

Compagnie de Saint-Gobain

     France          26,493          1,032,314  
 

Cummins Inc.

     United States          3,862          661,715  
 

Deere & Co.

     United States          3,589          594,733  
 

Donaldson Co. Inc.

     United States          8,800          447,568  
 

Dover Corp.

     United States          9,800          981,960  
 

Emerson Electric Co.

     United States          24,482          1,633,439  

 

     
  Semiannual Report              FFA-9  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin Allocation VIP Fund (continued)

 

           Country        Shares        Value  
 

Common Stocks (continued)

            
 

Capital Goods (continued)

            
 

Fastenal Co.

     United States          17,704        $ 576,973  
 

Ferguson PLC

     United Kingdom          34,000              2,417,985  
 

Fortive Corp.

     United States          3,817          311,162  
 

General Dynamics Corp.

     United States          13,184          2,397,115  
 

Graco Inc.

     United States          4,265          214,018  
 

Honeywell International Inc.

     United States          13,800          2,409,342  
 

Huntington Ingalls Industries Inc.

     United States          3,218          723,213  
 

Illinois Tool Works Inc.

     United States          7,173          1,081,760  
 

Ingersoll-Rand PLC

     United States          7,870          996,893  
 

Johnson Controls International PLC

     United States          24,400          1,007,964  
 

Lockheed Martin Corp.

     United States          7,666          2,786,898  
 

MSC Industrial Direct Co. Inc., A

     United States          1,046          77,676  
 

MTU Aero Engines AG

     Germany          11,000          2,619,871  
 

Northrop Grumman Corp.

     United States          7,858          2,538,998  
 

nVent Electric PLC

     United States          15,800          391,682  
 

Pentair PLC

     United States          14,500          539,400  
 

Raytheon Co.

     United States          14,005          2,435,189  
 

Rockwell Automation Inc.

     United States          3,540          579,958  
 

Roper Technologies Inc.

     United States          10,800          3,955,608  
 

Sinopec Engineering Group Co. Ltd.

     China          751,500          636,820  
 

Snap-on Inc.

     United States          402          66,587  
 

Stanley Black & Decker Inc.

     United States          5,402          781,183  
 

Toro Co.

     United States          3,460          231,474  
 

United Technologies Corp.

     United States          16,377          2,132,285  
 

Vestas Wind Systems AS

     Denmark          5,751          496,637  
 

W.W. Grainger Inc.

     United States          3,129          839,292  
a  

WABCO Holdings Inc.

     United States          402          53,305  
 

Watsco Inc.

     United States          724          118,396  
              

 

 

 
                   51,321,252  
              

 

 

 
 

Commercial & Professional Services 1.1%

            
 

Cintas Corp.

     United States          6,753          1,602,419  
a  

Copart Inc.

     United States          5,150          384,911  
 

Equifax Inc.

     United States          3,896          526,895  
 

Experian PLC

     United Kingdom          85,000          2,573,427  
a  

IHS Markit Ltd.

     United States          25,509          1,625,434  
 

Matthews International Corp., A

     United States          7,900          275,315  
 

Republic Services Inc.

     United States          1,300          112,632  
 

Robert Half International Inc.

     United States          4,023          229,351  
 

Rollins Inc.

     United States          4,587          164,536  
 

Verisk Analytics Inc.

     United States          10,757          1,575,470  
              

 

 

 
                 9,070,390  
              

 

 

 
 

Consumer Durables & Apparel 1.0%

            
a  

Capri Holdings Ltd.

     United States          4,828          167,435  
 

Carter’s Inc.

     United States          1,207          117,731  
 

Garmin Ltd.

     United States          3,621          288,956  
 

Hasbro Inc.

     United States          3,299          348,638  
a  

Kontoor Brands Inc.

     United States          1,322          37,042  

 

     
FFA-10        Semiannual Report  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin Allocation VIP Fund (continued)

 

           Country        Shares        Value  
 

Common Stocks (continued)

            
 

Consumer Durables & Apparel (continued)

            
 

Leggett & Platt Inc.

     United States          3,621        $ 138,938  
a  

Lululemon Athletica Inc.

     United States          2,736          493,055  
 

NIKE Inc., B

     United States          44,031          3,696,402  
 

Panasonic Corp., ADR

     Japan          170,700          1,414,762  
 

Polaris Industries Inc.

     United States          1,770          161,477  
 

Ralph Lauren Corp.

     United States          643          73,038  
 

Tapestry Inc.

     United States          8,771          278,304  
 

VF Corp.

     United States          9,254          808,337  
              

 

 

 
                 8,024,115  
              

 

 

 
 

Consumer Services 1.3%

            
 

Carnival Corp.

     United States          17,695          823,702  
 

Choice Hotels International Inc.

     United States          1,046          91,013  
 

Darden Restaurants Inc.

     United States          3,862          470,121  
 

Domino’s Pizza Inc.

     United States          1,207          335,884  
 

Graham Holdings Co., B

     United States          568          391,937  
a  

Grand Canyon Education Inc.

     United States          643          75,244  
 

H&R Block Inc.

     United States          6,840          200,412  
 

Las Vegas Sands Corp.

     United States          6,679          394,662  
 

McDonald’s Corp.

     United States          12,318          2,557,956  
 

Six Flags Entertainment Corp.

     United States          1,046          51,965  
 

Starbucks Corp.

     United States          18,428          1,544,819  
a  

TAL Education Group, ADR

     China          70,000          2,667,000  
 

Wyndham Destinations Inc.

     United States          965          42,364  
 

Yum! Brands Inc.

     United States          10,864          1,202,319  
              

 

 

 
                   10,849,398  
              

 

 

 
 

Diversified Financials 1.5%

            
 

American Express Co.

     United States          4,310          532,026  
a  

Berkshire Hathaway Inc., B

     United States          1,999          426,127  
 

BlackRock Inc.

     United States          1,610          755,573  
 

The Charles Schwab Corp.

     United States          21,421          860,910  
 

Chimera Investment Corp.

     United States          4,828          91,104  
 

Deutsche Boerse AG

     Germany          18,000          2,545,635  
 

Evercore Inc.

     United States          563          49,865  
 

FactSet Research Systems Inc.

     United States          965          276,530  
 

Flow Traders

     Netherlands          31,438          917,811  
 

Intercontinental Exchange Inc.

     United States          10,030          861,978  
 

Invesco Ltd.

     United States          3,058          62,567  
 

Lazard Ltd., A

     United States          3,540          121,741  
 

MarketAxess Holdings Inc.

     United States          885          284,457  
 

Morningstar Inc.

     United States          482          69,716  
 

MSCI Inc.

     United States          1,931          461,104  
 

Navient Corp.

     United States          2,011          27,450  
 

S&P Global Inc.

     United States          5,391          1,228,016  
 

Santander Consumer USA Holdings Inc.

     United States          2,575          61,697  
 

SEI Investments Co.

     United States          2,253          126,393  
 

State Street Corp.

     United States          2,700          151,362  
 

T. Rowe Price Group Inc.

     United States          6,437          706,203  

 

     
  Semiannual Report             FFA-11  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin Allocation VIP Fund (continued)

 

           Country        Shares        Value  
 

Common Stocks (continued)

            
 

Diversified Financials (continued)

            
 

UBS Group AG

     Switzerland          112,597        $ 1,337,626  
              

 

 

 
                 11,955,891  
              

 

 

 
 

Energy 2.7%

            
a  

Apergy Corp.

     United States          8,000          268,320  
 

BP PLC

     United Kingdom          446,496          3,110,713  
 

Cabot Oil & Gas Corp., A

     United States          24,348          559,030  
 

Chevron Corp.

     United States          7,800          970,632  
 

Cimarex Energy Co.

     United States          724          42,955  
 

Concho Resources Inc.

     United States          4,340          447,801  
 

The Drilling Co. of 1972 AS

     Denmark          1,670          129,717  
 

Eni SpA

     Italy          124,395          2,065,558  
 

EOG Resources Inc.

     United States          6,600          614,856  
 

Exxon Mobil Corp.

     United States          22,451          1,720,420  
 

Husky Energy Inc.

     Canada          80,300          760,850  
 

John Wood Group PLC

     United Kingdom          420,000          2,410,873  
 

Occidental Petroleum Corp.

     United States          11,700          588,276  
 

Phillips 66

     United States          5,472          511,851  
 

Royal Dutch Shell PLC, B

     United Kingdom          67,820          2,222,964  
 

SBM Offshore NV

     Netherlands          64,376          1,242,696  
 

Schlumberger Ltd.

     United States          14,700          584,178  
 

Tenaris SA

     Italy          53,565          700,906  
 

Total SA

     France          40,836          2,287,563  
 

Valero Energy Corp.

     United States          10,300          881,783  
              

 

 

 
                   22,121,942  
              

 

 

 
 

Food & Staples Retailing 0.8%

            
 

Casey’s General Stores Inc.

     United States          885          138,051  
 

Costco Wholesale Corp.

     United States          5,311          1,403,485  
 

The Kroger Co.

     United States          6,518          141,506  
 

Seven & I Holdings Co. Ltd., ADR

     Japan          52,600          887,362  
a  

Sprouts Farmers Market Inc.

     United States          1,770          33,435  
 

Sysco Corp.

     United States          13,680          967,450  
 

Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc.

     United States          16,968          927,641  
 

Walmart Inc.

     United States          21,154          2,337,305  
              

 

 

 
                 6,836,235  
              

 

 

 
 

Food, Beverage & Tobacco 2.0%

            
 

Altria Group Inc.

     United States          22,452          1,063,102  
 

Archer-Daniels-Midland Co.

     United States          7,564          308,611  
 

Brown-Forman Corp., A

     United States          1,609          88,495  
 

Brown-Forman Corp., B

     United States          11,709          649,030  
 

Bunge Ltd.

     United States          11,000          612,810  
 

The Coca-Cola Co.

     United States          24,384          1,241,633  
 

Constellation Brands Inc., A

     United States          3,910          770,035  
 

Ezaki Glico Co. Ltd.

     Japan          5,300          235,949  
 

Flowers Foods Inc.

     United States          4,587          106,740  
 

General Mills Inc.

     United States          16,175          849,511  
 

The Hershey Co.

     United States          4,667          625,518  

 

     
FFA-12        Semiannual Report  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin Allocation VIP Fund (continued)

 

           Country        Shares        Value  
 

Common Stocks (continued)

            
 

Food, Beverage & Tobacco (continued)

            
 

Hormel Foods Corp.

     United States          8,208        $ 332,752  
 

Ingredion Inc.

     United States          1,689          139,326  
 

The J. M. Smucker Co.

     United States          1,529          176,126  
 

Kellogg Co.

     United States          2,092          112,068  
 

Kirin Holdings Co. Ltd.

     Japan          12,900          277,993  
 

Lamb Weston Holdings Inc.

     United States          5,455          345,629  
 

McCormick & Co. Inc.

     United States          6,700          1,038,567  
 

Mondelez International Inc., A

     United States          10,656          574,358  
a  

Monster Beverage Corp.

     United States          26,347          1,681,729  
 

PepsiCo Inc.

     United States          22,778          2,986,879  
 

Philip Morris International Inc.

     United States          14,163          1,112,220  
 

Suntory Beverage & Food Ltd.

     Japan          19,800          860,351  
 

Tyson Foods Inc.

     United States          7,323          591,259  
              

 

 

 
                   16,780,691  
              

 

 

 
 

Health Care Equipment & Services 3.8%

            
 

Abbott Laboratories

     United States          24,020          2,020,082  
a  

ABIOMED Inc.

     United States          1,452          378,232  
 

Baxter International Inc.

     United States          2,790          228,501  
 

Becton, Dickinson and Co.

     United States          9,143          2,304,127  
a  

Centene Corp.

     United States          3,807          199,639  
 

Cerner Corp.

     United States          5,874          430,564  
 

Chemed Corp.

     United States          241          86,962  
 

Cochlear Ltd.

     Australia          19,000          2,758,635  
 

CVS Health Corp.

     United States          7,300          397,777  
 

Danaher Corp.

     United States          7,487          1,070,042  
 

DENTSPLY SIRONA Inc.

     United States          4,900          285,964  
a  

Edwards Lifesciences Corp.

     United States          2,887          533,344  
 

Encompass Health Corp.

     United States          1,287          81,544  
 

GN Store Nord A/S

     Denmark          45,000          2,099,287  
a  

Haemonetics Corp.

     United States          7,214          868,133  
 

HCA Holdings Inc.

     United States          3,460          467,688  
a  

Intuitive Surgical Inc.

     United States          5,383          2,823,653  
a  

Laboratory Corp. of America Holdings

     United States          3,613          624,688  
a  

LivaNova PLC

     United Kingdom          36,000          2,590,560  
 

Medtronic PLC

     United States          18,500          1,801,715  
 

Quest Diagnostics Inc.

     United States          6,448          656,471  
 

ResMed Inc.

     United States          3,862          471,280  
 

Sinopharm Group Co. Ltd., H

     China          227,200          799,780  
 

Stryker Corp.

     United States          15,274          3,140,029  
 

Teleflex Inc.

     United States          3,587          1,187,835  
 

UnitedHealth Group Inc.

     United States          4,345          1,060,224  
 

Universal Health Services Inc., B

     United States          643          83,841  
a  

Varian Medical Systems Inc.

     United States          4,659          634,230  
 

West Pharmaceutical Services Inc.

     United States          9,400          1,176,410  
              

 

 

 
                 31,261,237  
              

 

 

 

 

     
  Semiannual Report             FFA-13  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

 

Franklin Allocation VIP Fund (continued)

 

           Country        Shares        Value  
 

Common Stocks (continued)

            
 

Household & Personal Products 0.9%

            
 

Church & Dwight Co. Inc.

     United States          7,081        $ 517,338  
 

Clorox Co.

     United States          4,345          665,263  
 

Colgate-Palmolive Co.

     United States          31,114          2,229,940  
 

Estee Lauder Cos. Inc., A

     United States          6,518          1,193,511  
 

Kimberly-Clark Corp.

     United States          2,977          396,775  
 

Nu Skin Enterprises Inc., A

     United States          1,448          71,415  
 

The Procter & Gamble Co.

     United States          22,756          2,495,195  
              

 

 

 
                 7,569,437  
              

 

 

 
 

Insurance 0.6%

            
 

Aflac Inc.

     United States          19,775          1,083,868  
 

American National Insurance Co.

     United States          241          28,069  
 

Assured Guaranty Ltd.

     United States          804          33,832  
 

Erie Indemnity Co., A

     United States          4,343          1,104,338  
 

Everest Re Group Ltd.

     United States          563          139,162  
 

Marsh & McLennan Cos. Inc.

     United States          11,668          1,163,883  
 

Mercury General Corp.

     United States          804          50,250  
 

The Progressive Corp.

     United States          11,507          919,755  
              

 

 

 
                 4,523,157  
              

 

 

 
 

Materials 3.9%

            
 

Air Products and Chemicals Inc.

     United States          13,665          3,093,346  
 

Alamos Gold Inc., A

     Canada          229,900          1,390,895  
 

Albemarle Corp.

     United States          26,465          1,863,401  
 

Avery Dennison Corp.

     United States          1,770          204,754  
a  

Axalta Coating Systems Ltd.

     United States          24,143          718,737  
 

Celanese Corp.

     United States          8,901          959,528  
 

CRH PLC

     Ireland          20,944          683,114  
 

Eastman Chemical Co.

     United States          1,850          143,985  
 

Ecolab Inc.

     United States          11,001          2,172,037  
 

Huntsman Corp.

     United States          1,770          36,179  
 

International Flavors & Fragrances Inc.

     United States          2,896          420,181  
 

Johnson Matthey PLC

     United Kingdom          36,353          1,536,882  
 

Koninklijke DSM NV

     Netherlands          22,000          2,718,663  
 

Linde PLC

     United Kingdom          22,735              4,565,188  
 

Lotte Chemical Corp.

     South Korea          4,358          951,125  
 

LyondellBasell Industries NV, A

     United States          10,622          914,873  
 

Martin Marietta Materials Inc.

     United States          2,841          653,742  
 

NewMarket Corp.

     United States          241          96,627  
 

Nucor Corp.

     United States          5,500          303,050  
 

Packaging Corp. of America

     United States          1,529          145,744  
 

Sealed Air Corp.

     United States          2,011          86,031  
 

Sonoco Products Co.

     United States          2,655          173,478  
 

Steel Dynamics Inc.

     United States          1,689          51,008  
 

Sumitomo Metal Mining Co. Ltd.

     Japan          38,700          1,155,401  
 

Symrise AG

     Germany          22,500          2,165,017  
 

Taiheiyo Cement Corp.

     Japan          21,900          662,159  
 

Umicore SA

     Belgium          76,000          2,436,497  

 

     
FFA-14        Semiannual Report  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin Allocation VIP Fund (continued)

 

           Country        Shares        Value  
 

Common Stocks (continued)

            
 

Materials (continued)

            
 

Wheaton Precious Metals Corp.

     Canada          90,000        $ 2,176,217  
              

 

 

 
                   32,477,859  
              

 

 

 
 

Media & Entertainment 2.2%

            
a  

Alphabet Inc., A

     United States          2,311          2,502,351  
a  

AMC Networks Inc., A

     United States          804          43,810  
 

Ascential PLC

     United Kingdom          467,885          2,116,507  
a  

Baidu Inc., ADR

     China          9,600          1,126,656  
 

Cable One Inc.

     United States          571          668,635  
 

Cinemark Holdings Inc.

     United States          804          29,024  
 

Comcast Corp., A

     United States          37,203          1,572,943  
 

CyberAgent Inc.

     Japan          70,000          2,535,244  
a  

Electronic Arts Inc.

     United States          4,324          437,848  
a  

Facebook Inc., A

     United States          5,408          1,043,744  
a  

IAC/InterActiveCorp

     United States          2,167          471,388  
 

The Interpublic Group of Cos. Inc.

     United States          5,150          116,339  
 

John Wiley & Sons Inc., A

     United States          4,243          194,584  
 

Match Group Inc.

     United States          885          59,534  
 

Omnicom Group Inc.

     United States          5,552          454,986  
 

SES SA, IDR

     Luxembourg          67,868          1,060,891  
 

Viacom Inc., B

     United States          4,989          149,022  
 

The Walt Disney Co.

     United States          22,974          3,208,089  
              

 

 

 
                   17,791,595  
              

 

 

 
 

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences 5.7%

            
 

AbbVie Inc.

     United States          21,989          1,599,040  
 

Agilent Technologies Inc.

     United States          9,233          689,428  
a  

Alkermes PLC

     United States          70,000          1,577,800  
 

Amgen Inc.

     United States          13,045          2,403,933  
 

Astellas Pharma Inc., ADR

     Japan          69,600          989,712  
 

AstraZeneca PLC, ADR

     United Kingdom          14,409          594,804  
 

Bayer AG

     Germany          25,713          1,781,387  
a  

Biogen Inc.

     United States          7,273          1,700,936  
 

Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.

     United States          22,613          1,025,500  
a  

Catalent Inc.

     United States          24,353          1,320,176  
 

CSL Ltd.

     Australia          16,000          2,414,708  
a  

Elanco Animal Health Inc.

     United States          10,878          367,676  
 

Eli Lilly & Co.

     United States          19,385          2,147,664  
a  

Exelixis Inc.

     United States          5,230          111,765  
 

Gilead Sciences Inc.

     United States          21,747          1,469,227  
a  

GW Pharmaceuticals PLC, ADR

     United Kingdom          600          103,434  
 

Hikma Pharmaceuticals PLC

     United Kingdom          100,000          2,186,854  
a  

Illumina Inc.

     United States          3,751          1,380,931  
 

Johnson & Johnson

     United States          26,090          3,633,815  
 

Merck & Co. Inc.

     United States          22,696          1,903,060  
 

Merck KGaA

     Germany          10,543          1,102,215  
a  

Mettler-Toledo International Inc.

     United States          3,689          3,098,760  
a  

Neurocrine Biosciences Inc.

     United States          3,506          296,012  
 

Pfizer Inc.

     United States          55,746          2,414,917  

 

     
  Semiannual Report             FFA-15  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin Allocation VIP Fund (continued)

 

           Country        Shares        Value  
 

Common Stocks (continued)

            
 

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences (continued)

            
 

Roche Holding AG

     Switzerland          10,125        $ 2,847,899  
 

Sanofi

     France          26,276          2,267,574  
 

Santen Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.

     Japan          140,000          2,317,752  
 

Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., ADR

     Japan          82,400          1,458,480  
a  

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., ADR

     Israel          110,800          1,022,684  
a  

United Therapeutics Corp.

     United States          1,368          106,786  
a  

Waters Corp.

     United States          4,414          950,069  
              

 

 

 
                   47,284,998  
              

 

 

 
 

Real Estate 1.0%

            
 

American Tower Corp.

     United States          5,778          1,181,312  
 

CK Asset Holdings Ltd.

     Hong Kong          97,800          765,534  
 

EPR Properties

     United States          1,770          132,024  
 

Equinix Inc.

     United States          1,434          723,152  
 

Gaming and Leisure Properties Inc.

     United States          4,587          178,801  
 

Kimco Realty Corp.

     United States          8,288          153,162  
 

Mitsui Fudosan Co. Ltd.

     Japan          46,700          1,131,550  
 

National Retail Properties Inc.

     United States          4,748          251,692  
 

OMEGA Healthcare Investors Inc.

     United States          6,035          221,786  
 

Public Storage

     United States          4,828          1,149,885  
 

Realty Income Corp.

     United States          8,369          577,210  
 

Senior Housing Properties Trust

     United States          6,518          53,904  
 

Simon Property Group Inc.

     United States          5,633          899,928  
 

Spirit Realty Capital Inc.

     United States          2,736          116,718  
 

STORE Capital Corp.

     United States          4,506          149,554  
 

Ventas Inc.

     United States          2,736          187,006  
 

VEREIT Inc.

     United States          28,166          253,776  
 

WP Carey Inc.

     United States          2,736          222,108  
              

 

 

 
                 8,349,102  
              

 

 

 
 

Retailing 3.7%

            
 

Advance Auto Parts Inc.

     United States          482          74,295  
a  

Alibaba Group Holding Ltd., ADR

     China          3,443          583,416  
a  

Amazon.com Inc.

     United States          2,506          4,745,437  
a  

AutoZone Inc.

     United States          402          441,987  
 

Best Buy Co. Inc.

     United States          7,323          510,633  
a  

boohoo Group PLC

     United Kingdom          735,000          1,976,036  
 

Dick’s Sporting Goods Inc.

     United States          2,414          83,597  
 

Dollar General Corp.

     United States          4,828          652,552  
 

Expedia Group Inc.

     United States          2,521          335,369  
 

Foot Locker Inc.

     United States          4,184          175,393  
 

The Gap Inc.

     United States          19,645          353,021  
 

Genuine Parts Co.

     United States          4,104          425,092  
 

The Home Depot Inc.

     United States          6,840          1,422,515  
a  

Just Eat PLC

     United Kingdom          230,000          1,825,553  
 

Kingfisher PLC

     United Kingdom          393,321          1,073,421  
 

Kohl’s Corp.

     United States          5,311          252,538  
 

L Brands Inc.

     United States          7,242          189,016  
 

Lowe’s Cos. Inc.

     United States          13,037          1,315,564  

 

     
FFA-16        Semiannual Report  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin Allocation VIP Fund (continued)

 

           Country        Shares        Value  
  Common Stocks (continued)             
 

Retailing (continued)

            
 

Macy’s Inc.

     United States          8,128        $ 174,427  
a  

MercadoLibre Inc.

     Argentina          3,900          2,385,903  
a  

The Michaels Cos. Inc.

     United States          2,494          21,698  
 

Nordstrom Inc.

     United States          3,460          110,236  
a  

O’Reilly Automotive Inc.

     United States          2,414          891,539  
 

Penske Automotive Group Inc.

     United States          563          26,630  
 

Pool Corp.

     United States          965          184,315  
 

Ross Stores Inc.

     United States          25,937          2,570,875  
 

Target Corp.

     United States          19,517          1,690,367  
 

Tiffany & Co.

     United States          10,675          999,607  
 

The TJX Cos. Inc.

     United States          25,108          1,327,711  
 

Tractor Supply Co.

     United States          3,540          385,152  
a  

Ulta Beauty Inc.

     United States          1,689          585,897  
a  

Urban Outfitters Inc.

     United States          2,092          47,593  
 

Williams-Sonoma Inc.

     United States          2,736          177,840  
 

Zozo Inc.

     Japan          140,000          2,621,592  
              

 

 

 
                   30,636,817  
              

 

 

 
 

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment 2.6%

            
 

Analog Devices Inc.

     United States          18,400          2,076,808  
 

Applied Materials Inc.

     United States          24,303          1,091,448  
 

ASML Holding NV, N.Y. shs

     Netherlands          4,650          966,874  
 

Infineon Technologies AG

     Germany          135,000          2,386,532  
 

Intel Corp.

     United States          32,733          1,566,929  
 

KLA-Tencor Corp.

     United States          3,701          437,458  
 

Lam Research Corp.

     United States          3,219          604,657  
 

Maxim Integrated Products Inc.

     United States          7,323          438,062  
a  

Micron Technology Inc.

     United States          21,728          838,484  
 

Monolithic Power Systems

     United States          3,188          432,867  
 

NVIDIA Corp.

     United States          11,154          1,831,821  
 

NXP Semiconductors NV

     Netherlands          16,300          1,591,043  
 

Skyworks Solutions Inc.

     United States          5,713          441,443  
 

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd.

     Taiwan          187,000          1,442,734  
 

Texas Instruments Inc.

     United States          38,842          4,457,508  
 

Xilinx Inc.

     United States          7,323          863,528  
              

 

 

 
                 21,468,196  
              

 

 

 
 

Software & Services 6.6%

            
 

Accenture PLC, A

     United States          19,884          3,673,967  
a  

Adobe Inc.

     United States          6,013          1,771,730  
a  

Adyen NV

     Netherlands          2,035          1,569,934  
 

Amdocs Ltd.

     United States          4,104          254,817  
a  

Aspen Technology Inc.

     United States          643          79,912  
a  

Autodesk Inc.

     United States          5,697          928,041  
 

Automatic Data Processing Inc.

     United States          13,396          2,214,761  
 

Broadridge Financial Solutions Inc.

     United States          3,540          451,987  
 

Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp., A

     United States          7,484          474,411  
a  

Fortinet Inc.

     United States          1,931          148,359  
 

International Business Machines Corp.

     United States          9,978          1,375,966  

 

     
  Semiannual Report             FFA-17  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin Allocation VIP Fund (continued)

 

           Country        Shares        Value  
  Common Stocks (continued)             
 

Software & Services (continued)

            
a  

InterXion Holding NV

     Netherlands          37,000        $ 2,815,330  
 

Intuit Inc.

     United States          12,895          3,369,850  
 

Jack Henry & Associates Inc.

     United States          2,253          301,722  
 

Keywords Studios PLC

     Ireland          95,000          2,201,776  
 

Mastercard Inc., A

     United States          16,157          4,274,011  
 

Microsoft Corp.

     United States          67,359          9,023,453  
 

Oracle Corp.

     United States          13,300          757,701  
 

Paychex Inc.

     United States          10,139          834,338  
a  

PTC Inc.

     United States          5,403          484,973  
 

The Sage Group PLC

     United Kingdom          280,000          2,853,222  
a  

salesforce.com Inc.

     United States          3,964          601,458  
 

SAP SE

     Germany          20,000          2,745,720  
a  

ServiceNow Inc.

     United States          7,151          1,963,450  
a  

Shopify Inc., A

     Canada          9,500          2,851,425  
 

Sophos Group PLC

     United Kingdom          480,000          2,405,996  
a  

Twilio Inc., A

     United States          2,840          387,234  
a  

Tyler Technologies Inc.

     United States          1,229          265,489  
a  

VeriSign Inc.

     United States          2,816          588,995  
 

Visa Inc., A

     United States          14,954          2,595,267  
 

VMware Inc., A

     United States          2,011          336,259  
 

Western Union Co.

     United States          6,357          126,441  
              

 

 

 
                   54,727,995  
              

 

 

 
 

Technology Hardware & Equipment 2.2%

            
 

Amphenol Corp., A

     United States          6,508          624,378  
 

Apple Inc.

     United States          30,685          6,073,175  
 

Cisco Systems Inc.

     United States          46,733          2,557,697  
 

Cognex Corp.

     United States          6,103          292,822  
a  

F5 Networks Inc.

     United States          2,011          292,862  
 

HP Inc.

     United States          49,170          1,022,244  
a  

Keysight Technologies Inc.

     United States          4,588          412,048  
 

Motorola Solutions Inc.

     United States          4,023          670,755  
 

NetApp Inc.

     United States          5,794          357,490  
 

Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.

     South Korea          82,146          3,337,132  
 

TE Connectivity Ltd.

     United States          13,418          1,285,176  
a  

Trimble Inc.

     United States          19,388          874,593  
 

Ubiquiti Networks Inc.

     United States          241          31,692  
a  

ViaSat Inc.

     United States          4,982          402,645  
              

 

 

 
                 18,234,709  
              

 

 

 
 

Telecommunication Services 1.0%

            
 

AT&T Inc.

     United States          39,433          1,321,400  
 

China Mobile Ltd.

     China          142,500          1,297,834  
 

Singapore Telecommunications Ltd.

     Singapore          609,500          1,576,390  
 

Telefonica Deutschland Holding AG

     Germany          248,243          693,402  
 

Verizon Communications Inc.

     United States          20,360          1,163,167  
 

Vodafone Group PLC

     United Kingdom          1,011,010          1,660,381  
              

 

 

 
                 7,712,574  
              

 

 

 

 

     
FFA-18        Semiannual Report  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin Allocation VIP Fund (continued)

 

           Country        Shares        Value  
  Common Stocks (continued)             
 

Transportation 1.9%

            
 

A.P. Moeller-Maersk AS, B

     Denmark          829        $ 1,028,011  
 

Alaska Air Group Inc.

     United States          26,597          1,699,814  
 

C.H. Robinson Worldwide Inc.

     United States          4,345          366,501  
 

Canadian National Railway Co.

     Canada          7,104          656,978  
 

Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd.

     Canada          3,572          840,277  
 

Copa Holdings SA

     Panama          643          62,738  
 

Delta Air Lines Inc.

     United States          15,209          863,111  
 

DSV AS

     Denmark          28,000          2,748,911  
 

Expeditors International of Washington Inc.

     United States          4,748          360,183  
 

J.B. Hunt Transport Services Inc.

     United States          6,205          567,199  
 

Kansas City Southern

     United States          5,340          650,519  
 

Landstar System Inc.

     United States          1,046          112,958  
a  

Lyft Inc., A

     United States          2,125          139,634  
 

Norfolk Southern Corp.

     United States          1,600          318,928  
a  

Ryanair Holdings PLC, ADR

     Ireland          1,675          107,434  
 

Schneider National Inc., B

     United States          804          14,665  
 

Southwest Airlines Co.

     United States          13,278          674,257  
a  

Uber Technologies Inc.

     United States          4,838          224,386  
 

Union Pacific Corp.

     United States          22,498          3,804,637  
 

United Parcel Service Inc., B

     United States          5,800          598,966  
              

 

 

 
                   15,840,107  
              

 

 

 
 

Utilities 1.5%

            
 

Alliant Energy Corp.

     United States          5,391          264,590  
 

Ameren Corp.

     United States          1,931          145,037  
 

American Water Works Co. Inc.

     United States          5,059          586,844  
 

Atmos Energy Corp.

     United States          2,575          271,817  
 

Consolidated Edison Inc.

     United States          7,886          691,444  
 

DTE Energy Co.

     United States          4,989          637,993  
 

E.ON SE

     Germany          106,983          1,161,627  
 

Evergy Inc.

     United States          2,092          125,834  
 

Eversource Energy

     United States          6,116          463,348  
 

Exelon Corp.

     United States          26,476          1,269,259  
 

Hawaiian Electric Industries Inc.

     United States          2,655          115,625  
a  

Korea Electric Power Corp.

     South Korea          30,261          668,288  
 

NextEra Energy Inc.

     United States          10,360          2,122,350  
 

OGE Energy Corp.

     United States          4,426          188,371  
 

Pinnacle West Capital Corp.

     United States          3,138          295,254  
 

PPL Corp.

     United States          5,794          179,672  
 

Public Service Enterprise Group Inc.

     United States          15,209          894,593  
 

The Southern Co.

     United States          7,806          431,516  
 

UGI Corp.

     United States          1,287          68,739  
 

Veolia Environnement SA

     France          46,867          1,141,274  
 

WEC Energy Group Inc.

     United States          5,391          449,448  
              

 

 

 
                 12,172,923  
              

 

 

 
 

Total Common Stocks (Cost $475,243,276)

               474,329,435  
              

 

 

 

 

     
  Semiannual Report             FFA-19  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin Allocation VIP Fund (continued)

 

           Country        Shares        Value  
 

Management Investment Companies 4.5%

            
 

Diversified Financials 4.5%

            
a  

Altaba Inc.

     United States          12,169        $ 844,164  
 

Invesco Senior Loan ETF

     United States          125,000          2,832,500  
b  

Templeton Global Bond VIP Fund, Class 1

     United States          1,978,020            33,329,645  
              

 

 

 
 

Total Management Investment Companies
(Cost $39,550,794)

               37,006,309  
              

 

 

 
           
    Principal 
Amount
 
    
         

 

 

      
 

Corporate Bonds 12.7%

            
 

Banks 2.5%

            
c  

Akbank T.A.S., senior note, 144A, 5.125%, 3/31/25

     Turkey          200,000          184,936  
 

Bank of America Corp., sub. bond, 4.183%, 11/25/27

     United States          2,600,000          2,760,307  
 

Barclays PLC, senior note, 3.932% to 5/07/24, FRN thereafter, 5/07/25

     United Kingdom          1,100,000          1,120,977  
 

BB&T Corp., sub. bond, 3.875%, 3/19/29

     United States          2,000,000          2,139,893  
c  

BPCE SA, sub. note, 144A, 5.15%, 7/21/24

     France          1,400,000          1,510,852  
 

Citigroup Inc., senior note, 3.352% to 4/24/24, FRN thereafter, 4/24/25

     United States          2,300,000          2,376,437  
 

Credit Suisse Group Funding Guernsey Ltd., senior note, 3.80%, 9/15/22

     Switzerland          2,300,000          2,385,548  
 

HSBC Holdings PLC, senior note, 4.30%, 3/08/26

     United Kingdom          2,100,000          2,249,783  
 

JPMorgan Chase & Co., senior bond, 3.54% to 5/01/27, FRN thereafter, 5/01/28

     United States          1,350,000          1,405,747  
 

Regions Financial Corp., senior note, 3.80%, 8/14/23

     United States          2,200,000          2,302,350  
c  

Standard Chartered PLC, senior note, 144A, 4.05%, 4/12/26

     United Kingdom          1,800,000          1,865,214  
              

 

 

 
                 20,302,044  
              

 

 

 
 

Capital Goods 0.8%

            
c  

Beacon Roofing Supply Inc., senior note, 144A, 4.875%, 11/01/25

     United States          200,000          198,750  
 

Caterpillar Financial Services Corp., senior note, I, 2.65%, 5/17/21

     United States          1,800,000          1,816,252  
 

General Electric Co., senior bond, 4.125%, 10/09/42

     United States          1,300,000          1,198,635  
c  

Harsco Corp., senior note, 144A, 5.75%, 7/31/27

     United States          200,000          208,772  
 

Lockheed Martin Corp., senior bond, 3.55%, 1/15/26

     United States          1,800,000          1,914,299  
 

United Technologies Corp., senior bond, 4.50%, 6/01/42

     United States          800,000          904,815  
c  

Vertiv Group Corp., senior note, 144A, 9.25%, 10/15/24

     United States          200,000          192,500  
              

 

 

 
                 6,434,023  
              

 

 

 
 

Commercial & Professional Services 0.0%

            
c  

West Corp., senior note, 144A, 8.50%, 10/15/25

     United States          300,000          264,000  
              

 

 

 
 

Consumer Services 0.3%

            
c  

Ascend Learning LLC, senior note, 144A, 6.875%, 8/01/25

     United States          300,000          306,750  
 

Marriott International Inc., senior note, 3.60%, 4/15/24

     United States          1,100,000          1,146,746  
c  

Stars Group Holdings BV/Stars Group U.S. Co-Borrower LLC, senior note, 144A, 7.00%, 7/15/26

     Canada          300,000          318,000  
c  

Wynn Las Vegas LLC/Wynn Las Vegas Capital Corp., senior bond, 144A, 5.25%, 5/15/27

     United States          300,000          301,500  
              

 

 

 
                 2,072,996  
              

 

 

 
 

Diversified Financials 1.2%

            
c  

Ashtead Capital Inc., second lien, 144A, 4.125%, 8/15/25

     United Kingdom          850,000          860,359  
 

Capital One Financial Corp., senior note, 3.75%, 3/09/27

     United States          1,100,000          1,136,059  
 

DY9 Leasing LLC, secured bond, 2.372%, 3/19/27

     United States          773,055          780,672  

 

     
FFA-20        Semiannual Report  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin Allocation VIP Fund (continued)

 

           Country         

Principal

Amount

  

       Value  
  Corporate Bonds (continued)             
 

Diversified Financials (continued)

            
c  

FirstCash Inc., senior note, 144A, 5.375%, 6/01/24

     United States          200,000        $ 206,500  
 

The Goldman Sachs Group Inc., senior note, 3.50%, 1/23/25

     United States          1,900,000          1,965,975  
 

Morgan Stanley, senior bond, 3.591% to 7/22/27, FRN thereafter, 7/22/28

     United States          2,300,000          2,395,720  
 

Private Export Funding Corp., secured bond, 2.80%, 5/15/22

     United States          1,600,000          1,645,460  
 

Springleaf Finance Corp., senior note, 6.625%, 1/15/28

     United States          100,000          105,250  
c  

UBS Group Funding Switzerland AG, senior note, 144A, 4.125%, 9/24/25

     Switzerland          950,000            1,017,768  
              

 

 

 
                   10,113,763  
              

 

 

 
 

Energy 1.4%

            
c  

Aker BP ASA, senior note, 144A, 4.75%, 6/15/24

     Norway          200,000          206,000  
 

Baker Hughes a GE Co. LLC/Baker Hughes Co-obligator Inc., senior bond, 4.08%, 12/15/47

     United States          900,000          872,768  
c  

California Resources Corp., secured note, second lien, 144A, 8.00%, 12/15/22

     United States          200,000          151,750  
 

Canadian Natural Resources Ltd., senior bond, 3.90%, 2/01/25

     Canada          1,350,000          1,409,027  
 

Cheniere Corpus Christi Holdings LLC, senior secured note, first lien, 5.875%, 3/31/25

     United States          200,000          223,250  
 

Cheniere Energy Partners LP, senior secured note, first lien, 5.25%, 10/01/25

     United States          200,000          207,500  
 

Energy Transfer Operating LP, senior bond, 6.05%, 6/01/41

     United States          700,000          784,444  
 

Enterprise Products Operating LLC, senior bond, 6.125%, 10/15/39

     United States          700,000          863,969  
 

Kinder Morgan Inc., senior bond, 5.55%, 6/01/45

     United States          800,000          926,394  
 

MPLX LP, senior bond, 5.50%, 2/15/49

     United States          425,000          481,555  
 

Oceaneering International Inc., senior note, 4.65%, 11/15/24

     United States          200,000          197,000  
 

Reliance Industries Ltd., senior note, 2.06%, 1/15/26

     United States          875,000          875,976  
c  

Schlumberger Holdings Corp., senior note, 144A, 3.75%, 5/01/24

     United States          1,800,000          1,878,982  
 

Valero Energy Corp., senior bond, 4.00%, 4/01/29

     United States          1,000,000          1,047,338  
 

The Williams Cos. Inc., senior note, 4.125%, 11/15/20

     United States          1,350,000          1,374,624  
              

 

 

 
                 11,500,577  
              

 

 

 
 

Food & Staples Retailing 0.3%

            
c  

Aramark Services Inc., senior bond, 144A, 5.00%, 2/01/28

     United States          300,000          309,375  
c  

CK Hutchison International 19 Ltd., senior note, 144A, 3.25%, 4/11/24

     Hong Kong          1,275,000          1,307,863  
 

The Kroger Co., senior bond, 5.40%, 1/15/49

     United States          550,000          611,546  
              

 

 

 
                 2,228,784  
              

 

 

 
 

Food, Beverage & Tobacco 0.8%

            
 

Anheuser-Busch InBev Worldwide Inc., senior bond, 5.80%, 1/23/59

     Belgium          1,400,000          1,755,082  
 

Bunge Ltd. Finance Corp., senior note, 4.35%, 3/15/24

     United States          700,000          730,421  
 

Coca-Cola Femsa SAB de CV, senior note, 3.875%, 11/26/23

     Mexico          1,500,000          1,574,475  
c  

Imperial Brands Finance PLC, senior note, 144A, 4.25%, 7/21/25

     United Kingdom          585,000          612,934  
 

Kraft Heinz Foods Co., senior bond, 6.50%, 2/09/40

     United States          700,000          819,399  
 

Reynolds American Inc., senior bond, 5.85%, 8/15/45

     United Kingdom          650,000          701,234  
 

Tyson Foods Inc., senior bond, 5.10%, 9/28/48

     United States          690,000          779,392  
              

 

 

 
                 6,972,937  
              

 

 

 

 

     
  Semiannual Report             FFA-21  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin Allocation VIP Fund (continued)

 

           Country       

Principal  

Amount*

       Value  
  Corporate Bonds (continued)             
 

Health Care Equipment & Services 0.6%

            
 

Abbott Laboratories, senior bond, 3.75%, 11/30/26

     United States          1,200,000         $ 1,297,972  
 

Anthem Inc., senior bond, 5.10%, 1/15/44

     United States        600,000           690,076  
c  

Centene Corp., senior note, 144A, 5.375%, 6/01/26

     United States          300,000           316,125  
 

CHS/Community Health Systems Inc., senior secured note, first lien, 6.25%, 3/31/23

     United States          100,000           96,625  
 

Cigna Corp., senior bond, 3.05%, 10/15/27

     United States          850,000           841,568  
 

CVS Health Corp., senior bond, 5.30%, 12/05/43

     United States          1,050,000           1,138,764  
c  

MEDNAX Inc., senior note, 144A, 6.25%, 1/15/27

     United States          200,000           197,250  
              

 

 

 
                     4,578,380  
              

 

 

 
 

Insurance 0.8%

            
 

Aflac Inc., senior bond, 4.75%, 1/15/49

     United States          700,000           827,895  
 

The Allstate Corp., senior bond, 4.20%, 12/15/46

     United States          700,000           783,556  
 

Marsh & McLennan Cos. Inc., senior note, 3.875%, 3/15/24

     United States          2,000,000           2,121,938  
 

MetLife Inc., junior sub. bond, 6.40%, 12/15/66

     United States          700,000           801,500  
c  

Metropolitan Life Global Funding I, secured note, 144A, 3.60%, 1/11/24

     United States          1,800,000           1,897,914  
              

 

 

 
                 6,432,803  
              

 

 

 
 

Materials 0.6%

                  
c  

Ardagh Packaging Finance PLC/Ardagh MP Holdings USA Inc., senior note, 144A, 6.00%, 2/15/25

     Luxembourg          200,000           207,750  
c  

BWAY Holding Co., senior note, 144A, 7.25%, 4/15/25

     United States          200,000           193,500  
c  

Cemex SAB de CV, senior secured bond, first lien, 144A, 5.70%, 1/11/25

     Mexico          200,000           207,743  
 

The Chemours Co., senior note, 5.375%, 5/15/27

     United States          200,000           191,500  
c  

First Quantum Minerals Ltd., senior note, 144A, 7.25%, 4/01/23

     Zambia          300,000           293,250  
c  

FMG Resources (August 2006) Pty. Ltd., senior note, 144A, 5.125%, 5/15/24

     Australia          200,000           208,188  
 

Freeport-McMoRan Inc., senior bond, 3.875%, 3/15/23

     United States          200,000           200,500  
c  

Glencore Funding LLC, senior note, 144A, 4.625%, 4/29/24

     Switzerland          1,350,000           1,428,328  
 

International Paper Co., senior bond, 3.80%, 1/15/26

     United States          1,100,000           1,148,330  
c  

New Gold Inc., senior note, 144A, 6.375%, 5/15/25

     Canada          200,000           167,000  
c  

Northwest Acquisitions ULC/Dominion Finco Inc., secured note, second lien, 144A, 7.125%, 11/01/22

     Canada          100,000           69,250  
c  

OI European Group BV, senior note, 144A, 4.00%, 3/15/23

     United States          300,000           302,625  
c  

Plastipak Holdings Inc., senior note, 144A, 6.25%, 10/15/25

     United States          200,000           182,000  
c  

Reynolds Group Issuer Inc./Reynolds Group Issuer LLC/Reynolds Group Issuer Luxembourg SA, senior secured note, first lien, 144A, 5.125%, 7/15/23

     United States          300,000           306,375  
c  

SunCoke Energy Partners LP/SunCoke Energy Partners Finance Corp., senior note, 144A, 7.50%, 6/15/25

     United States          200,000           196,000  
              

 

 

 
                 5,302,339  
              

 

 

 
 

Media & Entertainment 0.5%

            
c  

CCO Holdings LLC/CCO Holdings Capital Corp., senior bond, 144A, 5.00%, 2/01/28

     United States          300,000           307,110  
 

Charter Communications Operating LLC / Charter Communications Operating Capital, senior secured note, first lien, 4.50%, 2/01/24

     United States          700,000           745,560  
 

Comcast Corp., senior bond, 4.049%, 11/01/52

     United States          1,350,000           1,433,848  
c  

CSC Holdings LLC, senior bond, 144A, 5.375%, 2/01/28

     United States          300,000           312,375  

 

     
FFA-22        Semiannual Report  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin Allocation VIP Fund (continued)

 

           Country       

Principal  

Amount*

       Value  
  Corporate Bonds (continued)             
 

Media & Entertainment (continued)

            
c  

Tencent Holdings Ltd., senior note, 144A, 3.595%, 1/19/28

     China          1,200,000         $ 1,225,098  
              

 

 

 
                 4,023,991  
              

 

 

 
 

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences 0.5%

                  
 

Allergan Funding SCS, senior bond, 4.85%, 6/15/44

     United States          550,000           571,453  
 

AstraZeneca PLC, senior bond, 4.375%, 11/16/45

     United Kingdom          1,000,000           1,115,335  
c  

Bausch Health Cos. Inc., senior bond, 144A, 6.125%, 4/15/25

     United States          200,000           204,500  
 

Biogen Inc., senior bond, 5.20%, 9/15/45

     United States          700,000           787,137  
 

Celgene Corp., senior bond, 4.625%, 5/15/44

     United States          600,000           684,304  
 

Gilead Sciences Inc., senior bond, 4.80%, 4/01/44

     United States          700,000           797,956  
              

 

 

 
                 4,160,685  
              

 

 

 
 

Real Estate 0.0%

            
 

American Tower Corp., senior bond, 3.60%, 1/15/28

     United States          200,000           203,678  
              

 

 

 
 

Retailing 0.3%

                  
 

Alibaba Group Holding Ltd., senior bond, 4.20%, 12/06/47

     China          1,100,000           1,148,708  
 

AutoZone Inc., senior note, 3.75%, 4/18/29

     United States          500,000           520,126  
 

Dollar Tree Inc., senior note, 4.00%, 5/15/25

     United States          450,000           469,204  
c  

Party City Holdings Inc., senior note, 144A, 6.625%, 8/01/26

     United States          200,000           194,500  
c  

PetSmart Inc., senior note, 144A, 7.125%, 3/15/23

     United States          100,000           94,250  
              

 

 

 
                     2,426,788  
              

 

 

 
 

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment 0.0%

            
 

Qorvo Inc., senior note, 5.50%, 7/15/26

     United States          300,000           318,240  
              

 

 

 
 

Software & Services 0.3%

            
 

Microsoft Corp., senior note, 2.65%, 11/03/22

     United States          2,700,000           2,759,972  
              

 

 

 
 

Technology Hardware & Equipment 0.2%

            
c  

Dell International LLC/EMC Corp., senior secured bond, first lien, 144A, 6.02%, 6/15/26

     United States          700,000           772,551  
 

Tech Data Corp., senior bond, 4.95%, 2/15/27

     United States          700,000           732,880  
c  

Tempo Acquisition LLC/Tempo Acquisition Finance Corp., senior note, 144A, 6.75%, 6/01/25

     United States          300,000           310,500  
              

 

 

 
                 1,815,931  
              

 

 

 
 

Telecommunication Services 0.2%

            
 

AT&T Inc., senior bond, 4.85%, 7/15/45

     United States          300,000           320,674  
 

Telefonica Emisiones SA, senior bond, 5.52%, 3/01/49

     Spain          800,000           924,704  
              

 

 

 
                 1,245,378  
              

 

 

 
 

Transportation 0.2%

            
 

CSX Corp., senior bond, 4.75%, 11/15/48

     United States          800,000           932,083  
 

Fedex Corp., senior bond, 5.10%, 1/15/44

     United States          550,000           605,361  
c  

Kazakhstan Temir Zholy Finance BV, senior bond, 144A, 6.95%, 7/10/42

     Kazakhstan          250,000           310,701  
c  

Mexico City Airport Trust, secured bond, 144A, 5.50%, 7/31/47

     Mexico          200,000           199,594  
              

 

 

 
 

    

               2,047,739  
              

 

 

 

 

     
  Semiannual Report             FFA-23  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin Allocation VIP Fund (continued)

 

           Country       

Principal  

Amount*

       Value  
 

Corporate Bonds (continued)

            
 

Utilities 1.2%

            
 

Dominion Energy Inc., senior note, 4.25%, 6/01/28

     United States          1,750,000         $ 1,905,399  
 

Duke Energy Corp., senior bond, 3.75%, 4/15/24

     United States          1,350,000           1,425,454  
c  

Electricite de France SA, senior note, 144A, 4.50%, 9/21/28

     France          1,600,000           1,755,408  
c  

Enel Finance International NV, senior note, 144A, 4.25%, 9/14/23

     Italy          1,400,000           1,471,344  
 

Georgia Power Co., senior bond, 4.30%, 3/15/42

     United States          1,400,000           1,485,032  
 

Public Service Enterprise Group Inc., senior note, 2.875%, 6/15/24

     United States          1,000,000           1,010,483  
c  

State Grid Overseas Investment 2016 Ltd., senior note, 144A, 3.50%, 5/04/27

     China          400,000           414,246  
c  

Talen Energy Supply LLC, senior secured note, 144A, 7.25%, 5/15/27

     United States          300,000           308,250  
              

 

 

 
                 9,775,616  
              

 

 

 
 

Total Corporate Bonds (Cost $101,651,625)

               104,980,664  
              

 

 

 
d,e  

Senior Floating Rate Interests 0.7%

            
 

Automobiles & Components 0.0%

            
f,g  

Adient US LLC, Initial Term Loans, TBD, 5/06/24

     United States          40,000           39,067  
 

Allison Transmission Inc., Initial Term Loans, 4.475%, (2-month USD LIBOR + 2.00%), 3/29/26

     United States          200,000           200,833  
              

 

 

 
                 239,900  
              

 

 

 
 

Capital Goods 0.2%

            
f  

AECOM, Term B Loans, 4.152%, (1-month USD LIBOR + 1.75%), 3/13/25

     United States          199,448           198,900  
f  

Delos Finance S.A.R.L. (AerCap), New Loans, 4.08%, (3-month USD LIBOR + 1.75%), 10/06/23

     Luxembourg          166,667           166,736  
f  

Flying Fortress Holdings LLC (ILFC), New Loan, 4.08%, (3-month USD LIBOR + 1.75%), 10/30/22

     United States          200,000           200,107  
 

Navistar Inc., Tranche B Term Loan, 5.91%, (1-month USD LIBOR + 3.50%), 11/06/24

     United States          300,000           300,125  
f  

RBS Global Inc. (Rexnord), Term B Loan, 4.402%, (1-month USD LIBOR + 2.00%), 8/21/24

     United States          300,000           300,063  
 

Resideo Funding Inc., Tranche B Term Loans, 4.330%, (3-month USD LIBOR + 2.00%), 10/25/25

     United States          200,000           200,165  
              

 

 

 
                 1,366,096  
              

 

 

 
 

Commercial & Professional Services 0.0%

                  
 

Nielsen Finance LLC, Class B-4 Term Loans, 4.411%, (1-month USD LIBOR + 2.00%), 10/04/23

     United States          200,000           198,357  
f  

United Rentals North America Inc., Initial Term Loans, 4.152%, (1-month USD LIBOR + 1.75%), 10/31/25

     United States          199,497           199,729  
              

 

 

 
                 398,086  
              

 

 

 
 

Consumer Services 0.1%

                  
 

Avis Budget Car Rental LLC, Tranche B Term Loans, 4.41%, (1-month USD LIBOR + 2.00%), 2/13/25

     United States          200,000           199,813  
f,g  

Hilton Worldwide Finance LLC, Series B-2 Term Loans, TBD, 10/25/23

     United States          200,000           200,337  
 

KFC Holding Co./Pizza Hut Holdings LLC/Taco Bell of America LLC (Yum Brands), Term Loan B, 4.132%, (1-month USD LIBOR + 1.75%), 4/03/25

     United States          200,000           199,890  

 

     
FFA-24        Semiannual Report  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin Allocation VIP Fund (continued)

 

           Country       

Principal  

Amount*

       Value  
d,e  

Senior Floating Rate Interests (continued)

            
 

Consumer Services (continued)

            
f  

Las Vegas Sands LLC, Term B Loans, 4.152%, (1-month USD LIBOR + 1.75%), 3/27/25

     United States          200,000         $ 198,841  
              

 

 

 
                        798,881  
              

 

 

 
 

Food & Staples Retailing 0.0%

            
 

Aramark Corp., U.S. Term B-3 Loan, 4.08%, (3-month USD LIBOR + 1.75%), 3/11/25

     United States          200,000           199,687  
f  

U.S. Foods Inc., Initial Term Loans, 4.402%, (1-month USD LIBOR + 2.00%), 6/27/23

     United States          200,000           198,964  
              

 

 

 
                 398,651  
              

 

 

 
 

Food, Beverage & Tobacco 0.0%

            
f  

JBS USA Lux SA, Term Loan, 4.902%, (1-month USD LIBOR + 2.50%), 5/01/26

     United States          221,515           221,408  
              

 

 

 
 

Health Care Equipment & Services 0.1%

                  
 

DaVita Healthcare Partners Inc., Tranche B Term Loan, 5.135%, (1-week USD LIBOR + 2.75%), 6/24/21

     United States          200,000           200,125  
f  

HCA Inc., Term Loan B11, 4.08%, (3-month USD LIBOR + 1.75%), 3/18/23

     United States          199,495           199,786  
              

 

 

 
                 399,911  
              

 

 

 
 

Materials 0.1%

            
f  

Axalta Coating Systems U.S. Holdings Inc., Term B-3 Dollar Loan, 4.08%, (3-month USD LIBOR + 1.75%), 6/01/24

     United States          199,495           197,438  
f  

Crown Americas LLC, Dollar Term B Loan, 4.401%, (1-month USD LIBOR + 2.00%), 4/03/25

     United States          200,000           201,363  
              

 

 

 
                 398,801  
              

 

 

 
 

Media & Entertainment 0.1%

            
 

Charter Communications Operating LLC, Term B Loan, 4.33%, (3-month USD LIBOR + 2.00%), 4/30/25

     United States          200,000           200,000  
 

Gray Television Inc., Term C Loan, 4.931%, (1-month USD LIBOR + 2.50%), 1/02/26

     United States          300,000           300,075  
f,g  

Nexstar Broadcasting Inc., Term B-4 Loan, TBD, 7/31/26

     United States          12,226           12,198  
              

 

 

 
                 512,273  
              

 

 

 
 

Software & Services 0.0%

            
f  

Carbonite Inc., Initial Term Loan, 6.152%, (1-month USD LIBOR + 3.75%), 3/26/26

     United States          11,765           11,811  
              

 

 

 
  Technology Hardware & Equipment 0.1%                   
f  

CDW LLC, Term B Loan, 4.16%, (1-month USD LIBOR + 1.75%), 8/17/23

     United States          199,486           199,673  
 

CommScope Inc., Initial Term Loans, 5.652%, (1-month USD LIBOR + 3.25%), 4/04/26

     United States          300,000           300,038  
 

Western Digital Corp., U.S. Term B-4 Loan, 4.152%, (1-month USD LIBOR + 1.75%), 4/29/23

     United States          200,000           196,050  
              

 

 

 
                 695,761  
              

 

 

 

 

     
  Semiannual Report             FFA-25  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin Allocation VIP Fund (continued)

 

           Country       

Principal  

Amount*

          Value  
d,e  

Senior Floating Rate Interests (continued)

            
 

Telecommunication Services 0.0%

            
f  

Global Tel*Link Corp., First Lien Term Loan, 6.652%, (1-month USD LIBOR + 4.25%), 11/29/25

     United States          39,900         $ 38,613  
f  

Securus Technologies Holdings Inc., Initial Term Loan, 6.83%, (3-month USD LIBOR + 4.50%), 11/01/24

     United States          29,924           27,929  
              

 

 

 
                 66,542  
              

 

 

 
 

Transportation 0.0%

            
 

Air Canada, Term Loan, 4.428%, (1-month USD LIBOR + 2.00%), 10/06/23

     Canada          200,000           200,000  
f  

XPO Logistics Inc., Refinanced Term Loan, 4.40%, (1-month USD LIBOR + 2.00%), 2/24/25

     United States          200,000           198,682  
              

 

 

 
                 398,682  
              

 

 

 
 

Utilities 0.0%

            
f,g  

NRG Energy Inc., Term Loan B, TBD, 6/30/23

     United States          200,000           200,146  
              

 

 

 
 

Total Senior Floating Rate Interests (Cost $6,125,691)

               6,106,949  
              

 

 

 
 

Foreign Government and Agency Securities 0.5%

            
c  

Angolan Government International Bond, senior note, 144A, 8.25%, 5/09/28

     Angola          300,000           321,762  
h  

Banque Centrale de Tunisie International Bond, senior note, Reg S, 5.625%, 2/17/24

     Tunisia          300,000       EUR     339,844  
c  

Dominican Republic, senior note, 144A, 8.90%, 2/15/23

     Dominican Republic          14,600,000       DOP     288,262  
 

Government of Colombia,

            
 

senior bond, 9.85%, 6/28/27

     Colombia          1,000,000,000       COP     392,753  
 

senior bond, 5.00%, 6/15/45

     Colombia          300,000           331,971  
c  

Government of Gabon, 144A, 6.375%, 12/12/24

     Gabon          400,000           396,842  
c  

Government of Indonesia, senior bond, 144A, 4.35%, 1/08/27

     Indonesia          300,000           320,762  
c  

Government of Iraq, 144A, 5.80%, 1/15/28

     Iraq          400,000           395,282  
 

Government of Mexico, senior note, 4.15%, 3/28/27

     Mexico          200,000           209,700  
 

Government of South Africa, senior bond, 7.00%, 2/28/31

     South Africa          5,500,000       ZAR     334,511  
c  

Government of Ukraine, senior bond, 144A, 7.375%, 9/25/32

     Ukraine          400,000           393,594  
i  

Government of Uruguay, senior bond, Index Linked, 3.70%, 6/26/37

     Uruguay          9,963,196       UYU     281,654  
              

 

 

 
 

Total Foreign Government and Agency Securities
(Cost $3,894,913)

                 4,006,937  
              

 

 

 
 

U.S. Government and Agency Securities 4.9%

            
 

Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corp., 2.90%, 1/03/22

     United States          800,000           821,383  
 

FFCB,

            
 

3.17%, 3/07/28

     United States          800,000           854,825  
 

senior bond, 2.86%, 7/11/28

     United States          800,000           835,607  
 

FHLB, 2.625%, 9/12/25

     United States          1,600,000           1,655,154  
 

Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan Government AID Bond, senior note, 2.578%, 6/30/22

     United States          800,000           818,095  
 

Israel Government Agency for International Development Bond, 5.50%, 9/18/23

     United States          1,110,000           1,268,934  
 

TVA, 5.88%, 4/01/36

     United States          630,000           868,671  

 

     
FFA-26        Semiannual Report  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin Allocation VIP Fund (continued)

 

           Country       

Principal  

Amount*

       Value  
 

U.S. Government and Agency Securities (continued)

            
 

U.S. Treasury Bond,

            
 

 3.125%, 2/15/42

     United States          6,450,000         $ 7,207,749  
 

 2.50%, 2/15/46

     United States          840,000           834,652  
 

 3.00%, 2/15/49

     United States          3,060,000           3,356,557  
 

i Index Linked, 2.00%, 1/15/26

     United States          514,926           573,195  
 

i Index Linked, 1.75%, 1/15/28

     United States          792,744           889,206  
 

i Index Linked, 3.625%, 4/15/28

     United States          710,872           913,079  
 

U.S. Treasury Note,

                  
 

 1.125%, 6/30/21

     United States          4,400,000           4,345,687  
 

 2.375%, 8/15/24

     United States          1,680,000           1,728,562  
 

 2.25%, 8/15/27

     United States          420,000           429,975  
 

 2.625%, 2/15/29

     United States          8,100,000           8,538,064  
 

i Index Linked, 0.125%, 7/15/24

     United States          1,721,676           1,719,392  
 

i Index Linked, 0.375%, 7/15/25

     United States          2,909,032           2,942,275  
              

 

 

 
 

Total U.S. Government and Agency Securities
(Cost $39,061,770)

                 40,601,062  
              

 

 

 
 

Asset-Backed Securities and Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities 5.4%

            
 

Diversified Financials 5.4%

            
c,j  

Atrium XII, 12A, CR, 144A, FRN, 4.242%, (3-month USD LIBOR + 1.65%), 4/22/27

     United States          1,240,000           1,224,773  
c,k  

Atrium XIII, 2017-13A, A1, 144A, FRN, 3.772%, 11/21/30

     United States          1,410,000           1,404,684  
c,k  

BlueMountain CLO XXII Ltd., 2018-1A, B, 144A, FRN, 4.283%, 7/30/30

     United States          1,200,000           1,197,564  
c,k  

BlueMountain CLO XXIII Ltd., 2018-23A, D, 144A, FRN, 5.492%, 10/20/31

     United States          800,000           776,000  
c,j  

BlueMountain Fuji U.S. CLO III Ltd., 2017-3A, A2, 144A, FRN, 3.747%, (3-month USD LIBOR + 1.15%), 1/15/30

     United States          1,000,000           973,800  
c  

BRAVO Residential Funding Trust, 2019-1, A1C, 144A, 3.50%, 3/25/58

     United States          948,573           969,386  
c  

BWAY Mortgage Trust, 2013-1515, C, 144A, 3.454%, 3/10/33

     United States          750,000           787,224  
c,j  

Carlyle Global Market Strategies CLO Ltd.,

            
 

 2014-4RA, C, 144A, FRN, 5.497%, (3-month USD LIBOR + 2.90%), 7/15/30

     United States          440,000           420,732  
 

 2015-2A, A1R, 144A, FRN, 3.362%, (3-month USD LIBOR + 0.78%), 4/27/27

     United States          1,000,000           997,260  
c,k  

CARLYLE US CLO Ltd., 2017-4A, A1, 144A, FRN, 3.777%, 1/15/30

     United States          1,000,000           998,780  
c,k  

Cent CLO, 2018-28A, C, 144A, FRN, 5.985%, 11/07/30

     United States          750,000           738,750  
c,k  

CIM Trust, 2019-INV2, A3, 144A, FRN, 4.00%, 5/25/49

     United States          723,910           740,991  
c,k  

COMM Mortgage Trust, 2014-277P, A, 144A, FRN, 3.611%, 8/10/49

     United States          1,000,000           1,061,606  
c,j  

Dryden 41 Senior Loan Fund, 2015-41A, AR, 144A, FRN, 3.567%, (3-month USD LIBOR + 0.97%), 4/15/31

     United States          1,000,000           989,530  
c,j  

Dryden 42 Senior Loan Fund, 2016-42A, CR, 144A, FRN, 4.647%, (3-month USD LIBOR + 2.05%), 7/15/30

     United States          900,000           879,345  
c,j  

Dryden 50 Senior Loan Fund, 2017-50A, A1, 144A, FRN, 3.817%, (3-month USD LIBOR + 1.22%), 7/15/30

     United States          1,880,000           1,876,372  

 

     
  Semiannual Report             FFA-27  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin Allocation VIP Fund (continued)

 

           Country       

Principal  

Amount*

             Value  
 

Asset-Backed Securities and Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities (continued)

             
 

Diversified Financials (continued)

             
 

FHLMC Structured Agency Credit Risk Debt Notes,

             
 

j 2016-DNA2, M3, FRN, 7.054%, (1-month USD LIBOR + 4.65%), 10/25/28

     United States          1,000,000          $ 1,080,950  
 

k 2017-DNA2, M2, FRN, 5.854%, 10/25/29

     United States          1,000,000            1,070,460  
 

j 2017-DNA3, M2, FRN, 4.904%, (1-month USD LIBOR + 2.50%), 3/25/30

     United States          1,000,000            1,023,610  
 

FNMA Connecticut Avenue Securities,

             
 

j 2013-C01, M2, FRN, 7.654%, (1-month USD LIBOR + 5.25%), 10/25/23

     United States          863,390            959,832  
 

j 2014-C01, M2, FRN, 6.804%, (1-month USD LIBOR + 4.40%), 1/25/24

     United States          1,000,000            1,093,893  
 

j 2014-C03, 1M2, FRN, 5.404%, (1-month USD LIBOR + 3.00%), 7/25/24

     United States          1,446,690            1,518,150  
 

j 2014-C04, 2M2, FRN, 7.404%, (1-month USD LIBOR + 5.00%), 11/25/24

     United States          1,242,541            1,361,168  
 

k 2016-C02, 1M2, FRN, 8.404%, 9/25/28

     United States          948,333            1,049,068  
 

k 2016-C04, 1M2, FRN, 6.654%, 1/25/29

     United States          1,000,000            1,074,795  
 

j 2017-C01, 1M2, FRN, 5.954%, (1-month USD LIBOR + 3.55%), 7/25/29

     United States          1,000,000            1,059,460  
 

k 2017-C03, 1M2, FRN, 5.404%, 10/25/29

     United States          1,000,000            1,044,765  
 

k 2017-C05, 1M2, FRN, 4.604%, 1/25/30

     United States          1,000,000            1,010,418  
c,j  

LCM XXV Ltd., 25A, B2, 144A, FRN, 4.242%, (3-month USD LIBOR + 1.65%), 7/20/30

     United States          1,200,000            1,194,624  
c,l,m  

Madison Park Euro Funding XIV DAC, 14A, A1N, 144A, FRN, 7/15/32

     Ireland          250,000         EUR        284,213  
c,j  

Madison Park Funding XI Ltd., 2013-11, CR, 144A, FRN, 4.792%, (3-month USD LIBOR + 2.20%), 7/23/29

     United States          1,000,000            993,730  
c,k  

Madison Park Funding XXIX Ltd., 2018-29A, B, 144A, FRN, 4.351%, 10/18/30

     United States          1,500,000            1,499,970  
c,j  

Madison Park Funding XXVI Ltd., 2017-26A, AR, 144A, FRN, 3.782%, (3-month USD LIBOR + 1.20%), 7/29/30

     United States          2,350,000            2,352,068  
c,k  

Mill City Mortgage Loan Trust, 2018-2, A1, 144A, FRN, 3.50%, 5/25/58

     United States          1,247,021            1,277,763  
c,k  

Neuberger Berman CLO XVIII Ltd., 2014-18A, CR2, 144A, FRN, 5.592%, 10/21/30

     United States          800,000            778,576  
c,k  

Octagon Investment Partners 18-R Ltd., 2018-18A, A1A, 144A, FRN, 3.561%, 4/16/31

     United States          1,000,000            989,500  
c,k  

Octagon Investment Partners 28 Ltd., 2016-1A, BR, 144A, FRN, 4.381%, 10/24/30

     United States          1,200,000            1,201,764  
c,j  

Octagon Investment Partners XVI Ltd., 2013-1A, CR, 144A, FRN, 4.438%, (3-month USD LIBOR + 1.85%), 7/17/30

     United States          850,000            823,540  
c,k  

Towd Point Mortgage Trust,

             
 

  2015-5, A1B, 144A, FRN, 2.75%, 5/25/55

     United States          785,540            789,071  
 

  2018-1, A1, 144A, FRN, 3.00%, 1/25/58

     United States          1,429,085            1,447,577  
 

  2018-3, A1, 144A, FRN, 3.75%, 5/25/58

     United States          1,070,337            1,116,239  
               

 

 

 
 

Total Asset-Backed Securities and Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities (Cost $44,296,777)

                  44,132,001  
               

 

 

 

 

     
FFA-28        Semiannual Report  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin Allocation VIP Fund (continued)

 

           Country       

Principal  

Amount*

             Value  
 

Mortgage-Backed Securities 12.0%

             
 

Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. (FHLMC) Fixed Rate 1.5%

             
n  

FHLMC Gold 30 Year, 3.00%, 6/01/49

     United States          5,700,000          $ 5,746,467  
 

FHLMC Gold 30 Year, 3.50%, 5/01/49

     United States          6,519,759            6,669,322  
               

 

 

 
                  12,415,789  
               

 

 

 
 

Federal National Mortgage Association (FNMA) Fixed Rate 4.7%

             
 

FNMA 30 Year, 3.00%, 5/01/49

     United States          6,247,012            6,303,406  
 

FNMA 30 Year, 3.50%, 6/01/49

     United States          7,269,727            7,442,321  
n  

FNMA 30 Year, 3.50%, 7/01/49

     United States          2,050,000            2,095,324  
n  

FNMA 30 Year, 4.00%, 6/01/49

     United States          3,100,000            3,203,475  
 

FNMA 30 Year, 4.00%, 6/01/49

     United States          11,440,668            11,848,369  
 

FNMA 30 Year, 4.50%, 1/01/49

     United States          7,303,322            7,651,879  
               

 

 

 
                  38,544,774  
               

 

 

 
 

Government National Mortgage Association (GNMA) Fixed Rate 5.8%

             
 

GNMA II SF 30 Year, 3.00%, 9/20/47

     United States          2,960,894            3,028,842  
 

GNMA II SF 30 Year, 3.00%, 11/20/47 - 5/20/49

     United States          1,786,080            1,827,068  
 

GNMA II SF 30 Year, 3.50%, 4/20/49

     United States          12,733,895            13,159,184  
 

GNMA II SF 30 Year, 3.50%, 5/20/49

     United States          12,973,706            13,407,005  
 

GNMA II SF 30 Year, 4.00%, 5/20/49

     United States          7,783,595            8,104,889  
 

GNMA II SF 30 Year, 4.50%, 5/20/49

     United States          5,187,832            5,439,513  
 

GNMA II SF 30 Year, 5.00%, 3/20/49

     United States          2,976,941            3,127,345  
               

 

 

 
                  48,093,846  
               

 

 

 
 

Total Mortgage-Backed Securities (Cost $98,201,518)

                99,054,409  
               

 

 

 
 

Total Investments before Short Term Investments
(Cost $808,026,364)

                810,217,766  
               

 

 

 
                  Shares                
                    
 

Short Term Investments (Cost $23,981,648) 2.9%

             
 

Money Market Funds 2.9%

             
b,o  

Institutional Fiduciary Trust Money Market Portfolio, 2.05%

     United States          23,981,648            23,981,648  
               

 

 

 
 

Total Investments (Cost $832,008,012) 101.1%

                834,199,414  
 

Other Assets, less Liabilities (1.1)%

                (8,686,335
               

 

 

 
 

Net Assets 100.0%

              $ 825,513,079  
               

 

 

 

 

     
  Semiannual Report             FFA-29  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin Allocation VIP Fund (continued)

 

 

Rounds to less than 0.1% of net assets.

*The principal amount is stated in U.S. dollars unless otherwise indicated.

aNon-income producing.

bSee Note 3(e) regarding investments in affiliated management investment companies.

cSecurity 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 a 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 June 30, 2019, the aggregate value of these securities was $58,858,466, representing 7.1% of net assets.

dThe coupon rate shown represents the rate at period end.

eSee Note 1(f) regarding senior floating rate interests.

fSecurity purchased on a delayed delivery basis. See Note 1(c).

gA portion or all of the security represents an unsettled loan commitment. The coupon rate is to-be determined (TBD) at the time of settlement and will be based upon a reference index/floor plus a spread.

hSecurity was purchased pursuant to Regulation S under the Securities Act of 1933, which exempts from registration securities offered and sold outside of the United States. Such a security cannot be sold in the United States without either an effective registration statement filed pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, or pursuant to an exemption from registration. This security has been deemed liquid under guidelines approved by the Trust’s Board of Trustees. At June 30, 2019, the value of this security was $339,844, representing less than 0.1% of net assets.

iPrincipal amount of security is adjusted for inflation. See Note 1(h).

jThe coupon rate shown represents the rate inclusive of any caps or floors, if applicable, in effect at period end.

kAdjustable rate security with an interest rate that is not based on a published reference index and spread. The rate is based on the structure of the agreement and current market conditions. The coupon rate shown represents the rate at period end.

lSecurity purchased on a when-issued basis. See Note 1(c).

mThe coupon rate will be determined at time of issue.

nSecurity purchased on a to-be-announced (TBA) basis. See Note 1(c).

oThe rate shown is the annualized seven-day effective yield at period end.

At June 30, 2019, the Fund had the following futures contracts outstanding. See Note 1(d).

Futures Contracts

 

Description    Type      Number of
Contracts
    

Notional  

Amount*

     Expiration
Date
     Value/
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
Equity Contracts               

S&P 500 E-Mini

     Long        9        $  1,324,890         9/20/19        $  14,172  
        

 

 

       

 

 

 
Interest Rate Contracts               

Australian 3 Yr. Bond

     Long        67        5,408,413         9/16/19        6,064  

Australian 10 Yr. Bond

     Long        19        1,915,869         9/16/19        9,326  

Canada 10 Yr. Bond

     Long        11        1,200,405         9/19/19        (4,970

CME Ultra Long Term U.S. Treasury Bond

     Long        7        1,242,938         9/19/19        14,646  

U.S. Treasury 2 Yr. Note

     Long        5        1,075,898         9/30/19        892  

U.S. Treasury 5 Yr. Note

     Long        163        19,259,469         9/30/19        218,824  

U.S. Treasury 10 Yr. Note

     Long        7        895,781         9/19/19        7,567  

U.S. Treasury 10 Yr. Note

     Short        28        3,583,125         9/19/19        (77,913

U.S. Treasury 30 Yr. Bond

     Long        11        1,711,531         9/19/19        23,359  
        

 

 

       

 

 

 
           $36,293,429            $197,795  
        

 

 

       

 

 

 

Total Futures Contracts

           $37,618,319            $211,967  
        

 

 

       

 

 

 

*As of period end.

 

     
FFA-30        Semiannual Report  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

 

Franklin Allocation VIP Fund (continued)

 

At June 30, 2019, the Fund had the following forward exchange contracts outstanding. See Note 1(d).

Forward Exchange Contracts

 

Currency    Counterpartya      Type      Quantity      Contract
Amount
     Settlement
Date
     Unrealized
Appreciation
     Unrealized
Depreciation
 
OTC Forward Exchange Contracts                     

Mexican Peso

     JPHQ         Buy        6,950,000        $360,384        8/08/19        $          —            $    (1,006

Canadian Dollar

     JPHQ         Sell        830,000        620,670        9/18/19               (13,983

Euro

     JPHQ         Sell        588,336        666,978        9/18/19               (6,276

Norwegian Krone

     JPHQ         Buy        5,110,000        585,835        9/18/19        14,343         

Swedish Krona

     JPHQ         Sell        5,530,000        583,580        9/18/19               (15,493

Chinese Yuan Renminbi

     JPHQ         Sell        1,845,000        273,637        9/27/19        5,305         

Chinese Yuan Renminbi

     JPHQ         Sell        3,250,000        470,074        9/27/19               (2,598

South Korean Won

     JPHQ         Sell        467,500,000        403,243        9/27/19               (1,865

Australian Dollar

     JPHQ         Sell        530,000        365,218        10/11/19               (7,940

Australian Dollar

     JPHQ         Sell        570,000        403,325        10/11/19        2,004         

Turkish Lira

     JPHQ         Buy        1,380,000        221,633        10/18/19        3,140         

Indonesian Rupiah

     JPHQ         Buy        4,950,000,000        337,953        12/16/19        4,885         
                 

 

 

 

Total Forward Exchange Contracts

 

                 $  29,677            $  (49,161
                 

 

 

 

Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

 

                     $  (19,484
                    

 

 

 

aMay be comprised of multiple contracts with the same counterparty, currency and settlement date.

 

     
  Semiannual Report             FFA-31  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin Allocation VIP Fund (continued)

 

At June 30, 2019, the Fund had the following credit default swap contracts outstanding. See Note 1(d).

Credit Default Swap Contracts

 

Description   Periodic
Payment Rate
Received
(Paid)
    Payment
Frequency
    Counter-
party
    Maturity
Date
    Notional  
Amounta
    Value     Unamortized
Upfront
Payments
(Receipts)
    Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
    Ratingb  

Centrally Cleared Swap Contracts

                 

Contracts to Sell Protectionc,d

 

               

Traded Index

                 

CDX.NA.HY.32

    5.00%       Quarterly         6/20/24       $2,160,000         $165,667       $ 159,371       $  6,296      

Non-
Investment
Grade
 
 
 

CDX.NA.IG.32

    1.00%       Quarterly         6/20/24       1,200,000         25,999       23,474       2,525      
Investment
Grade
 
 

Total Centrally Cleared Swap Contracts

 

            $191,666       $ 182,845       $  8,821    

OTC Swap Contracts

                 

Contracts to Sell Protectionc,d

 

               

Single Name

                 

Government of Argentina

    5.00%       Quarterly       JPHQ       6/20/23       $  550,000         $ (79,486     $(116,349     $36,863       B  

Government of Russia

    1.00%       Quarterly       CITI       6/20/24       300,000         (1,857     (4,085     2,228       BBB-  

Traded Index

                 

eCitibank Bespoke Phoenix, 5-7% Tranche

    2.90%       Quarterly       CITI       12/20/21       250,000         2,606             2,606      

Non-
Investment
Grade
 
 
 

Total OTC Swap Contracts

              $ (78,737     $(120,434     $41,697    

Total Credit Default Swap Contracts

 

            $112,929       $   62,411       $50,518    

aFor contracts to sell protection, the notional amount is equal to the maximum potential amount of the future payments and no recourse provisions have been entered into in association with the contracts.

bBased on Standard and Poor’s (S&P) Rating for single name swaps and internal ratings for index swaps. Internal ratings based on mapping into equivalent ratings from external vendors.

cPerformance triggers for settlement of contract include default, bankruptcy or restructuring for single name swaps and failure to pay or bankruptcy of the underlying securities for traded index swaps.

dThe fund enters contracts to sell protection to create a long credit position.

eRepresents a custom index comprised of a basket of underlying issuers.

At June 30, 2019, the Fund had the following total return swap contracts outstanding. See Note 1(d).

Total Return Swap Contracts

 

Underlying Instruments    Financing Rate     

Payment

Frequency

     Counter-
party
     Maturity
Date
     Notional
Value
     Value/
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
OTC Swap Contracts                  

Longa

                 

Markit iBoxx USD Liquid Leveraged Loan Index

     3-month USD LIBOR      Quarterly        JPHQ        12/20/19      $ 4,500,000        $(41,475
                 

 

 

 

aThe Fund receives the total return on the underlying instrument and pays a variable financing rate.

See Note 7 regarding other derivative information.

See Abbreviations on page FFA-49.

 

 

   
FFA-32            Semiannual Report  |  The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

June 30, 2019 (unaudited)

 

    

Franklin

Allocation

VIP Fund

 

Assets:

 

Investments in securities:

 

Cost - Unaffiliated issuers

        $772,265,729  

Cost - Non-controlled affiliates (Note 3e)

    59,742,283  
 

 

 

 

Value - Unaffiliated issuers

        $776,888,121  

Value - Non-controlled affiliates (Note 3e)

    57,311,293  

Cash

    48,778  

Foreign currency, at value (cost $1,693,138)

    1,693,353  

Receivables:

 

Investment securities sold

    6,084,633  

Capital shares sold

    121,970  

Dividends and interest

    2,672,361  

Deposits with brokers for:

 

Futures contracts

    278,158  

Centrally cleared swap contracts

    141,789  

Variation margin on futures contracts

    7,458  

Variation margin on centrally cleared swap contracts

    4,555  

Unrealized appreciation on OTC forward exchange contracts

    29,677  

Unrealized appreciation on OTC swap contracts

    41,697  

Other assets

    38,662  
 

 

 

 

Total assets

    845,362,505  
 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

Payables:

 

Investment securities purchased

    18,336,405  

Capital shares redeemed

    552,856  

Management fees

    328,014  

Distribution fees

    408,628  

Trustees’ fees and expenses

    1,191  

OTC swap contracts (upfront receipts $125,215)

    120,434  

Unrealized depreciation on OTC forward exchange contracts

    49,161  

Unrealized depreciation on OTC swap contracts

    41,475  

Deferred tax

    309  

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

    10,953  
 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    19,849,426  
 

 

 

 

Net assets, at value

    $825,513,079  
 

 

 

 

Net assets consist of:

 

Paid-in capital

    $621,568,623  

Total distributable earnings (loss)

    203,944,456  
 

 

 

 

Net assets, at value

    $825,513,079  
 

 

 

 

 

     
  The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.    |   Semiannual Report               FFA-33  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Statement of Assets and Liabilities (continued)

June 30, 2019 (unaudited)

 

    

Franklin
Allocation

VIP Fund

 
Class 1:  

Net assets, at value

       $    1,138,635  
 

 

 

 

Shares outstanding

    176,153  
 

 

 

 

Net asset value and maximum offering price per share

    $6.46  
 

 

 

 
Class 2:  

Net assets, at value

    $415,902,294  
 

 

 

 

Shares outstanding

    64,791,246  
 

 

 

 

Net asset value and maximum offering price per share

    $6.42  
 

 

 

 
Class 4:  

Net assets, at value

    $408,472,150  
 

 

 

 

Shares outstanding

    62,104,869  
 

 

 

 

Net asset value and maximum offering price per share

    $6.58  
 

 

 

 

 

     
FFA-34        Semiannual Report   |    The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

 

Statement of Operations

for the six months ended June 30, 2019 (unaudited)

 

   

Franklin
Allocation

VIP Fund

 

 

 

Investment income:

 

Dividends: (net of foreign taxes)*

 

Unaffiliated issuers

     $ 2,474,960  

Non-controlled affiliates (Note 3e)

    2,528,859  

Interest: (net of foreign taxes)~

 

Unaffiliated issuers

    1,554,491  
 

 

 

 

Total investment income

    6,558,310  
 

 

 

 

Expenses:

 

Management fees (Note 3a)

    748,057  

Administrative fees (Note 3b)

    272,591  

Distribution fees: (Note 3c)

 

Class 2

    512,155  

Class 4

    712,082  

Custodian fees (Note 4)

    359  

Reports to shareholders

    36,502  

Professional fees

    46,763  

Trustees’ fees and expenses

    3,701  

Other

    9,590  
 

 

 

 

Total expenses

    2,341,800  

Expenses waived/paid by affiliates (Note 3e and 3f)

    (138,572
 

 

 

 

Net expenses

    2,203,228  
 

 

 

 

Net investment income

    4,355,082  
 

 

 

 

Realized and unrealized gains (losses):

 

Net realized gain (loss) from:

 

Investments:

 

Unaffiliated issuers

    302,456  

Controlled affiliates (Note 3e)

    82,811,056  

Non-controlled affiliates (Note 3e)

    153,335,293  

Foreign currency transactions

    (57,395

Forward exchange contracts

    1,333  

Futures contracts

    44,513  

Swap contracts

    (46,642
 

 

 

 

Net realized gain (loss)

    236,390,614  
 

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:

 

Investments:

 

Unaffiliated issuers

    4,622,392  

Controlled affiliates (Note 3e)

    (56,876,879

Non-controlled affiliates (Note 3e)

    (89,551,617

Translation of other assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies

    (929

Forward exchange contracts

    (19,484

Futures contracts

    211,967  

Swap contracts

    9,043  

Change in deferred taxes on unrealized appreciation

    (309
 

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

    (141,605,816
 

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    94,784,798  
 

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

     $ 99,139,880  
 

 

 

 

 

*Foreign taxes withheld on dividends

  $             151,060   

~Foreign taxes withheld on interest

  $ 4,313   

 

     
  The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.    |   Semiannual Report               FFA-35  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

    Franklin Allocation VIP Fund  
    Six Months Ended
June 30, 2019
(unaudited)
     Year Ended
December 31, 2018
 

 

 

Increase (decrease) in net assets:

    

Operations:

    

Net investment income

            $      4,355,082        $     26,188,755  

Net realized gain (loss)

    236,390,614        57,368,194  

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

    (141,605,816      (166,306,372
 

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

    99,139,880        (82,749,423
 

 

 

 

Distributions to shareholders:

    

Class 1

    (114,944      (60,348

Class 2

    (41,503,915      (24,442,861

Class 4

    (39,405,922      (24,951,975
 

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

    (81,024,781      (49,455,184
 

 

 

 

Capital share transactions: (Note 2)

    

Class 1

    140,911        99,087  

Class 2

    17,474,659        (25,472,556

Class 4

    5,113,540        (68,063,868
 

 

 

 

Total capital share transactions

    22,729,110        (93,437,337
 

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets

    40,844,209        (225,641,944

Net assets:

    

Beginning of period

    784,668,870        1,010,310,814  
 

 

 

 

End of period

    $  825,513,079        $   784,668,870  
 

 

 

 

 

     
FFA-36        Semiannual Report   |    The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

 

Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited)

 

Franklin Allocation VIP Fund

 

1.  Organization and Significant Accounting Policies

Franklin Templeton Variable Insurance Products Trust (Trust) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (1940 Act) as an open-end management investment company, consisting of eighteen separate funds and applies the specialized accounting and reporting guidance in U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (U.S. GAAP). Franklin Allocation VIP Fund (Fund) is included in this report. The Fund invests in other funds of the Trust (Underlying Funds). Shares of the Fund are generally sold only to insurance company separate accounts to fund the benefits of variable life insurance policies or variable annuity contracts. The Fund offers three classes of shares: Class 1, Class 2, and Class 4. Each class of shares may differ by its distribution fees, voting rights on matters affecting a single class and its exchange privilege.

The accounting policies of the Underlying Funds are outlined in their respective shareholder reports. A copy of the Underlying Funds’ shareholder reports is available on the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) website at sec.gov. The Underlying Funds’ shareholder reports are not covered by this report.

Effective May 1, 2019, the Fund repositioned to a direct investment fund with an actively managed dynamic allocation strategy, which involved modifying the Fund’s principal investment strategies and changing the name of the Fund from Franklin Founding Funds Allocation VIP Fund to Franklin Allocation VIP Fund.

The following summarizes the Fund’s significant accounting policies.

a.  Financial Instrument Valuation

The Fund’s investments in financial instruments are carried at fair value daily. Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. The Fund calculates the net asset value (NAV) per share each business day as of 4 p.m. Eastern time or the regularly scheduled close of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), whichever is earlier. Under compliance policies and procedures approved by the Trust’s Board of Trustees (the Board), the Fund’s administrator has responsibility for oversight of valuation, including leading the cross-functional

Valuation Committee (VC). The Fund may utilize independent pricing services, quotations from securities and financial instrument dealers, and other market sources to determine fair value.

Investments in the Underlying Funds are valued at their closing NAV each trading day. Exchange traded funds 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.

Equity securities and derivative financial instruments listed on an exchange or on the NASDAQ National Market System are valued at the last quoted sale price or the official closing price of the day, respectively. Foreign equity securities are valued as of the close of trading on the foreign stock exchange on which the security is primarily traded, or as of 4 p.m. Eastern time. The value is then converted into its U.S. dollar equivalent at the foreign exchange rate in effect at 4 p.m. Eastern time on the day that the value of the security is determined. Over-the-counter (OTC) securities are valued within the range of the most recent quoted bid and ask prices. Securities that trade in multiple markets or on multiple exchanges are valued according to the broadest and most representative market. Certain equity securities are valued based upon fundamental characteristics or relationships to similar securities.

Debt securities generally trade in the OTC market rather than on a securities exchange. The Fund’s pricing services use multiple valuation techniques to determine fair value. In instances where sufficient market activity exists, the pricing services may utilize a market-based approach through which quotes from market makers are used to determine fair value. In instances where sufficient market activity may not exist or is limited, the pricing services also utilize proprietary valuation models which may consider market characteristics such as benchmark yield curves, credit spreads, estimated default rates, anticipated market interest rate volatility, coupon rates, anticipated timing of principal repayments, underlying collateral, and other unique security features in order to estimate the relevant cash flows, which are then discounted to calculate the fair value. Securities denominated in a foreign currency are converted into their U.S. dollar equivalent at the foreign exchange rate in effect at 4 p.m. Eastern time on the date that the values of the foreign debt securities are determined.

 

 

     
  Semiannual Report             FFA-37  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

 

Franklin Allocation VIP Fund (continued)

 

1.  Organization and Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

a.  Financial Instrument Valuation (continued)

Certain derivative financial instruments are centrally cleared or trade in the OTC market. The Fund’s pricing services use various techniques including industry standard option pricing models and proprietary discounted cash flow models to determine the fair value of those instruments. The Fund’s net benefit or obligation under the derivative contract, as measured by the fair value of the contract, is included in net assets.

The Fund has procedures to determine the fair value of financial instruments for which market prices are not reliable or readily available. Under these procedures, the Fund primarily employs a market-based approach which may use related or comparable assets or liabilities, recent transactions, market multiples, book values, and other relevant information for the investment to determine the fair value of the investment. An income-based valuation approach may also be used in which the anticipated future cash flows of the investment are discounted to calculate fair value. Discounts may also be applied due to the nature or duration of any restrictions on the disposition of the investments. Due to the inherent uncertainty of valuations of such investments, the fair values may differ significantly from the values that would have been used had an active market existed.

Trading in securities on foreign securities stock exchanges and OTC markets may be completed before 4 p.m. Eastern time. In addition, trading in certain foreign markets may not take place on every Fund’s business day. Occasionally, events occur between the time at which trading in a foreign security is completed and 4 p.m. Eastern time that might call into question the reliability of the value of a portfolio security held by the Fund. As a result, differences may arise between the value of the Fund’s portfolio securities as determined at the foreign market close and the latest indications of value at 4 p.m. Eastern time. In order to minimize the potential for these differences, 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 Fund’s NAV is not calculated, which could result in differences between the value of the Fund’s portfolio securities on the last business day and the last calendar day of the reporting period. Any significant security valuation changes due to an open foreign market are adjusted and reflected by the Fund for financial reporting purposes.

b.  Foreign Currency Translation

Portfolio securities and other assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars based on the exchange rate of such currencies against U.S. dollars on the date of valuation. The Fund may enter into foreign currency exchange contracts to facilitate transactions denominated in a foreign currency. Purchases and sales of securities, income and expense items denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rate in effect on the transaction date. Portfolio securities and assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies contain risks that those currencies will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar. Occasionally, events may impact the availability or reliability of foreign exchange rates used to convert the U.S. dollar equivalent value. If such an event occurs, the foreign exchange rate will be valued at fair value using procedures established and approved by the Board.

The Fund does not separately report the effect of changes in foreign exchange rates from changes in market prices on securities held. Such changes are included in net realized and unrealized gain or loss from investments in the Statement of Operations.

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

 

 

     
FFA-38        Semiannual Report  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

 

Franklin Allocation VIP Fund (continued)

 

c.  Securities Purchased on a When-Issued or Delayed Delivery and TBA Basis

The Fund purchases securities on a when-issued or delayed delivery and to-be-announced (TBA) 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.

d.  Derivative Financial Instruments

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

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

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

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

The Fund entered into exchange traded futures contracts primarily to manage and/or gain exposure to interest rate and equity price. A futures contract is an agreement between the Fund and a counterparty to buy or sell an asset at a specified price on a future date. Required initial margins are pledged by the Fund, and the daily change in fair value is accounted for as a variation margin payable or receivable in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

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.

 

 

     
  Semiannual Report             FFA-39  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

 

Franklin Allocation VIP 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 and other market 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.

See Note 7 regarding other derivative information.

e.  Mortgage Dollar Rolls

The Fund enters into mortgage dollar rolls, typically on a TBA basis. Mortgage dollar rolls are agreements between the Fund and a financial institution where the Fund sells (or buys) mortgage-backed securities for delivery on a specified date and simultaneously contracts to repurchase (or sell) substantially similar (same type, coupon, and maturity) securities at a future date and at a predetermined price. Gains or losses are realized on the initial sale, and the difference between the repurchase price and the sale price is recorded as an unrealized gain or loss to the Fund upon entering into the mortgage dollar roll. In addition, the Fund may invest the cash proceeds that are received from the initial sale. During the period between the sale and repurchase, the Fund is not entitled to principal and interest paid on the mortgage backed securities. Transactions in mortgage dollar rolls are accounted for as purchases and sales and may result in an increase to the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate. The risks of mortgage dollar roll transactions include the potential inability of the counterparty to fulfill its obligations.

f.  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.

g.  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

 

 

     
FFA-40        Semiannual Report  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

 

Franklin Allocation VIP Fund (continued)

 

taxable income and net realized gains to relieve it from federal income and if applicable, 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 June 30, 2019, the Fund has determined that no tax liability is required in its financial statements related to uncertain tax positions for any open tax years (or expected to be taken in future tax years). Open tax years are those that remain subject to examination and are based on the statute of limitations in each jurisdiction in which the Fund invests.

h.  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. Dividend income, capital gain distributions by Underlying Funds and ETFs are recorded on the ex-dividend date except for certain dividends from securities where the dividend rate is not available. In such cases, the dividend is recorded as soon as the information is received by the Fund. Distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Distributable earnings are determined according to income tax regulations (tax basis) and may differ from earnings recorded in accordance with U.S. GAAP. These differences may be permanent or temporary. Permanent differences are reclassified among capital accounts to reflect their tax

character. These reclassifications have no impact on net assets or the results of operations. Temporary differences are not reclassified, as they may reverse in subsequent periods.

Common expenses incurred by the Trust are allocated among the Funds based on the ratio of net assets of each Fund to the combined net assets of the Trust or based on the ratio of number of shareholders of each Fund to the combined number of shareholders of the Trust. Fund specific expenses are charged directly to the Fund that incurred the expense.

The Fund indirectly bears its proportionate share of expenses from the Underlying Funds. Since the Underlying Funds have varied expense levels and the Fund may own different proportions of the Underlying Funds at different times, the amount of expenses incurred indirectly by the Fund will vary.

Realized and unrealized gains and losses and net investment income, excluding class specific expenses, are allocated daily to each class of shares based upon the relative proportion of net assets of each class. Differences in per share distributions by class are generally due to differences in class specific expenses.

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 in the Statement of Operations.

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

 

 

     
  Semiannual Report             FFA-41  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin Allocation VIP Fund (continued)

 

1.  Organization and Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

j.  Guarantees and Indemnifications (continued)

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 June 30, 2019, there were an unlimited number of shares authorized (without par value). Transactions in the Fund’s shares were as follows:

 

    

Six Months Ended

June 30, 2019

         

Year Ended

December 31, 2018

 
      Shares      Amount           Shares      Amount  
Class 1 Shares:              

Shares sold

     8,946      $ 62,501          17,451      $ 125,360   

Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

     18,101        114,944          8,536        60,348   

Shares redeemed

     (5,329      (36,534        (12,205      (86,621)  
  

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease)

     21,718      $ 140,911          13,782      $ 99,087   
  

 

 

 
Class 2 Shares:              

Shares sold

     1,098,654      $ 7,545,389          4,193,705      $ 28,329,864   

Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

     6,577,483        41,503,915          3,476,936        24,442,861   

Shares redeemed

     (4,614,006      (31,574,645        (10,985,773      (78,245,281)  
  

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease)

     3,062,131      $ 17,474,659          (3,315,132    $  (25,472,556)  
  

 

 

 
Class 4 Shares:              

Shares sold

     434,567      $ 3,007,997          1,130,901      $ 8,277,821   

Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

     6,099,988        39,405,922          3,475,205        24,951,975   

Shares redeemed

     (5,352,130      (37,300,379        (13,897,304      (101,293,664)  
  

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease)

     1,182,425      $ 5,113,540          (9,291,198    $  (68,063,868)  
  

 

 

 

3.  Transactions with Affiliates

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

 

Subsidiary    Affiliation

Franklin Advisers, Inc. (Advisers)

  

Investment Manager

Templeton Global Advisors Limited (Global Advisors)

  

Investment Manager

Franklin Templeton Institutional, LLC (FT Institutional)

  

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

 

     
FFA-42        Semiannual Report  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin Allocation VIP Fund (continued)

 

a.  Management Fees

Effective May 1, 2019, the Fund pays an investment management fee to Advisers of 0.55% per year of the average daily net assets of the Fund.

Effective May 1, 2019, under a subadvisory agreement, Global Advisors and FT Institutional, affiliates of Advisers, provide subadvisory services to the Fund. The subadvisory fee is paid by Advisers based on the Fund’s average daily net assets, and is not an additional expense of the Fund.

b.  Administrative Fees

Effective May 1, 2019, under an agreement with Advisers, FT Services provides administrative services to the Fund. The fee is paid by Advisers based on the Fund’s average daily net assets, and is not an additional expense of the Fund.

Prior to May 1, 2019, the Fund paid FT Services for administrative services. The Fund paid administrative fees of 0.10% per year of the average daily net assets of the Fund.

c.  Distribution Fees

The Board has adopted distribution plans for Class 2 and Class 4 shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. Under the Fund’s 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 0.35% per year of its average daily net assets of each class. The Board has agreed to limit the current rate to 0.25% per year for Class 2. The plan year, for purposes of monitoring compliance with the maximum annual plan rates, is February 1 through January 31.

d.  Transfer Agent Fees

Investor Services, under terms of an agreement, performs shareholder servicing for the Fund and is not paid by the Fund for the services.

e.  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 Statement of Operations, in an amount not to exceed the management and administrative fees paid directly or indirectly by each affiliate. During the period ended June 30, 2019, the Fund held investments in affiliated management investment companies as follows:

 

     

Value at

Beginning

of Period

     Purchases      Sales      Realized
Gain (Loss)
     Net Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
    Value at
End of
Period
     Number of
Shares
Held at End
of Period
     Dividend
Income
 
Controlled Affiliates

 

                   

Templeton Growth VIP Fund, Class 1

   $ 259,507,605      $      $  (285,441,782    $  82,811,056      $  (56,876,879   $             $  
Non-Controlled Affiliates

 

                   

Franklin Income VIP Fund, Class 1

     260,563,549        700,000        (290,767,442      62,950,179        (33,446,286                    

Franklin Mutual Shares VIP
Fund, Class 1

     262,865,813        600,000        (300,176,586      90,385,114        (53,674,341                    

Institutional Fiduciary Trust Money Market Portfolio, 2.05%

            292,991,384        (269,009,736                   23,981,648        23,981,648        212,257  

 

     
  Semiannual Report              FFA-43  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin Allocation VIP Fund (continued)

 

3.  Transactions with Affiliates (continued)

e.  Investments in Affiliated Management Investment Companies (continued)

 

    

Value at

Beginning

of Period

    Purchases     Sales    

Realized

Gain (Loss)

   

Net Change in

Unrealized

Appreciation

(Depreciation)

   

Value at

End of

Period

   

Number of
Shares

Held at End

of Period

    Dividend
Income
 
Non-Controlled Affiliates (continued)

 

         

Templeton Global Bond VIP Fund, Class 1

  $     $  35,760,635     $  —     $     $ (2,430,990   $     33,329,645       1,978,020       $     2,316,602  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Non-Controlled Affiliates

  $ 523,429,362     $ 330,052,019     $  (859,953,764   $ 153,335,293     $  (89,551,617   $     57,311,293         $     2,528,859  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Affiliated Securities

  $ 782,936,967     $ 330,052,019     $ (1,145,395,546   $ 236,146,349     $  (146,428,496   $     57,311,293         $     2,528,859  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

f.  Waiver and Expense Reimbursements

Effective May 1, 2019, Advisers 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 (including acquired fund fees and expenses but excluding distribution fees, and certain non-routine expenses or costs, including those relating to litigation, indemnification, reorganizations, and liquidations) for each class of the Fund do not exceed 0.57%, based on the average net assets of each class until April 30, 2020. Total expenses waived or paid are not subject to recapture subsequent to the Fund’s fiscal year end.

Prior to May 1, 2019, expenses (excluding certain fees and expenses as previously disclosed) for the Fund was limited to 0.10% based on the average net assets of 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 June 30, 2019, there were no credits earned.

5.  Income Taxes

At June 30, 2019, the cost of investments and net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) for income tax purposes were as follows:

 

Cost of investments

     $871,304,931  
  

 

 

 

Unrealized appreciation

     $  21,265,916  

Unrealized depreciation

     (58,102,744
  

 

 

 

Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

     $ (36,836,828
  

 

 

 

Differences between income and/or capital gains as determined on a book basis and a tax basis are primarily due to differing treatments of short term capital gains distributions from Underlying Funds and wash sales.

6.  Investment Transactions

Purchases and sales of investments (excluding short term securities) for the period ended June 30, 2019, aggregated $1,065,348,430 and $1,135,012,871, respectively.

 

     
FFA-44        Semiannual Report  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin Allocation VIP Fund (continued)

 

7.  Other Derivative Information

At June 30, 2019, investments in derivative contracts are reflected in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities as follows:

 

    

Asset Derivatives

          

Liability Derivatives

 

Derivative Contracts

Not Accounted for as

Hedging Instruments

  

Statement of

Assets and Liabilities

Location

   Fair Value            

Statement of

Assets and Liabilities

Location

   Fair Value  

Interest rate contracts

  

Variation margin on futures contracts

     $280,678 a      

Variation margin on futures contracts

     $  82,883  
  

Unrealized appreciation on OTC swap contracts

           

Unrealized depreciation on OTC swap contracts

     41,475  

Foreign exchange contracts

  

Unrealized appreciation on OTC forward exchange contracts

     29,677       

Unrealized depreciation on OTC forward exchange contracts

     49,161  

Credit contracts

  

Variation margin on centrally cleared swap contracts

     8,821 a       

Variation margin on centrally cleared swap contracts

      
  

OTC swap contracts (upfront payments)

           

OTC swap contracts (upfront receipts)

     120,434  
  

Unrealized appreciation on OTC swap contracts

     41,697       

Unrealized depreciation on OTC swap contracts

      

Equity contracts

  

Variation margin on futures contracts

     14,172 a       

Variation margin on futures contracts

      

Totals

        $375,045             $293,953  

aThis amount reflects the cumulative appreciation (depreciation) of futures contracts and centrally cleared swap contracts as reported in the Statement of Investments. Only the variation margin receivable/payable at period end is separately reported within the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

For the period ended June 30, 2019, the effect of derivative contracts in the Statement of Operations was as follows:

 

Derivative Contracts

Not Accounted for as

Hedging Instruments

  

Statement of

Operations Location

   Net Realized
Gain (Loss) for
the Period
            

Statement of

Operations Location

  

Net Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)

for the Period

 
   Net realized gain (loss) from:          Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:   

Interest rate contracts

   Futures contracts      $  44,513          Futures contracts      $197,795   
   Swap contracts      —          Swap contracts      (41,475)  

Foreign exchange contracts

   Forward exchange contracts      1,333          Forward exchange contracts      (19,484)  

Credit contracts

   Swap contracts      (46,642)         Swap contracts      50,518   

Equity contracts

   Futures contracts      —          Futures contracts      14,172   

Totals

        $     (796)              $201,526   

For the period ended June 30, 2019, the average month end notional amount of futures contracts and swap contracts represented $9,987,637 and $8,347,143, respectively. The average month end contract value of forward exchange contracts was $1,586,381.

 

     
  Semiannual Report              FFA-45  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin Allocation VIP Fund (continued)

 

7. Other Derivative Information (continued)

 

At June 30, 2019, OTC derivative assets and liabilities are as follows:

 

     Gross Amounts of
Assets and Liabilities Presented
in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities
 
      Assetsa      Liabilitiesa  
Derivatives      

Forward exchange contracts

     $29,677        $  49,161  

Swap contracts

     41,697        161,909  

Total

     $71,374        $211,070  

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 June 30, 2019, OTC derivative assets, which may be offset against OTC derivative liabilities and collateral received from the counterparty, are as follows:

 

            Amounts Not Offset in the
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
        
     

Gross

Amounts of
Assets Presented in
the Statement of
Assets and Liabilities

     Financial
Instruments
Available for
Offset
    Financial
Instruments
Collateral
Received
     Cash
Collateral
Received
     Net Amount
(Not less
than zero)
 
Counterparty              

CITI

     $  4,834        $  (4,085     $    —        $    —        $  749  

JPHQ

     66,540        (66,540                    

Total

     $71,374        $(70,625     $    —        $    —        $  749  
At June 30, 2019, OTC derivative liabilities, which may be offset against OTC derivative assets and collateral pledged to the counterparty, are as follows:

 

            Amounts Not Offset in the
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
        
     

Gross

Amounts of
Liabilities Presented in
the Statement of
Assets and Liabilities

     Financial
Instruments
Available for
Offset
    Financial
Instruments
Collateral
Pledged
     Cash
Collateral
Pledged
     Net Amount
(Not less
than zero)
 
Counterparty              

CITI

     $    4,085        $  (4,085     $    —        $    —        $          —  

JPHQ

     206,985        (66,540                   140,445  

Total

     $211,070        $(70,625     $    —        $    —        $140,445  

See Note 1(d) regarding derivative financial instruments.

See Abbreviations on page FFA-49.

 

     
FFA-46        Semiannual Report  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin Allocation VIP Fund (continued)

 

8.  Credit Facility

The Fund, together with other U.S. registered and foreign investment funds (collectively, Borrowers), managed by Franklin Templeton, are borrowers in a joint syndicated senior unsecured credit facility totaling $2 billion (Global Credit Facility) which matures on February 7, 2020. This Global Credit Facility provides a source of funds to the Borrowers for temporary and emergency purposes, including the ability to meet future unanticipated or unusually large redemption requests.

Under the terms of the Global Credit Facility, the Fund shall, in addition to interest charged on any borrowings made by the Fund and other costs incurred by the Fund, pay its share of fees and expenses incurred in connection with the implementation and maintenance of the Global Credit Facility, based upon its relative share of the aggregate net assets of all of the Borrowers, including an annual commitment fee of 0.15% based upon the unused portion of the Global Credit Facility. These fees are reflected in other expenses in the Statement of Operations. During the period ended June 30, 2019, 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.

 

     
  Semiannual Report              FFA-47  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin Allocation VIP Fund (continued)

 

9. Fair Value Measurements (continued)

 

A summary of inputs used as of June 30, 2019, in valuing the Fund’s assets and liabilities carried at fair value, is as follows:

 

      Level 1     Level 2     Level 3     Total  
Assets:         

Investments in Securities:a

        

Equity Investmentsb

     $      511,335,744     $     $                     —     $ 511,335,744  

Corporate Bonds

           104,980,664             104,980,664  

Senior Floating Rate Interests

           6,106,949             6,106,949  

Foreign Government and Agency Securities

           4,006,937             4,006,937  

U.S. Government and Agency Securities

           40,601,062             40,601,062  

Asset-Backed Securities and Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities

           44,132,001             44,132,001  

Mortgage-Backed Securities

           99,054,409             99,054,409  

Short Term Investments

     23,981,648                   23,981,648  
  

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities

     $ 535,317,392     $     298,882,022     $     $     834,199,414  
  

 

 

 

Other Financial Instruments:

        

Futures Contracts

     $ 294,850     $     $     $ 294,850  

Forward Exchange Contracts

           29,677             29,677  

Swap Contracts

           50,518             50,518  
  

 

 

 

Total Other Financial Instruments

     $ 294,850     $ 80,195     $     $ 375,045  
  

 

 

 
Liabilities:         

Other Financial Instruments:

        

Futures Contracts

     $ 82,883     $     $     $ 82,883  

Forward Exchange Contracts

           49,161             49,161  

Swap Contracts

           41,475             41,475  
  

 

 

 

Total Other Financial Instruments

     $ 82,883     $ 90,636     $     $ 173,519  
  

 

 

 

aFor detailed categories, see the accompanying Statement of Investments.

bIncludes common stocks and management investment companies.

10.  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.

 

     
FFA-48        Semiannual Report  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin Allocation VIP Fund (continued)

 

 

Abbreviations

 

Counterparty   Currency   Selected Portfolio
CITI   Citigroup, Inc.   COP   Colombian Peso   ADR   American Depositary Receipt
JPHQ   JP Morgan Chase & Co.   DOP   Dominican Peso   CLO   Collateralized Loan Obligations
    EUR   Euro   ETF   Exchange Traded Fund
    GBP   British Pound   FFCB   Federal Farm Credit Bank
    HKD   Hong Kong Dollar   FHLB   Federal Home Loan Bank
    USD   United States Dollar   FRN   Floating Rate Note
    UYU   Uruguayan Peso   IDR   International Depository Receipt
    ZAR   South African Rand   LIBOR   London InterBank Offered Rate
        SF   Single Family

 

Index
CDX.NA.HY.Series number   CDX North America High Yield Index
CDX.NA.IG.Series number   CDX North America Investment Grade Index

 

     
  Semiannual Report              FFA-49  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

 

 

Tax Information (unaudited)

Franklin Allocation VIP Fund

During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, the Fund, a qualified fund of funds under Section 852(g)(2) of Internal Revenue Code, received an allocation of foreign taxes paid from one or more of its underlying funds. As shown in the table below, the Fund hereby reports to shareholders the foreign source income and foreign taxes paid by underlying funds, pursuant to Section 853 of the Internal Revenue Code. This written statement will allow shareholders of record on June 13, 2019, to treat their proportionate share of foreign taxes paid by the underlying funds as having been paid directly by them. The shareholder shall consider these amounts as foreign taxes paid in the tax year in which they receive the Fund distribution.

The following table provides a detailed analysis of foreign tax paid and foreign source as reported by the Fund to shareholders of record.

 

Class    Foreign Tax Paid
Per Share
    Foreign Source
Income Per Share

Class 1

     $0.0054     $0.0526

Class 2

     $0.0054     $0.0526

Class 4

     $0.0054     $0.0526

Foreign Tax Paid Per Share is the amount per share available to you, as a tax credit (assuming you held your shares in the Fund for a minimum of 16 days during the 31-day period beginning 15 days before the ex-dividend date of the Fund’s distribution to which the foreign taxes relate), or, as a tax deduction.

Foreign Source Income Per Share is the amount per share of income dividends attributable to foreign securities held by the Fund, plus any foreign taxes withheld on these dividends.

 

     
FFA-50        Semiannual Report  


Franklin Flex Cap Growth VIP Fund

This semiannual report for Franklin Flex Cap Growth VIP Fund covers the period ended June 30, 2019.

Class 4 Performance Summary as of June 30, 2019

The Fund’s Class 4 Shares posted a +24.91% total return* for the six-month period ended June 30, 2019.

*The Fund has an expense reduction and a fee waiver associated with any investments it makes in a Franklin Templeton money fund and/or other Franklin Templeton fund, contractually guaranteed through 4/30/20. Fund investment results reflect the expense reduction and fee waiver; without these reductions, the results would have been lower.

Performance reflects the Fund’s Class 4 operating expenses, but does not include any contract fees, expenses or sales charges. If they had been included, performance would be lower. These charges and deductions, particularly for variable life policies, can have a significant effect on contract values and insurance benefits. See the contract prospectus for a complete description of these expenses, including sales charges.

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.

 

     
  Semiannual Report                 FFC-1  


FRANKLIN FLEX CAP GROWTH VIP FUND

 

Fund Goal and Main Investments

The Fund seeks capital appreciation. Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests predominantly in equity securities of companies that the investment manager believes have the potential for capital appreciation.

Fund Risks

All investments involve risks, including possible loss of principal. Growth stock prices reflect projections of future earnings or revenues, and can, therefore, fall dramatically if the company fails to meet those projections. To the extent the Fund focuses on particular countries, regions, industries, sectors or types of investment from time to time, it may be subject to greater risk of adverse developments in such areas of focus than a fund that invests in a wider variety of countries, regions, industries, sectors or investments. Smaller, midsized and relatively new or unseasoned companies can be particularly sensitive to changing economic conditions, and their prospects for growth are less certain than those of larger, more established companies. Historically, these securities have experienced more price volatility than larger-company stocks, especially over the short term. Foreign securities involve special risks, including currency fluctuations and economic and political uncertainties. 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.

Performance Overview

You can find the Fund’s six-month total return in the Performance Summary. In comparison, the Russell 3000® Growth Index posted a +21.41% total return, the Russell 1000® Growth Index posted a +21.49% total return, and the Standard & Poor’s® 500 Index (S&P 500®) posted a +18.54% total return for the same period.1

Economic and Market Overview

The U.S. economy grew during the six months ended June 30, 2019. After moderating for two consecutive quarters, the economy grew significantly faster in 2019’s first quarter, driven by growth in consumer spending, inventory investment, exports, business investment, and state and

Portfolio Composition

Based on Total Net Assets as of 6/30/19

 

LOGO

local government spending. However, the economy moderated again in the second quarter, due to weakness in inventory investment, exports, business investment and housing investment. The manufacturing and services sectors expanded during the period. The unemployment rate decreased from 3.9% in December 2018 to 3.7% at period-end.2 The annual inflation rate, as measured by the Consumer Price Index, decreased from 1.9% in December 2018 to 1.6% at period-end.2

The U.S. Federal Reserve (Fed) held its target range for the federal funds rate unchanged, at 2.25%–2.50%, during the reporting period. In March, the Fed mentioned it would end its balance sheet normalization program by the end of

 

 

1. Source: Morningstar. One cannot invest directly in an index, and an index is not representative of the Fund’s portfolio. Please see Index Descriptions following the Fund Summaries.

2. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics.

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).

 

     
FFC-2        Semiannual Report  


FRANKLIN FLEX CAP GROWTH VIP FUND

 

September 2019. In June, the Fed indicated increased uncertainties around its views on economic activity and the labor market. With market-based inflation measures remaining low in recent months, the market has interpreted the Fed’s recent statements to mean it will likely cut rates in 2019’s second half to foster continued economic growth while attempting to achieve its inflation objective.

U.S. equity markets overall rose during the period, benefiting from upbeat economic data and U.S. corporate earnings. However, markets reflected concerns about tighter regulation of technology companies, U.S. political uncertainties, and the impact of U.S. trade disputes with China and other trading partners on global growth and corporate earnings. These concerns were partially alleviated in 2019’s first four months by easing trade tensions and optimism about a potential U.S.-China trade deal. Furthermore, markets benefited from the Fed’s indications of a patient approach to its monetary policy decisions. The broad U.S. stock market, as measured by the S&P 500, rallied in 2019’s first four months, reaching a new all-time high in April 2019. After declining in May due to escalating trade tensions, stocks reached another all-time high in June amid investor optimism about potential interest-rate cuts. Overall, the S&P 500 posted a +18.54% total return for the six-month period.1

Investment Strategy

We use fundamental, bottom-up research to seek companies meeting our criteria of growth potential, quality and valuation. In seeking sustainable growth characteristics, we look for companies we believe can produce sustainable earnings and cash flow growth, evaluating the long-term market opportunity and competitive structure of an industry to target leaders and emerging leaders. We define quality companies as those with strong and improving competitive positions in attractive markets. We also believe important attributes of quality are experienced and talented management teams as well as financial strength reflected in the capital structure, gross and operating margins, free cash flow generation and returns on capital employed. Our valuation analysis includes a range of potential outcomes based on an assessment of multiple scenarios. In assessing value, we consider whether security prices fully reflect the balance of the sustainable growth opportunities relative to business and financial risks.

Top 10 Holdings       

6/30/19

 

      
Company
Sector/Industry
   % of Total
Net Assets
 
Amazon.com Inc.
Retailing
     7.6%  
Microsoft Corp.
Software & Services
     7.3%  
Mastercard Inc.
Software & Services
     7.2%  
ServiceNow Inc.
Software & Services
     5.3%  
Alphabet Inc.
Media & Entertainment
     5.0%  
salesforce.com Inc.
Software & Services
     4.3%  
The Boeing Co.
Capital Goods
     3.7%  
Visa Inc.
Software & Services
     3.5%  
Xilinx Inc.
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment
     3.2%  
American Tower Corp.
Real Estate
     3.2%  

Manager’s Discussion

During the six months ended June 30, 2019, all sectors represented in the Fund’s portfolio posted positive returns and contributed to absolute performance. Relative to the Russell 3000® Growth Index, stock selection and an overweighting in the information technology (IT) sector contributed significantly to the Fund’s performance.3 Stock selection and an underweighting in the health care sector, as well as stock selection in the consumer staples sector, also contributed to relative performance.4

Within the IT sector, our investments in cloud-based enterprise workflow management provider ServiceNow, financial technology company Mastercard and programmable chipmaker Xilinx contributed to relative results. ServiceNow, which enables companies to become more automated and efficient, continues to execute well in its large addressable market. A leader in enabling digital transformation, the company is becoming a multi-platform growth business with a strong product line, in our analysis. The recently introduced pro version of a core offering comes at a

 

 

3. The IT sector comprises semiconductors and semiconductor equipment and software and services in the SOI.

4. The health care sector comprises health care equipment and services and pharmaceuticals, biotechnology and life sciences in the SOI. The consumer staples sector comprises food and staples retailing; food, beverage and tobacco; and household and personal products in the SOI.

 

     
  Semiannual Report                 FFC-3  


FRANKLIN FLEX CAP GROWTH VIP FUND

 

price premium we believe could drive revenue and billings growth. Mastercard continues to perform very well, exceeding expectations and announcing several growth initiatives, partnerships, acquisition of capabilities that expand its global network, investment in emerging regions and expansion into new payment flows. The company has shown an ability to both invest for the long term and deliver solid quarter-to-quarter execution, which we believe is supported by a strong organic growth profile. Xilinx has benefited from its deployment of wireless 5G technology and the growth of its data center business. We like Xilinx’s competitive position and business model, and we believe that data center and artificial intelligence trends can drive growth for years to come.

In the health care sector, our positions in veterinary products and services provider IDEXX Laboratories and medical equipment and services company Danaher (not part of the index) aided relative results.

In the consumer staples sector, our holding in Estee Lauder, a manufacturer of skin care, makeup, fragrance and hair care products, supported relative results.

Other notable contributors to relative results included our positions in streaming subscription service company Netflix and software and engineered products company Roper Technologies.

In contrast, stock selection in the energy and communication services sectors, as well as a lack of exposure to the materials sector, detracted from the Fund’s relative performance.5

Most of the Fund’s investments posted positive returns during the six-month period. However, positive returns from several holdings lagged the benchmark index, and our overweighted positions hurt relative performance. These holdings included oil and natural gas company Concho Resources in the energy sector and Google-parent Alphabet in the communication services sector. Alphabet continued to benefit from the shift toward online spending, Google’s innovation in its advertising businesses and Google Cloud’s strong growth momentum.

Other key detractors with positive returns that lagged the benchmark index included cloud-based customer relationship management company salesforce.com, pharmaceuticals firm Elanco Animal Health, robotic surgery systems manufacturer Intuitive Surgical and medical technology company Becton, Dickinson and Co. The only

key detractor that posted negative returns for the period was electric automobile manufacturer Tesla. Salesforce.com continued to drive digital transformations, aided by its 2018 acquisition of Mulesoft, which has been key to unlocking data from legacy systems to make digital transformation easier. Elanco benefited from robust growth in companion animal therapeutics and the performance of the new products it launched over the past few years. In our analysis, the company is well-positioned in the animal health industry, which is seeing increased demand for animal protein and growth in companion animal demand and spending.

Thank you for your participation in Franklin Flex Cap Growth VIP Fund. We look forward to serving your future investment needs.

 

 

The foregoing information reflects our analysis, opinions and portfolio holdings as of June 30, 2019, 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, state, 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.

 

 

5. The communication services sector comprises media and entertainment in the SOI.

 

     
FFC-4        Semiannual Report  


FRANKLIN FLEX CAP GROWTH VIP FUND

 

Class 4 Fund Expenses

As an investor in a variable insurance contract (Contract) that indirectly provides for investment in an underlying mutual fund, you can incur transaction and/or ongoing expenses at both the Fund level and the Contract Level: (1) transaction expenses can include sales charges (loads) on purchases, surrender fees, transfer fees and premium taxes; and (2) ongoing expenses can include management fees, distribution and service (12b-1) fees, contract fees, annual maintenance fees, mortality and expense risk fees and other fees and expenses. All mutual funds and Contracts have some types of ongoing expenses. The table below shows Fund-level ongoing expenses and can help you understand these costs and compare them with those of other mutual funds offered through the Contract. The table assumes a $1,000 investment held for the six months indicated. Please refer to the Fund prospectus for additional information on operating expenses.

Actual Fund Expenses

The table below provides information about the actual account values and actual expenses in the columns under the heading “Actual.” In these columns the Fund’s actual return, which includes the effect of ongoing Fund expenses but does not include the effect of ongoing Contract expenses, is used to calculate the “Ending Account Value.” You can estimate the Fund-level expenses you paid during the period by following these steps (of course, your account value and expenses will differ from those in this illustration): Divide your account value by $1,000 (if your account had an $8,600 value, then $8,600 ÷ $1,000 = 8.6). Then multiply the result by the number under the headings “Actual” and “Fund-Level Expenses Paid During Period” (if Fund-Level Expenses Paid During Period were $ 7.50, then 8.6 x $ 7.50 = $64.50). In this illustration, the estimated expenses paid this period at the Fund level are $64.50.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison with Other Mutual Funds

Under the heading “Hypothetical” in the table, information is provided about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. This information may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period, but it can help you compare ongoing costs of investing in the Fund with those of other mutual funds offered through the Contract. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds offered through the Contract.

Please note that expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight ongoing costs at the Fund level only and do not reflect any ongoing expenses at the Contract level, or transaction expenses at either the Fund or Contract levels. In addition, while the Fund does not have transaction expenses, if the transaction and ongoing expenses at the Contract level were included, the expenses shown below would be higher. You should consult your Contract prospectus or disclosure document for more information.

 

              

Actual

(actual return after expenses)

        Hypothetical
(5% annual return before expenses)
         

  Share

  Class

   Beginning
Account
Value 1/1/19
        Ending
Account
Value 6/30/19
   Fund-Level
Expenses
Paid During
Period
1/1/19–6/30/191, 2
        Ending
Account
Value 6/30/19
   Fund-Level
Expenses
Paid During
Period
1/1/19–6/30/191, 2
        Net
Annualized
Expense
Ratio2

Class 4

   $1,000       $1,249.10    $5.91       $1,019.54    $5.31       1.06%

1. Expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio for the six-month period as indicated above—in the far right column—multiplied by the simple average account value over the period indicated, and then multiplied by 181/365 to reflect the one-half year period.

2. Reflects expenses after fee waivers and expense reimbursements. Does not include any ongoing expenses of the Contract for which the Fund is an investment option or acquired fund fees and expenses.

 

     
  Semiannual Report                 FFC-5  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

 

Financial Highlights

Franklin Flex Cap Growth VIP Fund

   

Six Months Ended
June 30, 2019

(unaudited)

     Year Ended December 31,  
      2018      2017      2016      2015      2014  

Class 2

                
Per share operating performance
(for a share outstanding throughout the period)
                

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $ 6.46        $ 7.46        $ 5.89        $ 7.09        $ 16.61        $18.11  
       
Income from investment operationsa:                 

Net investment income (loss)b

    (0.01      (0.02      (0.01      (0.03      (0.06      (0.08

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)

    1.62        0.42        1.60        (0.20      1.00        1.09  
       

Total from investment operations

    1.61        0.40        1.59        (0.23      0.94        1.01  
       
Less distributions from:                 

Net realized gains

    (0.38      (1.40      (0.02      (0.97      (10.46      (2.51
       

Net asset value, end of period

    $ 7.69        $ 6.46        $ 7.46        $ 5.89        $ 7.09        $16.61  
       

Total returnc

    24.98%        3.14%        26.94%        (2.89)%        4.37%        6.11%  
Ratios to average net assetsd                 

Expenses before waiver and payments by affiliates

    1.32%        1.30%        1.35%        1.36%        1.33%        1.20%  

Expenses net of waiver and payments by affiliates

    0.96%        0.96% e        0.96%        0.96%        0.96%        0.95%  

Net investment income (loss)

    (0.17)%        (0.20)%        (0.20)%        (0.44)%        (0.62)%        (0.46)%  
Supplemental data                 

Net assets, end of period (000’s)

    $95,382        $69,233        $81,084        $73,337        $82,901        $93,354  

Portfolio turnover rate

    6.82%        15.17%        52.12%        17.76%        88.15%        52.83%  

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

bBased on average daily shares outstanding.

cTotal return does not include fees, charges or expenses imposed by the variable annuity and life insurance contracts for which Franklin Templeton Variable Insurance Products Trust serves as an underlying investment vehicle. Total return is not annualized for periods less than one year.

dRatios are annualized for periods less than one year.

eBenefit of expense reduction rounds to less than 0.01%.

 

     
FFC-6            Semiannual Report   |    The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

 

Franklin Flex Cap Growth VIP Fund (continued)

   

Six Months Ended
June 30, 2019

(unaudited)

     Year Ended December 31,  
      2018      2017      2016      2015      2014  

Class 4

                
Per share operating performance
(for a share outstanding throughout the period)
                

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $ 6.20        $ 7.21        $ 5.70        $ 6.90        $ 16.44        $17.96  
       
Income from investment operationsa:                 

Net investment income (loss)b

    (0.01      (0.02      (0.02      (0.03      (0.07      (0.10

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)

    1.54        0.41        1.55        (0.20      0.99        1.09  
       

Total from investment operations

    1.53        0.39        1.53        (0.23      0.92        0.99  
       
Less distributions from:                 

Net realized gains

    (0.38      (1.40      (0.02      (0.97      (10.46      (2.51
       

Net asset value, end of period

    $ 7.35        $ 6.20        $ 7.21        $ 5.70        $ 6.90        $16.44  
       

Total returnc

    24.91%        3.10%        26.78%        (2.98)%        4.32%        5.98%  
Ratios to average net assetsd                 

Expenses before waiver and payments by affiliates

    1.42%        1.40%        1.45%        1.46%        1.43%        1.30%  

Expenses net of waiver and payments by affiliates

    1.06%        1.06% e        1.06%        1.06%        1.06%        1.05%  

Net investment income (loss)

    (0.27)%        (0.30)%        (0.30)%        (0.54)%        (0.72)%        (0.56)%  
Supplemental data                 

Net assets, end of period (000’s)

    $32,498        $29,681        $30,112        $27,163        $34,479        $31,355  

Portfolio turnover rate

    6.82%        15.17%        52.12%        17.76%        88.15%        52.83%  

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

bBased on average daily shares outstanding.

cTotal return does not include fees, charges or expenses imposed by the variable annuity and life insurance contracts for which Franklin Templeton Variable Insurance Products Trust serves as an underlying investment vehicle. Total return is not annualized for periods less than one year.

dRatios are annualized for periods less than one year.

eBenefit of expense reduction rounds to less than 0.01%.

 

     
  The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.    |   Semiannual Report                 FFC-7  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

 

Statement of Investments, June 30, 2019 (unaudited)

Franklin Flex Cap Growth VIP Fund

 

             
           Shares      Value  
 

Common Stocks 99.3%

     
 

Automobiles & Components 0.3%

     
a  

Tesla Inc.

     1,980      $ 442,451  
       

 

 

 
    Capital Goods 9.6%              
 

The Boeing Co.

     12,870        4,684,809  
 

Fortive Corp.

     39,590        3,227,377  
 

Raytheon Co.

     12,860        2,236,097  
 

Roper Technologies Inc.

     5,940        2,175,584  
       

 

 

 
          12,323,867  
       

 

 

 
 

Consumer Durables & Apparel 1.3%

     
 

NIKE Inc., B

     19,800        1,662,210  
       

 

 

 
    Consumer Services 0.0%              
a  

Luckin Coffee Inc., ADR (China)

     200        3,898  
       

 

 

 
    Diversified Financials 2.9%              
 

CME Group Inc.

     9,900        1,921,689  
 

Intercontinental Exchange Inc.

     19,790        1,700,752  
 

Tradeweb Markets Inc.

     2,870        125,735  
       

 

 

 
          3,748,176  
       

 

 

 
 

Energy 0.8%

     
 

Concho Resources Inc.

     9,890        1,020,450  
       

 

 

 
    Food & Staples Retailing 3.4%              
 

Costco Wholesale Corp.

     14,850        3,924,261  
a  

Grocery Outlet Holding Corp.

     12,420        408,370  
       

 

 

 
          4,332,631  
       

 

 

 
 

Food, Beverage & Tobacco 1.7%

     
a,b  

Beyond Meat Inc.

     1,390        223,345  
 

Constellation Brands Inc., A

     9,910        1,951,676  
       

 

 

 
          2,175,021  
       

 

 

 
 

Health Care Equipment & Services 9.1%

     
a  

Alcon Inc. (Switzerland)

     24,750        1,535,737  
 

Becton, Dickinson and Co.

     9,900        2,494,899  
 

Danaher Corp.

     19,790        2,828,387  
a  

IDEXX Laboratories Inc.

     9,890        2,723,014  
a  

Intuitive Surgical Inc.

     3,960        2,077,218  
       

 

 

 
          11,659,255  
       

 

 

 
 

Household & Personal Products 2.8%

     
 

Estee Lauder Cos. Inc., A

     19,800        3,625,578  
       

 

 

 
    Media & Entertainment 10.6%              
a  

Alphabet Inc., C

     5,940        6,420,605  
a  

Charter Communications Inc., A

     4,956        1,958,512  
a  

Electronic Arts Inc.

     12,860        1,302,204  
a  

Netflix Inc.

     9,880        3,629,121  
a  

Pinterest Inc., A

     8,030        218,577  
       

 

 

 
          13,529,019  
       

 

 

 

 

     
FFC-8            Semiannual Report  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin Flex Cap Growth VIP Fund (continued)

 

           Shares      Value  
  Common Stocks (continued)      
 

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences 2.0%

     
a  

Elanco Animal Health Inc.

     74,250      $ 2,509,650  
       

 

 

 
    Real Estate 3.2%              
 

American Tower Corp.

     19,790        4,046,065  
       

 

 

 
    Retailing 10.0%              
a  

Alibaba Group Holding Ltd., ADR (China)

     9,890        1,675,860  
a  

Amazon.com Inc.

     5,120        9,695,386  
a  

Booking Holdings Inc.

     590        1,106,079  
a  

Chewy Inc., A

     590        20,650  
a  

The RealReal Inc.

     4,310        124,559  
a,b  

Revolve Group Inc.

     2,870        99,015  
       

 

 

 
          12,721,549  
       

 

 

 
 

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment 7.5%

     
 

Analog Devices Inc.

     34,640        3,909,817  
 

NVIDIA Corp.

     9,890        1,624,234  
 

Xilinx Inc.

     34,640        4,084,749  
       

 

 

 
          9,618,800  
       

 

 

 
 

Software & Services 33.7%

     
a  

Adobe Inc.

     9,890        2,914,089  
a  

Crowdstrike Holdings Inc., A

     3,170        216,479  
a  

Elastic NV

     1,570        117,216  
a  

Fastly Inc.

     400        8,112  
 

Mastercard Inc., A

     34,600        9,152,738  
 

Microsoft Corp.

     69,290        9,282,089  
a,b  

Pagerduty Inc.

     1,180        55,519  
a  

PayPal Holdings Inc.

     19,790        2,265,163  
a  

salesforce.com Inc.

     36,630        5,557,870  
a  

ServiceNow Inc.

     24,740        6,792,862  
 

Visa Inc., A

     26,200        4,547,011  
a  

Workday Inc., A

     9,900        2,035,242  
a,b  

Zoom Video Communications Inc., A

     1,390        123,418  
       

 

 

 
          43,067,808  
       

 

 

 
 

Transportation 0.4%

     
a,b  

Lyft Inc., A

     2,480        162,961  
a  

Uber Technologies Inc.

     7,550        350,169  
       

 

 

 
          513,130  
       

 

 

 
 

Total Common Stocks (Cost $65,676,016)

        126,999,558  
       

 

 

 
 

Short Term Investments 0.5%

     
    Money Market Funds (Cost $686) 0.0%              
c,d  

Institutional Fiduciary Trust Money Market Portfolio, 2.05%

     686        686  
       

 

 

 

 

     
  Semiannual Report                 FFC-9  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin Flex Cap Growth VIP Fund (continued)

 

           Shares      Value  
  Short Term Investments (continued)      
e  

Investments from Cash Collateral Received for Loaned Securities 0.5%

     
 

Money Market Funds (Cost $637,700) 0.5%

     
c,d  

Institutional Fiduciary Trust Money Market Portfolio, 2.05%

     637,700      $ 637,700  
       

 

 

 
 

Total Investments (Cost $66,314,402) 99.8%

        127,637,944  
 

Other Assets, less Liabilities 0.2%.

        242,041  
       

 

 

 
 

Net Assets 100.0%

      $ 127,879,985  
       

 

 

 

 

 

See Abbreviations on page FFC-19.

Rounds to less than 0.1% of net assets.

a Non-income producing.

b A portion or all of the security is on loan at June 30, 2019. See Note 1(b).

c See Note 3(e) regarding investments in affiliated management investment companies.

d The rate shown is the annualized seven-day effective yield at period end.

e See Note 1(b) regarding securities on loan.

 

     
FFC-10            Semiannual Report   |    The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

June 30, 2019 (unaudited)

 

     Franklin Flex
Cap Growth
VIP Fund
 

Assets:

 

Investments in securities:

 

Cost - Unaffiliated issuers

          $ 65,676,016  

Cost - Non-controlled affiliates (Note 3e)

    638,386  
 

 

 

 

Value - Unaffiliated issuers+

          $ 126,999,558  

Value - Non-controlled affiliates (Note 3e)

    638,386  

Cash

    1,135,122  

Receivables:

 

Investment securities sold

    5,374  

Capital shares sold

    1,189  

Dividends

    37,140  

Other assets

    75  
 

 

 

 

Total assets

    128,816,844  
 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

Payables:

 

Investment securities purchased

    90,000  

Capital shares redeemed

    52,389  

Management fees

    64,802  

Distribution fees

    57,549  

Trustees’ fees and expenses

    67  

Payable upon return of securities loaned

    637,700  

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

    34,352  
 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    936,859  
 

 

 

 

Net assets, at value

          $ 127,879,985  
 

 

 

 

Net assets consist of:

 

Paid-in capital

          $ 64,770,665  

Total distributable earnings (loss)

    63,109,320  
 

 

 

 

Net assets, at value

          $ 127,879,985  
 

 

 

 
Class 2:  

Net assets, at value

          $ 95,381,928  
 

 

 

 

Shares outstanding

    12,409,286  
 

 

 

 

Net asset value and maximum offering price per share

            $7.69  
 

 

 

 
Class 4:  

Net assets, at value

          $ 32,498,057  
 

 

 

 

Shares outstanding

    4,419,229  
 

 

 

 

Net asset value and maximum offering price per share

            $7.35  
 

 

 

 

 

+Includes securities loaned

  $         620,349  

 

     
  The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.    |   Semiannual Report                 FFC-11  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Statement of Operations

for the six months ended June 30, 2019 (unaudited)

 

     Franklin Flex
Cap Growth
VIP Fund
 

Investment income:

 

Dividends:

 

Unaffiliated issuers

          $ 378,138  

Non-controlled affiliates (Note 3e)

    58,193  

Income from securities loaned:

 

Unaffiliated issuers (net of fees and rebates)

    24,330  

Non-controlled affiliates (Note 3e)

    7,489  
 

 

 

 

Total investment income

    468,150  
 

 

 

 

Expenses:

 

Management fees (Note 3a)

    581,802  

Distribution fees: (Note 3c)

 

Class 2

    108,648  

Class 4

    55,232  

Custodian fees (Note 4)

    1,367  

Reports to shareholders

    23,477  

Professional fees

    20,267  

Trustees’ fees and expenses

    452  

Other

    4,629  
 

 

 

 

Total expenses

    795,874  

Expenses waived/paid by affiliates (Note 3e and 3f)

    (212,142
 

 

 

 

Net expenses

    583,732  
 

 

 

 

Net investment income (loss)

    (115,582
 

 

 

 

Realized and unrealized gains (losses):

 

Net realized gain (loss) from:

 

Investments:

 

Unaffiliated issuers.

    1,921,559  
 

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:

 

Investments:

 

Unaffiliated issuers.

    23,283,920  
 

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    25,205,479  
 

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

          $ 25,089,897  
 

 

 

 

 

     
FFC-12            Semiannual Report   |    The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

    Franklin Flex Cap
Growth VIP Fund
 
     Six Months Ended
June 30, 2019
(unaudited)
     Year Ended
December 31, 2018
 

Increase (decrease) in net assets:

    

Operations:

    

Net investment income (loss)

            $ (115,582              $ (278,068

Net realized gain (loss)

    1,921,559        6,194,237  

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

    23,283,920        (2,119,037
 

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

    25,089,897        3,797,132  
 

 

 

 

Distributions to shareholders:

    

Class 2

    (4,527,604      (15,220,091

Class 4

    (1,613,765      (5,742,189
 

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

    (6,141,369      (20,962,280
 

 

 

 

Capital share transactions: (Note 2)

    

Class 2

    12,618,948        414,873  

Class 4

    (2,602,278      4,469,506  
 

 

 

 

Total capital share transactions

    10,016,670        4,884,379  
 

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets

    28,965,198        (12,280,769

Net assets:

    

Beginning of period

    98,914,787        111,195,556  
 

 

 

 

End of period

            $ 127,879,985                $ 98,914,787  
 

 

 

 

 

     
  The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.    |   Semiannual Report                 FFC-13  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

 

Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited)

 

Franklin Flex Cap Growth VIP Fund

 

1.  Organization and Significant Accounting Policies

Franklin Templeton Variable Insurance Products Trust (Trust) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (1940 Act) as an open-end management investment company, consisting of eighteen separate funds and applies the specialized accounting and reporting guidance in U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (U.S. GAAP). Franklin Flex Cap Growth VIP Fund (Fund) is included in this report. Shares of the Fund are generally sold only to insurance company separate accounts to fund the benefits of variable life insurance policies or variable annuity contracts. The Fund offers two classes of shares: Class 2 and Class 4. Each class of shares may differ by its distribution fees, voting rights on matters affecting a single class and its exchange privilege.

The following summarizes the Fund’s significant accounting policies.

a.  Financial Instrument Valuation

The Fund’s investments in financial instruments are carried at fair value daily. Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. The Fund calculates the net asset value (NAV) per share each business day as of 4 p.m. Eastern time or the regularly scheduled close of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), whichever is earlier. Under compliance policies and procedures approved by the Trust’s Board of Trustees (the Board), the Fund’s administrator has responsibility for oversight of valuation, including leading the cross-functional Valuation Committee (VC). The Fund may utilize independent pricing services, quotations from securities and financial instrument dealers, and other market sources to determine fair value.

Equity securities listed on an exchange or on the NASDAQ National Market System are valued at the last quoted sale price or the official closing price of the day, respectively. Foreign equity securities are valued as of the close of trading on the foreign stock exchange on which the security is primarily traded, or as of 4 p.m. Eastern time. The value is then converted into its U.S. dollar equivalent at the foreign exchange rate in effect at 4 p.m. Eastern time on the day that the value of the security is determined. Over-the-counter (OTC) securities are valued within the range of the most recent quoted bid and ask prices. Securities that trade in multiple markets or on multiple exchanges are valued

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

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

The Fund has procedures to determine the fair value of financial instruments for which market prices are not reliable or readily available. Under these procedures, the Fund primarily employs a market-based approach which may use related or comparable assets or liabilities, recent transactions, market multiples, book values, and other relevant information for the investment to determine the fair value of the investment. An income-based valuation approach may also be used in which the anticipated future cash flows of the investment are discounted to calculate fair value. Discounts may also be applied due to the nature or duration of any restrictions on the disposition of the investments. Due to the inherent uncertainty of valuations of such investments, the fair values may differ significantly from the values that would have been used had an active market existed.

Trading in securities on foreign securities stock exchanges and OTC markets may be completed before 4 p.m. Eastern time. In addition, trading in certain foreign markets may not take place on every Fund’s business day. Occasionally, events occur between the time at which trading in a foreign security is completed and 4 p.m. Eastern time that might call into question the reliability of the value of a portfolio security held by the Fund. As a result, differences may arise between the value of the Fund’s portfolio securities as determined at the foreign market close and the latest indications of value at 4 p.m. Eastern time. In order to minimize the potential for these differences, 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.

 

 

     
FFC-14            Semiannual Report  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin Flex Cap Growth VIP Fund (continued)

 

When the last day of the reporting period is a non-business day, certain foreign markets may be open on those days that the Fund’s NAV is not calculated, which could result in differences between the value of the Fund’s portfolio securities on the last business day and the last calendar day of the reporting period. Any significant security valuation changes due to an open foreign market are adjusted and reflected by the Fund for financial reporting purposes.

b.  Securities Lending

The Fund participates in an agency based securities lending program to earn additional income. The Fund receives cash collateral against the loaned securities in an amount equal to at least 102% of the fair value of the loaned securities. Collateral is maintained over the life of the loan in an amount not less than 100% of the fair value of loaned securities, as determined at the close of Fund business each day; any additional collateral required due to changes in security values is delivered to the Fund on the next business day. The collateral is deposited into a joint cash account with other funds and is used to invest in a money market fund managed by Franklin Advisers, Inc., an affiliate of the Fund. The Fund may receive income from the investment of cash collateral, in addition to lending fees and rebates paid by the borrower. Income from securities loaned, net of fees paid to the securities lending agent and/or third-party vendor, is reported separately in the Statement of Operations. The Fund bears the market risk with respect to the collateral investment, securities loaned, and the risk that the agent may default on its obligations to the Fund. If the borrower defaults on its obligation to return the securities loaned, the Fund has the right to repurchase the securities in the open market using the collateral received. The securities lending agent has agreed to indemnify the Fund in the event of default by a third party borrower.

c.  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 if applicable, 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 June 30, 2019, the Fund has determined that no tax liability is required in its financial statements related to uncertain tax positions for any open tax years (or expected to be taken in future tax years). Open tax years are those that remain subject to examination and are based on the statute of limitations in each jurisdiction in which the Fund invests.

d.  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. Estimated expenses are accrued daily. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date except for certain dividends from securities where the dividend rate is not available. In such cases, the dividend is recorded as soon as the information is received by the Fund. Distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Distributable earnings are determined according to income tax regulations (tax basis) and may differ from earnings recorded in accordance with U.S. GAAP. These differences may be permanent or temporary. Permanent differences are reclassified among capital accounts to reflect their tax character. These reclassifications have no impact on net assets or the results of operations. Temporary differences are not reclassified, as they may reverse in subsequent periods.

Common expenses incurred by the Trust are allocated among the Funds based on the ratio of net assets of each Fund to the combined net assets of the Trust or based on the ratio of number of shareholders of each Fund to the combined number of shareholders of the Trust. Fund specific expenses are charged directly to the Fund that incurred the expense.

Realized and unrealized gains and losses and net investment income, excluding class specific expenses, are allocated daily to each class of shares based upon the relative proportion of

 

 

     
  Semiannual Report                 FFC-15  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin Flex Cap Growth VIP Fund (continued)

 

1.  Organization and Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

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

net assets of each class. Differences in per share distributions by class are generally due to differences in class specific expenses.

e.  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.

f.  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 June 30, 2019, there were an unlimited number of shares authorized (without par value). Transactions in the Fund’s shares were as follows:

 

     Six Months Ended
June 30, 2019
    Year Ended
December 31, 2018
 
      Shares      Amount     Shares     Amount  
Class 2 Shares:          

Shares sold

     2,714,443      $ 20,070,664       2,321,138     $ 17,811,401   

Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

     606,105        4,527,604       2,079,248       15,220,091   

Shares redeemed

     (1,625,580      (11,979,320     (4,549,773     (32,616,619)  
  

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease)

     1,694,968      $ 12,618,948       (149,387   $ 414,873   
  

 

 

 
Class 4 Shares:          

Shares sold

     232,995      $ 1,678,368       1,392,557     $ 10,306,262   

Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

     226,018        1,613,765       816,812       5,742,189   

Shares redeemed

     (827,911      (5,894,411     (1,595,007     (11,578,945)  
  

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease)

     (368,898    $ (2,602,278     614,362     $ 4,469,506   
  

 

 

 

3.  Transactions with Affiliates

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

 

Subsidiary    Affiliation

Franklin Advisers, Inc. (Advisers)

   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

 

     
FFC-16            Semiannual Report  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin Flex Cap Growth VIP Fund (continued)

 

a.  Management Fees

The Fund pays an investment management fee to Advisers based on the average daily net assets of the Fund as follows:

 

Annualized Fee Rate    Net Assets

1.000%

  

Up to and including $100 million

0.900%

  

Over $100 million, up to and including $250 million

0.850%

  

Over $250 million, up to and including $10 billion

0.800%

  

Over $10 billion, up to and including $12.5 billion

0.775%

  

Over $12.5 billion, up to and including $15 billion

0.750%

  

In excess of $15 billion

For the period ended June 30, 2019, the annualized gross effective investment management fee rate was 0.982% of the Fund’s average daily net assets.

b.  Administrative Fees

Under an agreement with Advisers, FT Services provides administrative services to the Fund. The fee is paid by Advisers 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 Class 2 and Class 4 shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. Under the Fund’s 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 0.35% per year of its average daily net assets of Class 2 and Class 4, respectively. The Board has agreed to limit the current rate to 0.25% per year for Class 2. The plan year, for purposes of monitoring compliance with the maximum annual plan rates, is February 1 through January 31.

d.  Transfer Agent Fees

Investor Services, under terms of an agreement, performs shareholder servicing for the Fund and is not paid by the Fund for the services.

e.  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 Statement of Operations, in an amount not to exceed the management and administrative fees paid directly or indirectly by each affiliate. During the period ended June 30, 2019, the Fund held investments in affiliated management investment companies as follows:

 

      Value at
Beginning
of Period
     Purchases      Sales      Realized
Gain (Loss)
     Net Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
     Value at
End of
Period
     Number of
Shares
Held at End
of Period
     Investment
Income
 
Non-Controlled Affiliates                        
                          Dividends  
                       

 

 

 

Institutional Fiduciary Trust Money Market Portfolio, 2.05%

     $      639        $22,071,025        $(22,070,978)        $      —        $      —        $    686        686        $58,193  

 

     
  Semiannual Report                 FFC-17  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin Flex Cap Growth VIP Fund (continued)

 

3. Transactions with Affiliates (continued)

e. Investments in Affiliated Management Investment Companies (continued)

 

      Value at
Beginning
of Period
     Purchases      Sales     Realized
Gain (Loss)
     Net Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
     Value at
End of
Period
     Number of
Shares
Held at End
of Period
     Investment
Income
 
Non-Controlled Affiliates (continued)

 

                   
                        

Income from
securities
loaned
 
 
 
                      

 

 

 

Institutional Fiduciary Trust Money Market Portfolio, 2.05%

     $107,250        $ 6,404,390        $ (5,873,940)      $      —        $      —        $637,700          637,700        $  7,489  
  

 

 

       

 

 

 

Total Affiliated Securities

     $107,889        $28,475,415        $ (27,944,918)      $      —        $      —        $638,386             $65,682  
  

 

 

       

 

 

 

f.  Waiver and Expense Reimbursements

Advisers have 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 and acquired fund fees and expenses and certain non-routine expenses or costs, including those relating to litigation, indemnification, reorganizations, and liquidations) for each class of the Fund does not exceed 0.71% based on the average net assets of each class until April 30, 2020. Total expenses waived or paid are not subject to recapture subsequent to the Fund’s fiscal year end.

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 June 30, 2019, there were no credits earned.

5.  Income Taxes

At June 30, 2019, the cost of investments and net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) for income tax purposes were as follows:

 

Cost of investments

       $ 66,333,636   
  

 

 

 

Unrealized appreciation

       $ 61,856,322   

Unrealized depreciation

     (552,014)  
  

 

 

 

Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

       $ 61,304,308   
  

 

 

 

Differences between income and/or capital gains as determined on a book basis and a tax basis are primarily due to differing treatment of passive foreign investment company shares.

6.  Investment Transactions

Purchases and sales of investments (excluding short term securities) for the period ended June 30, 2019, aggregated $13,682,051 and $7,710,514, respectively.

 

     
FFC-18            Semiannual Report  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin Flex Cap Growth VIP Fund (continued)

 

At June 30, 2019, in connection with securities lending transactions, the Fund loaned equity investments and received $637,700 of cash collateral. The gross amount of recognized liability for such transactions is included in payable upon return of securities loaned in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. The agreements can be terminated at any time.

7.  Credit Facility

The Fund, together with other U.S. registered and foreign investment funds (collectively, Borrowers), managed by Franklin Templeton, are borrowers in a joint syndicated senior unsecured credit facility totaling $2 billion (Global Credit Facility) which matures on February 7, 2020. This Global Credit Facility provides a source of funds to the Borrowers for temporary and emergency purposes, including the ability to meet future unanticipated or unusually large redemption requests.

Under the terms of the Global Credit Facility, the Fund shall, in addition to interest charged on any borrowings made by the Fund and other costs incurred by the Fund, pay its share of fees and expenses incurred in connection with the implementation and maintenance of the Global Credit Facility, based upon its relative share of the aggregate net assets of all of the Borrowers, including an annual commitment fee of 0.15% based upon the unused portion of the Global Credit Facility. These fees are reflected in other expenses in the Statement of Operations. During the period ended June 30, 2019, the Fund did not use the Global Credit Facility.

8.  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.

At June 30, 2019, all of the Fund’s investments in financial instruments carried at fair value were valued using Level 1 inputs. For detailed categories, see the accompanying Statement of Investments.

9.  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

 

Selected Portfolio
ADR   American Depositary Receipt

 

     
  Semiannual Report                 FFC-19  


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Franklin Income VIP Fund

This semiannual report for Franklin Income VIP Fund covers the period ended June 30, 2019.

Class 4 Performance Summary as of June 30, 2019

The Fund’s Class 4 Shares posted a +11.07% total return* for the six-month period ended June 30, 2019.

*The Fund has a fee waiver associated with any investment it makes in a Franklin Templeton money fund and/or other Franklin Templeton fund, contractually guaranteed through 4/30/20. Fund investment results reflect the fee waiver; without this waiver, the results would have been lower.

Performance reflects the Fund’s Class 4 operating expenses, but does not include any contract fees, expenses or sales charges. If they had been included, performance would be lower. These charges and deductions, particularly for variable life policies, can have a significant effect on contract values and insurance benefits. See the contract prospectus for a complete description of these expenses, including sales charges.

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.

 

     
  Semiannual Report                 FI-1  


FRANKLIN INCOME VIP FUND

 

Fund Goal and Main Investments

The Fund seeks to maximize income, while maintaining prospects for capital appreciation. Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests in a diversified portfolio of debt and equity securities.

Fund Risks

All investments involve risks, including possible loss of principal. Stock prices fluctuate, sometimes rapidly and dramatically, due to factors affecting individual companies, particular industries or sectors, or general market conditions. The Fund’s portfolio includes a substantial portion of higher yielding, lower rated corporate bonds because of the relatively higher yields they offer. The Fund’s share price and yield will be affected by interest rate movements. 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. Changes in the financial strength of a bond issuer or in a bond’s credit rating may affect its value. Foreign investing carries additional risks such as currency and market volatility and political or social instability, risks that are heightened in developing countries. The Fund is actively managed but there is no guarantee that the manager’s investment decisions will produce the desired results. The Fund’s prospectus also includes a description of the main investment risks.

Performance Overview

You can find the Fund’s six-month total return in the Performance Summary. In comparison, the Fund’s primary benchmark, the Standard & Poor’s® 500 Index (S&P 500®), posted an +18.54% total return.1 The Fund’s new secondary benchmark, the Blended 50% MSCI USA High Dividend Yield Index + 25% Bloomberg Barclays High Yield Very Liquid Index + 25% Bloomberg Barclays US Aggregate Index posted a +10.58% total return (Blended Benchmark).2 The Fund’s old secondary benchmark, the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index posted a +6.11% total return.1 We believe the new second benchmark’s composition more accurately reflects the Fund’s holdings.

Portfolio Composition

6/30/19

 

      % of Total
Net Assets
Equity*      46.5%  
Financials      7.6%  
Health Care      6.1%  
Information Technology      5.9%  
Energy      5.5%  
Utilities      5.5%  
Communication Services      3.7%  
Consumer Discretionary      3.6%  
Materials      3.4%  
Consumer Staples      3.2%  
Industrials      1.5%  
Real Estate      0.5%  
Fixed Income**      48.5%  
Health Care      14.6%  
Financials      12.9%  
Energy      6.5%  
Communication Services      5.0%  
Consumer Discretionary      2.7%  
Materials      1.7%  
Industrials      1.6%  
Utilities      1.1%  
Consumer Staples      1.1%  
Information Technology      0.7%  
Real Estate      0.6%  
Short-Term Investments & Other Net Assets      5.0%  

*Includes convertible bonds.

**Includes senior floating rate interests and index-linked notes.

Economic and Market Overview

The U.S. economy grew during the six months ended June 30, 2019. After moderating for two consecutive quarters, the economy grew significantly faster in 2019’s first quarter, driven by growth in consumer spending, inventory investment, exports, business investment, and state and local government spending. However, the economy moderated again in the second quarter, due to weakness in

 

 

1. Source: Morningstar.

2. Source: Factset. The Fund’s blended benchmark was calculated internally and rebalanced monthly. One cannot invest directly in an index, and an index is not representative of the Fund’s portfolio. Please see Index Descriptions following the Fund Summaries.

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).

 

     
FI-2        Semiannual Report  


FRANKLIN INCOME VIP FUND

 

inventory investment, exports, business investment and housing investment. The manufacturing and services sectors expanded during the period. The unemployment rate decreased from 3.9% in December 2018 to 3.7% at period-end.3 The annual inflation rate, as measured by the Consumer Price Index, decreased from 1.9% in December 2018 to 1.6% at period-end.3

The U.S. Federal Reserve (Fed) held its target range for the federal funds rate unchanged, at 2.25%–2.50%, during the reporting period. In March, the Fed mentioned it would end its balance sheet normalization program by the end of September 2019. In June, the Fed indicated increased uncertainties around its views on economic activity and the labor market. With market-based inflation measures remaining low in recent months, the market has interpreted the Fed’s recent statements to mean it will likely cut rates in 2019’s second half to foster continued economic growth while attempting to achieve its inflation objective.

The 10-year Treasury yield, which moves inversely to its price, decreased during the period. The yield rose at some points during 2019’s first quarter amid several better-than-expected U.S. economic reports and optimism about a potential U.S.-China trade deal. However, concerns about political uncertainties in the U.S., slower domestic and global economic growth, and the Fed’s patient approach to its monetary policy decisions weighed on the Treasury yield. Near period-end, the 10-year yield reached multi-year lows and fell below certain short-term yields, due to weaker economic data and escalating U.S. trade tensions with China and Mexico. Overall, the 10-year Treasury yield declined from 2.69% at the beginning of the period to 2.00% at period-end.

Investment Strategy

In analyzing debt and equity securities, we consider such factors as a company’s experience and managerial strength; responsiveness to changes in interest rates and business conditions; debt maturity schedules and borrowing requirements; changing financial condition and market recognition of the change; and a security’s relative value based on such factors as anticipated cash flow, interest or dividend coverage, asset coverage and earnings. When choosing investments for the Fund, we apply a bottom-up, value oriented, long-term approach, focusing on the market price of a company’s securities relative to the investment manager’s evaluation of the company’s long-term earnings, asset value and cash flow potential.

Top Five Equity Holdings

6/30/19

 

Company

Sector/Industry

   % of Total
Net Assets
Wells Fargo & Co.
Financials
     2.1%  
The Southern Co.
Utilities
     1.7%  
JPMorgan Chase & Co.
Banks
     1.6%  
Dominion Energy Inc.
Utilities
     1.6%  
Verizon Communications Inc.
Communication Services
     1.3%  

Manager’s Discussion

The Fund outperformed during the six-month period driven by strong performance across both equity and fixed income holdings. Asset allocation was relatively stable during the six-month period and ended with 48.5% in fixed income, 46.5% in equity and 5.0% in cash.

Fixed income holdings benefited from the sharp decline in interest rates during the period as well as the stabilization and then decline in credit spreads following the turbulence experienced at the end of 2018. This was true across most credit ratings categories and corporate sectors.

Health care bonds were significant positive contributors, especially those in the hospital services sector including Tenet Healthcare and Community Health Systems, where improvements in operations and focus on balance sheet improvements drove total return.

Energy sector corporate bond holdings were weak, especially Weatherford International as the company seeks a broader recapitalization of its balance sheet necessitated at least in part by the deteriorating upstream oil and gas fundamental outlook.

While our Treasury holdings benefited performance during periods of elevated market volatility, the generally shorter duration of our positioning lagged the broader market move amid the sharp decline in longer-term interest rates.

The Fund had positive performance from all sectors across the equity asset class with top contributors to performance in utilities, consumer discretionary and information technology.

 

 

3. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics.

 

     
  Semiannual Report                 FI-3  


FRANKLIN INCOME VIP FUND

 

Top Five Fixed Income Holdings

and Senior Floating Rate Interests*

6/30/19

 

Company

Sector/Industry

   % of Total
Net Assets

U.S. Treasury Note

Financials

     7.0%  

CHS/Community Health Systems Inc.

Health Care

     4.8%  

Tenet Healthcare Corp.

Health Care

     2.8%  

Chesapeake Energy Corp.

Energy

     2.6%  

Bausch Health Cos. Inc.

Health Care

     1.8%  

*Does not include convertible bonds.

Utilities including Southern Co. and Sempra Energy benefited from the decline in interest rates and heightened investor interest in stable businesses amid prospects for weakening economic growth and uncertainty related to trade tensions.

Consumer discretionary holdings, including Target and Ford Motor, had better-than-expected earnings as the macro backdrop improved due in part to the dovish pivot by the Federal Reserve.

Technology and financial sector exposures round out the list of top contributors, especially JP Morgan Chase, Bank of America, Apple and Texas Instruments.

Energy sector equity positions were the leading detractors, including the convertible securities of Weatherford International and the common equity investments in Occidental Petroleum and Halliburton.

Thank you for your participation in Franklin Income VIP Fund. We look forward to serving your future investment needs.

 

 

The foregoing information reflects our analysis, opinions and portfolio holdings as of June 30, 2019, 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.

 

 

     
FI-4        Semiannual Report  


FRANKLIN INCOME VIP FUND

 

Class 4 Fund Expenses

As an investor in a variable insurance contract (Contract) that indirectly provides for investment in an underlying mutual fund, you can incur transaction and/or ongoing expenses at both the Fund level and the Contract Level: (1) transaction expenses can include sales charges (loads) on purchases, surrender fees, transfer fees and premium taxes; and (2) ongoing expenses can include management fees, distribution and service (12b-1) fees, contract fees, annual maintenance fees, mortality and expense risk fees and other fees and expenses. All mutual funds and Contracts have some types of ongoing expenses. The table below shows Fund-level ongoing expenses and can help you understand these costs and compare them with those of other mutual funds offered through the Contract. The table assumes a $1,000 investment held for the six months indicated. Please refer to the Fund prospectus for additional information on operating expenses.

Actual Fund Expenses

The table below provides information about the actual account values and actual expenses in the columns under the heading “Actual.” In these columns the Fund’s actual return, which includes the effect of ongoing Fund expenses but does not include the effect of ongoing Contract expenses, is used to calculate the “Ending Account Value.” You can estimate the Fund-level expenses you paid during the period by following these steps (of course, your account value and expenses will differ from those in this illustration): Divide your account value by $1,000 (if your account had an $8,600 value, then $8,600 ÷ $1,000 = 8.6). Then multiply the result by the number under the headings “Actual” and “Fund-Level Expenses Paid During Period” (if Fund-Level Expenses Paid During Period were $ 7.50, then 8.6 x $ 7.50 = $64.50). In this illustration, the estimated expenses paid this period at the Fund level are $64.50.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison with Other Mutual Funds

Under the heading “Hypothetical” in the table, information is provided about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. This information may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period, but it can help you compare ongoing costs of investing in the Fund with those of other mutual funds offered through the Contract. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds offered through the Contract.

Please note that expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight ongoing costs at the Fund level only and do not reflect any ongoing expenses at the Contract level, or transaction expenses at either the Fund or Contract levels. In addition, while the Fund does not have transaction expenses, if the transaction and ongoing expenses at the Contract level were included, the expenses shown below would be higher. You should consult your Contract prospectus or disclosure document for more information.

 

              

Actual

(actual return after expenses)

       

Hypothetical

(5% annual return before expenses)

         

  Share

  Class

   Beginning
Account
Value 1/1/19
        Ending
Account
Value 6/30/19
   Fund-Level
Expenses
Paid  During
Period
1/1/19–6/30/191, 2
        Ending
Account
Value 6/30/19
   Fund-Level
Expenses
Paid During
Period
1/1/19–6/30/191,  2
        Net
Annualized
Expense
Ratio2

Class 4

   $1,000       $1,110.70    $4.24       $1,020.78    $4.06       0.81%

1. Expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio for the six-month period as indicated above—in the far right column—multiplied by the simple average account value over the period indicated, and then multiplied by 181/365 to reflect the one-half year period.

2. Reflects expenses after fee waivers and expense reimbursements. Does not include any ongoing expenses of the Contract for which the Fund is an investment option or acquired fund fees and expenses.

 

     
  Semiannual Report                 FI-5  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

 

Financial Highlights

Franklin Income VIP Fund

   

Six Months Ended
June 30, 2019

(unaudited)

     Year Ended December 31,  
      2018      2017      2016      2015      2014  

Class 1

                
Per share operating performance
(for a share outstanding throughout the period)
                

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $15.26        $16.72        $15.87        $14.64        $16.48        $16.53  
       
Income from investment operationsa:                 

Net investment incomeb

    0.39        0.71        0.69        0.67        0.71        0.72  

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)

    1.31        (1.35      0.87        1.34        (1.78      0.11  
       

Total from investment operations

    1.70        (0.64      1.56        2.01        (1.07      0.83  
       
Less distributions from:                 

Net investment income

    (0.91      (0.82      (0.71      (0.78      (0.77      (0.88

Net realized gains

    (0.26                                   
       

Total distributions

    (1.17      (0.82      (0.71      (0.78      (0.77      (0.88
       

Net asset value, end of period

    $15.79        $15.26        $16.72        $15.87        $14.64        $16.48  
       

Total returnc

    11.28%        (4.09)%        9.94%        14.33%        (6.84)%        4.92%  
Ratios to average net assetsd                 

Expenses before waiver and payments by affiliates

    0.47%        0.47%        0.47%        0.47%        0.46%        0.47%  

Expenses net of waiver and payments by affiliatese

    0.46%        0.45%        0.45%        0.44%        0.46%f        0.47%  

Net investment income

    4.55%        4.33%        4.22%        4.47%        4.47%        4.26%  
Supplemental data                 

Net assets, end of period (000’s)

    $384,807        $612,657        $735,149        $696,227        $604,228        $714,664  

Portfolio turnover rate

    10.42%        43.22%        20.96%        39.03%        31.53%        24.77%  

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

bBased on average daily shares outstanding.

cTotal return does not include fees, charges or expenses imposed by the variable annuity and life insurance contracts for which Franklin Templeton Variable Insurance Products Trust serves as an underlying investment vehicle. Total return is not annualized for periods less than one year.

dRatios are annualized for periods less than one year.

eBenefit of expense reduction rounds to less than 0.01%.

fBenefit of waiver and payments by affiliates rounds to less than 0.01%.

 

     
FI-6            Semiannual Report   |    The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

 

Franklin Income VIP Fund (continued)

 

   

Six Months Ended
June 30, 2019

(unaudited)

     Year Ended December 31,  
      2018      2017      2016      2015      2014  

Class 2

                

Per share operating performance

(for a share outstanding throughout the period)

                

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $14.74        $16.17        $15.38        $14.20        $16.00        $16.07  
       
Income from investment operationsa:                 

Net investment incomeb

    0.34        0.65        0.63        0.61        0.65        0.66  

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)

    1.28        (1.30      0.83        1.31        (1.73      0.11  
       

Total from investment operations

    1.62        (0.65      1.46        1.92        (1.08      0.77  
       
Less distributions from:                 

Net investment income

    (0.87      (0.78      (0.67      (0.74      (0.72      (0.84

Net realized gains

    (0.26                                   
       

Total distributions

    (1.13      (0.78      (0.67      (0.74      (0.72      (0.84
       

Net asset value, end of period

    $15.23        $14.74        $16.17        $15.38        $14.20        $16.00  
       

Total returnc

    11.10%        (4.30)%        9.67%        14.02%        (7.05)%        4.62%  
Ratios to average net assetsd                 

Expenses before waiver and payments by affiliates

    0.72%        0.72%        0.72%        0.72%        0.71%        0.72%  

Expenses net of waiver and payments by affiliatese

    0.71%        0.70%        0.70%        0.69%        0.71%f        0.72%  

Net investment income

    4.30%        4.08%        3.97%        4.22%        4.22%        4.01%  
Supplemental data                 

Net assets, end of period (000’s)

    $4,366,594        $4,086,652        $5,041,498        $5,088,556        $4,907,599        $6,022,804  

Portfolio turnover rate

    10.42%        43.22%        20.96%        39.03%        31.53%        24.77%  

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

bBased on average daily shares outstanding.

cTotal return does not include fees, charges or expenses imposed by the variable annuity and life insurance contracts for which Franklin Templeton Variable Insurance Products Trust serves as an underlying investment vehicle. Total return is not annualized for periods less than one year.

dRatios are annualized for periods less than one year.

eBenefit of expense reduction rounds to less than 0.01%.

fBenefit of waiver and payments by affiliates rounds to less than 0.01%.

 

     
  The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.    |   Semiannual Report                 FI-7  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

 

Franklin Income VIP Fund (continued)

 

   

Six Months Ended
June 30, 2019

(unaudited)

     Year Ended December 31,  
      2018      2017      2016      2015      2014  

Class 4

                

Per share operating performance

(for a share outstanding throughout the period)

                

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $15.08        $16.53        $15.71        $14.49        $16.31        $16.36  
       
Income from investment operationsa:                 

Net investment incomeb

    0.33        0.64        0.62        0.61        0.65        0.66  

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)

    1.32        (1.33      0.85        1.33        (1.76      0.11  
       

Total from investment operations

    1.65        (0.69      1.47        1.94        (1.11      0.77  
       
Less distributions from:                 

Net investment income

    (0.85      (0.76      (0.65      (0.72      (0.71      (0.82

Net realized gains

    (0.26                                   
       

Total distributions

    (1.11      (0.76      (0.65      (0.72      (0.71      (0.82
       

Net asset value, end of period

    $15.62        $15.08        $16.53        $15.71        $14.49        $16.31  
       

Total returnc

    11.07%        (4.42)%        9.55%        13.87%        (7.15)%        4.52%  
Ratios to average net assetsd                 

Expenses before waiver and payments by affiliates

    0.82%        0.82%        0.82%        0.82%        0.81%        0.82%  

Expenses net of waiver and payments by affiliatese

    0.81%        0.80%        0.80%        0.79%        0.81%f        0.82%  

Net investment income

    4.20%        3.98%        3.87%        4.12%        4.12%        3.91%  
Supplemental data                 

Net assets, end of period (000’s)

    $317,776        $294,700        $335,217        $309,935        $306,023        $378,545  

Portfolio turnover rate

    10.42%        43.22%        20.96%        39.03%        31.53%        24.77%  

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

bBased on average daily shares outstanding.

cTotal return does not include fees, charges or expenses imposed by the variable annuity and life insurance contracts for which Franklin Templeton Variable Insurance Products Trust serves as an underlying investment vehicle. Total return is not annualized for periods less than one year.

dRatios are annualized for periods less than one year.

eBenefit of expense reduction rounds to less than 0.01%.

fBenefit of waiver and payments by affiliates rounds to less than 0.01%.

 

     
FI-8            Semiannual Report   |    The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

 

Statement of Investments, June 30, 2019 (unaudited)

Franklin Income VIP Fund

 

          
           Country        Shares        Value  
 

Common Stocks 39.0%

            
 

Communication Services 1.8%

            
 

BCE Inc.

     Canada          466,000        $ 21,198,152  
 

Verizon Communications Inc.

     United States          1,200,000          68,556,000  
              

 

 

 
                 89,754,152  
              

 

 

 
 

Consumer Discretionary 2.7%

            
 

Ford Motor Co.

     United States          3,903,000          39,927,690  
 

General Motors Co.

     United States          1,425,000          54,905,250  
 

Target Corp.

     United States          500,000          43,305,000  
              

 

 

 
                 138,137,940  
              

 

 

 
 

Consumer Staples 3.2%

            
 

Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV, ADR

     Belgium          300,000          26,553,000  
 

The Coca-Cola Co.

     United States          245,600          12,505,952  
 

PepsiCo Inc.

     United States          300,000          39,339,000  
 

Philip Morris International Inc.

     United States          350,000          27,485,500  
 

The Procter & Gamble Co.

     United States          500,000          54,825,000  
              

 

 

 
                 160,708,452  
              

 

 

 
 

Energy 5.0%

            
 

Baker Hughes a GE Co., A

     United States          795,000          19,580,850  
 

Chevron Corp.

     United States          400,000          49,776,000  
 

Exxon Mobil Corp.

     United States          500,000          38,315,000  
 

Halliburton Co.

     United States          839,165          19,082,612  
 

Occidental Petroleum Corp.

     United States          500,000          25,140,000  
 

Royal Dutch Shell PLC, A, ADR

     United Kingdom          900,000          58,563,000  
 

Schlumberger Ltd.

     United States          225,000          8,941,500  
 

TC Energy Corp.

     Canada          350,000          17,332,000  
 

The Williams Cos. Inc.

     United States          600,000          16,824,000  
              

 

 

 
                 253,554,962  
              

 

 

 
 

Financials 5.6%

            
 

Bank of America Corp.

     United States          715,000          20,735,000  
 

Barclays PLC

     United Kingdom          12,500,000          23,779,813  
 

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

     United States          600,000          67,080,000  
 

MetLife Inc.

     United States          1,095,108          54,394,015  
 

Morgan Stanley

     United States          250,000          10,952,500  
 

Wells Fargo & Co.

     United States          2,200,000          104,104,000  
              

 

 

 
                 281,045,328  
              

 

 

 
 

Health Care 5.7%

            
 

AstraZeneca PLC

     United Kingdom          700,000          57,231,565  
 

Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.

     United States          1,000,000          45,350,000  
 

CVS Health Corp.

     United States          750,000          40,867,500  
 

Johnson & Johnson

     United States          230,000          32,034,400  
 

Merck & Co. Inc.

     United States          700,000          58,695,000  
 

Pfizer Inc.

     United States          1,300,000          56,316,000  
              

 

 

 
                 290,494,465  
              

 

 

 

 

     
  Semiannual Report                 FI-9  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin Income VIP Fund (continued)

 

           Country        Shares        Value  
  Common Stocks (continued)             
 

Industrials 1.5%

            
 

3M Co.

     United States          250,000        $ 43,335,000  
a  

Cummins Inc.

     United States          200,000            34,268,000  
              

 

 

 
                 77,603,000  
              

 

 

 
 

Information Technology 5.3%

            
 

Apple Inc.

     United States          309,783          61,312,251  
a  

Applied Materials Inc.

     United States          286,000          12,844,260  
 

Intel Corp.

     United States          1,099,307          52,623,826  
 

International Business Machines Corp.

     United States          109,976          15,165,691  
 

Lam Research Corp.

     United States          70,000          13,148,800  
 

Microchip Technology Inc.

     United States          150,000          13,005,000  
a  

Microsoft Corp.

     United States          285,500          38,245,580  
 

Texas Instruments Inc.

     United States          520,000          59,675,200  
              

 

 

 
                 266,020,608  
              

 

 

 
 

Materials 2.2%

            
 

BASF SE

     Germany          700,000          50,867,218  
 

Dow Inc.

     United States          249,166          12,286,375  
 

Rio Tinto PLC, ADR

     Australia          800,000          49,872,000  
              

 

 

 
                 113,025,593  
              

 

 

 
 

Real Estate 0.5%

            
 

Host Hotels & Resorts Inc.

     United States          1,500,000          27,330,000  
              

 

 

 
 

Utilities 5.5%

            
 

Dominion Energy Inc.

     United States          1,036,638          80,152,850  
 

Duke Energy Corp.

     United States          577,500          50,958,600  
 

Sempra Energy

     United States          275,000          37,796,000  
 

The Southern Co.

     United States          1,560,000          86,236,800  
 

Xcel Energy Inc.

     United States          400,000          23,796,000  
              

 

 

 
                 278,940,250  
              

 

 

 
 

Total Common Stocks (Cost $1,657,780,113)

               1,976,614,750  
              

 

 

 
b  

Equity-Linked Securities 5.0%

            
 

Communication Services 1.9%

            
c  

Goldman Sachs International into Alphabet Inc., 7.00%, A, 144A

     United States          35,000          38,594,008  
c  

Royal Bank of Canada into Alphabet Inc., 6.00%, A, 144A

     Belgium          10,000          10,984,473  
c  

Royal Bank of Canada into Comcast Corp., 7.00%, A, 144A

     United States          1,270,000          49,641,984  
              

 

 

 
                 99,220,465  
              

 

 

 
 

Consumer Discretionary 0.9%

            
c  

JP Morgan Chase Financial Co. LLC into Amazon.com Inc., 9.00%, 144A

     United States          25,000          45,196,215  
              

 

 

 
 

Financials 0.4%

            
c  

Credit Suisse AG into Bank of America Corp., 7.00%, 144A

     United States          750,000          22,157,759  
              

 

 

 
 

Information Technology 0.6%

            
c  

Credit Suisse AG London into Analog Devices Inc., 7.50%, 144A

     United States          260,000          28,541,434  
              

 

 

 

 

     
FI-10        Semiannual Report  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin Income VIP Fund (continued)

 

           Country        Shares             Value  
b  

Equity-Linked Securities (continued)

            
 

Materials 1.2%

            
c  

UBS AG London into DowDuPont Inc., 6.50%, 144A

     United States          850,000        $ 44,215,481  
c  

UBS AG London into Newmont Goldcorp Corp., 8.00%, cvt. pfd., 144A

     United States          435,000          16,231,323  
              

 

 

 
                 60,446,804  
              

 

 

 
 

Total Equity-Linked Securities (Cost $255,253,648)

               255,562,677  
              

 

 

 
 

Convertible Preferred Stocks 1.3%

            
 

Financials 1.3%

            
 

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

     United States          34,600          47,471,200  
d  

FNMA, 5.375%, cvt. pfd.

     United States          475          19,237,500  
              

 

 

 
 

Total Convertible Preferred Stocks (Cost $65,397,102)

               66,708,700  
              

 

 

 
 

Preferred Stocks (Cost $15,000,000) 0.3%

            
 

Financials 0.3%

            
 

JPMorgan Chase & Co., 6.00%, pfd., EE

     United States          600,000          16,290,000  
              

 

 

 
            Units       
e  

Index-Linked Notes (Cost $14,054,540) 0.3%

            
 

Financials 0.3%

            
c,f  

Morgan Stanley Finance LLC, senior note, 144A, 6.98%, 10/03/19

     United States          106,000          14,167,960  
              

 

 

 
           
Principal
Amount*
 
 
    
 

Convertible Bonds 0.9%

            
 

Energy 0.5%

            
 

Chesapeake Energy Corp., cvt., senior note, 5.50%, 9/15/26

     United States          10,000,000          8,006,785  
g  

Weatherford International Ltd., cvt., senior note, 5.875%, 7/01/21

     United States          35,000,000          18,112,500  
              

 

 

 
                 26,119,285  
              

 

 

 
 

Health Care 0.4%

            
c  

Bayer Capital Corp. BV, cvt., junior sub. note, 144A, 5.625%, 11/22/19

     Germany          25,000,000       EUR        21,845,356  
              

 

 

 
 

Total Convertible Bonds (Cost $67,852,716)

               47,964,641  
              

 

 

 
 

Corporate Bonds 38.5%

            
 

Communication Services 4.9%

            
 

AMC Entertainment Holdings Inc., senior sub. note, 5.875%, 11/15/26

     United States          5,600,000          5,040,000  
 

AT&T Inc., senior bond, 4.125%, 2/17/26

     United States          12,000,000          12,770,319  
 

CCO Holdings LLC/CCO Holdings Capital Corp.,

            
 

senior bond, 5.125%, 2/15/23

     United States          10,000,000          10,183,000  
 

senior bond, 5.75%, 1/15/24

     United States          9,000,000          9,223,875  
 

c  senior bond, 144A, 5.50%, 5/01/26

     United States          10,000,000          10,490,500  
 

DISH DBS Corp.,

            
 

senior bond, 5.875%, 7/15/22

     United States          27,000,000          27,506,250  
 

senior bond, 5.00%, 3/15/23

     United States          21,000,000          20,370,000  
 

senior note, 5.875%, 11/15/24

     United States          9,400,000          8,930,000  

 

     
  Semiannual Report                 FI-11  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin Income VIP Fund (continued)

 

           Country        Principal
Amount*
       Value  
  Corporate Bonds (continued)             
 

Communication Services (continued)

            
 

Netflix Inc., senior bond, 4.875%, 4/15/28

     United States          24,000,000        $   24,870,000  
c  

Sirius XM Radio Inc., senior bond, 144A, 6.00%, 7/15/24

     United States          4,000,000          4,126,000  
 

Sprint Communications Inc.,

            
 

senior bond, 11.50%, 11/15/21

     United States          30,000,000          34,800,000  
 

senior note, 7.00%, 8/15/20

     United States          7,500,000          7,790,625  
 

senior note, 6.00%, 11/15/22

     United States          6,300,000          6,583,500  
 

Sprint Corp.,

            
 

senior bond, 7.875%, 9/15/23

     United States          12,500,000          13,625,000  
 

senior bond, 7.125%, 6/15/24

     United States          8,200,000          8,714,960  
 

senior note, 7.625%, 3/01/26

     United States          7,500,000          8,013,750  
c  

Sprint Spectrum Co. LLC, senior secured bond, first lien, 144A, 5.152%, 9/20/29

     United States          16,000,000          16,520,000  
c  

Univision Communications Inc.,

            
 

senior secured note, first lien, 144A, 5.125%, 5/15/23

     United States          15,000,000          14,737,500  
 

senior secured note, first lien, 144A, 5.125%, 2/15/25

     United States          7,140,000          6,818,700  
              

 

 

 
                 251,113,979  
              

 

 

 
 

Consumer Discretionary 1.8%

            
c  

24 Hour Holdings III LLC, senior note, 144A, 8.00%, 6/01/22

     United States          6,300,000          6,237,000  
 

Ford Motor Co., senior note, 4.346%, 12/08/26

     United States          18,500,000          18,663,740  
 

General Motors Co., senior bond, 5.15%, 4/01/38

     United States          16,000,000          15,824,682  
c  

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

     United States          5,000,000          5,162,500  
c  

Shea Homes LP/Shea Homes Funding Corp.,

            
 

senior bond, 144A, 6.125%, 4/01/25

     United States          10,000,000          10,144,900  
 

senior note, 144A, 5.875%, 4/01/23

     United States          10,000,000          10,250,000  
c  

Wynn Las Vegas LLC/Wynn Las Vegas Capital Corp.,

            
 

senior bond, 144A, 5.50%, 3/01/25

     United States          13,200,000          13,665,960  
 

senior bond, 144A, 5.25%, 5/15/27

     United States          10,000,000          10,050,000  
              

 

 

 
                 89,998,782  
              

 

 

 
 

Consumer Staples 1.1%

            
 

BAT Capital Corp.,

            
 

senior note, 3.222%, 8/15/24

     United Kingdom          10,000,000          10,088,195  
 

senior note, 3.557%, 8/15/27

     United Kingdom          20,000,000          19,920,216  
 

Kraft Heinz Foods Co., senior bond, 4.625%, 1/30/29

     United States          13,000,000          13,992,901  
c  

Post Holdings Inc.,

            
 

senior bond, 144A, 5.00%, 8/15/26

     United States          7,500,000          7,631,250  
 

senior bond, 144A, 5.625%, 1/15/28

     United States          2,500,000          2,578,125  
              

 

 

 
                 54,210,687  
              

 

 

 
 

Energy 6.5%

            
c  

Ascent Resources Utica Holdings LLC/ARU Finance Corp., senior note, 144A, 10.00%, 4/01/22

     United States          3,200,000          3,403,680  
 

Calumet Specialty Products Partners LP/Calumet Finance Corp.,

            
 

senior note, 6.50%, 4/15/21

     United States          34,000,000          33,915,000  
 

senior note, 7.625%, 1/15/22

     United States          8,000,000          7,780,000  
 

senior note, 7.75%, 4/15/23

     United States          2,000,000          1,920,000  

 

     
FI-12        Semiannual Report  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin Income VIP Fund (continued)

 

           Country        Principal
Amount*
       Value  
  Corporate Bonds (continued)             
 

Energy (continued)

            
 

Chesapeake Energy Corp.,

            
 

  senior bond, 8.00%, 6/15/27

     United States          26,000,000        $   22,863,880  
 

  senior note, 4.875%, 4/15/22

     United States          5,000,000          4,750,000  
 

  senior note, 5.75%, 3/15/23

     United States          5,000,000          4,712,500  
 

  senior note, 7.00%, 10/01/24

     United States          20,000,000          18,025,000  
 

  senior note, 8.00%, 1/15/25

     United States          47,500,000          44,056,250  
 

  senior note, 7.50%, 10/01/26

     United States          10,000,000          8,950,000  
 

c senior note, 144A, 8.00%, 3/15/26

     United States          29,715,000          27,114,937  
c  

CNX Resources Corp., senior note, 144A, 7.25%, 3/14/27

     United States          8,000,000          6,880,000  
 

HighPoint Operating Corp.,

            
 

senior bond, 7.00%, 10/15/22

     United States          17,937,000          17,398,890  
 

senior note, 8.75%, 6/15/25

     United States          26,600,000          25,669,000  
 

Kinder Morgan Inc.,

            
 

  senior bond, 7.75%, 1/15/32

     United States          22,000,000          30,142,870  
 

c senior secured bond, first lien, 144A, 5.625%, 11/15/23

     United States          6,400,000          7,088,520  
g  

Weatherford International Ltd.,

            
 

senior bond, 4.50%, 4/15/22

     United States          11,900,000          6,158,250  
 

senior note, 5.125%, 9/15/20

     United States          22,500,000          11,643,750  
 

senior note, 7.75%, 6/15/21

     United States          47,500,000          25,293,750  
 

senior note, 8.25%, 6/15/23

     United States          37,500,000          19,781,250  
              

 

 

 
                 327,547,527  
              

 

 

 
 

Financials 5.0%

            
 

Bank of America Corp.,

            
 

h junior sub. bond, AA, 6.10% to 3/17/25, FRN thereafter, Perpetual

     United States          8,000,000          8,645,720  
 

h junior sub. bond, X, 6.25% to 9/05/24, FRN thereafter, Perpetual

     United States          6,000,000          6,532,500  
 

  senior bond, 3.419% to 12/20/27, FRN thereafter, 12/20/28

     United States          10,000,000          10,306,413  
 

Capital One Financial Corp., senior sub. note, 4.20%, 10/29/25

     United States          15,500,000          16,286,742  
 

Citigroup Inc.,

            
 

h junior sub. bond, 5.90% to 2/15/23, FRN thereafter, Perpetual

     United States          12,500,000          12,964,425  
 

h junior sub. bond, 5.95% to 1/30/23, FRN thereafter, Perpetual

     United States          4,500,000          4,601,250  
 

h junior sub. bond, M, 6.30% to 5/15/24, FRN thereafter, Perpetual

     United States          15,800,000          16,423,547  
 

h junior sub. bond, O, 5.875% to 3/27/20, FRN thereafter, Perpetual

     United States          25,000,000          25,227,375  
 

h junior sub. bond, Q, 5.95% to 8/15/20, FRN thereafter, Perpetual

     United States          10,000,000          10,285,350  
 

  sub. bond, 4.125%, 7/25/28

     United States          18,500,000          19,561,907  
 

The Goldman Sachs Group Inc., senior note, 3.272% to 9/29/24, FRN thereafter, 9/29/25

     United States          15,500,000          15,865,862  
 

HSBC Holdings PLC, senior note, 4.292% to 9/12/25, FRN thereafter, 9/12/26

     United Kingdom          28,500,000          30,315,593  
h  

JPMorgan Chase & Co.,

            
 

i junior sub. bond, FRN, 6.053%, (3-month USD LIBOR + 3.47%), Perpetual

     United States          28,692,000          28,672,776  
 

  junior sub. bond, R, 6.00% to 8/01/23, FRN thereafter, Perpetual

     United States          3,200,000          3,366,288  
 

  junior sub. bond, V, 5.00% to 7/30/19, FRN thereafter, Perpetual

     United States          10,000,000          9,980,500  

 

     
  Semiannual Report                 FI-13  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin Income VIP Fund (continued)

 

           Country        Principal
Amount*
       Value  
  Corporate Bonds (continued)             
 

Financials (continued)

            
h  

Morgan Stanley, junior sub. bond, 5.55% to 7/15/20, FRN thereafter, Perpetual

     United States          7,300,000        $ 7,381,979  
 

Prudential Financial Inc., junior sub. bond, 5.70% to 9/15/28, FRN thereafter, 9/15/48

     United States          17,000,000          18,291,660  
h  

Wells Fargo & Co., junior sub. bond, S, 5.90% to 6/15/24, FRN thereafter, Perpetual

     United States          6,600,000          6,909,969  
              

 

 

 
                   251,619,856  
              

 

 

 
 

Health Care 14.1%

            
 

Allergan Funding SCS, senior bond, 3.80%, 3/15/25

     United States          17,000,000          17,637,152  
c  

Bausch Health Cos. Inc.,

            
 

senior bond, 144A, 6.125%, 4/15/25

     United States          9,400,000          9,611,500  
 

senior note, 144A, 5.50%, 3/01/23

     United States          15,000,000          15,176,250  
 

senior note, 144A, 5.875%, 5/15/23

     United States          14,500,000          14,722,865  
 

senior note, 144A, 9.00%, 12/15/25

     United States          5,000,000          5,605,250  
 

senior note, first lien, 144A, 7.00%, 3/15/24

     United States          4,500,000          4,792,950  
 

senior secured note, first lien, 144A, 6.50%, 3/15/22

     United States          3,000,000          3,112,500  
 

senior secured note, first lien, 144A, 5.50%, 11/01/25

     United States          35,000,000          36,618,750  
c  

Bayer U.S. Finance II LLC, senior note, 144A, 4.25%, 12/15/25

     Germany          15,000,000          15,874,447  
c  

Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.,

            
 

senior bond, 144A, 3.40%, 7/26/29

     United States          8,000,000          8,374,348  
 

senior bond, 144A, 4.25%, 10/26/49

     United States          8,000,000          8,818,573  
 

CHS/Community Health Systems Inc.,

            
 

senior note, 6.875%, 2/01/22

     United States          130,000,000          88,400,000  
 

c senior note, 144A, 8.125%, 6/30/24

     United States          42,388,000          31,896,970  
 

c senior note, 144A, 11.00% to 6/22/19, 9.875% thereafter, 6/30/23

     United States          101,596,000          83,144,134  
 

senior secured note, first lien, 6.25%, 3/31/23

     United States          39,000,000          37,683,750  
c  

Cigna Corp., senior secured note, 144A, 3.75%, 7/15/23

     United States          20,000,000          20,825,639  
 

CVS Health Corp.,

            
 

senior bond, 4.30%, 3/25/28

     United States          8,000,000          8,438,637  
 

senior bond, 5.05%, 3/25/48

     United States          3,900,000          4,154,286  
 

senior note, 4.10%, 3/25/25

     United States          5,100,000          5,379,654  
 

DaVita Inc.,

            
 

senior bond, 5.125%, 7/15/24

     United States          5,000,000          5,014,000  
 

senior bond, 5.00%, 5/01/25

     United States          4,000,000          3,964,000  
c  

Endo DAC/Endo Finance LLC/Endo Finco Inc.,

            
 

senior bond, 144A, 6.00%, 2/01/25

     United States          7,600,000          5,130,000  
 

senior note, 144A, 6.00%, 7/15/23

     United States          15,000,000          10,875,000  
 

HCA Inc.,

            
 

senior bond, 5.875%, 5/01/23

     United States          7,500,000          8,174,100  
 

senior note, 7.50%, 2/15/22

     United States          25,000,000          27,625,000  
 

senior secured note, first lien, 5.00%, 3/15/24

     United States          10,400,000          11,336,955  
 

Horizon Pharma USA Inc., senior note, 6.625%, 5/01/23

     United States          2,842,000          2,929,036  
 

Mallinckrodt International Finance SA, senior bond, 4.75%, 4/15/23

     United States          1,000,000          710,000  
c  

Mallinckrodt International Finance SA/Mallinckrodt CB LLC,

            
 

senior note, 144A, 4.875%, 4/15/20

     United States          20,200,000          19,568,750  
 

senior note, 144A, 5.75%, 8/01/22

     United States          24,000,000          20,520,000  
 

senior note, 144A, 5.625%, 10/15/23

     United States          14,300,000          10,850,125  
 

senior note, 144A, 5.50%, 4/15/25

     United States          10,000,000          6,750,000  

 

     
FI-14        Semiannual Report  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin Income VIP Fund (continued)

 

           Country        Principal
Amount*
       Value  
  Corporate Bonds (continued)             
 

Health Care (continued)

            
 

Mylan NV, senior note, 3.95%, 6/15/26

     United States          13,600,000        $ 13,136,240  
c  

Par Pharmaceutical Inc., senior secured note, 144A, 7.50%, 4/01/27

     United States          8,500,000          8,372,500  
 

Tenet Healthcare Corp.,

            
 

  secured note, second lien, 5.125%, 5/01/25

     United States          2,500,000          2,518,750  
 

  senior note, 8.125%, 4/01/22

     United States          27,600,000          29,083,500  
 

  senior note, 6.75%, 6/15/23

     United States          58,200,000          58,636,500  
 

  senior note, 7.00%, 8/01/25

     United States          12,175,000          12,197,280  
 

c senior note, second lien, 144A, 6.25%, 2/01/27

     United States          29,000,000          29,906,250  
 

  senior secured note, first lien, 4.50%, 4/01/21

     United States          7,000,000          7,131,250  
              

 

 

 
                 714,696,891  
              

 

 

 
 

Industrials 1.0%

            
c  

TransDigm Inc., senior secured note, 144A, 6.25%, 3/15/26

     United States          14,000,000          14,682,500  
 

United Rentals North America Inc., senior bond, 4.875%, 1/15/28

     United States          20,000,000          20,450,000  
 

United Technologies Corp., senior note, 3.95%, 8/16/25

     United States          15,000,000          16,181,635  
              

 

 

 
                 51,314,135  
              

 

 

 
 

Information Technology 0.7%

            
c  

CommScope Inc., senior bond, 144A, 5.50%, 6/15/24

     United States          10,000,000          9,512,500  
c  

Dell International LLC/EMC Corp., senior secured note, first lien, 144A, 5.45%, 6/15/23

     United States          21,100,000          22,756,092  
 

NCR Corp., senior note, 6.375%, 12/15/23

     United States          4,212,000          4,354,155  
              

 

 

 
                 36,622,747  
              

 

 

 
 

Materials 1.7%

            
c  

BWAY Holding Co.,

            
 

secured note, 144A, 5.50%, 4/15/24

     United States          10,000,000          10,043,750  
 

senior note, 144A, 7.25%, 4/15/25

     United States          23,000,000          22,252,500  
c  

Cemex Finance LLC, senior secured note, first lien, 144A, 6.00%, 4/01/24

     Mexico          14,700,000          15,167,680  
 

DuPont de Nemours Inc. senior note, 4.493%, 11/15/25

     United States          15,000,000          16,601,333  
c  

FMG Resources (August 2006) Pty. Ltd., senior note, 144A, 5.125%, 5/15/24

     Australia          6,700,000          6,974,298  
c  

Syngenta Finance NV, senior note, 144A, 4.441%, 4/24/23

     Switzerland          16,500,000          17,112,315  
              

 

 

 
                 88,151,876  
              

 

 

 
 

Real Estate 0.6%

            
 

Equinix Inc., senior bond, 5.375%, 5/15/27

     United States          11,000,000          11,819,170  
 

Iron Mountain Inc., senior sub. bond, 5.75%, 8/15/24

     United States          18,000,000          18,227,520  
              

 

 

 
                 30,046,690  
              

 

 

 
 

Utilities 1.1%

            
 

Calpine Corp.,

            
 

senior note, 5.375%, 1/15/23

     United States          20,000,000          20,275,000  
 

senior note, 5.50%, 2/01/24

     United States          16,375,000          16,272,656  
 

Ferrellgas LP/Ferrellgas Finance Corp.,

            
 

senior note, 6.50%, 5/01/21

     United States          9,500,000          8,668,750  
 

senior note, 6.75%, 6/15/23

     United States          5,000,000          4,412,500  
 

Vistra Energy Corp., senior note, 5.875%, 6/01/23

     United States          8,000,000          8,210,000  
              

 

 

 
                 57,838,906  
              

 

 

 
 

Total Corporate Bonds (Cost $1,980,284,294)

               1,953,162,076  
              

 

 

 

 

     
  Semiannual Report                 FI-15  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin Income VIP Fund (continued)

 

           Country        Principal
Amount*
       Value  
i,j   Senior Floating Rate Interests 2.1%             
 

Communication Services 0.1%

            
 

Securus Technologies Holdings Inc., Second Lien Initial Loan, 10.58%,
(3-month USD LIBOR + 8.25%), 11/01/25

     United States          6,000,000        $ 5,560,002  
              

 

 

 
 

Consumer Discretionary 0.9%

            
 

24 Hour Fitness Worldwide Inc., Term Loan, 5.902%, (1-month USD LIBOR + 3.50%), 5/30/25

     United States          13,860,000          13,820,153  
 

Belk Inc., Closing Date Term Loan, 7.285%, (3-month USD LIBOR + 4.75%), 12/12/22

     United States          19,082,783          15,480,907  
 

Stars Group Holdings BV, Stars Group (US), USD Term Loan, 5.83%, (3-month USD LIBOR + 3.50%), 7/10/25

     United States          17,841,958          17,868,007  
              

 

 

 
                 47,169,067  
              

 

 

 
 

Health Care 0.5%

            
 

Amneal Pharmaceuticals LLC, Initial Term Loans, 5.938%, (1-month USD LIBOR + 3.50%), 5/04/25

     United States          24,744,222          24,630,894  
              

 

 

 
 

Industrials 0.6%

            
 

Commercial Barge Line Co., Initial Term Loan, 11.152%, (1-month USD LIBOR + 8.75%), 11/12/20

     United States          4,433,823          3,070,423  
 

Vertiv Group Corp., Term B Loans, 6.33%, (3-month USD LIBOR + 4.00%), 11/30/23

     United States          8,574,569          8,161,815  
 

West Corp., Term B Loans, 6.522%, (3-month USD LIBOR + 4.00%), 10/10/24

     United States          17,373,104          16,240,238  
              

 

 

 
                 27,472,476  
              

 

 

 
 

Total Senior Floating Rate Interests (Cost $109,804,793)

 

            104,832,439  
              

 

 

 
 

U.S. Government and Agency Securities 7.6%

            
 

U.S. Treasury Bond, 3.00%, 2/15/49

     United States          25,000,000          27,422,852  
 

U.S. Treasury Note,

            
 

2.25%, 3/31/20

     United States          50,000,000          50,085,937  
 

2.50%, 5/31/20

     United States          75,000,000          75,338,379  
 

2.50%, 6/30/20

     United States          50,000,000          50,258,789  
 

2.375%, 3/15/21

     United States          75,000,000          75,722,168  
 

2.75%, 4/30/23

     United States          25,000,000          25,930,176  
 

2.75%, 5/31/23

     United States          50,000,000          51,898,437  
 

2.875%, 5/31/25

     United States          25,000,000          26,461,426  
              

 

 

 
 

Total U.S. Government and Agency Securities
(Cost $375,256,437)

               383,118,164  
              

 

 

 
                  Shares           
 

Escrows and Litigation Trusts (Cost $62,602) 0.0%

            
d,k  

Motors Liquidation Co., Escrow Account, cvt. pfd., C

     United States          1,400,000           
              

 

 

 
 

Total Investments before Short Term Investments
(Cost $4,540,746,245)

               4,818,421,407  
              

 

 

 

 

     
FI-16        Semiannual Report  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin Income VIP Fund (continued)

 

           Country        Shares        Value  
 

Short Term Investments (Cost $175,824,178) 3.5%

            
 

Money Market Funds 3.5%

            
l,m  

Institutional Fiduciary Trust Money Market Portfolio, 2.05%

     United States          175,824,178        $ 175,824,178  
              

 

 

 
 

Total Investments (Cost $4,716,570,423) 98.5%

               4,994,245,585  
 

Options Written (0.0)%

               (1,245,510
 

Other Assets, less Liabilities 1.5%

               76,177,821  
              

 

 

 
 

Net Assets 100.0%

             $ 5,069,177,896  
              

 

 

 
      
Number of
Contracts
 
 
      
Notional
Amount*
 
 
    
n  

Options Written (0.0)%

            
 

Calls - Exchange-Traded

            
 

Applied Materials Inc., September Strike Price $52.50, Expires 9/20/19

     2,860          286,000          (188,760
 

Cummins Inc., August Strike Price $180.00, Expires 8/16/19

     1,000          100,000          (225,000
 

Microsoft Corp., July Strike Price $135.00, Expires 7/19/19

     2,855          285,500          (713,750
              

 

 

 
                 (1,127,510
              

 

 

 
 

Puts - Exchange-Traded

            
 

CVS Health Corp., July Strike Price $52.50, Expires 7/19/19

     2,000          200,000          (118,000
              

 

 

 
 

Total Options Written (Premiums received $1,273,962)

             $ (1,245,510
              

 

 

 

See Abbreviations on page FI-30.

Rounds to less than 0.1% of net assets.

*The principal/notional amount is stated in U.S. dollars unless otherwise indicated.

aA portion or all of the security is held in connection with written option contracts open at period end.

bSee Note 1(e) regarding equity-linked securities.

cSecurity 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 a 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 June 30, 2019, the aggregate value of these securities was $943,524,001, representing 18.7% of net assets.

dNon-income producing.

eSee Note 1(d) regarding index-linked notes.

fSecurity pays a fixed 2.00% coupon rate and a variable coupon based on the distribution of the Morgan Stanley Custom Enhanced SPX B DT Index 20 Delta. The coupon rate shown represents the combined rate at period end. Cash payment at maturity or upon early redemption is based on the performance of the Morgan Stanley Custom Enhanced SPX B Index 20 Delta.

gSee Note 7 regarding defaulted securities.

hPerpetual security with no stated maturity date.

iThe coupon rate shown represents the rate at period end.

jSee Note 1(g) regarding senior floating rate interests.

kFair valued using significant unobservable inputs. See Note 10 regarding fair value measurements.

lSee Note 3(e) regarding investments in affiliated management investment companies.

mThe rate shown is the annualized seven-day effective yield at period end.

nSee Note 1(c) regarding written options.

 

     
  The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.    |   Semiannual Report                 FI-17  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

June 30, 2019 (unaudited)

 

    

Franklin

Income
VIP Fund

 

Assets:

 

Investments in securities:

 

Cost - Unaffiliated issuers

          $ 4,540,746,245  

Cost - Non-controlled affiliates (Note 3e)

    175,824,178  
 

 

 

 

Value - Unaffiliated issuers

          $ 4,818,421,407  

Value - Non-controlled affiliates (Note 3e)

    175,824,178  

Cash

    802,666  

Receivables:

 

Investment securities sold

    35,399,357  

Capital shares sold

    2,258,191  

Dividends and interest

    44,890,050  

Other assets

    3,693  
 

 

 

 

Total assets

    5,077,599,542  
 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

Payables:

 

Capital shares redeemed

    2,898,404  

Management fees

    1,823,829  

Distribution fees

    1,994,439  

Trustees’ fees and expenses

    6,072  

Options written, at value (premiums received $1,273,962)

    1,245,510  

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

    453,392  
 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    8,421,646  
 

 

 

 

Net assets, at value

          $ 5,069,177,896  
 

 

 

 

Net assets consist of:

 

Paid-in capital

          $ 4,652,292,846  

Total distributable earnings (loss)

    416,885,050  
 

 

 

 

Net assets, at value

          $ 5,069,177,896  
 

 

 

 
Class 1:  

Net assets, at value

          $ 384,806,951  
 

 

 

 

Shares outstanding

    24,365,461  
 

 

 

 

Net asset value and maximum offering price per share

            $15.79  
 

 

 

 
Class 2:  

Net assets, at value

          $ 4,366,594,448  
 

 

 

 

Shares outstanding

    286,708,752  
 

 

 

 

Net asset value and maximum offering price per share

            $15.23  
 

 

 

 
Class 4:  

Net assets, at value

          $ 317,776,497  
 

 

 

 

Shares outstanding

    20,339,646  
 

 

 

 

Net asset value and maximum offering price per share

            $15.62  
 

 

 

 

 

     
FI-18        Semiannual Report   |    The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Statement of Operations

for the six months ended June 30, 2019 (unaudited)

 

     Franklin
Income
VIP Fund
 

Investment income:

 

Dividends: (net of foreign taxes)*

 

Unaffiliated issuers

            $  41,689,831  

Non-controlled affiliates (Note 3e)

    1,403,664  

Interest:

 

Unaffiliated issuers

    86,550,126  

Income from securities loaned:

 

Unaffiliated issuers (net of fees and rebates)

    5,933  

Non-controlled affiliates (Note 3e)

    15,410  
 

 

 

 

Total investment income

    129,664,964  
 

 

 

 

Expenses:

 

Management fees (Note 3a)

    11,773,668  

Distribution fees: (Note 3c)

 

Class 2

    5,396,749  

Class 4

    538,362  

Custodian fees (Note 4)

    30,264  

Reports to shareholders

    235,139  

Professional fees

    63,455  

Trustees’ fees and expenses

    21,773  

Other

    55,668  
 

 

 

 

Total expenses

    18,115,078  

Expense reductions (Note 4)

    (25,029

Expenses waived/paid by affiliates (Note 3e)

    (238,706
 

 

 

 

Net expenses

    17,851,343  
 

 

 

 

Net investment income

    111,813,621  
 

 

 

 

Realized and unrealized gains (losses):

 

Net realized gain (loss) from:

 

Investments:

 

Unaffiliated issuers

    32,330,998  

Realized gain distributions from REITs

    3,984  

Foreign currency transactions

    (158,710
 

 

 

 

Net realized gain (loss)

    32,176,272  
 

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:

 

Investments:

 

Unaffiliated issuers

    407,169,707  

Translation of other assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies

    (19,451

Written options

    28,452  
 

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

    407,178,708  
 

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    439,354,980  
 

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

            $551,168,601  
 

 

 

 

*Foreign taxes withheld on dividends

    $       957,292  

 

     
  The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.    |   Semiannual Report                 FI-19  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

    Franklin Income VIP Fund  
     Six Months Ended
June 30, 2019
(unaudited)
     Year Ended
December 31, 2018
 

Increase (decrease) in net assets:

    

Operations:

    

Net investment income

            $ 111,813,621                $ 235,338,694  

Net realized gain (loss)

    32,176,272        351,140,755  

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

    407,178,708        (809,608,127
 

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

    551,168,601        (223,128,678
 

 

 

 

Distributions to shareholders:

    

Class 1

    (26,604,329      (34,377,723

Class 2

    (301,656,285      (227,495,537

Class 4

    (21,101,452      (14,948,805
 

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

    (349,362,066      (276,822,065
 

 

 

 

Capital share transactions: (Note 2)

    

Class 1

    (270,269,053      (62,663,457

Class 2

    131,519,747        (543,422,123

Class 4

    12,111,032        (11,817,756
 

 

 

 

Total capital share transactions

    (126,638,274      (617,903,336
 

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets

    75,168,261        (1,117,854,079

Net assets:

    

Beginning of period

    4,994,009,635        6,111,863,714  
 

 

 

 

End of period

            $ 5,069,177,896                $ 4,994,009,635  
 

 

 

 

 

     
FI-20        Semiannual Report   |    The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

 

Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited)

 

Franklin Income VIP Fund

 

1.  Organization and Significant Accounting Policies

Franklin Templeton Variable Insurance Products Trust (Trust) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (1940 Act) as an open-end management investment company, consisting of eighteen separate funds and applies the specialized accounting and reporting guidance in U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (U.S. GAAP). Franklin Income VIP Fund (Fund) is included in this report. Shares of the Fund are generally sold only to insurance company separate accounts to fund the benefits of variable life insurance policies or variable annuity contracts. The Fund offers three classes of shares: Class 1, Class 2 and Class 4. Each class of shares may differ by its distribution fees, voting rights on matters affecting a single class and its exchange privilege.

The following summarizes the Fund’s significant accounting policies.

a.    Financial Instrument Valuation

The Fund’s investments in financial instruments are carried at fair value daily. Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. The Fund calculates the net asset value (NAV) per share each business day as of 4 p.m. Eastern time or the regularly scheduled close of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), whichever is earlier. Under compliance policies and procedures approved by the Trust’s Board of Trustees (the Board), the Fund’s administrator has responsibility for oversight of valuation, including leading the cross-functional Valuation Committee (VC). The Fund may utilize independent pricing services, quotations from securities and financial instrument dealers, and other market sources to determine fair value.

Equity securities and derivative financial instruments listed on an exchange or on the NASDAQ National Market System are valued at the last quoted sale price or the official closing price of the day, respectively. Foreign equity securities are valued as of the close of trading on the foreign stock exchange on which the security is primarily traded, or as of 4 p.m. Eastern time. The value is then converted into its U.S. dollar equivalent at the foreign exchange rate in effect at 4 p.m. Eastern time on the day that the value of the security is determined. Over-the-counter (OTC) securities are valued within the range of the most recent quoted bid and ask prices. Securities that trade in multiple markets or on multiple

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

Debt securities generally trade in the OTC market rather than on a securities exchange. The Fund’s pricing services use multiple valuation techniques to determine fair value. In instances where sufficient market activity exists, the pricing services may utilize a market-based approach through which quotes from market makers are used to determine fair value. In instances where sufficient market activity may not exist or is limited, the pricing services also utilize proprietary valuation models which may consider market characteristics such as benchmark yield curves, credit spreads, estimated default rates, anticipated market interest rate volatility, coupon rates, anticipated timing of principal repayments, underlying collateral, and other unique security features in order to estimate the relevant cash flows, which are then discounted to calculate the fair value. Securities denominated in a foreign currency are converted into their U.S. dollar equivalent at the foreign exchange rate in effect at 4 p.m. Eastern time on the date that the values of the foreign debt securities are determined.

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

The Fund has procedures to determine the fair value of financial instruments for which market prices are not reliable or readily available. Under these procedures, the Fund primarily employs a market-based approach which may use related or comparable assets or liabilities, recent transactions, market multiples, book values, and other relevant information for the investment to determine the fair value of the investment. An income-based valuation approach may also be used in which the anticipated future cash flows of the investment are discounted to calculate fair value. Discounts may also be applied due to the nature or duration of any restrictions on the disposition of the investments. Due to the inherent uncertainty of valuations of such investments, the fair values may differ significantly from the values that would have been used had an active market existed.

Trading in securities on foreign securities stock exchanges and OTC markets may be completed before 4 p.m. Eastern time. In addition, trading in certain foreign markets may not take place on every Fund’s business day. Occasionally, events occur between the time at which trading in a foreign

 

 

     
  Semiannual Report                 FI-21  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin Income VIP Fund (continued)

 

1.  Organization and Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

a.  Financial Instrument Valuation (continued)

security is completed and 4 p.m. Eastern time that might call into question the reliability of the value of a portfolio security held by the Fund. As a result, differences may arise between the value of the Fund’s portfolio securities as determined at the foreign market close and the latest indications of value at 4 p.m. Eastern time. In order to minimize the potential for these differences, 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 Fund’s NAV is not calculated, which could result in differences between the value of the Fund’s portfolio securities on the last business day and the last calendar day of the reporting period. Any significant security valuation changes due to an open foreign market are adjusted and reflected by the Fund for financial reporting purposes.

b.  Foreign Currency Translation

Portfolio securities and other assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars based on the exchange rate of such currencies against U.S. dollars on the date of valuation. The Fund may enter into foreign currency exchange contracts to facilitate transactions denominated in a foreign currency. Purchases and sales of securities, income and expense items denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rate in effect on the transaction date. Portfolio securities and assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies contain risks that those currencies will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar. Occasionally, events may impact the availability or reliability of foreign exchange rates used to convert the U.S. dollar equivalent

value. If such an event occurs, the foreign exchange rate will be valued at fair value using procedures established and approved by the Board.

The Fund does not separately report the effect of changes in foreign exchange rates from changes in market prices on securities held. Such changes are included in net realized and unrealized gain or loss from investments in the Statement of Operations.

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

c.  Derivative Financial Instruments

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

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.

The Fund purchased or wrote exchange traded option contracts primarily to gain exposure to equity price risk. An option is a contract entitling the holder to purchase or sell a specific amount of shares or units of an asset or notional

 

 

     
FI-22        Semiannual Report  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin Income VIP Fund (continued)

 

amount of a swap (swaption), at a specified price. When an option is purchased or written, an amount equal to the premium paid or received is recorded as an asset or liability, respectively. Upon exercise of an option, the acquisition cost or sales proceeds of the underlying investment is adjusted by any premium received or paid. Upon expiration of an option, any premium received or paid is recorded as a realized gain or loss. Upon closing an option other than through expiration or exercise, the difference between the premium received or paid and the cost to close the position is recorded as a realized gain or loss.

See Note 8 regarding other derivative information.

d.  Index-Linked Notes

The Fund invests in index-linked notes. Index-linked notes are senior, unsecured, subordinated debt securities issued by a financial institution, and the value is based on the price movements of the underlying index. Index-linked notes are designed to provide investors access to the returns of various market benchmarks and intended to replicate the economic effects that would apply had the Fund directly purchased the underlying referenced asset or basket of assets. The risks of investing in index-linked notes include unfavorable price movements in the underlying index and the credit risk of the issuing financial institution. There may be no guarantee of a return of principal with index-linked notes and the appreciation potential may be limited. Index-linked notes may be more volatile and less liquid than other investments held by the Fund.

e.  Equity-Linked Securities

The Fund invests in equity-linked securities. Equity-linked securities are hybrid financial instruments that generally combine both debt and equity characteristics into a single note form. Income received from equity-linked securities is recorded as realized gains in the Statement of Operations and may be based on the performance of an underlying equity security, an equity index, or an option position. The risks of investing in equity-linked securities include unfavorable price movements in the underlying security and the credit risk of the issuing financial institution. There may be no guarantee of a return of principal with equity-linked securities and the appreciation potential may be limited. Equity-linked securities may be more volatile and less liquid than other investments held by the Fund.

f.  Securities Lending

The Fund participates in an agency based securities lending program to earn additional income. The Fund receives cash collateral against the loaned securities in an amount equal to at least 102% of the fair value of the loaned securities. Collateral is maintained over the life of the loan in an amount not less than 100% of the fair value of loaned securities, as determined at the close of Fund business each day; any additional collateral required due to changes in security values is delivered to the Fund on the next business day. The collateral is deposited into a joint cash account with other funds and is used to invest in a money market fund managed by Franklin Advisers, Inc., an affiliate of the Fund, and/or a joint repurchase agreement. The Fund may receive income from the investment of cash collateral, in addition to lending fees and rebates paid by the borrower. Income from securities loaned, net of fees paid to the securities lending agent and/or third-party vendor, is reported separately in the Statement of Operations. The Fund bears the market risk with respect to the collateral investment, securities loaned, and the risk that the agent may default on its obligations to the Fund. If the borrower defaults on its obligation to return the securities loaned, the Fund has the right to repurchase the securities in the open market using the collateral received. The securities lending agent has agreed to indemnify the Fund in the event of default by a third party borrower. At June 30, 2019, the Fund had no securities on loan.

g.  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.

h.  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

 

 

     
  Semiannual Report                 FI-23  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin Income VIP Fund (continued)

 

1.  Organization and Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

h. Income and Deferred Taxes (continued)

taxable income and net realized gains to relieve it from federal income and if applicable, 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.

As a result of several court cases, in certain countries across the European Union, the Fund filed additional tax reclaims for previously withheld taxes on dividends earned in those countries (EU reclaims). These additional filings are subject to various administrative proceedings by the local jurisdictions’ tax authorities within the European Union, as well as a number of related judicial proceedings. Income recognized, if any, for EU reclaims is reflected as other income in the Statement of Operations and any related receivable, if any, is reflected as European Union tax reclaims in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. When uncertainty exists as to the ultimate resolution of these proceedings, the likelihood of receipt of these EU reclaims, and the potential timing of payment, no amounts are reflected in the financial statements. For U.S. income tax purposes, when EU reclaims are received by the Fund and the Fund previously passed foreign tax credit on to its shareholders, the Fund must either amend historic tax reporting to shareholders or enter into a closing agreement with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in order to pay the associated tax liability on behalf of the Fund’s shareholders.

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 June 30, 2019, the Fund has determined that no tax liability is required in its financial statements related to uncertain tax positions for any open tax years (or expected to be taken in future tax years). Open tax

years are those that remain subject to examination and are based on the statute of limitations in each jurisdiction in which the Fund invests.

i.  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. Facility fees are recognized as income over the expected term of the loan. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date except for certain dividends from securities where the dividend rate is not available. In such cases, the dividend is recorded as soon as the information is received by the Fund. Distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Distributable earnings are determined according to income tax regulations (tax basis) and may differ from earnings recorded in accordance with U.S. GAAP. These differences may be permanent or temporary. Permanent differences are reclassified among capital accounts to reflect their tax character. These reclassifications have no impact on net assets or the results of operations. Temporary differences are not reclassified, as they may reverse in subsequent periods.

Common expenses incurred by the Trust are allocated among the Funds based on the ratio of net assets of each Fund to the combined net assets of the Trust or based on the ratio of number of shareholders of each Fund to the combined number of shareholders of the Trust. Fund specific expenses are charged directly to the Fund that incurred the expense.

Realized and unrealized gains and losses and net investment income, excluding class specific expenses, are allocated daily to each class of shares based upon the relative proportion of net assets of each class. Differences in per share distributions by class are generally due to differences in class specific expenses.

j.  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.

 

 

     
FI-24        Semiannual Report  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin Income VIP Fund (continued)

 

 

k.  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 June 30, 2019, there were an unlimited number of shares authorized (without par value). Transactions in the Fund’s shares were as follows:

 

     Six Months Ended
June 30, 2019
    Year Ended
December 31, 2018
 
      Shares      Amount     Shares     Amount  
Class 1 Shares:          

Shares sold

     806,551      $ 13,154,961       1,947,322     $ 31,806,598  

Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

     1,709,790        26,604,329       2,128,651       34,377,723  

Shares redeemed

     (18,292,504      (310,028,343     (7,908,010     (128,847,778
  

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease)

     (15,776,163    $ (270,269,053     (3,832,037   $ (62,663,457
  

 

 

 
Class 2 Shares:          

Shares sold

     11,147,845      $ 175,850,953       11,659,052     $ 185,115,657  

Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

     20,097,021        301,656,285       14,573,705       227,495,537  

Shares redeemed

     (21,839,655      (345,987,491     (60,726,257     (956,033,317
  

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease)

     9,405,211      $ 131,519,747       (34,493,500   $ (543,422,123
  

 

 

 
Class 4 Shares:          

Shares sold

     1,437,622      $ 23,391,101       2,953,880     $ 48,028,259  

Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

     1,370,224        21,101,452       934,885       14,948,805  

Shares redeemed

     (2,005,393      (32,381,521     (4,625,977     (74,794,820
  

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease)

     802,453      $ 12,111,032       (737,212   $ (11,817,756
  

 

 

 

3.  Transactions with Affiliates

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

 

Subsidiary    Affiliation

Franklin Advisers, Inc. (Advisers)

  

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

 

     
  Semiannual Report                 FI-25  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin Income VIP Fund (continued)

 

3.  Transactions with Affiliates (continued)

a. Management Fees

The Fund pays an investment management fee to Advisers based on the average daily net assets of the Fund as follows:

 

Annualized Fee Rate    Net Assets

0.625%

  

Up to and including $100 million

0.500%

  

Over $100 million, up to and including $250 million

0.450%

  

Over $250 million, up to and including $7.5 billion

0.440%

  

Over $7.5 billion, up to and including $10 billion

0.430%

  

Over $10 billion, up to and including $12.5 billion

0.420%

  

Over $12.5 billion, up to and including $15 billion

0.400%

  

In excess of $15 billion

For the period ended June 30, 2019, the annualized gross effective investment management fee rate was 0.455% of the Fund’s average daily net assets.

b.  Administrative Fees

Under an agreement with Advisers, FT Services provides administrative services to the Fund. The fee is paid by Advisers 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 Class 2 and Class 4 shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. Under the Fund’s 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 0.35% per year of its average daily net assets of each class. The Board has agreed to limit the current rate to 0.25% per year for Class 2. The plan year, for purposes of monitoring compliance with the maximum annual plan rates, is February 1 through January 31.

d.  Transfer Agent Fees

Investor Services, under terms of an agreement, performs shareholder servicing for the Fund and is not paid by the Fund for the services.

e.  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 Statement of Operations, in an amount not to exceed the management and administrative fees paid directly or indirectly by each affiliate. During the period ended June 30, 2019, the Fund held investments in affiliated management investment companies as follows:

 

     
FI-26        Semiannual Report  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin Income VIP Fund (continued)

 

 

      Value at
Beginning
of Period
     Purchases      Sales     Realized
Gain (Loss)
     Net Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
     Value at
End of
Period
     Number of
Shares
Held at End
of Period
     Investment
Income
 

Non-Controlled Affiliates

                      
                         Dividends  
                      

 

 

 

Institutional Fiduciary Trust Money Market Portfolio, 2.05%

     $157,193,174        $716,743,287        $(698,112,283     $      —        $      —        $175,824,178        175,824,178        $1,403,664  
                        

Income from
securities
loaned
 
 
 
                      

 

 

 

Institutional Fiduciary Trust Money Market Portfolio, 2.05%

     1,099,000        38,311,000        (39,410,000                                 15,410  
  

 

 

       

 

 

 

Total Affiliated Securities

     $158,292,174        $755,054,287        $(737,522,283     $      —        $      —        $175,824,178           $1,419,074  
  

 

 

       

 

 

 

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 June 30, 2019, the custodian fees were reduced as noted in the Statement of Operations.

5.  Income Taxes

At June 30, 2019, the cost of investments and net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) for income tax purposes were as follows:

 

Cost of investments

       $ 4,719,657,003   
  

 

 

 

Unrealized appreciation

       $ 582,809,046   

Unrealized depreciation

     (309,465,974)  
  

 

 

 

Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

       $ 273,343,072   
  

 

 

 

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

6.  Investment Transactions

Purchases and sales of investments (excluding short term securities) for the period ended June 30, 2019, aggregated $521,769,403 and $936,269,985 respectively.

7.  Credit Risk and Defaulted Securities

At June 30, 2019, the Fund had 33.6% of its portfolio invested in high yield, senior secured floating rate loans, or other securities rated below investment grade and unrated securities, if any. 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.

 

     
  Semiannual Report                 FI-27  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin Income VIP Fund (continued)

 

7.  Credit Risk and Defaulted Securities (continued)

The Fund held defaulted securities and/or other securities for which the income has been deemed uncollectible. At June 30, 2019, the aggregate value of these securities was $80,989,500, representing 1.6% of the Fund’s net assets. The Fund discontinues accruing income on securities for which income has been deemed uncollectible and provides an estimate for losses on interest receivable. The securities have been identified in the accompanying Statement of Investments.

8.  Other Derivative Information

At June 30, 2019, investments in derivative contracts are reflected in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities as follows:

 

    

Asset Derivatives

    

Liability Derivatives

 
Derivative Contracts
Not Accounted for as
Hedging Instruments
   Statement of
Assets and Liabilities
Location
   Fair Value      Statement of
Assets and Liabilities
Location
   Fair Value  

Equity contracts

   Investments in securities, at value          $  —      Options written, at value          $1,245,510  
     

 

 

       

 

 

 

For the period ended June 30, 2019, the effect of derivative contracts in the Statement of Operations was as follows:

 

Derivative Contracts
Not Accounted for as
Hedging Instruments
   Statement of
Operations Location
   Net Realized
Gain (Loss) for
the Period
     Statement of
Operations Location
   Net Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
for the Period
 
   Net realized gain (loss) from:       Net change in unrealized
appreciation (depreciation) on:
  

Equity contracts

   Written options          $  —      Written options          $28,452  
     

 

 

       

 

 

 

For the period ended June 30, 2019, the average month end notional amount of options represented 124,500 shares.

See Note 1(c) regarding derivative financial instruments.

9.  Credit Facility

The Fund, together with other U.S. registered and foreign investment funds (collectively, Borrowers), managed by Franklin Templeton, are borrowers in a joint syndicated senior unsecured credit facility totaling $2 billion (Global Credit Facility) which matures on February 7, 2020. This Global Credit Facility provides a source of funds to the Borrowers for temporary and emergency purposes, including the ability to meet future unanticipated or unusually large redemption requests.

Under the terms of the Global Credit Facility, the Fund shall, in addition to interest charged on any borrowings made by the Fund and other costs incurred by the Fund, pay its share of fees and expenses incurred in connection with the implementation and maintenance of the Global Credit Facility, based upon its relative share of the aggregate net assets of all of the Borrowers, including an annual commitment fee of 0.15% based upon the unused portion of the Global Credit Facility. These fees are reflected in other expenses in the Statement of Operations. During the period ended June 30, 2019, the Fund did not use the Global Credit Facility.

 

     
FI-28        Semiannual Report  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin Income VIP 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, prepayment speed, credit risk, etc.)

 

   

Level 3 – significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of financial instruments)

The input levels are not necessarily an indication of the risk or liquidity associated with financial instruments at that level.

A summary of inputs used as of June 30, 2019, in valuing the Fund’s assets and liabilities carried at fair value, is as follows:

 

      Level 1      Level 2      Level 3     Total  
Assets:           

Investments in Securities:a

          

Equity Investments:b

          

Financials

       $   344,806,528      $ 19,237,500      $                 —     $ 364,044,028  

All Other Equity Investments

     1,695,569,422                     1,695,569,422  

Equity-Linked Securities

            255,562,677              255,562,677  

Index-Linked Notes

            14,167,960              14,167,960  

Convertible Bonds

            47,964,641              47,964,641  

Corporate Bonds

            1,953,162,076              1,953,162,076  

Senior Floating Rate Interests

            104,832,439              104,832,439  

U.S. Government and Agency Securities

            383,118,164              383,118,164  

Escrows and Litigation Trusts

                   c        

Short Term Investments

     175,824,178                     175,824,178  
  

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities

       $   2,216,200,128      $   2,778,045,457      $     $   4,994,245,585  
  

 

 

 
Liabilities:           

Other Financial Instruments:

          

Options Written

       $    1,245,510      $      $     $ 1,245,510  
  

 

 

 

a For detailed categories, see the accompanying Statement of Investments.

b Includes common, preferred and convertible preferred stocks.

c Includes securities determined to have no value at June 30, 2019.

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 beginning and/or 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.

 

     
  Semiannual Report                 FI-29  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin Income VIP Fund (continued)

 

Abbreviations

 

Currency   Selected Portfolio
EUR   Euro   ADR    American Depositary Receipt
USD   United States Dollar   FNMA    Federal National Mortgage Association
    FRN    Floating Rate Note
    LIBOR    London InterBank Offered Rate

 

     
FI-30        Semiannual Report  


Franklin Mutual Global Discovery VIP Fund

This semiannual report for Franklin Mutual Global Discovery VIP Fund covers the period ended June 30, 2019.

Class 4 Performance Summary as of June 30, 2019

The Fund’s Class 4 Shares posted a +14.51% total return* for the six-month period ended June 30, 2019.

*The Fund has a fee waiver associated with any investment it makes in a Franklin Templeton money fund and/or other Franklin Templeton fund, contractually guaranteed through 4/30/20. Fund investment results reflect the fee waiver; without this waiver, the results would have been lower.

Performance reflects the Fund’s Class 4 operating expenses, but does not include any contract fees, expenses or sales charges. If they had been included, performance would be lower. These charges and deductions, particularly for variable life policies, can have a significant effect on contract values and insurance benefits. See the contract prospectus for a complete description of these expenses, including sales charges.

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.

 

     
  Semiannual Report                   MGD-1  


FRANKLIN MUTUAL GLOBAL DISCOVERY VIP FUND

 

Fund Goal and Main Investments

The Fund seeks capital appreciation. Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests primarily in U.S. and foreign equity securities that the investment manager believes are available at market prices less than their intrinsic value. The equity securities in which the Fund invests are primarily common stock. To a lesser extent, the Fund also invests in merger arbitrage securities and the debt and equity of distressed companies. The Fund may invest substantially and potentially up to 100% of its assets in foreign securities, which may include sovereign debt and participations in foreign government debt.

Fund Risks

All investments involve risks, including possible loss of principal. Value securities may not increase in price as anticipated, or may decline further in value. The Fund’s investments in foreign securities involve more risks than U.S. securities, including political and economic developments, trading practices, availability of information, limited markets, and currency exchange fluctuations and policies. Because the Fund may invest at least a significant portion of its assets in companies in a specific region, including Europe, the Fund is subject to greater risks of adverse developments in that region and/or the surrounding regions than a fund that is more broadly diversified geographically. Securities issued by smaller and midsize companies may be more volatile in price than those of larger companies, involve substantial risks and should be considered speculative. Derivatives involve costs and can create economic leverage in the Fund’s portfolio which may result in significant volatility and cause the Fund to participate in losses (as well as gains) in an amount that exceeds the Fund’s initial investment. The Fund’s investments in companies engaged in mergers, reorganizations or liquidations also involve special risks as pending deals may not be completed on time or on favorable terms, as well as lower-rated bonds, which entail higher credit risk. 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.

Geographic Composition*

Based on Total Net Assets as of 6/30/19

 

LOGO

*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.

Performance Overview

You can find the Fund’s six-month total return in the Performance Summary. In comparison, the Fund’s benchmark, the MSCI World Index posted a +17.38% total return for the same period.1

Economic and Market Overview

The global economy expanded during the six months ended June 30, 2019, despite weakness in certain regions. Global developed and emerging market stocks were aided by upbeat economic data in some regions, encouraging corporate earnings reports and periods of optimism about a potential U.S.-China trade deal. Further supporting markets were the U.S. Federal Reserve’s (Fed’s) patient approach to its monetary policy in 2019 and recent indication it will act as appropriate to sustain U.S. economic expansion.

However, markets reflected concerns about political uncertainties in the U.S. and the European Union,

 

 

1. Source: Morningstar. One cannot invest directly in an index, and an index is not representative of the Fund’s portfolio. Please see Index Descriptions following the Fund Summaries.

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).

 

     
MGD-2            Semiannual Report  


FRANKLIN MUTUAL GLOBAL DISCOVERY VIP FUND

 

geopolitical risks in certain regions, and the impact of U.S. trade disputes with China and other trading partners on global growth and corporate earnings. In this environment, global developed and emerging market stocks, as measured by the MSCI All Country World Index, posted a +16.60% total return for the six-month period.1

The U.S. economy grew during the six months ended June 30, 2019. After moderating for two consecutive quarters, the economy grew significantly faster in 2019’s first quarter, driven by growth in consumer spending, inventory investment, exports, business investment, and state and local government spending. However, the economy moderated again in the second quarter, due to weakness in inventory investment, exports, business investment and housing investment. The unemployment rate decreased from 3.9% in December 2018 to 3.7% at period-end.2 The annual inflation rate, as measured by the Consumer Price Index, decreased from 1.9% in December 2018 to 1.6% at period-end.2

The Fed held its target range for the federal funds rate unchanged, at 2.25%–2.50%, during the reporting period. In March, the Fed mentioned it would end its balance sheet normalization program by the end of September 2019. In June, the Fed indicated increased uncertainties around its views on economic activity and the labor market. With market-based inflation measures remaining low recently, the market has interpreted the Fed’s recent statements to mean it will likely cut rates in 2019’s second half to foster continued economic growth while attempting to achieve its inflation objective.

In Europe, the U.K.’s quarterly gross domestic product (GDP) growth accelerated in 2019’s first quarter. The Bank of England left its key policy rate unchanged during the period. The eurozone’s quarterly GDP accelerated in 2019’s first quarter. However, the bloc’s annual inflation rate decreased during the period. The European Central Bank (ECB) kept its benchmark interest rate unchanged during the period. In June, the ECB mentioned it would leave interest rates unchanged through the first half of 2020, provided details of its new stimulus, and indicated its openness to cut rates or increase stimulus.

In Asia, Japan’s quarterly GDP growth accelerated in 2019’s first quarter. In June, the Bank of Japan also left its benchmark interest rate unchanged, while continuing its stimulus measures, and expressed its openness to cut interest rates or increase stimulus.

In larger emerging markets, Brazil’s quarterly GDP growth contracted in 2019’s first quarter. The Central Bank of Brazil left its benchmark interest rate unchanged during the period. Russia’s annual GDP growth moderated in 2019’s first quarter. The Bank of Russia cut its key rate once during the period. China’s annual GDP growth rate stabilized in 2019’s first quarter. The People’s Bank of China left its benchmark interest rate unchanged, but it took measures to improve financial liquidity to mitigate the effects of the U.S.-China trade dispute and support economic growth. Overall, global emerging market stocks, as measured by the MSCI Emerging Markets Index, posted a +10.78% total return during the six-month period.1

Investment Strategy

At Franklin Mutual Advisors, we are committed to our distinctive value approach to investing. Our major investment strategy is investing in undervalued stocks. When selecting undervalued equities, we are attracted to what we believe are fundamentally strong companies with healthy balance sheets, high-quality assets, substantial free cash flow and shareholder-oriented management teams and whose stocks are trading at discounts to our assessment of the companies’ intrinsic or business value. We also look for asset-rich companies whose shares may be trading at depressed levels due to concerns over short-term earnings disappointments, litigation, management strategy or other perceived negatives. While the vast majority of our undervalued equity investments are made in publicly traded companies globally, we may invest occasionally in privately held companies as well.

We complement this more traditional investment strategy with two others. One is distressed investing, which is complex and can take many forms. The most common distressed investment the Fund undertakes is the purchase of financially troubled or bankrupt companies’ debt at a substantial discount to face value. After the financially distressed company is reorganized, often in bankruptcy court, the old debt is typically replaced with new securities issued by the financially stronger company.

The other piece of our investment strategy is participating in arbitrage situations, another highly specialized field. When companies announce proposed mergers or takeovers, commonly referred to as “deals,” the target company may trade at a discount to the bid it ultimately accepts. One form of arbitrage involves purchasing the target company’s stock when it is trading below the value we believe it would receive

 

 

2. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

 

     
  Semiannual Report                   MGD-3  


FRANKLIN MUTUAL GLOBAL DISCOVERY VIP FUND

 

in a deal. In keeping with our commitment to a relatively conservative investment approach, we typically focus our arbitrage efforts on announced deals, and eschew rumored deals or other situations we consider relatively risky.

In addition, it is our practice to hedge the Fund’s currency exposure when we deem it advantageous for our shareholders.

 

What is meant by “hedge”?

To hedge an investment is to take a position intended to offset potential losses/gains that may be incurred by a companion financial instrument.

Manager’s Discussion

Franklin Mutual Series has long analyzed companies in many ways beyond just looking at the numbers. We analyze the way a company is run and how decisions are made at the executive and board levels. We look at the sustainability of a company, including the relationships with employees and customers, as well as the environmental impacts of a company’s business. In many ways this is common sense. A company that takes advantage of customers and unsustainably produces environmental waste is worth less than one that does not do these things. Similarly, a company that is well-run and responsive to shareholders is worth more than one whose executives manage the company for their private benefit. However, disclosure has been limited on many relevant issues, and there are disagreements about which things should be measured and how they should be measured.

This type of analysis is labeled ESG analysis, where ESG stands for environmental, social, and governance factors. Many firms, including Franklin Templeton, are incorporating ESG factors in their investment research. In addition, there are other bodies such as the Sustainable Accounting Standards Board that are working on standardizing metrics for companies and industries to improve their reporting on these factors, particularly in the environmental and social areas. As a result, ESG analysis is improving across the market, and Franklin Mutual Series analysts are better able to analyze non-traditional factors, including greenhouse gas emissions, water consumption, energy usage, talent management, diversity and inclusion, executive compensation, and enterprise risk management, to name a few. ESG investing should not be confused with social or exclusionary types of investing, but should rather be viewed as an additional tool analysts and portfolio managers use in the investment process to identify and measure non-traditional, potential business risks and opportunities at a company.

Top 10 Sectors/Industries       
6/30/19       
      % of Total
Net Assets
 
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels      11.9%  
Banks      11.5%  
Insurance      9.2%  
Pharmaceuticals      7.8%  
Media      5.0%  
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals      4.2%  
Software      4.2%  
Entertainment      3.4%  
Automobiles      3.3%  
Health Care Equipment & Supplies      3.2%  

Today, Franklin Mutual Series analysts review and analyze ESG reports produced by third parties or the companies themselves to assess potential risks that could have an impact on shareholder value. In addition, we have discussions with management teams around ESG risks, how they deal with them and the potential impact on stakeholders. Our discussions have included issues such as water consumption in mining, the impact of changing carbon dioxide emission standards on the automotive industry and discussions with boards and management teams around management pay. Although more work needs to be done to standardize data from companies within industries so that comparisons can be relevant, the identification and discussion of ESG risk factors is an input we consider in helping frame the potential negative events individual companies or industries may face. In our view, solid ESG ratings are an output of fundamentally good business practices, not an input. As the data and information regarding ESG risk factors continue to evolve, we believe the increased information will highlight additional risk factors to enterprises and help us make more informed investment decisions going forward.

Mergers and Acquisitions

Merger and acquisition (M&A) activity remained healthy in the first half of 2019. The health care sector led the way, with pharmaceuticals megamergers among the biggest transactions. The pending acquisitions of Celgene and Allergan (not a Fund holding), each worth almost $90 billion, exemplify this strength. Large deals have also been announced in the defense, oil and gas exploration and production, and diversified financial services industries, underlying the broad strength of the M&A boom. In addition, U.S. and foreign regulators appear to be more amenable to deals, leading markets to expect fewer regulatory surprises.

 

 

     
MGD-4            Semiannual Report  


FRANKLIN MUTUAL GLOBAL DISCOVERY VIP FUND

 

We are closely monitoring the U.S.-China trade conflict, because flare-ups could potentially impact pending and future deals. We expect M&A activity to remain strong for as long as the equity markets remain strong, as has been the historical pattern.

Credit Markets

Opportunities to invest in mispriced risk across global fixed income markets remained limited in the first half of 2019. The low interest-rate environment kept credit widely available, and default rates are still at historically low levels. Debt covenant terms, which include restrictions on the borrower’s financial activities, remain loose or nonexistent. In such an environment, we believe it is prudent to focus our efforts on investing in short-term mispriced risk and catalyst-driven credit opportunities.

On the restructuring side, Cumulus Media and iHeartMedia, two long-term distressed credit positions, emerged from bankruptcy or had reached a confirmable restructuring agreement in 2018, reducing further the purely distressed portion of the credit holdings within the Funds. PG&E, which recently filed for bankruptcy, became a new distressed credit position. We are hopeful more opportunities may emerge as the business and economic cycles elongate amid persistent uncertainties. We will continue to seek to invest across the capital structures of companies that avail themselves of opportunities to bolster liquidity through internally generated free cash flow and corporate actions, including asset sales and debt refinancing.

Fund Performance

Turning to Fund performance, top positive contributors included Walt Disney, Novartis and Kinder Morgan.

The stock of U.S.-based diversified international family entertainment and media enterprise Walt Disney surged following an investor event outlining the strategy and expectations for its new streaming service. The breadth and depth of content, the price point, and the technology and user interface supporting it have increased optimism about the service. Market expectations for the service’s growth and profitability rose significantly on the back of this event.

In March, Switzerland-based drug maker Novartis announced the official process and dates for its tax-free spinoff of the eye care device and consumer products business of Alcon (not a Fund holding), and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Mayzent, the first oral drug to treat secondary progressive multiple sclerosis. In May, Novartis won U.S. regulatory approval for gene therapy that treats spinal muscular atrophy and announced the

Top 10 Holdings     
6/30/19     

 

Company

Sector/Industry, Country

   % of Total
Net Assets

The Walt Disney Co.

Entertainment, U.S.

     3.4%  

Medtronic PLC

Health Care Equipment & Supplies, U.S.

     3.2%  

Novartis AG

Pharmaceuticals, Switzerland

     3.2%  

Royal Dutch Shell PLC

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels, U.K.

     2.4%  

Charter Communications Inc.

Media, U.S.

     2.4%  

GlaxoSmithKline PLC

Pharmaceuticals, U.K.

     2.4%  

Citizens Financial Group Inc.

Banks, U.S.

     2.1%  

Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.

Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals,

South Korea

     2.1%  

Citigroup Inc.

Banks, U.S.

     2.1%  

Kinder Morgan Inc.

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels, U.S.

     2.1%  

purchase of a dry eye drug from a Japanese drug company. We believe Novartis is continuing to position itself as a more focused and innovation-driven drug company, and that the market does not fully appreciate the many innovative products it has in development.

Shares of U.S.-based energy company Kinder Morgan rose in early 2019, as the energy sector rebounded from weak performance in the fourth quarter of 2018. In addition, U.S. pipeline companies have benefited from increased volumes of U.S. crude oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids, along with limited pipeline supply. We believe conditions are likely to remain favorable for the energy sector if commodity prices hold up, most notably if crude oil prices remain above US$50 per barrel.

During the period under review, Fund investments that detracted from performance included Walgreens Boots Alliance, CVS Health and Imperial Brands.

Shares of U.S.-based Walgreens Boots Alliance did not keep up with the market rebound in January and February. In March, the stock price fell when the chief financial officer cited negative industry trends in drug prices and pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) reimbursement rates, as well as the company’s limited success offsetting those challenges by

 

 

     
  Semiannual Report                   MGD-5  


FRANKLIN MUTUAL GLOBAL DISCOVERY VIP FUND

 

increasing its volume of drug sales or renegotiating with PBMs. These pressures and weakness in both its U.S. and U.K. stores resulted in a cut to full-year guidance in April. However, Walgreens is reducing costs throughout the enterprise, and within the front end of the store, it is attempting to reduce exposure to lower margin categories, which we believe can help boost growth and profitability over the longer term.

In January, the chief executive officer of U.S.-based CVS Health, an integrated pharmacy health care provider, highlighted probable headwinds for 2019, and in February the company detailed the financial drag from those headwinds. Possible negative factors included: higher costs from increased investments in its workforce, which could have a year-over-year drag on earnings through the first half of 2019; greater price competition in nursing care; and lower-than-expected branded drug price increases.

Shares of U.K. tobacco company Imperial Brands traded lower after the company reported below-expected first-half fiscal 2019 revenues amid concerns about stricter U.S. regulation and waning tobacco product distribution at large U.S. drugstores. The U.S. has considered banning menthol cigarettes and enacting stricter regulation of e-cigarettes and vaping products, particularly flavors more prone to attract underaged consumers. Tobacco companies were pressured by recent Nielsen industry data suggesting deteriorating U.S. industry volumes. The industry urged investors to use more reliable data sources, as Nielsen does not measure a number of tobacco distribution channels.

During the period, the Fund held currency forwards and futures seeking to hedge most of the currency risk of the portfolio’s non-U.S. dollar investments. The hedges had a positive overall impact on the Fund’s performance because of the appreciation of the U.S. dollar versus the hedged currencies.

 

What is a currency forward?

A currency forward is a direct 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 future?

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

Thank you for your participation in Franklin Mutual Global Discovery VIP Fund. We look forward to serving your future investment needs.

 

 

The foregoing information reflects our analysis, opinions and portfolio holdings as of June 30, 2019, 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.

 

 

     
MGD-6            Semiannual Report  


FRANKLIN MUTUAL GLOBAL DISCOVERY VIP FUND

 

Class 4 Fund Expenses

As an investor in a variable insurance contract (Contract) that indirectly provides for investment in an underlying mutual fund, you can incur transaction and/or ongoing expenses at both the Fund level and the Contract Level: (1) transaction expenses can include sales charges (loads) on purchases, surrender fees, transfer fees and premium taxes; and (2) ongoing expenses can include management fees, distribution and service (12b-1) fees, contract fees, annual maintenance fees, mortality and expense risk fees and other fees and expenses. All mutual funds and Contracts have some types of ongoing expenses. The table below shows Fund-level ongoing expenses and can help you understand these costs and compare them with those of other mutual funds offered through the Contract. The table assumes a $1,000 investment held for the six months indicated. Please refer to the Fund prospectus for additional information on operating expenses.

Actual Fund Expenses

The table below provides information about the actual account values and actual expenses in the columns under the heading “Actual.” In these columns the Fund’s actual return, which includes the effect of ongoing Fund expenses but does not include the effect of ongoing Contract expenses, is used to calculate the “Ending Account Value.” You can estimate the Fund-level expenses you paid during the period by following these steps (of course, your account value and expenses will differ from those in this illustration): Divide your account value by $1,000 (if your account had an $8,600 value, then $8,600 ÷ $1,000 = 8.6). Then multiply the result by the number under the headings “Actual” and “Fund-Level Expenses Paid During Period” (if Fund-Level Expenses Paid During Period were $ 7.50, then 8.6 x $ 7.50 = $64.50). In this illustration, the estimated expenses paid this period at the Fund level are $64.50.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison with Other Mutual Funds

Under the heading “Hypothetical” in the table, information is provided about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. This information may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period, but it can help you compare ongoing costs of investing in the Fund with those of other mutual funds offered through the Contract. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds offered through the Contract.

Please note that expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight ongoing costs at the Fund level only and do not reflect any ongoing expenses at the Contract level, or transaction expenses at either the Fund or Contract levels. In addition, while the Fund does not have transaction expenses, if the transaction and ongoing expenses at the Contract level were included, the expenses shown below would be higher. You should consult your Contract prospectus or disclosure document for more information.

 

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

  Share

  Class

   Beginning
Account
Value 1/1/19
        Ending
Account
Value 6/30/19
   Fund-Level
Expenses
Paid During
Period
1/1/19–6/30/191, 2
        Ending
Account
Value 6/30/19
   Fund-Level
Expenses
Paid During
Period
1/1/19–6/30/191, 2
        Net
Annualized
Expense
Ratio2

Class 4

   $1,000       $1,145.10    $6.81       $1,018.45    $6.41       1.28%

1. Expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio for the six-month period as indicated above—in the far right column—multiplied by the simple average account value over the period indicated, and then multiplied by 181/365 to reflect the one-half year period.

2. Reflects expenses after fee waivers and expense reimbursements. Does not include any ongoing expenses of the Contract for which the Fund is an investment option or acquired fund fees and expenses.

 

     
  Semiannual Report              MGD-7  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

 

Financial Highlights

Franklin Mutual Global Discovery VIP Fund

 

   

Six Months Ended
June 30, 2019

(unaudited)

     Year Ended December 31,  
      2018      2017      2016      2015      2014  

Class 1

                
Per share operating performance
(for a share outstanding throughout the period)
                

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $17.47        $20.38        $20.22        $19.85        $22.61        $23.31  
       
Income from investment operationsa:                 

Net investment incomeb

    0.27        0.36        0.47        0.41        0.37        0.68 c 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)

    2.30        (2.50      1.29        1.92        (1.17      0.76  
       

Total from investment operations

    2.57        (2.14      1.76        2.33        (0.80      1.44  
       
Less distributions from:                 

Net investment income

           (0.52      (0.42      (0.39      (0.69      (0.57

Net realized gains

           (0.25      (1.18      (1.57      (1.27      (1.57
       

Total distributions

           (0.77      (1.60      (1.96      (1.96      (2.14
       

Net asset value, end of period

    $20.04        $17.47        $20.38        $20.22        $19.85        $22.61  
       

Total returnd

    14.71%        (11.01)%        8.99%        12.32%        (3.39)%        5.98%  
Ratios to average net assetse                 

Expensesf,g

    0.93% h        0.96% h        1.01% h        1.01% h        1.02% h        1.00%  

Expenses incurred in connection with securities sold short

    0.01%        0.01%        —%        0.01%        0.02%        0.03%  

Net investment income

    2.76%        1.81%        2.29%        2.10%        1.71%        2.85% c  
Supplemental data                 

Net assets, end of period (000’s)

    $3,729        $3,282        $3,189        $3,084        $2,632        $2,313  

Portfolio turnover rate

    10.94%        29.84%        17.49%        17.54%        21.88%        22.18%  

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

bBased on average daily shares outstanding.

cNet investment income per share includes approximately $0.34 per share related to income received in the form of special dividends in connection with certain Fund holdings. Excluding this amount, the ratio of net investment income to average net assets would have been 1.40%.

dTotal return does not include fees, charges or expenses imposed by the variable annuity and life insurance contracts for which Franklin Templeton Variable Insurance Products Trust serves as an underlying investment vehicle. Total 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(d).

gBenefit of expense reduction rounds to less than 0.01%.

hBenefit of waiver and payments by affiliates rounds to less than 0.01%.

 

     
MGD-8            Semiannual Report   |    The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

 

Franklin Mutual Global Discovery VIP Fund (continued)

 

   

Six Months Ended
June 30, 2019

(unaudited)

     Year Ended December 31,  
      2018      2017      2016      2015      2014  

Class 2

                
Per share operating performance
(for a share outstanding throughout the period)
                

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $16.96        $19.80        $19.69        $19.37        $22.11        $22.84  
       
Income from investment operationsa:                 

Net investment incomeb

    0.23        0.30        0.41        0.35        0.32        0.60 c 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)

    2.24        (2.42      1.25        1.87        (1.16      0.75  
       

Total from investment operations

    2.47        (2.12      1.66        2.22        (0.84      1.35  
       
Less distributions from:                 

Net investment income

           (0.47      (0.37      (0.33      (0.63      (0.51

Net realized gains

           (0.25      (1.18      (1.57      (1.27      (1.57
       

Total distributions

           (0.72      (1.55      (1.90      (1.90      (2.08
       

Net asset value, end of period

    $19.43        $16.96        $19.80        $19.69        $19.37        $22.11  
       

Total returnd

    14.56%        (11.22)%        8.71%        12.06%        (3.65)%        5.71%  
Ratios to average net assetse                 

Expensesf,g

    1.18% h        1.21% h        1.26% h        1.26% h        1.27% h        1.25%  

Expenses incurred in connection with securities sold short

    0.01%        0.01%        —%        0.01%        0.02%        0.03%  

Net investment income

    2.51%        1.56%        2.04%        1.85%        1.46%        2.60% c  
Supplemental data                 

Net assets, end of period (000’s)

    $535,270        $500,607        $631,179        $630,397        $629,366        $685,711  

Portfolio turnover rate

    10.94%        29.84%        17.49%        17.54%        21.88%        22.18%  

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

bBased on average daily shares outstanding.

cNet investment income per share includes approximately $0.34 per share related to income received in the form of special dividends in connection with certain Fund holdings. Excluding this amount, the ratio of net investment income to average net assets would have been 1.15%.

dTotal return does not include fees, charges or expenses imposed by the variable annuity and life insurance contracts for which Franklin Templeton Variable Insurance Products Trust serves as an underlying investment vehicle. Total 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(d).

gBenefit of expense reduction rounds to less than 0.01%.

hBenefit of waiver and payments by affiliates rounds to less than 0.01%.

 

     
  The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.    |   Semiannual Report                   MGD-9  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

 

Franklin Mutual Global Discovery VIP Fund (continued)

 

   

Six Months Ended
June 30, 2019

(unaudited)

     Year Ended December 31,  
      2018      2017      2016      2015      2014  

Class 4

                
Per share operating performance
(for a share outstanding throughout the period)
                

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $17.30        $20.17        $20.02        $19.66        $22.39        $23.10  
       
Income from investment operationsa:                 

Net investment incomeb

    0.23        0.29        0.40        0.34        0.30        0.61 c 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)

    2.28        (2.47      1.27        1.89        (1.17      0.73  
       

Total from investment operations

    2.51        (2.18      1.67        2.23        (0.87      1.34  
       
Less distributions from:                 

Net investment income

           (0.44      (0.34      (0.30      (0.59      (0.48

Net realized gains

           (0.25      (1.18      (1.57      (1.27      (1.57
       

Total distributions

           (0.69      (1.52      (1.87      (1.86      (2.05
       

Net asset value, end of period

    $19.81        $17.30        $20.17        $20.02        $19.66        $22.39  
       

Total returnd

    14.51%        (11.31)%        8.61%        11.91%        (3.74)%        5.60%  
Ratios to average net assetse                 

Expensesf,g

    1.28% h        1.31% h        1.36% h        1.36% h        1.37% h        1.35%  

Expenses incurred in connection with securities sold short

    0.01%        0.01%        —%        0.01%        0.02%        0.03%  

Net investment income

    2.41%        1.46%        1.94%        1.75%        1.36%        2.50% c  
Supplemental data                 

Net assets, end of period (000’s)

    $31,288        $30,094        $41,713        $45,262        $49,054        $59,961  

Portfolio turnover rate

    10.94%        29.84%        17.49%        17.54%        21.88%        22.18%  

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

bBased on average daily shares outstanding.

cNet investment income per share includes approximately $0.34 per share related to income received in the form of special dividends in connection with certain Fund holdings. Excluding this amount, the ratio of net investment income to average net assets would have been 1.05%.

dTotal return does not include fees, charges or expenses imposed by the variable annuity and life insurance contracts for which Franklin Templeton Variable Insurance Products Trust serves as an underlying investment vehicle. Total 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(d).

gBenefit of expense reduction rounds to less than 0.01%.

hBenefit of waiver and payments by affiliates rounds to less than 0.01%.

 

     
MGD-10        Semiannual Report   |    The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

 

Statement of Investments, June 30, 2019 (unaudited)

 

Franklin Mutual Global Discovery VIP Fund

 

          
           Country        Shares/
Units/
Warrants
       Value  
 

Common Stocks and Other Equity Interests 91.8%

            
 

Aerospace & Defense 0.9%

            
 

BAE Systems PLC

     United Kingdom          847,691        $ 5,333,106  
              

 

 

 
 

Auto Components 0.3%

            
a,b,c  

International Automotive Components Group Brazil LLC

     Brazil          424,073          10,890  
 

Toyo Tire Corp.

     Japan          138,565          1,821,059  
              

 

 

 
                 1,831,949  
              

 

 

 
 

Automobiles 1.3%

            
 

General Motors Co.

     United States          198,100          7,632,793  
              

 

 

 
 

Banks 11.5%

            
 

Barclays PLC

     United Kingdom          18,505          35,204  
 

CIT Group Inc.

     United States          108,969          5,725,231  
 

Citigroup Inc.

     United States          170,950          11,971,629  
 

Citizens Financial Group Inc.

     United States          345,523          12,217,693  
 

First Horizon National Corp.

     United States          353,473          5,277,352  
 

ING Groep NV

     Netherlands          440,135          5,101,747  
 

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

     United States          72,586          8,115,115  
 

Standard Chartered PLC

     United Kingdom          827,197          7,502,662  
 

Wells Fargo & Co.

     United States          209,020          9,890,826  
              

 

 

 
                   65,837,459  
              

 

 

 
 

Biotechnology 1.4%

            
a  

Celgene Corp.

     United States          83,100          7,681,764  
              

 

 

 
 

Building Products 1.5%

            
 

Johnson Controls International PLC

     United States          206,500          8,530,515  
              

 

 

 
 

Capital Markets 1.7%

            
 

Credit Suisse Group AG

     Switzerland          499,643          5,989,371  
 

Deutsche Bank AG

     Germany          207,029          1,595,747  
 

Guotai Junan Securities Co. Ltd.

     China          1,275,797          2,273,266  
              

 

 

 
                 9,858,384  
              

 

 

 
 

Chemicals 1.4%

            
 

BASF SE

     Germany          113,111          8,219,488  
              

 

 

 
 

Communications Equipment 1.0%

            
 

Cisco Systems Inc.

     United States          100,180          5,482,851  
              

 

 

 
 

Construction Materials 1.0%

            
 

LafargeHolcim Ltd., B

     Switzerland          121,811          5,946,777  
              

 

 

 
 

Consumer Finance 1.4%

            
 

Ally Financial Inc.

     United States          32,830          1,017,402  
 

Capital One Financial Corp.

     United States          76,488          6,940,521  
              

 

 

 
                 7,957,923  
              

 

 

 
 

Containers & Packaging 1.0%

            
 

International Paper Co.

     United States          134,900          5,843,868  
              

 

 

 
 

Diversified Financial Services 1.0%

            
 

Voya Financial Inc.

     United States          101,650          5,621,245  
              

 

 

 

 

     
  Semiannual Report                   MGD-11  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin Mutual Global Discovery VIP Fund (continued)

 

           Country        Shares/
Units/
Warrants
       Value  
  Common Stocks and Other Equity Interests (continued)             
 

Diversified Telecommunication Services 1.0%

            
 

Koninklijke KPN NV

     Netherlands          1,862,967        $ 5,718,368  
              

 

 

 
 

Electric Utilities 1.8%

            
 

Enel SpA

     Italy          1,435,057          10,017,070  
              

 

 

 
 

Energy Equipment & Services 1.2%

            
 

Baker Hughes a GE Co., A

     United States          274,264          6,755,122  
              

 

 

 
 

Entertainment 3.4%

            
 

The Walt Disney Co.

     United States          137,500          19,200,500  
              

 

 

 
 

Food & Staples Retailing 1.0%

            
 

Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc.

     United States          102,904          5,625,762  
              

 

 

 
 

Food Products 0.9%

            
 

The Kraft Heinz Co.

     United States          165,900          5,149,536  
              

 

 

 
 

Health Care Equipment & Supplies 3.2%

            
 

Medtronic PLC

     United States          190,110          18,514,813  
              

 

 

 
 

Health Care Providers & Services 1.4%

            
 

CVS Health Corp.

     United States          148,791          8,107,622  
              

 

 

 
 

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure 2.2%

            
 

Accor SA

     France          186,049          7,984,495  
 

Sands China Ltd.

     China          916,400          4,381,322  
              

 

 

 
                   12,365,817  
              

 

 

 
 

Independent Power & Renewable Electricity Producers 0.5%

            
 

Vistra Energy Corp.

     United States          117,933          2,670,003  
              

 

 

 
 

Industrial Conglomerates 1.2%

            
 

General Electric Co.

     United States          624,350          6,555,675  
              

 

 

 
 

Insurance 9.2%

            
a  

Alleghany Corp.

     United States          2,730          1,859,430  
 

American International Group Inc.

     United States          177,333          9,448,302  
 

China Pacific Insurance Group Co. Ltd., H

     China          1,523,508          5,957,793  
 

Chubb Ltd.

     United States          49,566          7,300,576  
 

The Hartford Financial Services Group Inc.

     United States          192,796          10,742,593  
 

NN Group NV

     Netherlands          280,241          11,278,157  
 

RSA Insurance Group PLC

     United Kingdom          501,149          3,670,952  
 

T&D Holdings Inc.

     Japan          199,721          2,166,330  
              

 

 

 
                 52,424,133  
              

 

 

 
 

IT Services 1.4%

            
 

Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp., A

     United States          126,860          8,041,655  
              

 

 

 
 

Machinery 0.4%

            
 

CNH Industrial NV

     United Kingdom          239,035          2,450,614  
              

 

 

 
 

Media 5.0%

            
a  

Charter Communications Inc., A

     United States          34,286          13,549,141  
a  

Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings Inc.

     United States          206,569          975,006  
a  

Cumulus Media Inc., A

     United States          8,189          151,906  
a  

Cumulus Media Inc., B

     United States          13,384          248,273  

 

     
MGD-12        Semiannual Report  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin Mutual Global Discovery VIP Fund (continued)

 

           Country        Shares/
Units/
Warrants
       Value  
  Common Stocks and Other Equity Interests (continued)             
 

Media (continued)

            
a  

DISH Network Corp., A

     United States          139,003        $ 5,339,105  
a,b,c  

iHeartMedia Inc., A

     United States          95,199          1,381,841  
a,b,c  

iHeartMedia Inc., B

     United States          1,606          23,312  
a  

Liberty Global PLC, C

     United Kingdom          263,900          7,001,267  
              

 

 

 
                   28,669,851  
              

 

 

 
 

Metals & Mining 0.0%

            
 

Warrior Met Coal Inc.

     United States          3,221          84,132  
              

 

 

 
 

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels 11.9%

            
 

Anadarko Petroleum Corp.

     United States          92,025          6,493,284  
 

BP PLC

     United Kingdom          884,587          6,162,869  
 

Caltex Australia Ltd.

     Australia          33,324          578,947  
 

Canadian Natural Resources Ltd.

     Canada          287,800          7,758,899  
 

Crescent Point Energy Corp.

     Canada          670,900          2,217,978  
 

JXTG Holdings Inc.

     Japan          897,639          4,449,066  
 

Kinder Morgan Inc.

     United States          571,770          11,938,558  
 

Occidental Petroleum Corp.

     United States          61,000          3,067,080  
 

Plains All American Pipeline LP

     United States          195,500          4,760,425  
 

Royal Dutch Shell PLC, A (EUR Traded)

     United Kingdom          237,549          7,753,353  
 

Royal Dutch Shell PLC, A (GBP Traded)

     United Kingdom          179,410          5,861,228  
 

The Williams Cos. Inc.

     United States          234,501          6,575,408  
              

 

 

 
                 67,617,095  
              

 

 

 
 

Pharmaceuticals 7.8%

            
 

Eli Lilly & Co.

     United States          54,384          6,025,203  
 

GlaxoSmithKline PLC

     United Kingdom          670,728          13,429,337  
 

Merck & Co. Inc.

     United States          83,452          6,997,450  
 

Novartis AG, ADR

     Switzerland          199,302          18,198,266  
              

 

 

 
                 44,650,256  
              

 

 

 
 

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment 0.7%

            
a  

Renesas Electronics Corp.

     Japan          791,797          3,928,876  
              

 

 

 
 

Software 4.2%

            
a  

Avaya Holdings Corp., wts., 12/15/22

     United States          5,179          5,179  
a  

Check Point Software Technologies Ltd.

     Israel          85,267          9,857,718  
a  

Red Hat Inc.

     United States          34,900          6,552,824  
 

Symantec Corp.

     United States          334,461          7,277,871  
              

 

 

 
                 23,693,592  
              

 

 

 
 

Specialty Retail 0.7%

            
 

Dufry AG

     Switzerland          44,773          3,791,112  
              

 

 

 
 

Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals 4.2%

            
 

Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co.

     United States          376,580          5,629,871  
 

Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.

     South Korea          297,113          12,070,039  
 

Western Digital Corp.

     United States          132,012          6,277,171  
              

 

 

 
                 23,977,081  
              

 

 

 

 

     
  Semiannual Report                   MGD-13  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin Mutual Global Discovery VIP Fund (continued)

 

           Country        Shares/
Units/
Warrants
       Value  
  Common Stocks and Other Equity Interests (continued)             
 

Tobacco 3.1%

            
 

Altria Group Inc.

     United States          107,584        $ 5,094,102  
 

British American Tobacco PLC

     United Kingdom          224,633          7,842,146  
 

British American Tobacco PLC, ADR

     United Kingdom          83,985          2,928,557  
 

Imperial Brands PLC

     United Kingdom          66,232          1,553,368  
              

 

 

 
                 17,418,173  
              

 

 

 
 

Total Common Stocks and Other Equity Interests (Cost $447,606,420)

               523,204,980  
              

 

 

 
 

Preferred Stocks (Cost $12,172,905) 2.0%

 

         
 

Automobiles 2.0%

            
d  

Volkswagen AG, 3.279%, pfd.

     Germany          67,454          11,366,263  
              

 

 

 
                  Principal
Amount
          
 

Corporate Notes 0.9%

            
 

Frontier Communications Corp.,

            
 

senior note, 10.50%, 9/15/22

     United States        $ 3,610,000          2,463,825  
 

senior note, 11.00%, 9/15/25

     United States          4,065,000          2,540,625  
              

 

 

 
 

Total Corporate Notes (Cost $7,070,694)

               5,004,450  
              

 

 

 
 

Corporate Bonds and Notes in Reorganization 0.1%

            
b,c,e  

Broadband Ventures III LLC, secured promissory note, 5.00%, 2/01/12

     United States          595           
e  

Pacific Gas & Electric Co.,

            
 

senior bond, 3.75%, 8/15/42

     United States          225,000          204,750  
 

senior bond, 4.45%, 4/15/42

     United States          167,000          160,738  
 

senior bond, 4.00%, 12/01/46

     United States          295,000          269,187  
 

senior bond, 3.95%, 12/01/47

     United States          151,000          136,466  
              

 

 

 
 

Total Corporate Bonds and Notes in Reorganization
(Cost $631,884)

               771,141  
              

 

 

 
            Shares       
 

Companies in Liquidation 0.0%

            
a,b,f  

Avaya Holdings Corp., Contingent Distribution

     United States          1,270,000           
a,b,f  

Avaya Inc., Contingent Distribution

     United States          1,668,000           
a,b,f  

iHeartCommunications Inc., Contingent Distribution

     United States          9,103,035           
a,b  

NewPage Corp., Litigation Trust

     United States          4,854,000           
a,b,f  

Tribune Media, Litigation Trust, Contingent Distribution

     United States          57,569           
a,f  

Vistra Energy Corp., Litigation Trust, Contingent Distribution

     United States          5,912,263          8,869  
              

 

 

 
 

Total Companies in Liquidation (Cost $185,917)

               8,869  
              

 

 

 
 

Total Investments before Short Term Investments
(Cost $467,667,820)

               540,355,703  
              

 

 

 

 

     
MGD-14        Semiannual Report  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin Mutual Global Discovery VIP Fund (continued)

 

 

           Country        Principal
Amount
       Value  
  Short Term Investments 4.6%             
 

U.S. Government and Agency Securities 4.6%

            
g  

FHLB, 7/01/19

     United States        $ 4,400,000        $ 4,400,000  
g  

U.S. Treasury Bill,
7/02/19 - 9/12/19

     United States          18,000,000          17,975,601  
 

h  10/17/19 - 10/31/19

     United States          4,000,000          3,974,625  
              

 

 

 
 

Total U.S. Government and Agency Securities
(Cost $26,339,194)

               26,350,226  
              

 

 

 
 

Total Investments (Cost $494,007,014) 99.4%

               566,705,929  
 

Securities Sold Short (0.3)%

               (1,428,525
 

Other Assets, less Liabilities 0.9%

               5,009,872  
              

 

 

 
 

Net Assets 100.0%

             $ 570,287,276  
              

 

 

 
                  Shares           
i  

Securities Sold Short (Proceeds $1,511,775) (0.3)%

            
 

Common Stocks (0.3)%

            
 

Pharmaceuticals (0.3)%

            
 

Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.

     United States          31,500          (1,428,525
              

 

 

 

Rounds to less than 0.1% of net assets.

aNon-income producing.

bFair valued using significant unobservable inputs. See Note 12 regarding fair value measurements.

cSee Note 9 regarding restricted securities.

dVariable rate security. The rate shown represents the yield at period end.

eSee Note 7 regarding credit risk and defaulted securities.

fContingent distributions represent the right to receive additional distributions, if any, during the reorganization of the underlying company. Shares represent total underlying principal of debt securities.

gThe security was issued on a discount basis with no stated coupon rate.

hA portion or all of the security has been segregated as collateral for securities sold short and open forward exchange contracts. At June 30, 2019, the aggregate value of these securities pledged amounted to $1,734,754, representing 0.3% of net assets.

iSee Note 1(d) regarding securities sold short.

 

     
  Semiannual Report                   MGD-15  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin Mutual Global Discovery VIP Fund (continued)

 

At June 30, 2019, the Fund had the following futures contracts outstanding. See Note 1(c).

 

Futures Contracts                                   
Description    Type      Number of
Contracts
     Notional
Amount*
     Expiration
Date
     Value/
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
Currency Contracts               

EUR/USD

     Short        181      $ 25,897,706        9/16/19        $(80,476

GBP/USD

     Short        139        11,075,694        9/16/19        10,422  
              

 

 

 

Total Futures Contracts

                 $(70,054
              

 

 

 

*As of period end.    

At June 30, 2019, the Fund had the following forward exchange contracts outstanding. See Note 1(c).    

 

Forward Exchange Contracts                                     
Currency    Counterpartya      Type      Quantity      Contract
Amount
     Settlement
Date
     Unrealized
Appreciation
     Unrealized
Depreciation
 
OTC Forward Exchange Contracts

 

Euro

     BOFA        Buy        586,727      $ 658,750        7/15/19              $ 9,246        $  

Euro

     BOFA        Sell        273,866        311,079        7/15/19               (721

Euro

     HSBK        Buy        1,687,916        1,894,824        7/15/19        26,888         

Euro

     HSBK        Sell        38,373,289        43,092,627        7/15/19               (595,786

Euro

     UBSW        Buy        845,118        950,349        7/15/19        11,827         

Euro

     UBSW        Sell        1,873,932        2,116,358        7/15/19               (17,135

Swiss Franc

     HSBK        Buy        71,836        71,600        7/15/19        2,090         

Swiss Franc

     HSBK        Sell        86,420        87,178        7/15/19               (1,473

Swiss Franc

     UBSW        Sell        5,708,155        5,705,187        7/15/19               (150,338

British Pound

     BOFA        Buy        853,441        1,081,763        7/16/19        3,073         

British Pound

     HSBK        Buy        220,557        277,911        7/16/19        2,447         

British Pound

     SSBT        Sell        10,987,586        13,914,843        7/16/19               (51,843

British Pound

     UBSW        Buy        67,858        86,346        7/16/19               (89

British Pound

     UBSW        Buy        1,324,792        1,673,923        7/16/19        10,064         

British Pound

     UBSW        Sell        311,205        396,023        7/16/19        440         

South Korean Won

     HSBK        Sell        13,162,454,649        11,165,537        7/19/19               (218,237

South Korean Won

     UBSW        Sell        356,186,851        301,649        7/19/19               (6,406

Australian Dollar

     HSBK        Sell        711,357        495,172        8/26/19               (5,130

Japanese Yen

     UBSW        Sell        226,566,498        2,113,822        8/26/19        2,993         
                 

 

 

 

Total Forward Exchange Contracts

 

           $ 69,068        $ (1,047,158
                 

 

 

 

Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

 

        $ (978,090
                    

 

 

 

a May be comprised of multiple contracts with the same counterparty, currency and settlement date.

 

See Note 10 regarding other derivative information.

See Abbreviations on page MGD-30.

 

     
MGD-16        Semiannual Report   |    The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

June 30, 2019 (unaudited)

 

     Franklin Mutual
Global Discovery
VIP Fund
 

Assets:

 

Investments in securities:

 

Cost - Unaffiliated issuers

          $ 494,007,014  
 

 

 

 

Value - Unaffiliated issuers

          $ 566,705,929  

Cash

    90,379  

Foreign currency, at value (cost $311,989)

    312,108  

Receivables:

 

Investment securities sold

    2,603,324  

Capital shares sold

    62,434  

Dividends and interest

    1,713,820  

European Union tax reclaims

    322,621  

Deposits with brokers for:

 

Securities sold short

    1,605,165  

Futures contracts

    688,050  

Unrealized appreciation on OTC forward exchange contracts

    69,068  

Other assets

    403  
 

 

 

 

Total assets

    574,173,301  
 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

Payables:

 

Investment securities purchased

    138,517  

Capital shares redeemed

    418,662  

Management fees

    402,967  

Distribution fees

    239,462  

Trustees’ fees and expenses

    649  

Variation margin on futures contracts

    45,275  

Securities sold short, at value (proceeds $1,511,775)

    1,428,525  

Unrealized depreciation on OTC forward exchange contracts

    1,047,158  

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

    164,810  
 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    3,886,025  
 

 

 

 

Net assets, at value

          $ 570,287,276  
 

 

 

 

Net assets consist of:

 

Paid-in capital

          $ 422,378,765  

Total distributable earnings (loss)

    147,908,511  
 

 

 

 

Net assets, at value

          $ 570,287,276  
 

 

 

 
Class 1:  

Net assets, at value

          $ 3,729,349  
 

 

 

 

Shares outstanding

    186,084  
 

 

 

 

Net asset value and maximum offering price per share

            $20.04  
 

 

 

 
Class 2:  

Net assets, at value

          $ 535,270,286  
 

 

 

 

Shares outstanding

    27,546,874  
 

 

 

 

Net asset value and maximum offering price per share

            $19.43  
 

 

 

 
Class 4:  

Net assets, at value

          $ 31,287,641  
 

 

 

 

Shares outstanding

    1,579,268  
 

 

 

 

Net asset value and maximum offering price per share

            $19.81  
 

 

 

 

 

     
  The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.    |   Semiannual Report                   MGD-17  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Statement of Operations

for the six months ended June 30, 2019 (unaudited)

 

     Franklin Mutual
Global Discovery
VIP Fund
 

Investment income:

 

Dividends: (net of foreign taxes)*

 

Unaffiliated issuers

          $ 9,364,286  

Interest:

 

Unaffiliated issuers

    931,676  

Income from securities loaned:

 

Unaffiliated issuers (net of fees and rebates)

    98,044  

Non-controlled affiliates (Note 3e)

    19,652  
 

 

 

 

Total investment income

    10,413,658  
 

 

 

 

Expenses:

 

Management fees (Note 3a)

    2,468,235  

Distribution fees: (Note 3c)

 

Class 2

    661,084  

Class 4

    54,711  

Custodian fees (Note 4)

    19,358  

Reports to shareholders

    63,233  

Professional fees

    42,197  

Trustees’ fees and expenses

    2,390  

Dividends on securities sold short

    12,915  

Other

    12,415  
 

 

 

 

Total expenses

    3,336,538  

Expense reductions (Note 4)

    (1,671

Expenses waived/paid by affiliates (Note 3e)

    (3,346
 

 

 

 

Net expenses

    3,331,521  
 

 

 

 

Net investment income

    7,082,137  
 

 

 

 

Realized and unrealized gains (losses):

 

Net realized gain (loss) from:

 

Investments:

 

Unaffiliated issuers

    2,703,290  

Foreign currency transactions

    78,183  

Forward exchange contracts

    1,799,809  

Futures contracts

    825,508  

Securities sold short

    92,578  
 

 

 

 

Net realized gain (loss)

    5,499,368  
 

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:

 

Investments:

 

Unaffiliated issuers

    64,894,263  

Translation of other assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies

    (12,639

Forward exchange contracts

    198,721  

Futures contracts

    (97,085

Securities sold short

    (995,825
 

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

    63,987,435  
 

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    69,486,803  
 

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

          $ 76,568,940  
 

 

 

 

*Foreign taxes withheld on dividends

          $ 566,017  

 

     
MGD-18        Semiannual Report   |    The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

    Franklin Mutual Global Discovery VIP Fund  
     Six Months Ended
June 30, 2019
(unaudited)
     Year Ended
December 31, 2018
 

Increase (decrease) in net assets:

    

Operations:

    

Net investment income

            $ 7,082,137                $ 9,851,636  

Net realized gain (loss)

    5,499,368        54,878,424  

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

    63,987,435        (132,139,062
 

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

    76,568,940        (67,409,002
 

 

 

 

Distributions to shareholders:

    

Class 1

           (139,418

Class 2

           (21,021,401

Class 4

           (1,188,087
 

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

           (22,348,906
 

 

 

 

Capital share transactions: (Note 2)

    

Class 1

    (37,599      642,511  

Class 2

    (37,165,968      (46,304,313

Class 4

    (3,061,109      (6,678,610
 

 

 

 

Total capital share transactions

    (40,264,676      (52,340,412
 

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets

    36,304,264        (142,098,320

Net assets:

    

Beginning of period

    533,983,012        676,081,332  
 

 

 

 

End of period

            $ 570,287,276                $ 533,983,012  
 

 

 

 

 

     
  The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.    |   Semiannual Report                   MGD-19  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

 

Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited)

 

Franklin Mutual Global Discovery VIP Fund

 

1.   Organization and Significant Accounting Policies

Franklin Templeton Variable Insurance Products Trust (Trust) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (1940 Act) as an open-end management investment company, consisting of eighteen separate funds and applies the specialized accounting and reporting guidance in U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (U.S. GAAP). Franklin Mutual Global Discovery VIP Fund (Fund) is included in this report. Shares of the Fund are generally sold only to insurance company separate accounts to fund the benefits of variable life insurance policies or variable annuity contracts. At June 30, 2019, 44.8% of the Fund’s shares were held through one insurance company. Investment activities of these insurance company separate accounts could have a material impact on the Fund. The Fund offers three classes of shares: Class 1, Class 2, and Class 4. Each class of shares may differ by its distribution fees, voting rights on matters affecting a single class and its exchange privilege.

The following summarizes the Fund’s significant accounting policies.

a.   Financial Instrument Valuation

The Fund’s investments in financial instruments are carried at fair value daily. Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. The Fund calculates the net asset value (NAV) per share each business day as of 4 p.m. Eastern time or the regularly scheduled close of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), whichever is earlier. Under compliance policies and procedures approved by the Trust’s Board of Trustees (the Board), the Fund’s administrator has responsibility for oversight of valuation, including leading the cross-functional Valuation Committee (VC). The Fund may utilize independent pricing services, quotations from securities and financial instrument dealers, and other market sources to determine fair value.

Equity securities and derivative financial instruments listed on an exchange or on the NASDAQ National Market System are valued at the last quoted sale price or the official closing price of the day, respectively. Foreign equity securities are valued as of the close of trading on the foreign stock exchange on which the security is primarily traded, or as of 4 p.m. Eastern time. The value is then converted into its U.S. dollar equivalent at the foreign exchange rate in effect at 4 p.m. Eastern time on the day that the value of the security is

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

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

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

Certain derivative financial instruments trade in the OTC market. The Fund’s pricing services use various techniques including industry standard option pricing models and proprietary discounted cash flow models to determine the fair value of those instruments. The Fund’s net benefit or obligation under the derivative contract, as measured by the fair value of the contract, is included in net assets.

The Fund has procedures to determine the fair value of financial instruments for which market prices are not reliable or readily available. Under these procedures, the Fund primarily employs a market-based approach which may use related or comparable assets or liabilities, recent transactions, market multiples, book values, and other relevant information for the investment to determine the fair value of the investment. An income-based valuation approach may also be used in which the anticipated future cash flows of the investment are discounted to calculate fair value. Discounts may also be applied due to the nature or duration of any restrictions on the disposition of the investments. Due to the

 

 

     
MGD-20      Semiannual Report  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Franklin Mutual Global Discovery VIP Fund (continued)

 

inherent uncertainty of valuations of such investments, the fair values may differ significantly from the values that would have been used had an active market existed.

Trading in securities on foreign securities stock exchanges and OTC markets may be completed before 4 p.m. Eastern time. In addition, trading in certain foreign markets may not take place on every Fund’s business day. Occasionally, events occur between the time at which trading in a foreign security is completed and 4 p.m. Eastern time that might call into question the reliability of the value of a portfolio security held by the Fund. As a result, differences may arise between the value of the Fund’s portfolio securities as determined at the foreign market close and the latest indications of value at 4 p.m. Eastern time. In order to minimize the potential for these differences, 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 Fund’s NAV is not calculated, which could result in differences between the value of the Fund’s portfolio securities on the last business day and the last calendar day of the reporting period. Any significant security valuation changes due to an open foreign market are adjusted and reflected by the Fund for financial reporting purposes.

b.   Foreign Currency Translation

Portfolio securities and other assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars based on the exchange rate of such currencies against U.S. dollars on the date of valuation. The Fund may enter into foreign currency exchange contracts to facilitate transactions denominated in a foreign currency. Purchases and sales of securities, income and expense items denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rate in effect on the transaction date. Portfolio securities and assets and liabilities denominated in

foreign currencies contain risks that those currencies will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar. Occasionally, events may impact the availability or reliability of foreign exchange rates used to convert the U.S. dollar equivalent value. If such an event occurs, the foreign exchange rate will be valued at fair value using procedures established and approved by the Board.

The Fund does not separately report the effect of changes in foreign exchange rates from changes in market prices on securities held. Such changes are included in net realized and unrealized gain or loss from investments in the Statement of Operations.

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

c.   Derivative Financial Instruments

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

Derivative counterparty credit risk is managed through a formal evaluation of the creditworthiness of all potential counterparties. The Fund attempts to reduce its exposure to counterparty credit risk on OTC derivatives, whenever possible, by entering into International Swaps and Derivatives Association (ISDA) master agreements with certain

 

 

     
  Semiannual Report                   MGD-21  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Franklin Mutual Global Discovery VIP Fund (continued)

 

1. Organization and Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

c.   Derivative Financial Instruments (continued)

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. At June 30, 2019, the Fund had OTC derivatives in a net liability position of $989,688 and the aggregate value of collateral pledged for such contracts was $879,972.

Collateral requirements differ by type of derivative. Collateral or initial margin requirements are set by the broker or exchange clearing house for exchange traded and centrally cleared derivatives. Initial margin deposited is held at the exchange and can be in the form of cash and/or securities. For OTC derivatives traded under an ISDA master agreement, posting of collateral is required by either the Fund or the applicable counterparty if the total net exposure of all OTC derivatives with the applicable counterparty exceeds the minimum transfer amount, which typically ranges from $100,000 to $250,000, and can vary depending on the counterparty and the type of the agreement. Generally, collateral is determined at the close of Fund business each day and any additional collateral required due to changes in derivative values may be delivered by the Fund or the counterparty the next business day, or within a few business days. Collateral pledged and/or received by the Fund for OTC derivatives, if any, is held in segregated accounts with the Fund’s custodian/counterparty broker and can be in the form of cash and/or securities. Unrestricted cash may be invested according to the Fund’s investment objectives. To the extent that the amounts due to the Fund from its counterparties are

not subject to collateralization or are not fully collateralized, the Fund bears the risk of loss from counterparty non-performance.

The Fund entered into exchange traded futures contracts primarily to manage exposure to certain foreign currencies. A futures contract is an agreement between the Fund and a counterparty to buy or sell an asset at a specified price on a future date. Required initial margins are pledged by the Fund, and the daily change in fair value is accounted for as a variation margin payable or receivable in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

The Fund entered into OTC forward exchange contracts primarily to manage 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.

See Note 10 regarding other derivative information.

d.   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.

 

 

     
MGD-22        Semiannual Report  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Franklin Mutual Global Discovery VIP Fund (continued)

 

e.   Securities Lending

The Fund participates in an agency based securities lending program to earn additional income. The Fund receives cash collateral against the loaned securities in an amount equal to at least 102% of the fair value of the loaned securities. Collateral is maintained over the life of the loan in an amount not less than 100% of the fair value of loaned securities, as determined at the close of Fund business each day; any additional collateral required due to changes in security values is delivered to the Fund on the next business day. The collateral is deposited into a joint cash account with other funds and is used to invest in a money market fund managed by Franklin Advisers, Inc., an affiliate of the Fund. The Fund may receive income from the investment of cash collateral, in addition to lending fees and rebates paid by the borrower. Income from securities loaned, net of fees paid to the securities lending agent and/or third-party vendor, is reported separately in the Statement of Operations. The Fund bears the market risk with respect to the collateral investment, securities loaned, and the risk that the agent may default on its obligations to the Fund. If the borrower defaults on its obligation to return the securities loaned, the Fund has the right to repurchase the securities in the open market using the collateral received. The securities lending agent has agreed to indemnify the Fund in the event of default by a third party borrower. At June 30, 2019, the Fund had no securities on loan.

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 if applicable, 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.

As a result of several court cases, in certain countries across the European Union, the Fund filed additional tax reclaims for previously withheld taxes on dividends earned in those countries (EU reclaims). These additional filings are subject to various administrative proceedings by the local jurisdictions’ tax authorities within the European Union, as well as a number of related judicial proceedings. Income recognized, if any, for EU reclaims is reflected as other income in the Statement of Operations and any related receivable, if any, is reflected as European Union tax reclaims in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. When uncertainty exists as to the ultimate resolution of these proceedings, the likelihood of receipt of these EU reclaims, and the potential timing of payment, no amounts are reflected in the financial statements. For U.S. income tax purposes, when EU reclaims are received by the Fund and the Fund previously passed foreign tax credit on to its shareholders, the Fund must either amend historic tax reporting to shareholders or enter into a closing agreement with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in order to pay the associated tax liability on behalf of the Fund’s shareholders.

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 June 30, 2019, the Fund has determined that no tax liability is required in its financial statements related to uncertain tax positions for any open tax years (or expected to be taken in future tax years). Open tax years are those that remain subject to examination and are based on the statute of limitations in each jurisdiction in which the Fund invests.

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. Dividend income and dividends declared on securities sold short are recorded on the ex-dividend date except for certain dividends from securities where the dividend rate is not available. In such cases, the dividend is recorded as soon as the information is received by the Fund. Distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Distributable earnings are determined

 

 

     
  Semiannual Report                   MGD-23  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Franklin Mutual Global Discovery VIP Fund (continued)

 

1.   Organization and Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

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

according to income tax regulations (tax basis) and may differ from earnings recorded in accordance with U.S. GAAP. These differences may be permanent or temporary. Permanent differences are reclassified among capital accounts to reflect their tax character. These reclassifications have no impact on net assets or the results of operations. Temporary differences are not reclassified, as they may reverse in subsequent periods.

Common expenses incurred by the Trust are allocated among the Funds based on the ratio of net assets of each Fund to the combined net assets of the Trust or based on the ratio of number of shareholders of each Fund to the combined number of shareholders of the Trust. Fund specific expenses are charged directly to the Fund that incurred the expense.

Realized and unrealized gains and losses and net investment income, excluding class specific expenses, are allocated daily to each class of shares based upon the relative proportion of net assets of each class. Differences in per share distributions by class are generally due to differences in class specific expenses.

h.   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.

i.   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 June 30, 2019, there were an unlimited number of shares authorized (without par value). Transactions in the Fund’s shares were as follows:

 

     Six Months Ended
June 30, 2019
           Year Ended
December 31, 2018
 
  

 

 

 
      Shares      Amount             Shares     Amount  
Class 1 Shares:             

Shares sold

     16,009      $     302,324          45,098     $     915,165  

Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

                     6,995       139,418  

Shares redeemed

     (17,849      (339,923        (20,687     (412,072
  

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease)

     (1,840    $ (37,599        31,406     $ 642,511  
  

 

 

 
Class 2 Shares:             

Shares sold

     385,494      $     7,069,719          1,060,981     $     20,521,165  

Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

                     1,085,816       21,021,401  

Shares redeemed

     (2,363,724      (44,235,687        (4,500,413     (87,846,879
  

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease)

     (1,978,230    $ (37,165,968        (2,353,616   $ (46,304,313
  

 

 

 

 

     
MGD-24        Semiannual Report  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Franklin Mutual Global Discovery VIP Fund (continued)

 

 

     Six Months Ended
June 30, 2019
           Year Ended
December 31, 2018
 
  

 

 

 
      Shares      Amount             Shares      Amount  
Class 4 Shares:              

Shares sold

     17,902      $ 339,554          49,992      $ 917,196  

Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

                     60,157        1,188,087  

Shares redeemed

     (178,614      (3,400,663        (438,307      (8,783,893
  

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease)

     (160,712    $ (3,061,109        (328,158    $ (6,678,610
  

 

 

 

3.   Transactions with Affiliates

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

 

Subsidiary    Affiliation

Franklin Mutual Advisers, LLC (Franklin Mutual)

  

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 Franklin Mutual based on the average daily net assets of the Fund as follows:.

 

Annualized Fee Rate    Net Assets

0.875%

  

Up to and including $4 billion

0.845%

  

Over $4 billion, up to and including $7 billion

0.825%

  

Over $7 billion, up to and including $10 billion

0.805%

  

Over $10 billion, up to and including $13 billion

0.785%

  

Over $13 billion, up to and including $16 billion

0.765%

  

Over $16 billion, up to and including $19 billion

0.745%

  

Over $19 billion, up to and including $22 billion

0.725%

  

Over $22 billion, up to and including $25 billion

0.705%

  

Over $25 billion, up to and including $28 billion

0.685%

  

In excess of $28 billion

b. Administrative Fees

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

 

     
  Semiannual Report                   MGD-25  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Franklin Mutual Global Discovery VIP Fund (continued)

 

3.   Transactions with Affiliates (continued)

c.   Distribution Fees

The Board has adopted distribution plans for Class 2 and Class 4 shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. Under the Fund’s 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 0.35% per year of its average daily net assets of each class. The Board has agreed to limit the current rate to 0.25% per year for Class 2. The plan year, for purposes of monitoring compliance with the maximum annual plan rates, is February 1 through January 31.

d.   Transfer Agent Fees

Investor Services, under terms of an agreement, performs shareholder servicing for the Fund and is not paid by the Fund for the services.

e.   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 Statement of Operations, in an amount not to exceed the management and administrative fees paid directly or indirectly by each affiliate. During the period ended June 30, 2019, the Fund held investments in affiliated management investment companies as follows:

 

      Value at
Beginning
of Period
     Purchases      Sales      Realized
Gain (Loss)
     Net Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
     Value at
at End
of Period
     Number of Shares
Held at End of
Period
     Income
from
securities
loaned
 

Non-Controlled Affiliates

                       

Institutional Fiduciary Trust Money Market Portfolio, 2.05%

     $    —        $53,814,000        $(53,814,000)        $    —        $    —        $  —               $19,652  
  

 

 

       

 

 

 

f.   Interfund Transactions

The Fund engaged in purchases and sales of investments with funds or other accounts that have common investment managers (or affiliated investment managers), directors, trustees or officers. During the period ended June 30, 2019, these purchase and sale transactions aggregated $0 and $790,777, respectively.

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 June 30, 2019, the custodian fees were reduced as noted in the Statement of Operations.

 

     
MGD-26      Semiannual Report  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Franklin Mutual Global Discovery VIP Fund (continued)

 

5.   Income Taxes

At June 30, 2019, the cost of investments and net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) for income tax purposes were as follows:

 

Cost of investments

       $ 494,081,707   
  

 

 

 

Unrealized appreciation

       $ 115,048,792   

Unrealized depreciation

     (44,900,449)  
  

 

 

 

Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

       $ 70,148,343   
  

 

 

 

Differences between income and/or capital gains as determined on a book basis and a tax basis are primarily due to differing treatment of foreign currency transactions.

6.   Investment Transactions

Purchases and sales of investments (excluding short term securities and securities sold short) for the period ended June 30, 2019, aggregated $58,116,128 and $88,995,715, respectively.

7.   Credit Risk and Defaulted Securities

The Fund may purchase the pre-default or defaulted debt of distressed companies. Distressed companies are financially troubled and could be or are already involved in financial restructuring or bankruptcy. Risks associated with purchasing these securities include the possibility that the bankruptcy or other restructuring process takes longer than expected, or that distributions in restructuring are less than anticipated, either or both of which may result in unfavorable consequences to the Fund. If it becomes probable that the income on debt securities, including those of distressed companies, will not be collected, the Fund discontinues accruing income and recognizes an adjustment for uncollectible interest.

At June 30, 2019, the aggregate long value of distressed company securities for which interest recognition has been discontinued was $771,141, representing 0.1% of the Fund’s net assets. For information as to specific securities, see the accompanying Statement of Investments.

8.   Concentration of Risk

Investing in foreign securities may include certain risks and considerations not typically associated with investing in U.S. securities, such as fluctuating currency values and changing local and regional economic, political and social conditions, which may result in greater market volatility. Current political and financial uncertainty surrounding the European Union may increase market volatility and the economic risk of investing in securities in Europe. In addition, certain foreign securities may not be as liquid as U.S. securities.

9.   Restricted Securities

The Fund invests in securities that are restricted under the Securities Act of 1933 (1933 Act). Restricted securities are often purchased in private placement transactions, and cannot be sold without prior registration unless the sale is pursuant to an exemption under the 1933 Act. Disposal of these securities may require greater effort and expense, and prompt sale at an acceptable price may be difficult. The Fund may have registration rights for restricted securities. The issuer generally incurs all registration costs.

 

     
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FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Franklin Mutual Global Discovery VIP Fund (continued)

 

9. Restricted Securities (continued)

At June 30, 2019, investments in restricted securities, excluding securities exempt from registration under the 1933 Act deemed to be liquid, were as follows:

 

Principal
Amount/
Shares
   Issuer    Acquisition
Date
     Cost      Value  
595   

Broadband Ventures III LLC, secured promissory note, 5.00%, 2/01/12

     7/01/10 - 11/30/12        $ 595      $  
95,199   

iHeartMedia Inc., A

     3/28/11 - 12/19/13        2,253,730        1,381,841  
1,606   

iHeartMedia Inc., B

     3/28/11 - 12/19/13        38,020        23,312  
424,073   

International Automotive Components Group Brazil LLC

     4/13/06 - 12/26/08        281,629        10,890  
        

 

 

 
  

Total Restricted Securities (Value is 0.2% of Net Assets)

 

     $ 2,573,974      $ 1,416,043  
        

 

 

 

10.   Other Derivative Information

At June 30, 2019, investments in derivative contracts are reflected in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities as follows:

 

    

Asset Derivatives

   

Liability Derivatives

 
Derivative Contracts
Not Accounted for as
Hedging Instruments
   Statement of Assets and
Liabilities Location
   Fair Value     Statement of Assets and
Liabilities Location
   Fair Value  

Foreign exchange contracts

   Variation margin on futures contracts        $
 
10,422

 
  Variation margin on futures contracts        $ 80,476 a 
   Unrealized appreciation on OTC forward exchange contracts      69,068     Unrealized depreciation on OTC forward exchange contracts      1,047,158  
     

 

 

      

 

 

 

Totals

          $ 79,490            $ 1,127,634  
     

 

 

      

 

 

 

aThis amount reflects the cumulative appreciation (depreciation) of futures 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 June 30, 2019, the effect of derivative contracts in the Statement of Operations was as follows:

 

Derivative Contracts
Not Accounted for as
Hedging Instruments
   Statement of
Operations Location
   Net Realized
Gain (Loss) for
the Period
     Statement of
Operations Location
   Net Change
in Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
for the Period
 
   Net realized gain (loss) from:       Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:   

Foreign exchange contracts

   Forward exchange contracts        $ 1,799,809      Forward exchange contracts        $ 198,721  
   Futures contracts      825,508      Futures contracts      (97,085
     

 

 

       

 

 

 

Totals

          $ 2,625,317             $ 101,636  
     

 

 

       

 

 

 

For the period ended June 30, 2019, the average month end notional amount of futures contracts represented $ 37,798,371. The average month end contract value of forward exchange contracts was $89,235,299.

See Note 1(c) regarding derivative financial instruments.

 

     
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FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Franklin Mutual Global Discovery VIP Fund (continued)

 

11.  Credit Facility

The Fund, together with other U.S. registered and foreign investment funds (collectively, Borrowers), managed by Franklin Templeton, are borrowers in a joint syndicated senior unsecured credit facility totaling $2 billion (Global Credit Facility) which matures on February 7, 2020. This Global Credit Facility provides a source of funds to the Borrowers for temporary and emergency purposes, including the ability to meet future unanticipated or unusually large redemption requests.

Under the terms of the Global Credit Facility, the Fund shall, in addition to interest charged on any borrowings made by the Fund and other costs incurred by the Fund, pay its share of fees and expenses incurred in connection with the implementation and maintenance of the Global Credit Facility, based upon its relative share of the aggregate net assets of all of the Borrowers, including an annual commitment fee of 0.15% based upon the unused portion of the Global Credit Facility. These fees are reflected in other expenses in the Statement of Operations. During the period ended June 30, 2019, the Fund did not use the Global Credit Facility.

12.  Fair Value Measurements

The Fund follows a fair value hierarchy that distinguishes between market data obtained from independent sources (observable inputs) and the Fund’s own market assumptions (unobservable inputs). These inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund’s financial instruments and are summarized in the following fair value hierarchy:

 

   

Level 1 – quoted prices in active markets for identical financial instruments

 

   

Level 2 – other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar financial instruments, interest rates, prepayment speed, credit risk, etc.)

 

   

Level 3 – significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of financial instruments)

The input levels are not necessarily an indication of the risk or liquidity associated with financial instruments at that level.

A summary of inputs used as of June 30, 2019, in valuing the Fund’s assets and liabilities carried at fair value, is as follows:

 

      Level 1      Level 2      Level 3     Total  
Assets:           

Investments in Securities:a

          

Equity Investments:b

          

Auto Components

       $   1,821,059          $          $ 10,890         $ 1,831,949  

Media

     27,264,698               1,405,153       28,669,851  

All Other Equity Investments

     504,069,443                     504,069,443  

Corporate Notes

            5,004,450              5,004,450  

Corporate Bonds and Notes in Reorganization

            771,141        c      771,141  

Companies in Liquidation

            8,869        c      8,869  

Short Term Investments

     21,950,226        4,400,000              26,350,226  
  

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities

       $   555,105,426          $   10,184,460          $   1,416,043         $   566,705,929  
  

 

 

 

Other Financial Instruments:

          

Futures Contracts

       $ 10,422          $          $         $ 10,422  

Forward Exchange Contracts

            69,068              69,068  
  

 

 

 

Total Other Financial Instruments

       $ 10,422          $ 69,068          $         $ 79,490  
  

 

 

 

 

     
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FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Franklin Mutual Global Discovery VIP Fund (continued)

 

12.   Fair Value Measurements (continued)

 

      Level 1     Level 2     Level 3     Total  
Liabilities:         

Other Financial Instruments:

        

Securities Sold Short

       $   1,428,525         $   —     $                 —         $   1,428,525  

Futures Contracts

     80,476                   80,476  

Forward Exchange Contracts

           1,047,158             1,047,158  
  

 

 

 

Total Other Financial Instruments

       $   1,509,001     $     1  ,047,158     $         $   2,556,159  
  

 

 

 

aFor detailed categories, see the accompanying Statement of Investments.

bIncludes common and preferred stocks as well as other equity interests.

cIncludes securities determined to have no value at June 30, 2019.

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 beginning and/or end of the period.

13.  Subsequent Events

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

Abbreviations

 

Counterparty   Currency   Selected Portfolio
BOFA   Bank of America Corp.   EUR   Euro   ADR   American Depositary Receipt
HSBK   HSBC Bank PLC   GBP   British Pound   FHLB   Federal Home Loan Bank
SSBT   State Street Bank and Trust Co., N.A.   USD   United States Dollar    
UBSW   UBS AG        

 

     
MGD-30      Semiannual Report  


Franklin Mutual Shares VIP Fund

This semiannual report for Franklin Mutual Shares VIP Fund covers the period ended June 30, 2019.

Class 4 Performance Summary as of June 30, 2019

The Fund’s Class 4 Shares posted a +13.28% total return* for the six-month period ended June 30, 2019.

*The Fund has a fee waiver associated with any investment it makes in a Franklin Templeton money fund and/or other Franklin Templeton fund, contractually guaranteed through 4/30/20. Fund investment results reflect the fee waiver; without these reductions, the results would have been lower.

Performance reflects the Fund’s Class 4 operating expenses, but does not include any contract fees, expenses or sales charges. If they had been included, performance would be lower. These charges and deductions, particularly for variable life policies, can have a significant effect on contract values and insurance benefits. See the contract prospectus for a complete description of these expenses, including sales charges.

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.

 

     
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FRANKLIN MUTUAL SHARES VIP FUND

 

Fund Goal and Main Investments

The Fund seeks capital appreciation, with income as a secondary goal, by investing primarily in equity securities of companies the Fund’s investment manager believes are available at market prices less than their intrinsic value. The equity securities in which the Fund invests are primarily common stock. To a lesser extent, the Fund also invests in merger arbitrage securities and the debt and equity of distressed companies. The Fund may invest up to 35% of its assets in foreign securities, which may include sovereign debt and participations in foreign government debt.

Fund Risks

All investments involve risks, including possible loss of principal. Value securities may not increase in price as anticipated or may decline further in value. The Fund’s investments in foreign securities involve more risks than investing in U.S. securities, including currency exchange rates and policies, country or government specific issues, less favorable trading practices regulation and greater price volatility. Securities issued by smaller and midsize companies may be more volatile in price than those of larger companies, involve substantial risks and should be considered speculative. Derivatives involve costs and can create economic leverage in the Fund’s portfolio which may result in significant volatility and cause the Fund to participate in losses (as well as gains) in an amount that exceeds the Fund’s initial investment. The Fund may also invest in companies engaged in mergers, reorganizations or liquidations, which involve special risks as pending deals may not be completed on time or on favorable terms, as well as lower-rated bonds, which entail higher credit risk. To the extent that the Fund focuses on particular countries, regions, industries, sectors or types of investment from time to time, the Fund may be subject to greater risks of adverse developments in such areas of focus than a fund that invests in a wider variety of countries, regions, industries, sectors or investments. 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.

Geographic Composition*

Based on Total Net Assets as of 6/30/19

 

LOGO

*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.

Performance Overview

You can find the Fund’s six-month total return in the Performance Summary. In comparison, the Fund’s benchmark, the Standard & Poor’s® 500 Index (S&P 500®), posted a +18.54% total return for the period under review.1

Economic and Market Overview

The global economy expanded during the six months ended June 30, 2019, despite weakness in certain regions. Global developed and emerging market stocks were aided by upbeat economic data in some regions, encouraging corporate earnings reports and periods of optimism about a potential U.S.-China trade deal. Further supporting markets were the U.S. Federal Reserve’s (Fed’s) patient approach to its monetary policy in 2019 and recent indication it will act as appropriate to sustain U.S. economic expansion.

However, markets reflected concerns about political uncertainties in the U.S. and the European Union, geopolitical risks in certain regions, and the impact of U.S. trade disputes with China and other trading partners on global growth and corporate earnings. In this environment, global developed and emerging market stocks, as measured by the MSCI All Country World Index, posted a +16.60% total return for the six-month period.1

The U.S. economy grew during the six months ended June 30, 2019. After moderating for two consecutive

 

 

1. Source: Morningstar. One cannot invest directly in an index, and an index is not representative of the Fund’s portfolio. Please see Index Descriptions following the Fund Summaries.

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).

 

     
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quarters, the economy grew significantly faster in 2019’s first quarter, driven by growth in consumer spending, inventory investment, exports, business investment, and state and local government spending. However, the economy moderated again in the second quarter, due to weakness in inventory investment, exports, business investment and housing investment. The unemployment rate decreased from 3.9% in December 2018 to 3.7% at period-end.2 The annual inflation rate, as measured by the Consumer Price Index, decreased from 1.9% in December 2018 to 1.6% at period-end.2

The Fed held its target range for the federal funds rate unchanged, at 2.25%–2.50%, during the reporting period. In March, the Fed mentioned it would end its balance sheet normalization program by the end of September 2019. In June, the Fed indicated increased uncertainties around its views on economic activity and the labor market. With market-based inflation measures remaining low recently, the market has interpreted the Fed’s recent statements to mean it will likely cut rates in 2019’s second half to foster continued economic growth while attempting to achieve its inflation objective.

In Europe, the U.K.’s quarterly gross domestic product (GDP) growth accelerated in 2019’s first quarter. The Bank of England left its key policy rate unchanged during the period. The eurozone’s quarterly GDP accelerated in 2019’s first quarter. However, the bloc’s annual inflation rate decreased during the period. The European Central Bank (ECB) kept its benchmark interest rate unchanged during the period. In June, the ECB mentioned it would leave interest rates unchanged through the first half of 2020, provided details of its new stimulus, and indicated its openness to cut rates or increase stimulus.

In Asia, Japan’s quarterly GDP growth accelerated in 2019’s first quarter. In June, the Bank of Japan also left its benchmark interest rate unchanged, while continuing its stimulus measures, and expressed its openness to cut interest rates or increase stimulus.

In larger emerging markets, Brazil’s quarterly GDP growth contracted in 2019’s first quarter. The Central Bank of Brazil left its benchmark interest rate unchanged during the period. Russia’s annual GDP growth moderated in 2019’s first quarter. The Bank of Russia cut its key rate once during the period. China’s annual GDP growth rate stabilized in 2019’s first quarter. The People’s Bank of China left its benchmark interest rate unchanged, but it took measures to improve

Top 10 Sectors/Industries       
6/30/19       
      % of Total
Net Assets
 
Banks      10.6%  
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels      9.9%  
Insurance      8.1%  
Pharmaceuticals      6.9%  
Media      6.7%  
Health Care Equipment & Supplies      3.8%  
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals      3.5%  
Entertainment      2.8%  
Tobacco      2.6%  
Software      2.6%  

financial liquidity to mitigate the effects of the U.S.-China trade dispute and support economic growth. Overall, global emerging market stocks, as measured by the MSCI Emerging Markets Index, posted a +10.78% total return during the six-month period.1

Investment Strategy

At Franklin Mutual Advisors, we are committed to our distinctive value approach to investing. Our major investment strategy is investing in undervalued stocks. When selecting undervalued equities, we are attracted to what we believe are fundamentally strong companies with healthy balance sheets, high-quality assets, substantial free cash flow and shareholder-oriented management teams and whose stocks are trading at discounts to our assessment of the companies’ intrinsic or business value. We also look for asset-rich companies whose shares may be trading at depressed levels due to concerns over short-term earnings disappointments, litigation, management strategy or other perceived negatives. While the vast majority of our undervalued equity investments are made in publicly traded companies globally, we may invest occasionally in privately held companies as well.

We complement this more traditional investment strategy with two others. One is distressed investing, which is complex and can take many forms. The most common distressed investment the Fund undertakes is the purchase of financially troubled or bankrupt companies’ debt at a substantial discount to face value. After the financially distressed company is reorganized, often in bankruptcy court, the old debt is typically replaced with new securities issued by the financially stronger company.

 

 

2. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

 

     
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FRANKLIN MUTUAL SHARES VIP FUND

 

The other piece of our investment strategy is participating in arbitrage situations, another highly specialized field. When companies announce proposed mergers or takeovers, commonly referred to as “deals,” the target company may trade at a discount to the bid it ultimately accepts. One form of arbitrage involves purchasing the target company’s stock when it is trading below the value we believe it would receive in a deal. In keeping with our commitment to a relatively conservative investment approach, we typically focus our arbitrage efforts on announced deals, and eschew rumored deals or other situations we consider relatively risky.

In addition, it is our practice to hedge the Fund’s currency exposure when we deem it advantageous for our shareholders.

 

What is meant by “hedge”?

To hedge an investment is to take a position intended to offset potential losses/gains that may be incurred by a companion financial instrument.

Manager’s Discussion

Franklin Mutual Series has long analyzed companies in many ways beyond just looking at the numbers. We analyze the way a company is run and how decisions are made at the executive and board levels. We look at the sustainability of a company, including the relationships with employees and customers, as well as the environmental impacts of a company’s business. In many ways this is common sense. A company that takes advantage of customers and unsustainably produces environmental waste is worth less than one that does not do these things. Similarly, a company that is well-run and responsive to shareholders is worth more than one whose executives manage the company for their private benefit. However, disclosure has been limited on many relevant issues, and there are disagreements about which things should be measured and how they should be measured.

This type of analysis is labeled ESG analysis, where ESG stands for environmental, social, and governance factors. Many firms, including Franklin Templeton, are incorporating ESG factors in their investment research. In addition, there are other bodies such as the Sustainable Accounting Standards Board that are working on standardizing metrics for companies and industries to improve their reporting on these factors, particularly in the environmental and social areas. As a result, ESG analysis is improving across the market, and Franklin Mutual Series analysts are better able to analyze non-traditional factors, including greenhouse gas emissions, water consumption, energy usage, talent

management, diversity and inclusion, executive compensation, and enterprise risk management, to name a few. ESG investing should not be confused with social or exclusionary types of investing, but should rather be viewed as an additional tool analysts and portfolio managers use in the investment process to identify and measure non-traditional, potential business risks and opportunities at a company.

Today, Franklin Mutual Series analysts review and analyze ESG reports produced by third parties or the companies themselves to assess potential risks that could have an impact on shareholder value. In addition, we have discussions with management teams around ESG risks, how they deal with them and the potential impact on stakeholders. Our discussions have included issues such as water consumption in mining, the impact of changing carbon dioxide emission standards on the automotive industry and discussions with boards and management teams around management pay. Although more work needs to be done to standardize data from companies within industries so that comparisons can be relevant, the identification and discussion of ESG risk factors is an input we consider in helping frame the potential negative events individual companies or industries may face. In our view, solid ESG ratings are an output of fundamentally good business practices, not an input. As the data and information regarding ESG risk factors continue to evolve, we believe the increased information will highlight additional risk factors to enterprises and help us make more informed investment decisions going forward.

Mergers and Acquisitions

Merger and acquisition (M&A) activity remained healthy in the first half of 2019. The health care sector led the way, with pharmaceuticals megamergers among the biggest transactions. The pending acquisitions of Celgene and Allergan (not a Fund holding), each worth almost $90 billion, exemplify this strength. Large deals have also been announced in the defense, oil and gas exploration and production, and diversified financial services industries, underlying the broad strength of the M&A boom. In addition, U.S. and foreign regulators appear to be more amenable to deals, leading markets to expect fewer regulatory surprises. We are closely monitoring the U.S.-China trade conflict, because flare-ups could potentially impact pending and future deals. We expect M&A activity to remain strong for as long as the equity markets remain strong, as has been the historical pattern.

 

 

     
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FRANKLIN MUTUAL SHARES VIP FUND

 

Credit Markets

Opportunities to invest in mispriced risk across global fixed income markets remained limited in the first half of 2019. The low interest-rate environment kept credit widely available, and default rates are still at historically low levels. Debt covenant terms, which include restrictions on the borrower’s financial activities, remain loose or nonexistent. In such an environment, we believe it is prudent to focus our efforts on investing in short-term mispriced risk and catalyst-driven credit opportunities.

On the restructuring side, Cumulus Media and iHeartMedia, two long-term distressed credit positions, emerged from bankruptcy or had reached a confirmable restructuring agreement in 2018, reducing further the purely distressed portion of the credit holdings within the Funds. PG&E, which recently filed for bankruptcy, became a new distressed credit position. Furthermore, Windstream Services became a new distressed credit position after parent company Windstream Holdings and its subsidiaries filed for bankruptcy. We are hopeful more opportunities may emerge as the business and economic cycles elongate amid persistent uncertainties. We will continue to seek to invest across the capital structures of companies that avail themselves of opportunities to bolster liquidity through internally generated free cash flow and corporate actions, including asset sales and debt refinancing.

Fund Performance

Turning to Fund performance, top positive contributors included Charter Communications, American International Group and Walt Disney.

In late January, U.S.-based Charter Communications, a telecommunications and mass media company, reported quarterly earnings, revenues and free cash flow that topped market expectations. Charter also estimated that 2019 capital spending and operating costs per customer could likely be lower than 2018, providing a boost to operating margins. In our view, Charter’s integration plan following the 2016 acquisition of Time Warner Cable is starting to produce positive results.

Shares of American International Group (AIG), a U.S.-based insurer, rose following its fiscal first-quarter 2019 earnings release in May, which indicated a stabilization in its business. AIG has been repositioning itself to focus on writing more profitable business and reducing its overall risk exposure. As a result, the insurer expects to report an underwriting profit for its full fiscal year.

 

Top 10 Holdings       
6/30/19       

Company

Sector/Industry, Country

   % of Total
Net Assets
 

Medtronic PLC

Health Care Equipment & Supplies, U.S.

     3.8%  

The Walt Disney Co.

Entertainment, U.S.

     2.8%  

Novartis AG

Pharmaceuticals, Switzerland

     2.6%  

Charter Communications Inc.

Media, U.S.

     2.6%  

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

Banks, U.S.

     2.4%  

American International Group Inc.

Insurance, U.S.

     2.3%  

Royal Dutch Shell PLC

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels, U.K.

     2.0%  

Alleghany Corp.

Insurance, U.S.

     1.9%  

Citigroup Inc.

Banks, U.S.

     1.9%  

Wells Fargo & Co.

Banks, U.S.

     1.8%  

The stock of U.S.-based diversified international family entertainment and media enterprise Walt Disney surged following an investor event outlining the strategy and expectations for its new streaming service. The breadth and depth of content, the price point, and the technology and user interface supporting it have increased optimism about the service. Market expectations for the service’s growth and profitability rose significantly on the back of this event.

During the period under review, Fund investments that detracted from performance included Kroger, Walgreens Boots Alliance and CVS Health.

U.S.-based grocery retailer Kroger reported weaker-than-expected quarterly revenues and earnings per share (EPS), and its 2019 EPS guidance was below the consensus estimate. Investments, stronger growth in its lower-margin specialty pharmacy business and the opening of a new warehouse caused a decline in Kroger’s gross margin. In our view, the immediate stock price decline was an over-reaction, but earnings announcements can be high volatility events, as a small change in the margin has a significant effect on earnings.

Shares of U.S.-based Walgreens Boots Alliance did not keep up with the market rebound in January and February. In

 

 

     
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FRANKLIN MUTUAL SHARES VIP FUND

 

March, the stock price fell when the chief financial officer cited negative industry trends in drug prices and pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) reimbursement rates, as well as the company’s limited success offsetting those challenges by increasing its volume of drug sales or renegotiating with PBMs. These pressures and weakness in both its U.S. and U.K. stores resulted in a cut to full-year guidance in April. However, Walgreens is reducing costs throughout the enterprise, and within the front end of the store, it is attempting to reduce exposure to lower margin categories, which we believe can help boost growth and profitability over the longer term.

In January, the chief executive officer of U.S.-based CVS Health, an integrated pharmacy health care provider, highlighted probable headwinds for 2019, and in February the company detailed the financial drag from those headwinds. Possible negative factors included: higher costs from increased investments in its workforce, which could have a year-over-year drag on earnings through the first half of 2019; greater price competition in nursing care; and lower-than-expected branded drug price increases.

During the period, the Fund held currency forwards and futures seeking to hedge most of the currency risk of the portfolio’s non-U.S. dollar investments. The hedges had a positive overall impact on the Fund’s performance because of the appreciation of the U.S. dollar versus the hedged currencies.

 

What is a currency forward?

A currency forward is a direct 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 future?

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

Thank you for your participation in Franklin Mutual Shares VIP Fund. We look forward to serving your future investment needs.

 

The foregoing information reflects our analysis, opinions and portfolio holdings as of June 30, 2019, 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 MUTUAL SHARES VIP FUND

 

Class 4 Fund Expenses

As an investor in a variable insurance contract (Contract) that indirectly provides for investment in an underlying mutual fund, you can incur transaction and/or ongoing expenses at both the Fund level and the Contract Level: (1) transaction expenses can include sales charges (loads) on purchases, surrender fees, transfer fees and premium taxes; and (2) ongoing expenses can include management fees, distribution and service (12b-1) fees, contract fees, annual maintenance fees, mortality and expense risk fees and other fees and expenses. All mutual funds and Contracts have some types of ongoing expenses. The table below shows Fund-level ongoing expenses and can help you understand these costs and compare them with those of other mutual funds offered through the Contract. The table assumes a $1,000 investment held for the six months indicated. Please refer to the Fund prospectus for additional information on operating expenses.

Actual Fund Expenses

The table below provides information about the actual account values and actual expenses in the columns under the heading “Actual.” In these columns the Fund’s actual return, which includes the effect of ongoing Fund expenses but does not include the effect of ongoing Contract expenses, is used to calculate the “Ending Account Value.” You can estimate the Fund-level expenses you paid during the period by following these steps (of course, your account value and expenses will differ from those in this illustration): Divide your account value by $1,000 (if your account had an $8,600 value, then $8,600 ÷ $1,000 = 8.6). Then multiply the result by the number under the headings “Actual” and “Fund-Level Expenses Paid During Period” (if Fund-Level Expenses Paid During Period were $ 7.50, then 8.6 x $ 7.50 = $64.50). In this illustration, the estimated expenses paid this period at the Fund level are $64.50.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison with Other Mutual Funds

Under the heading “Hypothetical” in the table, information is provided about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. This information may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period, but it can help you compare ongoing costs of investing in the Fund with those of other mutual funds offered through the Contract. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds offered through the Contract.

Please note that expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight ongoing costs at the Fund level only and do not reflect any ongoing expenses at the Contract level, or transaction expenses at either the Fund or Contract levels. In addition, while the Fund does not have transaction expenses, if the transaction and ongoing expenses at the Contract level were included, the expenses shown below would be higher. You should consult your Contract prospectus or disclosure document for more information.

 

              

Actual

(actual return after expenses)

       

Hypothetical

(5% annual return before expenses)

         

  Share

  Class

   Beginning
Account
Value 1/1/19
        Ending
Account
Value 6/30/19
   Fund-Level
Expenses
Paid During
Period
1/1/19–6/30/191, 2
        Ending
Account
Value 6/30/19
   Fund-Level
Expenses
Paid During
Period
1/1/19–6/30/191, 2
        Net
Annualized
Expense
Ratio2

Class 4

   $1,000       $1,132.80    $5.55       $1,019.59    $5.26       1.05%

1. Expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio for the six-month period as indicated above—in the far right column—multiplied by the simple average account value over the period indicated, and then multiplied by 181/365 to reflect the one-half year period.

2. Reflects expenses after fee waivers and expense reimbursements. Does not include any ongoing expenses of the Contract for which the Fund is an investment option or acquired fund fees and expenses.

 

     
  Semiannual Report                  MS-7  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

 

Financial Highlights

Franklin Mutual Shares VIP Fund

    

Six Months Ended
June 30, 2019

(unaudited)

    Year Ended December 31,  
     2018     2017     2016     2015     2014  

Class 1

            
Per share operating performance
(for a share outstanding throughout the period)
            

Net asset value, beginning of period

     $17.71       $20.71       $20.40       $19.48       $22.91       $21.92  
        
Income from investment operationsa:             

Net investment incomeb

     0.23       0.36       0.49       0.50       0.44       0.62 c  

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)

     2.16       (2.04     1.22       2.56       (1.54     1.01  
        

Total from investment operations

     2.39       (1.68     1.71       3.06       (1.10     1.63  
        
Less distributions from:             

Net investment income

           (0.55     (0.53     (0.46     (0.77     (0.52

Net realized gains

           (0.77     (0.87     (1.68     (1.56     (0.12
        

Total distributions

           (1.32     (1.40     (2.14     (2.33     (0.64
        

Net asset value, end of period

     $20.10       $17.71       $20.71       $20.40       $19.48       $22.91  
        

Total returnd

     13.50%       (8.86)%       8.64%       16.35%       (4.69)%       7.38%  
Ratios to average net assetse             

Expensesf,g

     0.70% h       0.71% h       0.72% h       0.72% h       0.73% h       0.73%  

Expenses incurred in connection with securities sold short

     0.01%       0.01%       —%       0.01%       0.02%       0.03%  

Net investment income

     2.39%       1.77%       2.34%       2.57%       2.00%       2.83% c  
Supplemental data             

Net assets, end of period (000’s)

     $304,684       $537,324       $653,700       $610,395       $643,438       $656,463  

Portfolio turnover rate

     20.04%       24.67%       18.32%       24.45%       19.88%       21.33%  

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

bBased on average daily shares outstanding.

cNet investment income per share includes approximately $0.23 per share related to income received in the form of special dividends in connection with certain Fund holdings. Excluding this amount, the ratio of net investment income to average net assets would have been 1.79%.

dTotal return does not include fees, charges or expenses imposed by the variable annuity and life insurance contracts for which Franklin Templeton Variable Insurance Products Trust serves as an underlying investment vehicle. Total 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).

gBenefit of expense reduction rounds to less than 0.01%.

hBenefit of waiver and payments by affiliates rounds to less than 0.01%.

 

     
MS-8            Semiannual Report   |    The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

 

Franklin Mutual Shares VIP Fund (continued)

 

    

Six Months Ended
June 30, 2019

(unaudited)

    Year Ended December 31,  
     2018     2017     2016     2015     2014  

Class 2

            
Per share operating performance
(for a share outstanding throughout the period)
            

Net asset value, beginning of period

     $17.40       $20.36       $20.08       $19.20       $22.60       $21.63  
        
Income from investment operationsa:             

Net investment incomeb

     0.20       0.31       0.43       0.45       0.38       0.58 c  

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)

     2.12       (2.00     1.20       2.52       (1.51     0.97  
        

Total from investment operations

     2.32       (1.69     1.63       2.97       (1.13     1.55  
        
Less distributions from:             

Net investment income

           (0.50     (0.48     (0.41     (0.71     (0.46

Net realized gains

           (0.77     (0.87     (1.68     (1.56     (0.12
        

Total distributions

           (1.27     (1.35     (2.09     (2.27     (0.58
        

Net asset value, end of period

     $19.72       $17.40       $20.36       $20.08       $19.20       $22.60  
        

Total returnd

     13.33%       (9.07)%       8.35%       16.06%       (4.94)%       7.12%  
Ratios to average net assetse             

Expensesf,g

     0.95% h       0.96% h       0.97% h       0.97% h       0.98% h       0.98%  

Expenses incurred in connection with securities sold short

     0.01%       0.01%       —%       0.01%       0.02%       0.03%  

Net investment income

     2.14%       1.52%       2.09%       2.32%       1.75%       2.58%c  
Supplemental data             

Net assets, end of period (000’s)

     $2,863,648       $2,516,834       $3,476,913       $3,621,358       $3,353,505       $4,218,342  

Portfolio turnover rate

     20.04%       24.67%       18.32%       24.45%       19.88%       21.33%  

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

bBased on average daily shares outstanding.

cNet investment income per share includes approximately $0.23 per share related to income received in the form of special dividends in connection with certain Fund holdings. Excluding this amount, the ratio of net investment income to average net assets would have been 1.54%.

dTotal return does not include fees, charges or expenses imposed by the variable annuity and life insurance contracts for which Franklin Templeton Variable Insurance Products Trust serves as an underlying investment vehicle. Total 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).

gBenefit of expense reduction rounds to less than 0.01%.

hBenefit of waiver and payments by affiliates rounds to less than 0.01%.

 

     
  The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.    |   Semiannual Report                 MS-9  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

 

Franklin Mutual Shares VIP Fund (continued)

 

    

Six Months Ended
June 30, 2019

(unaudited)

    Year Ended December 31,  
     2018     2017     2016     2015     2014  

Class 4

            
Per share operating performance
(for a share outstanding throughout the period)
            

Net asset value, beginning of period

     $17.55       $20.53       $20.23       $19.32       $22.72       $21.74  
        
Income from investment operationsa:             

Net investment incomeb

     0.19       0.29       0.41       0.44       0.36       0.57 c  

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)

     2.14       (2.02     1.21       2.53       (1.52     0.96  
        

Total from investment operations

     2.33       (1.73     1.62       2.97       (1.16     1.53  
        
Less distributions from:             

Net investment income

           (0.48     (0.45     (0.38     (0.68     (0.43

Net realized gains

           (0.77     (0.87     (1.68     (1.56     (0.12
        

Total distributions

           (1.25     (1.32     (2.06     (2.24     (0.55
        

Net asset value, end of period

     $19.88       $17.55       $20.53       $20.23       $19.32       $22.72  
        

Total returnd

     13.28%       (9.16)%       8.25%       15.94%       (5.05)%       7.04%  
Ratios to average net assetse             

Expensesf,g

     1.05% h       1.06% h       1.07% h       1.07% h       1.08% h       1.08%  

Expenses incurred in connection with securities sold short

     0.01%       0.01%       —%       0.01%       0.02%       0.03%  

Net investment income

     2.04%       1.42%       1.99%       2.22%       1.65%       2.48%c  
Supplemental data             

Net assets, end of period (000’s)

     $116,018       $105,047       $122,942       $122,476       $130,978       $158,020  

Portfolio turnover rate

     20.04%       24.67%       18.32%       24.45%       19.88%       21.33%  

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

bBased on average daily shares outstanding.

cNet investment income per share includes approximately $0.23 per share related to income received in the form of special dividends in connection with certain Fund holdings. Excluding this amount, the ratio of net investment income to average net assets would have been 1.44%.

dTotal return does not include fees, charges or expenses imposed by the variable annuity and life insurance contracts for which Franklin Templeton Variable Insurance Products Trust serves as an underlying investment vehicle. Total 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).

gBenefit of expense reduction rounds to less than 0.01%.

hBenefit of waiver and payments by affiliates rounds to less than 0.01%.

 

     
MS-10            Semiannual Report   |    The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

 

Statement of Investments, June 30, 2019 (unaudited)

Franklin Mutual Shares VIP Fund                         
           Country        Shares/
Units/
Warrants
       Value  
 

Common Stocks and Other Equity Interests 89.5%

            
 

Aerospace & Defense 1.9%

            
 

BAE Systems PLC

     United Kingdom          4,569,485        $      28,748,147  
 

Huntington Ingalls Industries Inc.

     United States          143,247          32,193,331  
              

 

 

 
                 60,941,478  
              

 

 

 
 

Auto Components 0.1%

            
 

The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co.

     United States          314,543          4,812,508  
a,b,c  

International Automotive Components Group Brazil LLC

     Brazil          1,730,515          44,436  
              

 

 

 
                 4,856,944  
              

 

 

 
 

Automobiles 1.3%

            
 

General Motors Co.

     United States          1,118,830          43,108,520  
              

 

 

 
 

Banks 10.6%

            
 

Barclays PLC

     United Kingdom          9,360,305          17,806,904  
 

Cadence Bancorp

     United States          447,646          9,311,037  
 

CIT Group Inc.

     United States          705,826          37,084,098  
 

Citigroup Inc.

     United States          876,719          61,396,632  
 

Citizens Financial Group Inc.

     United States          1,649,366          58,321,582  
 

Independent Bank Group Inc.

     United States          133,712          7,348,811  
 

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

     United States          712,520          79,659,736  
 

Synovus Financial Corp.

     United States          451,377          15,798,195  
 

Wells Fargo & Co.

     United States          1,265,060          59,862,639  
              

 

 

 
                 346,589,634  
              

 

 

 
 

Biotechnology 1.1%

            
a  

Celgene Corp.

     United States          401,188          37,085,819  
              

 

 

 
 

Building Products 1.5%

            
 

Johnson Controls International PLC

     United States          1,171,600          48,398,796  
              

 

 

 
 

Chemicals 0.0%

            
a,b,d  

Dow Corning Corp., Contingent Distribution

     United States          100,000          53,346  
              

 

 

 
 

Communications Equipment 1.0%

            
 

Cisco Systems Inc.

     United States          611,364          33,459,952  
              

 

 

 
 

Construction & Engineering 0.6%

            
 

Fluor Corp.

     United States          584,682          19,697,937  
              

 

 

 
 

Consumer Finance 1.6%

            
 

Ally Financial Inc.

     United States          268,286          8,314,183  
 

Capital One Financial Corp.

     United States          492,885          44,724,385  
              

 

 

 
                 53,038,568  
              

 

 

 
 

Containers & Packaging 1.5%

            
 

International Paper Co.

     United States          924,175          40,035,261  
 

WestRock Co.

     United States          283,171          10,327,246  
              

 

 

 
                 50,362,507  
              

 

 

 
 

Diversified Financial Services 1.4%

            
 

Voya Financial Inc.

     United States          831,410          45,976,973  
              

 

 

 
 

Diversified Telecommunication Services 0.7%

            
 

Koninklijke KPN NV

     Netherlands          7,402,182          22,720,961  
              

 

 

 

 

     
  Semiannual Report                 MS-11  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin Mutual Shares VIP Fund (continued)

 

           Country        Shares/
Units/
Warrants
       Value  
  Common Stocks and Other Equity Interests (continued)             
 

Electrical Equipment 1.6%

            
a  

Sensata Technologies Holding PLC

     United States          1,069,230        $      52,392,270  
              

 

 

 
 

Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components 0.5%

            
 

Corning Inc.

     United States          493,869          16,411,267  
              

 

 

 
 

Energy Equipment & Services 1.3%

            
 

Baker Hughes a GE Co., A

     United States          1,412,585          34,791,968  
a  

McDermott International Inc.

     United States          699,157          6,753,857  
              

 

 

 
                 41,545,825  
              

 

 

 
 

Entertainment 2.8%

            
 

The Walt Disney Co.

     United States          665,400          92,916,456  
              

 

 

 
 

Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) 1.4%

            
 

Alexander’s Inc.

     United States          36,970          13,689,991  
 

Vornado Realty Trust

     United States          499,096          31,992,054  
              

 

 

 
                 45,682,045  
              

 

 

 
 

Food & Staples Retailing 2.2%

            
 

The Kroger Co.

     United States          1,835,560          39,850,007  
 

Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc.

     United States          600,658          32,837,973  
              

 

 

 
                 72,687,980  
              

 

 

 
 

Food Products 1.6%

            
 

Archer-Daniels-Midland Co.

     United States          412,167          16,816,414  
 

The Kraft Heinz Co.

     United States          1,105,600          34,317,824  
              

 

 

 
                 51,134,238  
              

 

 

 
 

Health Care Equipment & Supplies 3.8%

            
 

Medtronic PLC

     United States          1,278,912          124,553,240  
              

 

 

 
 

Health Care Providers & Services 1.2%

            
 

CVS Health Corp.

     United States          739,861          40,315,026  
              

 

 

 
 

Household Durables 2.5%

            
 

Lennar Corp., A

     United States          567,800          27,515,588  
 

Newell Brands Inc.

     United States          2,363,717          36,448,516  
 

Toll Brothers Inc.

     United States          486,000          17,797,320  
              

 

 

 
                 81,761,424  
              

 

 

 
 

Household Products 0.5%

            
 

Energizer Holdings Inc.

     United States          458,300          17,708,712  
              

 

 

 
 

Independent Power & Renewable Electricity Producers 0.6%

            
 

Vistra Energy Corp.

     United States          805,295          18,231,879  
              

 

 

 
 

Industrial Conglomerates 1.1%

            
 

General Electric Co.

     United States          3,334,300          35,010,150  
              

 

 

 
 

Insurance 8.1%

            
a  

Alleghany Corp.

     United States          92,388          62,933,350  
 

American International Group Inc.

     United States          1,385,096          73,797,915  
a  

Brighthouse Financial Inc.

     United States          190,912          7,004,561  
 

Chubb Ltd.

     United States          264,699          38,987,516  

 

     
MS-12            Semiannual Report  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin Mutual Shares VIP Fund (continued)

 

           Country        Shares/
Units/
Warrants
       Value  
  Common Stocks and Other Equity Interests (continued)             
 

Insurance (continued)

            
 

The Hartford Financial Services Group Inc.

     United States          914,578        $      50,960,286  
 

MetLife Inc.

     United States          680,203          33,785,683  
              

 

 

 
                 267,469,311  
              

 

 

 
 

IT Services 1.6%

            
 

Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp., A

     United States          816,570          51,762,372  
              

 

 

 
 

Machinery 0.8%

            
 

CNH Industrial NV

     United Kingdom          663,594          6,803,241  
 

CNH Industrial NV, special voting

     United Kingdom          1,844,814          18,913,243  
              

 

 

 
                 25,716,484  
              

 

 

 
 

Media 6.7%

            
a  

Charter Communications Inc., A

     United States          213,013          84,178,477  
a  

Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings Inc.

     United States          1,644,649          7,762,743  
 

Comcast Corp., A

     United States          1,246,900          52,718,932  
a  

Cumulus Media Inc., A

     United States          51,866          962,114  
a  

Cumulus Media Inc., B

     United States          84,765          1,572,391  
a  

Discovery Inc., C

     United States          1,137,473          32,361,107  
a  

DISH Network Corp., A

     United States          725,783          27,877,325  
a,b,c  

iHeartMedia Inc., A

     United States          757,945          11,001,789  
a,b,c  

iHeartMedia Inc., B

     United States          12,783          185,549  
              

 

 

 
                 218,620,427  
              

 

 

 
 

Metals & Mining 0.0%

            
 

Warrior Met Coal Inc.

     United States          21,563          563,226  
              

 

 

 
 

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels 9.9%

            
 

Anadarko Petroleum Corp.

     United States          783,170          55,260,475  
 

BP PLC

     United Kingdom          3,608,739          25,141,888  
 

Kinder Morgan Inc.

     United States          2,817,440          58,828,147  
 

Marathon Oil Corp.

     United States          2,720,801          38,662,582  
 

Occidental Petroleum Corp.

     United States          300,300          15,099,084  
 

Plains All American Pipeline LP

     United States          976,100          23,768,035  
 

Royal Dutch Shell PLC, A (EUR Traded)

     United Kingdom          1,247,949          40,731,763  
 

Royal Dutch Shell PLC, A (GBP Traded)

     United Kingdom          735,364          24,023,947  
 

The Williams Cos. Inc.

     United States          1,573,698          44,126,492  
              

 

 

 
                 325,642,413  
              

 

 

 
 

Pharmaceuticals 6.9%

            
 

Eli Lilly & Co.

     United States          381,286          42,242,676  
 

GlaxoSmithKline PLC

     United Kingdom          2,872,766          57,518,610  
 

Merck & Co. Inc.

     United States          510,912          42,839,971  
 

Novartis AG, ADR

     Switzerland          932,181          85,117,447  
              

 

 

 
                 227,718,704  
              

 

 

 

 

     
  Semiannual Report                 MS-13  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin Mutual Shares VIP Fund (continued)

 

           Country      Shares/
Units/
Warrants
       Value  
  Common Stocks and Other Equity Interests (continued)           
 

Software 2.6%

          
a  

Avaya Holdings Corp., wts., 12/15/22

     United States        91,551        $ 91,551  
a  

Red Hat Inc.

     United States        187,800          35,261,328  
 

Symantec Corp.

     United States        2,301,161          50,073,263  
            

 

 

 
               85,426,142  
            

 

 

 
 

Specialty Retail 0.2%

          
a,b  

TRU Kids Parent LLC

     United States        2,039          7,444,425  
            

 

 

 
 

Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals 3.5%

          
 

Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co.

     United States        1,835,967          27,447,707  
 

Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.

     South Korea        1,351,118          54,888,366  
a,b  

Wayne Services Legacy Inc.

     United States        2,040          713,354  
 

Western Digital Corp.

     United States        672,700          31,986,885  
            

 

 

 
               115,036,312  
            

 

 

 
 

Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods 1.1%

          
 

PVH Corp.

     United States        371,600          35,168,224  
            

 

 

 
 

Tobacco 2.6%

          
 

Altria Group Inc.

     United States        561,788          26,600,662  
 

British American Tobacco PLC

     United Kingdom        1,124,087          39,242,916  
 

British American Tobacco PLC, ADR

     United Kingdom        328,733          11,462,920  
 

Imperial Brands PLC

     United Kingdom        415,920          9,754,753  
            

 

 

 
               87,061,251  
            

 

 

 
 

Wireless Telecommunication Services 1.1%

          
a  

T-Mobile U.S. Inc.

     United States        475,280          35,237,259  
            

 

 

 
 

Total Common Stocks and Other Equity Interests
(Cost $2,280,498,565)

             2,939,508,497  
            

 

 

 
                Principal
Amount
          
 

Corporate Notes and Senior Floating Rate Interests 3.8%

 

e  

Banff Merger Sub Inc., senior note, 144A, 9.75%, 9/01/26

     United States      $    18,444,000          16,092,390  
 

Frontier Communications Corp.,

          
 

senior note, 10.50%, 9/15/22

     United States        22,633,000          15,447,022  
 

senior note, 11.00%, 9/15/25

     United States        25,535,000          15,959,375  
 

senior secured note, first lien, 144A, 8.00%, 4/01/27

     United States        6,148,000          6,409,290  
e  

McDermott Technology Americas Inc., senior note, 144A, 10.625%, 5/01/24

     United States        9,797,000          9,184,687  
f  

Veritas U.S. Inc.,

          
 

Term Loan B1, 6.902%, (1-month USD LIBOR + 4.50%), 1/27/23

     United States        14,529,546          13,221,887  
 

Term Loan B1, 6.83%, (3-month USD LIBOR + 4.50%), 1/27/23

     United States        2,883,961          2,624,405  
e  

Veritas U.S. Inc./Veritas Bermuda Ltd.,

          
 

senior note, 144A, 7.50%, 2/01/23

     United States        2,856,000          2,684,640  
 

senior note, 144A, 10.50%, 2/01/24

     United States        23,445,000          20,162,700  

 

     
MS-14            Semiannual Report  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin Mutual Shares VIP Fund (continued)

 

          Country     Principal
Amount
       Value  
  Corporate Notes and Senior Floating Rate Interests (continued)         
f,g  

Windstream Services LLC,

        
 

h Revolving Commitment, 8.50%, (Prime + 3.00%), 4/24/20

    United States     $ 17,758,664        $ 17,855,805  
 

i Term Loan B6, TBD, 3/30/21

    United States       3,575,000          3,686,719  
          

 

 

 
 

Total Corporate Notes and Senior Floating Rate Interests
(Cost $138,839,979)

           123,328,920  
          

 

 

 
 

Corporate Bonds and Notes in Reorganization 0.1%

        
b,c,j  

Broadband Ventures III LLC, secured promissory note, 5.00%, 2/01/12

    United States       1,754           
j  

Pacific Gas & Electric Co.,

        
 

senior bond, 4.45%, 4/15/42

    United States       991,000          953,837  
 

senior bond, 3.75%, 8/15/42

    United States       1,549,000          1,409,590  
 

senior bond, 4.00%, 12/01/46

    United States       1,755,000          1,601,437  
 

senior bond, 3.95%, 12/01/47

    United States       822,000          742,883  
          

 

 

 
 

 

Total Corporate Bonds and Notes in Reorganization
(Cost $3,873,477)

           4,707,747  
          

 

 

 
              Shares           
 

Companies in Liquidation 0.0%

 

a,b,d  

Avaya Holdings Corp., Contingent Distribution

    United States       30,319,000           
a,b,d  

Avaya Inc., Contingent Distribution

    United States       34,518,267           
a,b,d  

Clear Channel Communications Inc., Contingent Distribution

    United States       26,449,000           
a,b,d  

iHeartCommunications Inc., Contingent Distribution

    United States       45,914,872           
a,b,d  

Tribune Media, Litigation Trust, Contingent Distribution

    United States       398,509           
a,d  

Vistra Energy Corp., Litigation Trust, Contingent Distribution

    United States       90,618,406          135,928  
          

 

 

 
 

Total Companies in Liquidation (Cost $2,836,069)

           135,928  
          

 

 

 
 

 

Total Investments before Short Term Investments
(Cost $2,426,048,090)

           3,067,681,092  
          

 

 

 
              Principal
Amount
          
 

Short Term Investments 5.6%

 

    U.S. Government and Agency Securities 5.6%                     
k  

FHLB, 7/01/19

    United States     $ 47,300,000          47,300,000  
k  

U.S. Treasury Bill,

        
 

 7/02/19 - 9/05/19

    United States       111,300,000          111,072,182  
 

l 9/12/19 - 10/31/19

    United States       25,000,000          24,862,728  
          

 

 

 
 

Total U.S. Government and Agency Securities
(Cost $183,158,534)

           183,234,910  
          

 

 

 
 

Total Investments (Cost $2,609,206,624) 99.0%

           3,250,916,002  
 

Securities Sold Short (0.3)%

           (8,471,380
 

Other Assets, less Liabilities 1.3%

           41,905,290  
          

 

 

 
 

Net Assets 100.0%

         $ 3,284,349,912  
          

 

 

 

 

     
  Semiannual Report                 MS-15  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin Mutual Shares VIP Fund (continued)

 

           Country     Shares        Value  
m  

Securities Sold Short (Proceeds $8,965,066) (0.3)%

 

 

Common Stocks (0.3)%

         
 

Pharmaceuticals (0.3)%

         
 

Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.

     United States       186,800        $ (8,471,380
           

 

 

 

Rounds to less than 0.1% of net assets.

aNon-income producing.

bFair valued using significant unobservable inputs. See Note 12 regarding fair value measurements.

cSee Note 8 regarding restricted securities.

dContingent distributions represent the right to receive additional distributions, if any, during the reorganization of the underlying company.

Shares represent total underlying principal of debt securities.

eSecurity 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 a 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 June 30, 2019, the aggregate value of these securities was $54,533,707, representing 1.7% of net assets.

fSee Note 1(g) regarding senior floating rate interests.

gA portion or all of the security purchased on a delayed delivery basis. See Note 1(c).

hSee Note 9 regarding unfunded loan commitments.

iA portion or all of the security represents an unsettled loan commitment. The coupon rate is to-be determined (TBD) at the time of settlement and will be based upon a reference index/floor plus a spread.

jSee Note 7 regarding credit risk and defaulted securities.

kThe security was issued on a discount basis with no stated coupon rate.

lA portion or all of the security has been segregated as collateral for securities sold short and open forward exchange contracts. At June 30, 2019, the aggregate value of these securities pledged amounted to $5,380,364, representing 0.2% of net assets.

mSee Note 1(e) regarding securities sold short.

At June 30, 2019, the Fund had the following futures contracts outstanding. See Note 1(d).

Futures Contracts

 

Description    Type      Number of
Contracts
     Notional
Amount*
     Expiration
Date
     Value/
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
Currency Contracts               

EUR/USD

     Short        229        $32,765,606        9/16/19        $(109,142

GBP/USD

     Short        765        60,956,157        9/16/19        56,407  
              

 

 

 

Total Futures Contracts

 

     $  (52,735
              

 

 

 

* As of period end.

 

     
MS-16            Semiannual Report  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin Mutual Shares VIP Fund (continued)

 

At June 30, 2019, the Fund had the following forward exchange contracts outstanding. See Note 1(d).

 

Forward Exchange Contracts                                     
Currency    Counterpartya      Type      Quantity      Contract
Amount
     Settlement
Date
     Unrealized
Appreciation
     Unrealized
Depreciation
 
OTC Forward Exchange Contracts

 

Euro

     BOFA        Sell        587,466        $      667,291        7/15/19        $       —        $       (1,546

Euro

     HSBK        Sell        21,658,181        24,323,489        7/15/19               (334,589

British Pound

     BOFA        Buy        157,956        200,354        7/16/19        430         

British Pound

     BOFA        Sell        63,991        81,600        7/16/19        258         

British Pound

     HSBK        Buy        187,200        237,914        7/16/19        42         

British Pound

     HSBK        Sell        178,615        227,578        7/16/19        534         

British Pound

     SSBT        Sell        17,334,745        21,952,981        7/16/19               (81,792

South Korean Won

     HSBK        Sell        31,925,416,946        27,095,037        7/19/19               (516,206

South Korean Won

     UBSW        Sell        29,550,452,054        25,025,789        7/19/19               (531,425
                 

 

 

 

Total Forward Exchange Contracts

 

     $  1,264        $  (1,465,558
                 

 

 

 

Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

 

        $  (1,464,294
                    

 

 

 

aMay be comprised of multiple contracts with the same counterparty, currency and settlement date.

 

 

See Note 10 regarding other derivative information.

See Abbreviations on page MS-32.

 

     
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.           Semiannual Report             MS-17  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

June 30, 2019 (unaudited)

 

     Franklin Mutual
Shares VIP Fund
 

Assets:

 

Investments in securities:

 

Cost - Unaffiliated issuers

          $ 2,609,206,624  
 

 

 

 

Value - Unaffiliated issuers

          $ 3,250,916,002  

Cash

    830,663  

Foreign currency, at value (cost $1,718,543)

    1,720,665  

Receivables:

 

Investment securities sold

    25,916,323  

Capital shares sold

    6,955,157  

Dividends and interest

    8,765,960  

European Union tax reclaims

    1,574,871  

Deposits with brokers for:

 

Securities sold short

    8,730,761  

Futures contracts

    2,184,290  

Unrealized appreciation on OTC forward exchange contracts

    1,264  

Unrealized appreciation on unfunded loan commitments (Note 9)

    8,701  

Other assets

    2,382  
 

 

 

 

Total assets.

    3,307,607,039  
 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

Payables:

 

Investment securities purchased

    8,418,647  

Capital shares redeemed

    1,204,757  

Management fees

    1,783,043  

Distribution fees

    1,259,915  

Trustees’ fees and expenses

    3,364  

Variation margin on futures contracts

    215,612  

Securities sold short, at value (proceeds $8,965,066)

    8,471,380  

Unrealized depreciation on OTC forward exchange contracts

    1,465,558  

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

    434,851  
 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    23,257,127  
 

 

 

 

Net assets, at value

          $ 3,284,349,912  
 

 

 

 

Net assets consist of:

 

Paid-in capital

          $ 2,200,881,043  

Total distributable earnings (loss)

    1,083,468,869  
 

 

 

 

Net assets, at value

          $ 3,284,349,912  
 

 

 

 
Class 1:  

Net assets, at value

          $ 304,683,946  
 

 

 

 

Shares outstanding

    15,161,453  
 

 

 

 

Net asset value and maximum offering price per share

            $20.10  
 

 

 

 
Class 2:  

Net assets, at value

          $ 2,863,648,283  
 

 

 

 

Shares outstanding

    145,232,742  
 

 

 

 

Net asset value and maximum offering price per share

            $19.72  
 

 

 

 
Class 4:  

Net assets, at value

          $ 116,017,683  
 

 

 

 

Shares outstanding

    5,836,603  
 

 

 

 

Net asset value and maximum offering price per share

            $19.88  
 

 

 

 

 

     
MS-18            Semiannual Report   |    The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Statement of Operations

for the six months ended June 30, 2019 (unaudited)

 

     Franklin Mutual
Shares VIP Fund
 

Investment income:

 

Dividends: (net of foreign taxes)*

 

Unaffiliated issuers

          $ 40,366,610  

Interest:

 

Unaffiliated issuers

    11,635,806  

Income from securities loaned:

 

Unaffiliated issuers (net of fees and rebates)

    255,136  

Non-controlled affiliates (Note 3e)

    41,390  
 

 

 

 

 

Total investment income

   

 

52,298,942

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expenses:

 

Management fees (Note 3a)

    11,401,780  

Distribution fees: (Note 3c)

 

Class 2

    3,482,244  

Class 4

    199,138  

Custodian fees (Note 4)

    45,773  

Reports to shareholders

    213,878  

Professional fees

    44,144  

Trustees’ fees and expenses

    13,682  

Dividends and interest on securities sold short

    111,132  

Other

    38,041  
 

 

 

 

 

Total expenses

 

    15,549,812  

Expense reductions (Note 4)

    (8,338

Expenses waived/paid by affiliates (Note 3e)

    (7,025
 

 

 

 

 

Net expenses

 

    15,534,449  
 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income

    36,764,493  
 

 

 

 

Realized and unrealized gains (losses):

 

Net realized gain (loss) from:

 

Investments:

 

Unaffiliated issuers

    46,873,629  

Realized gain distributions from REITs

    74,381  

Foreign currency transactions

    421,427  

Forward exchange contracts

    3,892,295  

Futures contracts

    1,483,344  

Securities sold short

    (3,542,060
 

 

 

 

 

Net realized gain (loss)

 

    49,203,016  
 

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:

 

Investments:

 

Unaffiliated issuers

    339,610,302  

Translation of other assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies

    (71,322

Forward exchange contracts

    (513,176

Futures contracts

    (216,727

Securities sold short

    (6,441,444
 

 

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

 

    332,367,633  
 

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

 

    381,570,649  
 

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

 

          $ 418,335,142  
 

 

 

 

*Foreign taxes withheld on dividends

          $ 956,323  

 

     
  The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.    |   Semiannual Report                 MS-19  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

    Franklin Mutual Shares VIP Fund  
     Six Months Ended
June 30, 2019
(unaudited)
     Year Ended
December 31, 2018
 

Increase (decrease) in net assets:

    

Operations:

    

Net investment income

          $ 36,764,493              $ 60,982,102  

Net realized gain (loss)

    49,203,016        308,792,402  

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

    332,367,633        (689,920,400
 

 

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

 

    418,335,142        (320,145,896
 

 

 

 

Distributions to shareholders:

    

Class 1

           (37,929,843

Class 2

           (194,310,469

Class 4

           (7,177,027
 

 

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

 

           (239,417,339
 

 

 

 

 

Capital share transactions: (Note 2)

    

Class 1

    (306,195,412      (27,996,947

Class 2

    15,995,262        (506,425,142

Class 4

    (2,989,597      (365,846
 

 

 

 

 

Total capital share transactions

 

    (293,189,747      (534,787,935
 

 

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets

    125,145,395        (1,094,351,170

Net assets:

    

Beginning of period

    3,159,204,517        4,253,555,687  
 

 

 

 

 

End of period

          $ 3,284,349,912              $ 3,159,204,517  
 

 

 

 

 

     
MS-20            Semiannual Report   |    The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

 

Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited)

 

Franklin Mutual Shares VIP Fund

 

1.  Organization and Significant Accounting Policies

Franklin Templeton Variable Insurance Products Trust (Trust) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (1940 Act) as an open-end management investment company, consisting of eighteen separate funds and applies the specialized accounting and reporting guidance in U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (U.S. GAAP). Franklin Mutual Shares VIP Fund (Fund) is included in this report. Shares of the Fund are generally sold only to insurance company separate accounts to fund the benefits of variable life insurance policies or variable annuity contracts. The Fund offers three classes of shares: Class 1, Class 2 and Class 4. Each class of shares may differ by its distribution fees, voting rights on matters affecting a single class and its exchange privilege.

The following summarizes the Fund’s significant accounting policies.

a.  Financial Instrument Valuation

The Fund’s investments in financial instruments are carried at fair value daily. Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. The Fund calculates the net asset value (NAV) per share each business day as of 4 p.m. Eastern time or the regularly scheduled close of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), whichever is earlier. Under compliance policies and procedures approved by the Trust’s Board of Trustees (the Board), the Fund’s administrator has responsibility for oversight of valuation, including leading the cross-functional Valuation Committee (VC). The Fund may utilize independent pricing services, quotations from securities and financial instrument dealers, and other market sources to determine fair value.

Equity securities and derivative financial instruments listed on an exchange or on the NASDAQ National Market System are valued at the last quoted sale price or the official closing price of the day, respectively. Foreign equity securities are valued as of the close of trading on the foreign stock exchange on which the security is primarily traded, or as of 4 p.m. Eastern time. The value is then converted into its U.S. dollar equivalent at the foreign exchange rate in effect at 4 p.m. Eastern time on the day that the value of the security is determined. Over-the-counter (OTC) securities are valued within the range of the most recent quoted bid and ask prices. Securities that trade in multiple markets or on multiple

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

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

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

Certain derivative financial instruments trade in the OTC market. The Fund’s pricing services use various techniques including industry standard option pricing models and proprietary discounted cash flow models to determine the fair value of those instruments. The Fund’s net benefit or obligation under the derivative contract, as measured by the fair value of the contract, is included in net assets.

The Fund has procedures to determine the fair value of financial instruments for which market prices are not reliable or readily available. Under these procedures, the Fund primarily employs a market-based approach which may use related or comparable assets or liabilities, recent transactions, market multiples, book values, and other relevant information for the investment to determine the fair value of the investment. An income-based valuation approach may also be used in which the anticipated future cash flows of the investment are discounted to calculate fair value. Discounts may also be applied due to the nature or duration of any restrictions on 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.

 

 

     
  Semiannual Report                 MS-21


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin Mutual Shares VIP Fund (continued)

 

1.  Organization and Significant Accounting

Policies (continued)

a.  Financial Instrument Valuation (continued)

Trading in securities on foreign securities stock exchanges and OTC markets may be completed before 4 p.m. Eastern time. In addition, trading in certain foreign markets may not take place on every Fund’s business day. Occasionally, events occur between the time at which trading in a foreign security is completed and 4 p.m. Eastern time that might call into question the reliability of the value of a portfolio security held by the Fund. As a result, differences may arise between the value of the Fund’s portfolio securities as determined at the foreign market close and the latest indications of value at 4 p.m. Eastern time. In order to minimize the potential for these differences, 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 Fund’s NAV is not calculated, which could result in differences between the value of the Fund’s portfolio securities on the last business day and the last calendar day of the reporting period. Any significant security valuation changes due to an open foreign market are adjusted and reflected by the Fund for financial reporting purposes.

b.  Foreign Currency Translation

Portfolio securities and other assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars based on the exchange rate of such currencies against U.S. dollars on the date of valuation. The Fund may enter into foreign currency exchange contracts to facilitate transactions denominated in a foreign currency. Purchases and sales of securities, income and expense items denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rate in effect on the transaction date. Portfolio securities and assets and liabilities denominated in

foreign currencies contain risks that those currencies will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar. Occasionally, events may impact the availability or reliability of foreign exchange rates used to convert the U.S. dollar equivalent value. If such an event occurs, the foreign exchange rate will be valued at fair value using procedures established and approved by the Board.

The Fund does not separately report the effect of changes in foreign exchange rates from changes in market prices on securities held. Such changes are included in net realized and unrealized gain or loss from investments in the Statement of Operations.

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

c.  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.

d.  Derivative Financial Instruments

The Fund invested in derivative financial instruments in order to manage risk or gain exposure to various other investments or markets. Derivatives are financial contracts based on an underlying or notional amount, require no initial investment or an initial net investment that is smaller than would normally be required to have a similar response to changes in market factors, and require or permit net settlement. Derivatives contain various risks including the potential inability of the counterparty to fulfill their obligations under the terms of the contract, the potential for an illiquid secondary market, and/or the potential for market movements which expose the Fund to

 

 

     
MS-22             Semiannual Report  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin Mutual Shares VIP Fund (continued)

 

gains or losses in excess of the amounts shown in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Realized gain and loss and unrealized appreciation and depreciation on these contracts for the period are included in the Statement of Operations.

Derivative counterparty credit risk is managed through a formal evaluation of the creditworthiness of all potential counterparties. The Fund attempts to reduce its exposure to counterparty credit risk on OTC derivatives, whenever possible, by entering into International Swaps and Derivatives Association (ISDA) master agreements with certain counterparties. These agreements contain various provisions, including but not limited to collateral requirements, events of default, or early termination. Termination events applicable to the counterparty include certain deteriorations in the credit quality of the counterparty. Termination events applicable to the Fund include failure of the Fund to maintain certain net asset levels and/or limit the decline in net assets over various periods of time. In the event of default or early termination, the ISDA master agreement gives the non-defaulting party the right to net and close-out all transactions traded, whether or not arising under the ISDA agreement, to one net amount payable by one counterparty to the other. However, absent an event of default or early termination, OTC derivative assets and liabilities are presented gross and not offset in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Early termination by the counterparty may result in an immediate payment by the Fund of any net liability owed to that counterparty under the ISDA agreement. At June 30, 2019, the Fund had OTC derivatives in a net liability position of $1,463,436 and the aggregate value of collateral pledged for such contracts was $1,213,907.

Collateral requirements differ by type of derivative. Collateral or initial margin requirements are set by the broker or exchange clearing house for exchange traded and centrally cleared derivatives. Initial margin deposited is held at the exchange and can be in the form of cash and/or securities. For OTC derivatives traded under an ISDA master agreement, posting of collateral is required by either the Fund or the applicable counterparty if the total net exposure of all OTC derivatives with the applicable counterparty exceeds the minimum transfer amount, which typically ranges from $100,000 to $250,000, and can vary depending on the counterparty and the type of the agreement. Generally, collateral is determined at the close of Fund business each day and any additional collateral required due to changes in derivative values may be delivered by the Fund or the

counterparty the next business day, or within a few business days. Collateral pledged and/or received by the Fund for OTC derivatives, if any, is held in segregated accounts with the Fund’s custodian/counterparty broker and can be in the form of cash and/or securities. Unrestricted cash may be invested according to the Fund’s investment objectives. To the extent that the amounts due to the Fund from its counterparties are not subject to collateralization or are not fully collateralized, the Fund bears the risk of loss from counterparty non-performance.

The Fund entered into exchange traded futures contracts primarily to manage exposure to certain foreign currencies. A futures contract is an agreement between the Fund and a counterparty to buy or sell an asset at a specified price on a future date. Required initial margins are pledged by the Fund, and the daily change in fair value is accounted for as a variation margin payable or receivable in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

The Fund entered into OTC forward exchange contracts primarily to manage 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.

See Note 10 regarding other derivative information.

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

 

 

     
  Semiannual Report                 MS-23  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin Mutual Shares VIP Fund (continued)

 

1.  Organization and Significant Accounting

Policies (continued)

e.  Securities Sold Short (continued)

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.

f.  Securities Lending

The Fund participates in an agency based securities lending program to earn additional income. The Fund receives cash collateral against the loaned securities in an amount equal to at least 102% of the fair value of the loaned securities. Collateral is maintained over the life of the loan in an amount not less than 100% of the fair value of loaned securities, as determined at the close of Fund business each day; any additional collateral required due to changes in security values is delivered to the Fund on the next business day. The collateral is deposited into a joint cash account with other funds and is used to invest in a money market fund managed by Franklin Advisers, Inc., an affiliate of the Fund. The Fund may receive income from the investment of cash collateral, in addition to lending fees and rebates paid by the borrower. Income from securities loaned, net of fees paid to the securities lending agent and/or third-party vendor, is reported separately in the Statement of Operations. The Fund bears the market risk with respect to the collateral investment, securities loaned, and the risk that the agent may default on its obligations to the Fund. If the borrower defaults on its obligation to return the securities loaned, the Fund has the right to repurchase the securities in the open market using the collateral received. The securities lending agent has agreed to indemnify the Fund in the event of default by a third party borrower. At June 30, 2019, the Fund had no securities on loan.

g.  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.

h.  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 if applicable, 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.

As a result of several court cases, in certain countries across the European Union, the Fund filed additional tax reclaims for previously withheld taxes on dividends earned in those countries (EU reclaims). These additional filings are subject to various administrative proceedings by the local jurisdictions’ tax authorities within the European Union, as well as a number of related judicial proceedings. Income recognized, if any, for EU reclaims is reflected as other income in the Statement of Operations and any related receivable, if any, is reflected as European Union tax reclaims in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. When uncertainty exists as to the ultimate resolution of these proceedings, the likelihood of receipt of these EU reclaims, and the potential timing of payment, no amounts are reflected in the financial statements. For U.S. income tax purposes, when EU reclaims are received by the Fund and the Fund previously passed foreign tax credit on to its shareholders, the Fund must either amend historic tax reporting to shareholders or enter into a closing agreement with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in order to pay the associated tax liability on behalf of the Fund’s shareholders.

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

 

 

     
MS-24            Semiannual Report  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin Mutual Shares VIP Fund (continued)

 

its technical merits. As of June 30, 2019, the Fund has determined that no tax liability is required in its financial statements related to uncertain tax positions for any open tax years (or expected to be taken in future tax years). Open tax years are those that remain subject to examination and are based on the statute of limitations in each jurisdiction in which the Fund invests.

i.  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. Dividend income and dividends declared on securities sold short are recorded on the ex-dividend date except for certain dividends from securities where the dividend rate is not available. In such cases, the dividend is recorded as soon as the information is received by the Fund. Distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Distributable earnings are determined according to income tax regulations (tax basis) and may differ from earnings recorded in accordance with U.S. GAAP. These differences may be permanent or temporary. Permanent differences are reclassified among capital accounts to reflect their tax character. These reclassifications have no impact on net assets or the results of operations. Temporary differences are not reclassified, as they may reverse in subsequent periods.

Common expenses incurred by the Trust are allocated among the Funds based on the ratio of net assets of each Fund to the combined net assets of the Trust or based on the ratio of

number of shareholders of each Fund to the combined number of shareholders of the Trust. Fund specific expenses are charged directly to the Fund that incurred the expense.

Realized and unrealized gains and losses and net investment income, excluding class specific expenses, are allocated daily to each class of shares based upon the relative proportion of net assets of each class. Differences in per share distributions by class are generally due to differences in class specific expenses.

j.  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.

k.  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.

 

 

     
  Semiannual Report                 MS-25  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin Mutual Shares VIP Fund (continued)

 

2.  Shares of Beneficial Interest

At June 30, 2019, there were an unlimited number of shares authorized (without par value). Transactions in the Fund’s shares were as follows:

 

    

Six Months Ended

June 30, 2019

   

Year Ended

December 31, 2018

 
      Shares      Amount     Shares     Amount  
Class 1 Shares:          

Shares sold

     403,550      $ 7,789,101       1,228,202     $ 23,646,682  

Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

                  1,881,441       37,929,843  

Shares redeemed

     (15,582,604      (313,984,513     (4,336,171     (89,573,472
  

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease)

     (15,179,054    $ (306,195,412     (1,226,528   $ (27,996,947
  

 

 

 
Class 2 Shares:          

Shares sold

     18,294,534      $ 353,687,491       14,955,793     $ 302,887,079  

Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

                  9,803,757       194,310,469  

Shares redeemed

     (17,700,611      (337,692,229     (50,860,562     (1,003,622,690
  

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease)

     593,923      $ 15,995,262       (26,101,012   $ (506,425,142
  

 

 

 
Class 4 Shares:          

Shares sold

     378,174      $ 7,137,753       743,333     $ 14,855,135  

Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

                  358,852       7,177,027  

Shares redeemed

     (526,970      (10,127,350     (1,104,232     (22,398,008
  

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease)

     (148,796    $ (2,989,597     (2,047   $ (365,846
  

 

 

 

3.  Transactions with Affiliates

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

 

Subsidiary    Affiliation

Franklin Mutual Advisers, LLC (Franklin Mutual)

   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

 

     
MS-26            Semiannual Report  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin Mutual Shares VIP Fund (continued)

 

a.  Management Fees

The Fund pays an investment management fee to Franklin Mutual based on the average daily net assets of the Fund as follows:

 

Annualized Fee Rate    Net Assets

0.675%

  

Up to and including $5 billion

0.645%

  

Over $5 billion, up to and including $10 billion

0.625%

  

Over $10 billion, up to and including $15 billion

0.595%

  

Over $15 billion, up to and including $20 billion

0.585%

  

Over $20 billion, up to and including $25 billion

0.565%

  

Over $25 billion, up to and including $30 billion

0.555%

  

Over $30 billion, up to and including $35 billion

0.545%

  

In excess of $35 billion

b.  Administrative Fees

Under an agreement with Franklin Mutual, FT Services provides administrative services to the Fund. The fee is paid by Franklin Mutual 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 Class 2 and Class 4 shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. Under the Fund’s 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 0.35% per year of its average daily net assets of each class. The Board has agreed to limit the current rate to 0.25% per year for Class 2. The plan year, for purposes of monitoring compliance with the maximum annual plan rates, is February 1 through January 31.

d.  Transfer Agent Fees

Investor Services, under terms of an agreement, performs shareholder servicing for the Fund and is not paid by the Fund for the services.

e.  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 Statement of Operations, in an amount not to exceed the management and administrative fees paid directly or indirectly by each affiliate. During the period ended June 30, 2019, the Fund held investments in affiliated management investment companies as follows:

 

      Value at
Beginning
of Period
    Purchases     Sales     Realized
Gain (Loss)
    Net Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
    Value at
End of
Period
   

Number of
Shares
Held at End
of Period

    Income from
securities
loaned
 
Non-Controlled Affiliates                 

Institutional Fiduciary Trust Money Market Portfolio, 2.05%

     $     —       $90,240,000       $(90,240,000     $       —       $       —       $       —             $41,390  
  

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

     
  Semiannual Report                 MS-27  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin Mutual Shares VIP Fund (continued)

 

4.  Expense Offset Arrangement

The Fund has entered into an arrangement with its custodian whereby credits realized as a result of uninvested cash balances are used to reduce a portion of the Fund’s custodian expenses. During the period ended June 30, 2019, the custodian fees were reduced as noted in the Statement of Operations.

5.  Income Taxes

At June 30, 2019, the cost of investments and net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) for income tax purposes were as follows:

 

Cost of investments

       $ 2,623,509,388  
  

 

 

 

Unrealized appreciation

       $ 789,047,411  

Unrealized depreciation

     (171,626,751
  

 

 

 

Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

       $ 617,420,660  
  

 

 

 

Differences between income and/or capital gains as determined on a book basis and a tax basis are primarily due to differing treatments of defaulted securities, foreign currency transactions and wash sales.

6.  Investment Transactions

Purchases and sales of investments (excluding short term securities and securities sold short) for the period ended June 30, 2019, aggregated $617,730,214 and $707,904,303, respectively.

7.  Credit Risk and Defaulted Securities

The Fund may purchase the pre-default or defaulted debt of distressed companies. Distressed companies are financially troubled and could be or are already involved in financial restructuring or bankruptcy. Risks associated with purchasing these securities include the possibility that the bankruptcy or other restructuring process takes longer than expected, or that distributions in restructuring are less than anticipated, either or both of which may result in unfavorable consequences to the Fund. If it becomes probable that the income on debt securities, including those of distressed companies, will not be collected, the Fund discontinues accruing income and recognizes an adjustment for uncollectible interest.

At June 30, 2019, the aggregate long value of distressed company securities for which interest recognition has been discontinued was $4,707,747, representing 0.2% of the Fund’s net assets. For information as to specific securities, see the accompanying Statement of Investments.

8.  Restricted Securities

The Fund invests in securities that are restricted under the Securities Act of 1933 (1933 Act). Restricted securities are often purchased in private placement transactions, and cannot be sold without prior registration unless the sale is pursuant to an exemption under the 1933 Act. Disposal of these securities may require greater effort and expense, and prompt sale at an acceptable price may be difficult. The Fund may have registration rights for restricted securities. The issuer generally incurs all registration costs.

 

     
MS-28            Semiannual Report  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin Mutual Shares VIP Fund (continued)

 

At June 30, 2019, investments in restricted securities, excluding securities exempt from registration under the 1933 Act deemed to be liquid, were as follows:

 

Principal
Amount/
Shares
   Issuer    Acquisition
Date
     Cost      Value  
1,754   

Broadband Ventures III LLC, secured promissory note, 5.00%, 2/01/12

     7/01/10 - 11/30/12          $ 1,754          $  
757,945   

iHeartMedia Inc., A

     1/03/11 - 12/19/13        17,769,776        11,001,789  
12,783   

iHeartMedia Inc., B

     1/03/11 - 12/19/13        298,947        185,549  
1,730,515   

International Automotive Components Group Brazil LLC

     4/13/06 - 12/26/08        1,149,241        44,436  
        

 

 

 
  

Total Restricted Securities (Value is 0.3% of Net Assets)

          $ 19,219,718          $ 11,231,774  
        

 

 

 

9.  Unfunded Loan Commitments

The Fund enters into certain credit agreements, all or a portion of which may be unfunded. The Fund is obligated to fund these loan commitments at the borrowers’ discretion. Unfunded loan commitments and funded portions of credit agreements are marked to market daily and any unrealized appreciation or depreciation is included in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities and the Statement of Operations. Funded portions of credit agreements are presented in the Statement of Investments.

At June 30, 2019, unfunded commitments were as follows:

 

Borrower    Unfunded
Commitment

Windstream Services LLC, Revolving Commitment

   $53,481
  

 

10.  Other Derivative Information

At June 30, 2019, investments in derivative contracts are reflected in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities as follows:

 

    

Asset Derivatives

   

Liability Derivatives

 

Derivative Contracts

Not Accounted for as

Hedging Instruments

  

Statement of

Assets and Liabilities

Location

  Fair Value    

Statement of

Assets and Liabilities
Location

  Fair Value  

Foreign exchange contracts

  

Variation margin on futures contracts

      $
 
56,407a
 
 
 

Variation margin on futures contracts

  $ 109,142a  
  

Unrealized appreciation on OTC forward exchange contracts

    1,264    

Unrealized depreciation on OTC forward exchange contracts

    1,465,558  
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Totals

         $ 57,671       $ 1,574,700  
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

aThis amount reflects the cumulative appreciation (depreciation) of futures 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.

 

     
  Semiannual Report                 MS-29  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin Mutual Shares VIP Fund (continued)

 

10.  Other Derivative Information (continued)

For the period ended June 30, 2019, the effect of derivative contracts in the Statement of Operations was as follows:

 

Derivative Contracts

Not Accounted for as
Hedging Instruments

  

Statement of

Operations Location

  Net Realized
Gain (Loss) for
the Period
   

Statement of

Operations Location

  Net Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
for the Period
 
  

Net realized gain (loss) from:

    Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:  

Foreign exchange contracts

   Forward exchange contracts       $ 3,892,295     Forward exchange contracts       $ (513,176
  

Futures contracts

    1,483,344     Futures contracts     (216,727
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Totals

         $ 5,375,639           $ (729,903
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

For the period ended June 30, 2019, the average month end notional amount of futures contracts represented $105,304,246. The average month end contract value of forward exchange contracts was $117,526,716.

See Note 1(d) regarding derivative financial instruments.

11.  Credit Facility

The Fund, together with other U.S. registered and foreign investment funds (collectively, Borrowers), managed by Franklin Templeton, are borrowers in a joint syndicated senior unsecured credit facility totaling $2 billion (Global Credit Facility) which matures on February 7, 2020. This Global Credit Facility provides a source of funds to the Borrowers for temporary and emergency purposes, including the ability to meet future unanticipated or unusually large redemption requests.

Under the terms of the Global Credit Facility, the Fund shall, in addition to interest charged on any borrowings made by the Fund and other costs incurred by the Fund, pay its share of fees and expenses incurred in connection with the implementation and maintenance of the Global Credit Facility, based upon its relative share of the aggregate net assets of all of the Borrowers, including an annual commitment fee of 0.15% based upon the unused portion of the Global Credit Facility. These fees are reflected in other expenses in the Statement of Operations. During the period ended June 30, 2019, the Fund did not use the Global Credit Facility.

12.  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.

 

     
MS-30            Semiannual Report  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin Mutual Shares VIP Fund (continued)

 

A summary of inputs used as of June 30, 2019, in valuing the Fund’s assets and liabilities carried at fair value, is as follows:

 

      Level 1     Level 2     Level 3     Total  
Assets:         

Investments in Securities:a

        

Equity Investments:b

        

Auto Components

           $ 4,812,508     $     $ 44,436     $ 4,856,944  

Chemicals

                 53,346       53,346  

Machinery

     6,803,241       18,913,243             25,716,484  

Media

     207,433,089             11,187,338       218,620,427  

Specialty Retail

                 7,444,425       7,444,425  

Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals

     114,322,958             713,354       115,036,312  

All Other Equity Investments

     2,567,780,559                   2,567,780,559  

Corporate Notes and Senior Floating Rate Interests

           123,328,920             123,328,920  

Corporate Bonds and Notes in Reorganization

           4,707,747       c       4,707,747  

Companies in Liquidation

           135,928       c       135,928  

Short Term Investments

     135,934,910       47,300,000             183,234,910  
  

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities

           $ 3,037,087,265     $ 194,385,838     $ 19,442,899     $ 3,250,916,002  
  

 

 

 

Other Financial Instruments:

        

Futures Contracts

           $ 56,407     $     $     $ 56,407  

Forward Exchange Contracts

           1,264             1,264  

Unfunded Loan Commitments

           8,701             8,701  
  

 

 

 

Total Other Financial Instruments

           $ 56,407     $ 9,965     $     $ 66,372  
  

 

 

 
Liabilities:         

Other Financial Instruments:

        

Securities Sold Short

           $ 8,471,380     $     $     $ 8,471,380  

Futures Contracts

     109,142                   109,142  

Forward Exchange Contracts

           1,465,558             1,465,558  
  

 

 

 

Total Other Financial Instruments

           $ 8,580,522     $ 1,465,558     $     $ 10,046,080  
  

 

 

 

aFor detailed categories, see the accompanying Statement of Investments.

bIncludes common stocks as well as other equity interests.

cIncludes securities determined to have no value at June 30, 2019.

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 beginning and/or end of the period.

13.  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.

 

     
  Semiannual Report                 MS-31  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin Mutual Shares VIP Fund (continued)

 

Abbreviations

 

Counterparty   Currency   Selected Portfolio
BOFA   Bank of America Corp.   EUR   Euro   ADR   American Depositary Receipt
HSBK   HSBC Bank PLC   GBP   British Pound   FHLB   Federal Home Loan Bank
SSBT   State Street Bank and Trust Co., N.A.   USD   United States Dollar   LIBOR   London InterBank Offered Rate
UBSW   UBS AG        

 

     
MS-32            Semiannual Report  


Franklin Rising Dividends VIP Fund

This semiannual report for Franklin Rising Dividends VIP Fund covers the period ended June 30, 2019.

Class 4 Performance Summary as of June 30, 2019

The Fund’s Class 4 Shares posted a +20.29% total return* for the six-month period ended June 30, 2019.

*The Fund has a fee waiver associated with any investment it makes in a Franklin Templeton money fund and/or other Franklin Templeton fund, contractually guaranteed through 4/30/20. Fund investment results reflect the fee waiver; without this waiver, the results would have been lower.

Performance reflects the Fund’s Class 4 operating expenses, but does not include any contract fees, expenses or sales charges. If they had been included, performance would be lower. These charges and deductions, particularly for variable life policies, can have a significant effect on contract values and insurance benefits. See the contract prospectus for a complete description of these expenses, including sales charges.

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.

 

     
  Semiannual Report                 FRD-1  


FRANKLIN RISING DIVIDENDS VIP FUND

 

Fund Goal and Main Investments

The Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation, with preservation of capital as an important consideration. Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets in equity securities of financially sound companies that have paid consistently rising dividends.

Fund Risks

All investments involve risks, including possible loss of principal. Value securities may not increase in price as anticipated or may decline further in value. For stocks paying dividends, dividends are not guaranteed, and can increase, decrease or be totally eliminated without notice. Securities issued by smaller and midsize companies may be more volatile in price than those of larger companies, involve substantial risks and should be considered speculative. To the extent that the Fund focuses on particular countries, regions, industries, sectors or types of investment from time to time, the Fund may be subject to greater risks of adverse developments in such areas of focus than a fund that invests in a wider variety of countries, regions, industries, sectors or investments. Foreign investing carries additional risks such as currency and market volatility and political or social instability, risks that are heightened in developing countries. The Fund is actively managed but there is no guarantee that the manager’s investment decisions will produce the desired results. The Fund’s prospectus also includes a description of the main investment risks.

Performance Overview

You can find the Fund’s six-month total return in the Performance Summary. In comparison, the Standard & Poor’s® 500 Index (S&P 500®) posted a +18.54% total return for the same period.1 Please note the Fund employs a bottom-up stock selection process, and the managers invest in securities without regard to benchmark comparisons.

Economic and Market Overview

The U.S. economy grew during the six months ended June 30, 2019. After moderating for two consecutive quarters, the economy grew significantly faster in 2019’s first quarter, driven by growth in consumer spending, inventory investment, exports, business investment, and state and

local government spending. However, the economy moderated again in the second quarter, due to weakness in inventory investment, exports, business investment and housing investment. The manufacturing and services sectors expanded during the period. The unemployment rate decreased from 3.9% in December 2018 to 3.7% at period-end.2 The annual inflation rate, as measured by the Consumer Price Index, decreased from 1.9% in December 2018 to 1.6% at period-end.2

The U.S. Federal Reserve (Fed) held its target range for the federal funds rate unchanged, at 2.25%–2.50%, during the period. In March, the Fed mentioned it would end its balance sheet normalization program by the end of September 2019. In June, the Fed indicated increased uncertainties around its views on economic activity and the labor market. With market-based inflation measures remaining low in recent months, the market has interpreted the Fed’s recent statements to mean it will likely cut rates in 2019’s second half to foster continued economic growth while attempting to achieve its inflation objective.

U.S. equity markets overall rose during the period, benefiting from upbeat economic data and U.S. corporate earnings. However, markets reflected concerns about tighter regulation of technology companies, U.S. political uncertainties, and the impact of U.S. trade disputes with China and other trading partners on global growth and corporate earnings. These concerns were partially alleviated in 2019’s first four months by easing trade tensions and optimism about a potential U.S.-China trade deal. Furthermore, markets benefited from the Fed’s indications of a patient approach to its monetary policy decisions. The broad U.S. stock market, as measured by the S&P 500, rallied in 2019’s first four months, reaching a new all-time high in April 2019. After declining in May due to escalating trade tensions, stocks reached another all-time high in June amid investor optimism about potential interest-rate cuts. Overall, the S&P 500 posted a +18.54% total return for the six-month period.1

Investment Strategy

We are a research-driven, fundamental investment adviser, pursuing a disciplined value-oriented strategy. As bottom-up investors concentrating primarily on individual securities, we seek fundamentally sound companies that we believe meet

 

 

1. Source: Morningstar. One cannot invest directly in an index, and an index is not representative of the Fund’s portfolio. Please see Index Descriptions following the Fund Summaries.

2. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics.

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).

 

     
FRD-2        Semiannual Report  


FRANKLIN RISING DIVIDENDS VIP FUND

 

our screening criteria, which include consistent, substantial dividend increases; reinvested earnings; and strong balance sheets. We attempt to acquire such stocks at attractive prices, often when they are out of favor with other investors. In following these criteria, we do not necessarily focus on companies whose securities pay a high dividend but rather on companies that consistently raise their dividends.

Manager’s Discussion

During the six-month period ended June 30, 2019, some holdings that contributed to absolute performance included Roper Technologies, Erie Indemnity and Air Products and Chemicals.

Roper Technologies, a diversified industrial company, enjoyed solid stock price performance during the period as the company continued to post strong revenue and earnings growth, as well as robust cash flow generation. Roper expects to continue achieving strong operating results in 2019, with moderate organic revenue growth and continued strong profitability. The company has increased its dividend for 26 consecutive years.

Erie Indemnity, a property-casualty insurer, contributed to relative performance based on steady earnings growth and margin expansion in recent quarters. Rate growth led to an increase in Erie’s premium growth during the recent period. The company has increased its dividend for 39 consecutive years.

Industrial gases company Air Products and Chemicals supported relative returns following a solid quarterly earnings report and what we considered promising guidance. We believe the overall fundamentals for the industrial gases industry remains robust. The industry has consolidated, competitive pressures remain stable, pricing power has improved and project backlogs look to be increasing. Moreover, we believe Air Products has what we consider a significant long-term opportunity in gasification projects. The company has increased its dividend for 36 consecutive years.

Conversely, some holdings that detracted from absolute performance included Albemarle, Occidental Petroleum and Medtronic.

Shares of Albemarle, a specialty chemicals producer, declined despite ongoing strong fundamental performance. Investor concerns about the possibility of lithium oversupply and pricing implications continued to weigh on the industry despite the company’s outlook for balanced supply and demand. Albemarle’s long-term contracts and low-cost position could provide insulation from spot price fluctuations,

Portfolio Composition

Based on Total Net Assets as of 6/30/19

 

LOGO

in our view. The company has increased its dividend for 25 consecutive years.

Oil and gas producer Occidental Petroleum announced a $38 billion acquisition of oil and gas exploration and production firm Anadarko Petroleum. We believe the transaction will give Occidental Petroleum a greater presence in the U.S. shale producing Permian Basin and allow it to cut costs, but investor concerns about the

 

 

     
  Semiannual Report                 FRD-3  


FRANKLIN RISING DIVIDENDS VIP FUND

 

financing needed to complete the deal weighed on Occidental’s share price. The company has increased its dividend for 16 consecutive years.

Shares of Medtronic, a developer of medical products, was a relative detractor during the period, despite reporting strong financial results in recent quarters. We believe that Medtronic is positioned well going forward, based on good organic growth prospects driven by a strong pipeline, as well as improving margins and cash flow generation. The stock also trades at an undemanding valuation relative to the opportunity, in our view. The company has increased its dividend for 41 years.

During the period, the Fund initiated a new position in Norfolk Southern, a freight railroad (17 consecutive years of dividend increases). We added to existing positions including The Boeing Company, an aerospace company (eight consecutive years of dividend increases); Raytheon, a defense contractor and weapons, military and commercial electronics manufacturer (15 consecutive years of dividend increases); and Honeywell International, a diversified industrial company (nine consecutive years of dividend increases)

We did not liquidate any positions during the period. We also reduced several holdings including ABM Industries, Aflac and the aforementioned Roper Technologies.

Thank you for your participation in Franklin Rising Dividends VIP Fund. We look forward to continuing to serve your investment needs.

 

 

The foregoing information reflects our analysis, opinions and portfolio holdings as of June 30, 2019, 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.

Top 10 Holdings       
6/30/19       
Company
Sector/Industry
   % of Total
Net Assets
 
Microsoft Corp.
Software & Services
     6.4%  
Roper Technologies Inc.
Industrial Conglomerates
     5.9%  
Linde PLC (United Kingdom)
Materials
     3.9%  
Honeywell International Inc.
Industrial Conglomerates
     3.9%  
Stryker Corp.
Health Care Equipment & Services
     3.8%  
Accenture PLC
Software & Services
     3.4%  
Becton, Dickinson and Co.
Health Care Equipment & Services
     3.4%  
Texas Instruments Inc.
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment
     3.4%  
Analog Devices Inc.
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment
     3.3%  
Air Products and Chemicals Inc.
Materials
     3.3%  

 

 

 

     
FRD-4        Semiannual Report  


FRANKLIN RISING DIVIDENDS VIP FUND

 

Class 4 Fund Expenses

As an investor in a variable insurance contract (Contract) that indirectly provides for investment in an underlying mutual fund, you can incur transaction and/or ongoing expenses at both the Fund level and the Contract Level: (1) transaction expenses can include sales charges (loads) on purchases, surrender fees, transfer fees and premium taxes; and (2) ongoing expenses can include management fees, distribution and service (12b-1) fees, contract fees, annual maintenance fees, mortality and expense risk fees and other fees and expenses. All mutual funds and Contracts have some types of ongoing expenses. The table below shows Fund-level ongoing expenses and can help you understand these costs and compare them with those of other mutual funds offered through the Contract. The table assumes a $1,000 investment held for the six months indicated. Please refer to the Fund prospectus for additional information on operating expenses.

Actual Fund Expenses

The table below provides information about the actual account values and actual expenses in the columns under the heading “Actual.” In these columns the Fund’s actual return, which includes the effect of ongoing Fund expenses but does not include the effect of ongoing Contract expenses, is used to calculate the “Ending Account Value.” You can estimate the Fund-level expenses you paid during the period by following these steps (of course, your account value and expenses will differ from those in this illustration): Divide your account value by $1,000 (if your account had an $8,600 value, then $8,600 ÷ $1,000 = 8.6). Then multiply the result by the number under the headings “Actual” and “Fund-Level Expenses Paid During Period” (if Fund-Level Expenses Paid During Period were $ 7.50, then 8.6 x $ 7.50 = $64.50). In this illustration, the estimated expenses paid this period at the Fund level are $64.50.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison with Other Mutual Funds

Under the heading “Hypothetical” in the table, information is provided about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. This information may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period, but it can help you compare ongoing costs of investing in the Fund with those of other mutual funds offered through the Contract. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds offered through the Contract.

Please note that expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight ongoing costs at the Fund level only and do not reflect any ongoing expenses at the Contract level, or transaction expenses at either the Fund or Contract levels. In addition, while the Fund does not have transaction expenses, if the transaction and ongoing expenses at the Contract level were included, the expenses shown below would be higher. You should consult your Contract prospectus or disclosure document for more information.

 

              

Actual

(actual return after expenses)

        Hypothetical
(5% annual return before expenses)
         

  Share

  Class

   Beginning
Account
Value 1/1/19
        Ending
Account
Value 6/30/19
   Fund-Level
Expenses
Paid  During
Period
1/1/19–6/30/191,2
        Ending
Account
Value 6/30/19
   Fund-Level
Expenses
Paid During
Period
1/1/19–6/30/191,2
        Net
Annualized
Expense
Ratio2

Class 4

   $1,000       $1,202.90    $5.35       $1,019.93    $4.91       0.98%

1. Expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio for the six-month period as indicated above—in the far right column—multiplied by the simple average account value over the period indicated, and then multiplied by 181/365 to reflect the one-half year period.

2. Reflects expenses after fee waivers and expense reimbursements. Does not include any ongoing expenses of the Contract for which the Fund is an investment option or acquired fund fees and expenses.

 

     
  Semiannual Report                 FRD-5  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

 

Financial Highlights

Franklin Rising Dividends VIP Fund

 

   

Six Months Ended
June 30, 2019

(unaudited)

     Year Ended December 31,  
      2018      2017      2016      2015      2014  

Class 1

                

Per share operating performance

(for a share outstanding throughout the period)

                

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $25.75        $29.21        $25.51        $25.26        $29.63        $28.14  
 

 

 

 
Income from investment operationsa:                 

Net investment incomeb

    0.19        0.39        0.40        0.42        0.45        0.45  

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)

    4.99        (1.65      4.76        3.45        (1.33      2.03  
 

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    5.18        (1.26      5.16        3.87        (0.88      2.48  
 

 

 

 
Less distributions from:                 

Net investment income

    (0.45      (0.44      (0.48      (0.44      (0.48      (0.44

Net realized gains

    (4.54      (1.76      (0.98      (3.18      (3.01      (0.55
 

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (4.99      (2.20      (1.46      (3.62      (3.49      (0.99
 

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

    $25.94        $25.75        $29.21        $25.51        $25.26        $29.63  
 

 

 

 

Total returnc

    20.48%        (4.84)%        20.85%        16.33%        (3.42)%        9.01%  
Ratios to average net assetsd                 

Expenses before waiver and payments by affiliates

    0.64%        0.62%        0.62%        0.63%        0.63%        0.62%  

Expenses net of waiver and payments by affiliates

    0.63% e        0.62% e,f        0.62% e,f        0.62% e        0.63% f        0.62% f  

Net investment income

    1.37%        1.38%        1.49%        1.67%        1.65%        1.58%  
Supplemental data                 

Net assets, end of period (000’s)

    $179,169        $157,838        $216,015        $181,072        $143,376        $160,480  

Portfolio turnover rate

    3.13%        3.09% g        3.36%        6.66%        4.74%        8.61%  

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

bBased on average daily shares outstanding.

cTotal return does not include fees, charges or expenses imposed by the variable annuity and life insurance contracts for which Franklin Templeton Variable Insurance Products Trust serves as an underlying investment vehicle. Total return is not annualized for periods less than one year.

dRatios are annualized for periods less than one year.

eBenefit of expense reduction rounds to less than 0.01%.

fBenefit of waiver and payments by affiliates rounds to less than 0.01%.

gExcludes the value of portfolio securities delivered as a result of a redemption in-kind. See Note 8.

 

     
FRD-6        Semiannual Report   |    The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

 

Franklin Rising Dividends VIP Fund (continued)

 

    

Six Months Ended
June 30, 2019

(unaudited)

    Year Ended December 31,  
     2018     2017     2016     2015     2014  

Class 2

            

Per share operating performance

(for a share outstanding throughout the period)

            

Net asset value, beginning of period

     $25.04       $28.46       $24.89       $24.72       $29.06       $27.62  
  

 

 

 
Income from investment operationsa:             

Net investment incomeb

     0.15       0.31       0.33       0.35       0.37       0.37  

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)

     4.85       (1.61     4.63       3.37       (1.29     1.99  
  

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

     5.00       (1.30     4.96       3.72       (0.92     2.36  
  

 

 

 
Less distributions from:             

Net investment income

     (0.37     (0.36     (0.41     (0.37     (0.41     (0.37

Net realized gains

     (4.54     (1.76     (0.98     (3.18     (3.01     (0.55
  

 

 

 

Total distributions

     (4.91     (2.12     (1.39     (3.55     (3.42     (0.92
  

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

     $25.13       $25.04       $28.46       $24.89       $24.72       $29.06  
  

 

 

 

Total returnc

     20.33%       (5.07)%       20.56%       16.04%       (3.65)%       8.72%  
Ratios to average net assetsd             

Expenses before waiver and payments by affiliates

     0.89%       0.87%       0.87%       0.88%       0.88%       0.87%  

Expenses net of waiver and payments by affiliates

     0.88% e       0.87% e,f       0.87% e,f       0.87% e       0.88% f       0.87% f  

Net investment income

     1.12%       1.13%       1.24%       1.42%       1.40%       1.33%  
Supplemental data             

Net assets, end of period (000’s)

     $1,393,720       $1,106,334       $1,640,883       $1,530,374       $1,310,783       $1,667,816  

Portfolio turnover rate

     3.13%       3.09% g       3.36%       6.66%       4.74%       8.61%  

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

bBased on average daily shares outstanding.

cTotal return does not include fees, charges or expenses imposed by the variable annuity and life insurance contracts for which Franklin Templeton Variable Insurance Products Trust serves as an underlying investment vehicle. Total return is not annualized for periods less than one year.

dRatios are annualized for periods less than one year.

eBenefit of expense reduction rounds to less than 0.01%.

fBenefit of waiver and payments by affiliates rounds to less than 0.01%.

gExcludes the value of portfolio securities delivered as a result of a redemption in-kind. See Note 8.

 

     
  The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.    |   Semiannual Report                 FRD-7  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

 

Franklin Rising Dividends VIP Fund (continued)

 

   

Six Months Ended
June 30, 2019

(unaudited)

     Year Ended December 31,  
      2018      2017      2016      2015      2014  

Class 4

                

Per share operating performance

(for a share outstanding throughout the period)

                

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $25.11        $28.54        $24.98        $24.81        $29.19        $27.76  
 

 

 

 
Income from investment operationsa:                 

Net investment incomeb

    0.14        0.29        0.30        0.32        0.35        0.35  

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)

    4.86        (1.62      4.65        3.39        (1.31      2.00  
 

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    5.00        (1.33      4.95        3.71        (0.96      2.35  
 

 

 

 
Less distributions from:                 

Net investment income

    (0.35      (0.34      (0.41      (0.36      (0.41      (0.37

Net realized gains

    (4.54      (1.76      (0.98      (3.18      (3.01      (0.55
 

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (4.89      (2.10      (1.39      (3.54      (3.42      (0.92
 

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

    $25.22        $25.11        $28.54        $24.98        $24.81        $29.19  
 

 

 

 

Total returnc

    20.29%        (5.16)%        20.40%        15.93%        (3.75)%        8.62%  
Ratios to average net assetsd                 

Expenses before waiver and payments by affiliates

    0.99%        0.97%        0.97%        0.98%        0.98%        0.97%  

Expenses net of waiver and payments by affiliates

    0.98% e        0.97% e,f       0.97% e,f       0.97% e        0.98% f        0.97% f  

Net investment income

    1.02%        1.03%        1.14%        1.32%        1.30%        1.23%  
Supplemental data                 

Net assets, end of period (000’s)

    $39,184        $32,825        $36,407        $28,579        $20,453        $15,503  

Portfolio turnover rate

    3.13%        3.09% g        3.36%        6.66%        4.74%        8.61%  

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

bBased on average daily shares outstanding.

cTotal return does not include fees, charges or expenses imposed by the variable annuity and life insurance contracts for which Franklin Templeton Variable Insurance Products Trust serves as an underlying investment vehicle. Total return is not annualized for periods less than one year.

dRatios are annualized for periods less than one year.

eBenefit of expense reduction rounds to less than 0.01%.

fBenefit of waiver and payments by affiliates rounds to less than 0.01%.

gExcludes the value of portfolio securities delivered as a result of a redemption in-kind. See Note 8.

 

     
FRD-8        Semiannual Report   |    The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

 

Statement of Investments, June 30, 2019 (unaudited)

Franklin Rising Dividends VIP Fund

 

               
           Shares        Value  
 

Common Stocks 98.6%

       
 

Aerospace & Defense 6.3%

       
 

The Boeing Co.

     49,152        $      17,891,820  
 

General Dynamics Corp.

     179,400          32,618,508  
 

Raytheon Co.

     118,028          20,522,709  
 

United Technologies Corp.

     227,897          29,672,189  
         

 

 

 
            100,705,226  
         

 

 

 
 

Building Products 1.6%

       
 

Johnson Controls International PLC

     598,852          24,738,576  
a  

Resideo Technologies Inc.

     51,681          1,132,848  
         

 

 

 
            25,871,424  
         

 

 

 
 

Commercial & Professional Services 2.9%

       
 

ABM Industries Inc.

     325,036          13,001,440  
 

Cintas Corp.

     113,399          26,908,449  
 

Matthews International Corp., A

     212,992          7,422,771  
         

 

 

 
            47,332,660  
         

 

 

 
 

Consumer Durables & Apparel 1.7%

       
 

NIKE Inc., B

     333,499          27,997,241  
         

 

 

 
 

Consumer Services 2.2%

       
 

McDonald’s Corp.

     139,412          28,950,296  
 

Yum! Brands Inc.

     55,463          6,138,090  
         

 

 

 
            35,088,386  
         

 

 

 
 

Diversified Financials 0.2%

       
 

State Street Corp.

     58,384          3,273,007  
         

 

 

 
 

Electrical Equipment 0.6%

       
 

nVent Electric PLC

     414,613          10,278,256  
         

 

 

 
 

Energy 5.6%

       
a  

Apergy Corp.

     190,719          6,396,715  
 

Chevron Corp.

     177,152          22,044,795  
 

EOG Resources Inc.

     197,458          18,395,187  
 

Exxon Mobil Corp.

     163,217          12,507,319  
 

Occidental Petroleum Corp.

     321,212          16,150,539  
 

Schlumberger Ltd.

     363,947          14,463,254  
         

 

 

 
            89,957,809  
         

 

 

 
 

Food & Staples Retailing 1.8%

       
 

Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc.

     137,088          7,494,601  
 

Walmart Inc.

     199,488          22,041,429  
         

 

 

 
            29,536,030  
         

 

 

 
 

Food, Beverage & Tobacco 4.2%

       
 

Bunge Ltd.

     304,273          16,951,049  
 

McCormick & Co. Inc.

     155,999          24,181,405  
 

PepsiCo Inc.

     198,800          26,068,645  
         

 

 

 
            67,201,099  
         

 

 

 

 

     
  Semiannual Report                 FRD-9  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin Rising Dividends VIP Fund (continued)

 

           Shares        Value  
  Common Stocks (continued)        
 

Health Care Equipment & Services 14.7%

       
 

Abbott Laboratories

     372,879        $      31,359,124  
 

Becton, Dickinson and Co.

     215,303          54,258,509  
 

CVS Health Corp.

     170,555          9,293,542  
 

DENTSPLY SIRONA Inc.

     60,262          3,516,890  
 

Medtronic PLC

     497,861          48,486,683  
 

Stryker Corp.

     300,281          61,731,768  
 

West Pharmaceutical Services Inc.

     228,602          28,609,540  
         

 

 

 
            237,256,056  
         

 

 

 
 

Household & Personal Products 2.8%

       
 

Colgate-Palmolive Co.

     278,562          19,964,539  
 

The Procter & Gamble Co.

     226,565          24,842,852  
         

 

 

 
            44,807,391  
         

 

 

 
 

Industrial Conglomerates 10.4%

       
 

Carlisle Cos. Inc.

     70,317          9,873,210  
 

Honeywell International Inc.

     359,587          62,780,294  
 

Roper Technologies Inc.

     258,599          94,714,470  
         

 

 

 
            167,367,974  
         

 

 

 
 

Insurance 2.7%

       
 

Aflac Inc.

     260,871          14,298,340  
 

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.

     51,643          4,523,410  
 

Erie Indemnity Co., A

     94,349          23,991,064  
         

 

 

 
            42,812,814  
         

 

 

 
 

Machinery 3.4%

       
 

Donaldson Co. Inc.

     211,247          10,744,022  
 

Dover Corp.

     301,849          30,245,270  
 

Pentair PLC

     377,850          14,056,020  
         

 

 

 
            55,045,312  
         

 

 

 
 

Materials 11.8%

       
 

Air Products and Chemicals Inc.

     235,264          53,256,712  
 

Albemarle Corp.

     614,330          43,254,975  
 

Ecolab Inc.

     104,010          20,535,734  
 

Linde PLC (United Kingdom)

     317,828          63,819,863  
 

Nucor Corp.

     177,494          9,779,919  
         

 

 

 
            190,647,203  
         

 

 

 
 

Media & Entertainment 0.3%

       
 

John Wiley & Sons Inc., A

     95,317          4,371,238  
         

 

 

 
 

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences 3.5%

       
 

AbbVie Inc.

     137,521          10,000,527  
 

Johnson & Johnson

     228,731          31,857,654  
 

Perrigo Co. PLC

     121,314          5,776,973  
 

Pfizer Inc.

     210,251          9,108,073  
         

 

 

 
            56,743,227  
         

 

 

 

 

     
FRD-10            Semiannual Report  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin Rising Dividends VIP Fund (continued)

 

           Shares        Value  
  Common Stocks (continued)        
 

Retailing 3.0%

       
 

The Gap Inc.

     328,296        $ 5,899,479  
 

Ross Stores Inc.

     169,172          16,768,329  
 

Target Corp.

     130,217          11,278,094  
 

Tiffany & Co.

     155,069          14,520,661  
         

 

 

 
            48,466,563  
         

 

 

 
 

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment 7.1%

       
 

Analog Devices Inc.

     472,704          53,354,100  
 

Texas Instruments Inc.

     467,889          53,694,942  
 

Versum Materials Inc.

     131,028          6,758,424  
         

 

 

 
            113,807,466  
         

 

 

 
 

Software & Services 10.6%

       
 

Accenture PLC, A

     293,820          54,289,121  
 

Microsoft Corp.

     769,540          103,087,578  
 

Visa Inc., A

     81,843          14,203,853  
         

 

 

 
            171,580,552  
         

 

 

 
 

Trading Companies & Distributors 0.4%

       
 

W.W. Grainger Inc.

     25,696          6,892,438  
         

 

 

 
 

Transportation 0.8%

       
 

Norfolk Southern Corp.

     22,500          4,484,925  
 

United Parcel Service Inc., B

     78,756          8,133,132  
         

 

 

 
            12,618,057  
         

 

 

 
 

Total Common Stocks (Cost $829,540,777)

          1,589,657,429  
         

 

 

 
 

Short Term Investments (Cost $22,048,750) 1.4%

       
 

Money Market Funds 1.4%

       
b,c  

Institutional Fiduciary Trust Money Market Portfolio, 2.05%

     22,048,750          22,048,750  
         

 

 

 
 

Total Investments (Cost $851,589,527) 100.0%

          1,611,706,179  
 

Other Assets, less Liabilities 0.0%

          366,694  
         

 

 

 
 

 

Net Assets 100.0%

        $ 1,612,072,873  
         

 

 

 

Rounds to less than 0.1% of net assets.

aNon-income producing.

bSee Note 3(e) regarding investments in affiliated management investment companies.

cThe rate shown is the annualized seven-day effective yield at period end.

 

     
  The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.    |   Semiannual Report                 FRD-11  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

June 30, 2019 (unaudited)

 

      Franklin Rising
Dividends VIP
Fund
 

Assets:

  

Investments in securities:

  

Cost - Unaffiliated issuers

           $ 829,540,777  

Cost - Non-controlled affiliates (Note 3e)

     22,048,750  
  

 

 

 

Value - Unaffiliated issuers

           $ 1,589,657,429  

Value - Non-controlled affiliates (Note 3e)

     22,048,750  

Receivables:

  

Investment securities sold

     1,460,617  

Capital shares sold

     323,944  

Dividends

     1,557,904  

Other assets

     956  
  

 

 

 

Total assets

     1,615,049,600  
  

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

  

Payables:

  

Capital shares redeemed

     1,438,681  

Management fees

     786,456  

Distribution fees

     589,905  

Trustees’ fees and expenses

     2,110  

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

     159,575  
  

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     2,976,727  
  

 

 

 

Net assets, at value

           $ 1,612,072,873  
  

 

 

 

Net assets consist of:

  

Paid-in capital

           $ 822,674,149  

Total distributable earnings (loss)

     789,398,724  
  

 

 

 

 

Net assets, at value

           $ 1,612,072,873  
  

 

 

 
Class 1:   

Net assets, at value

           $ 179,169,008  
  

 

 

 

Shares outstanding

     6,907,347  
  

 

 

 

Net asset value and maximum offering price per share

     $25.94  
  

 

 

 
Class 2:   

Net assets, at value

           $ 1,393,719,957  
  

 

 

 

Shares outstanding

     55,462,850  
  

 

 

 

Net asset value and maximum offering price per share

     $25.13  
  

 

 

 
Class 4:   

Net assets, at value

           $ 39,183,908  
  

 

 

 

Shares outstanding

     1,553,696  
  

 

 

 

Net asset value and maximum offering price per share

     $25.22  
  

 

 

 

 

     
FRD-12            Semiannual Report   |    The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Statement of Operations

for the six months ended June 30, 2019 (unaudited)

 

     Franklin Rising
Dividends VIP
Fund
 

Investment income:

 

Dividends:

 

Unaffiliated issuers

          $ 14,462,123  

Non-controlled affiliates (Note 3e)

    486,228  
 

 

 

 

Total investment income

    14,948,351  
 

 

 

 

Expenses:

 

Management fees (Note 3a)

    4,664,904  

Distribution fees: (Note 3c)

 

Class 2

    1,611,521  

Class 4

    63,372  

Custodian fees (Note 4)

    9,000  

Reports to shareholders

    88,314  

Professional fees

    30,429  

Trustees’ fees and expenses

    6,653  

Other

    18,311  
 

 

 

 

Total expenses

    6,492,504  

Expense reductions (Note 4)

    (955

Expenses waived/paid by affiliates (Note 3e)

    (82,105
 

 

 

 

Net expenses

    6,409,444  
 

 

 

 

Net investment income

    8,538,907  
 

 

 

 

Realized and unrealized gains (losses):

 

Net realized gain (loss) from:

 

Investments:

 

Unaffiliated issuers

    23,882,379  
 

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:

 

Investments:

 

Unaffiliated issuers

    235,045,693  
 

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    258,928,072  
 

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

          $ 267,466,979  
 

 

 

 

 

 

     
  The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.    |   Semiannual Report                 FRD-13  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

    Franklin Rising Dividends VIP Fund  
     Six Months Ended
June 30, 2019
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
December 31, 2018
 

Increase (decrease) in net assets:

   

Operations:

   

Net investment income

            $ 8,538,907         $ 20,055,601  

Net realized gain (loss)

    23,882,379       314,858,432  

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

    235,045,693       (398,447,639
 

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

    267,466,979       (63,533,606
 

 

 

 

Distributions to shareholders:

   

Class 1

    (28,799,833     (13,329,516

Class 2

    (227,983,493     (115,786,937

Class 4

    (6,300,776     (2,574,964
 

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

    (263,084,102     (131,691,417
 

 

 

 

Capital share transactions: (Note 2)

   

Class 1

    18,533,840       (37,447,873

Class 2

    286,135,359       (364,402,663

Class 4

    6,024,024       766,328  
 

 

 

 

Total capital share transactions

    310,693,223       (401,084,208
 

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets

    315,076,100       (596,309,231

Net assets:

   

Beginning of period

    1,296,996,773       1,893,306,004  
 

 

 

 

End of period

            $ 1,612,072,873         $ 1,296,996,773  
 

 

 

 

 

 

     
FRD-14            Semiannual Report   |    The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

 

Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited)

 

Franklin Rising Dividends VIP Fund

 

1.  Organization and Significant Accounting Policies

Franklin Templeton Variable Insurance Products Trust (Trust) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (1940 Act) as an open-end management investment company, consisting of eighteen separate funds and applies the specialized accounting and reporting guidance in U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (U.S. GAAP). Franklin Rising Dividends VIP Fund (Fund) is included in this report. Shares of the Fund are generally sold only to insurance company separate accounts to fund the benefits of variable life insurance policies or variable annuity contracts. The Fund offers three classes of shares: Class 1, Class 2 and Class 4. Each class of shares may differ by its distribution fees, voting rights on matters affecting a single class and its exchange privilege.

The following summarizes the Fund’s significant accounting policies.

a.  Financial Instrument Valuation

The Fund’s investments in financial instruments are carried at fair value daily. Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. The Fund calculates the net asset value (NAV) per share each business day as of 4 p.m. Eastern time or the regularly scheduled close of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), whichever is earlier. Under compliance policies and procedures approved by the Trust’s Board of Trustees (the Board), the Fund’s administrator has responsibility for oversight of valuation, including leading the cross-functional Valuation Committee (VC). The Fund may utilize independent pricing services, quotations from securities and financial instrument dealers, and other market sources to determine fair value.

Equity securities listed on an exchange or on the NASDAQ National Market System are valued at the last quoted sale price or the official closing price of the day, respectively. Foreign equity securities are valued as of the close of trading on the foreign stock exchange on which the security is primarily traded, or as of 4 p.m. Eastern time. The value is then converted into its U.S. dollar equivalent at the foreign exchange rate in effect at 4 p.m. Eastern time on the day that the value of the security is determined. Over-the-counter (OTC) securities are valued within the range of the most recent quoted bid and ask prices. Securities that trade in multiple markets or on multiple exchanges are valued

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

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

The Fund has procedures to determine the fair value of financial instruments for which market prices are not reliable or readily available. Under these procedures, the Fund primarily employs a market-based approach which may use related or comparable assets or liabilities, recent transactions, market multiples, book values, and other relevant information for the investment to determine the fair value of the investment. An income-based valuation approach may also be used in which the anticipated future cash flows of the investment are discounted to calculate fair value. Discounts may also be applied due to the nature or duration of any restrictions on the disposition of the investments. Due to the inherent uncertainty of valuations of such investments, the fair values may differ significantly from the values that would have been used had an active market existed.

Trading in securities on foreign securities stock exchanges and OTC markets may be completed before 4 p.m. Eastern time. In addition, trading in certain foreign markets may not take place on every Fund’s business day. Occasionally, events occur between the time at which trading in a foreign security is completed and 4 p.m. Eastern time that might call into question the reliability of the value of a portfolio security held by the Fund. As a result, differences may arise between the value of the Fund’s portfolio securities as determined at the foreign market close and the latest indications of value at 4 p.m. Eastern time. In order to minimize the potential for these differences, 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.

 

 

     
  Semiannual Report               FRD-15


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin Rising Dividends VIP Fund (continued)

 

1.  Organization and Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

a.  Financial Instrument Valuation (continued)

When the last day of the reporting period is a non-business day, certain foreign markets may be open on those days that the Fund’s NAV is not calculated, which could result in differences between the value of the Fund’s portfolio securities on the last business day and the last calendar day of the reporting period. Any significant security valuation changes due to an open foreign market are adjusted and reflected by the Fund for financial reporting purposes.

b.  Foreign Currency Translation

Portfolio securities and other assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars based on the exchange rate of such currencies against U.S. dollars on the date of valuation. The Fund may enter into foreign currency exchange contracts to facilitate transactions denominated in a foreign currency. Purchases and sales of securities, income and expense items denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rate in effect on the transaction date. Portfolio securities and assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies contain risks that those currencies will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar. Occasionally, events may impact the availability or reliability of foreign exchange rates used to convert the U.S. dollar equivalent value. If such an event occurs, the foreign exchange rate will be valued at fair value using procedures established and approved by the Board.

The Fund does not separately report the effect of changes in foreign exchange rates from changes in market prices on securities held. Such changes are included in net realized and unrealized gain or loss from investments in the Statement of Operations.

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

c.  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 if applicable, 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 June 30, 2019, the Fund has determined that no tax liability is required in its financial statements related to uncertain tax positions for any open tax years (or expected to be taken in future tax years). Open tax years are those that remain subject to examination and are based on the statute of limitations in each jurisdiction in which the Fund invests.

d.  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. Estimated expenses are accrued daily. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date except for certain dividends from securities where the dividend rate is not available. In such cases, the dividend is recorded as soon as the information is received by the Fund. Distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Distributable earnings are determined according to income tax regulations (tax basis) and may differ from earnings recorded in accordance with U.S. GAAP. These differences may be permanent or temporary. Permanent differences are reclassified among capital accounts to reflect their tax character. These

 

 

     
FRD-16            Semiannual Report  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin Rising Dividends VIP Fund (continued)

 

reclassifications have no impact on net assets or the results of operations. Temporary differences are not reclassified, as they may reverse in subsequent periods.

Common expenses incurred by the Trust are allocated among the Funds based on the ratio of net assets of each Fund to the combined net assets of the Trust or based on the ratio of number of shareholders of each Fund to the combined number of shareholders of the Trust. Fund specific expenses are charged directly to the Fund that incurred the expense.

Realized and unrealized gains and losses and net investment income, excluding class specific expenses, are allocated daily to each class of shares based upon the relative proportion of net assets of each class. Differences in per share distributions by class are generally due to differences in class specific expenses.

e.  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.

f.  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 June 30, 2019, there were an unlimited number of shares authorized (without par value). Transactions in the Fund’s shares were as follows:

 

     Six Months Ended
June 30, 2019
    Year Ended
December 31, 2018
 
      Shares      Amount     Shares     Amount  
Class 1 Shares:          

Shares sold

     103,609      $ 2,877,106       296,177     $ 8,482,359  

Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

     1,132,514        28,799,833       481,211       13,329,516  

Shares redeemed

     (458,204      (13,143,099     (2,043,710     (59,259,748)  
  

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease)

     777,919      $ 18,533,840       (1,266,322   $ (37,447,873)  
  

 

 

 
Class 2 Shares:          

Shares sold

     6,310,410      $ 174,923,723       3,479,467     $ 95,894,196  

Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

     9,252,577        227,983,493       4,293,174       115,786,937  

Shares redeemed in-kind (Note 8)

                  (5,455,397     (147,395,561)  

Shares redeemed

     (4,284,464      (116,771,857     (15,794,114     (428,688,235)  
  

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease)

     11,278,523      $ 286,135,359       (13,476,870   $ (364,402,663)  
  

 

 

 
Class 4 Shares:          

Shares sold

     120,629      $ 3,314,382       206,879     $ 5,727,225  

Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

     254,783        6,300,776       95,123       2,574,964  

Shares redeemed

     (128,731      (3,591,134     (270,440     (7,535,861)  
  

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease)

     246,681      $ 6,024,024       31,562     $ 766,328  
  

 

 

 

 

     
  Semiannual Report                 FRD-17  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin Rising Dividends VIP Fund (continued)

 

3.  Transactions with Affiliates

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

 

Subsidiary    Affiliation

Franklin Advisers, Inc. (Advisers)

   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 Advisers based on the average daily net assets of the Fund as follows:

 

Annualized Fee Rate    Net Assets

0.750%

  

Up to and including $500 million

0.625%

  

Over $500 million, up to and including $1 billion

0.500%

  

Over $1 billion, up to and including $5 billion

0.490%

  

In excess of $5 billion

For the period ended June 30, 2019, the annualized gross effective investment management fee rate was 0.624% of the Fund’s average daily net assets.

b.  Administrative Fees

Under an agreement with Advisers, FT Services provides administrative services to the Fund. The fee is paid by Advisers 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 Class 2 and Class 4 shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. Under the Fund’s 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 0.35% per year of its average daily net assets of each class. The Board has agreed to limit the current rate to 0.25% per year for Class 2. The plan year, for purposes of monitoring compliance with the maximum annual plan rates, is February 1 through January 31.

d.  Transfer Agent Fees

Investor Services, under terms of an agreement, performs shareholder servicing for the Fund and is not paid by the Fund for the services.

 

     
FRD-18            Semiannual Report  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin Rising Dividends VIP Fund (continued)

 

e.  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 Statement of Operations, in an amount not to exceed the management and administrative fees paid directly or indirectly by each affiliate. During the period ended June 30, 2019, the Fund held investments in affiliated management investment companies as follows:

 

      Value at
Beginning
of Period
     Purchases      Sales      Realized
Gain (Loss)
     Net Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
     Value at
End of
Period
     Number of
Shares
Held at End
of Period
     Dividend
Income
 
Non-Controlled Affiliates

 

                    

Institutional Fiduciary Trust Money Market Portfolio, 2.05%

     $8,504,577        $135,744,610        $(122,200,437)        $        —        $        —        $22,048,750        22,048,750        $486,228  
  

 

 

       

 

 

 

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 June 30, 2019, the custodian fees were reduced as noted in the Statement of Operations.

5.  Income Taxes

At June 30, 2019, the cost of investments and net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) for income tax purposes were as follows:

 

Cost of investments

       $ 854,656,620  
  

 

 

 

Unrealized appreciation

       $ 820,900,111  

Unrealized depreciation

     (63,850,552)  
  

 

 

 

Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

       $ 757,049,559  
  

 

 

 

Differences between income and/or capital gains as determined on a book basis and a tax basis are primarily due to differing treatment of corporate actions.

6.  Investment Transactions

Purchases and sales of investments (excluding short term securities) for the period ended June 30, 2019, aggregated $81,707,375 and $45,789,777, respectively.

7.  Credit Facility

The Fund, together with other U.S. registered and foreign investment funds (collectively, Borrowers), managed by Franklin Templeton, are borrowers in a joint syndicated senior unsecured credit facility totaling $2 billion (Global Credit Facility) which matures on February 7, 2020. 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.

 

     
  Semiannual Report                 FRD-19  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin Rising Dividends VIP Fund (continued)

 

7. 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 0.15% 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 June 30, 2019, the Fund did not use the Global Credit Facility.

8.  Redemption In-Kind

During the year ended December 31, 2018, the Fund realized $70,642,118 of net gains resulting from a redemption in-kind in which a shareholder redeemed fund shares for cash and securities held by the Fund. Because such gains are not taxable to the Fund and are not distributed to remaining shareholders, they are reclassified from accumulated net realized gains to paid-in capital.

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.

At June 30, 2019, all of the Fund’s investments in financial instruments carried at fair value were valued using Level 1 inputs. For detailed categories, see the accompanying Statement of Investments.

10.  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.

 

     
FRD-20            Semiannual Report  


Franklin Small Cap Value VIP Fund

This semiannual report for Franklin Small Cap Value VIP Fund covers the period ended June 30, 2019.

Class 4 Performance Summary as of June 30, 2019

The Fund’s Class 4 Shares posted a +11.99% total return* for the six-month period ended June 30, 2019.

*The Fund has a fee waiver associated with any investment it makes in a Franklin Templeton money fund and/or other Franklin Templeton fund, contractually guaranteed through 4/30/20. Fund investment results reflect the fee waiver; without this waiver, the results would have been lower.

Performance reflects the Fund’s Class 4 operating expenses, but does not include any contract fees, expenses or sales charges. If they had been included, performance would be lower. These charges and deductions, particularly for variable life policies, can have a significant effect on contract values and insurance benefits. See the contract prospectus for a complete description of these expenses, including sales charges.

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.

 

     
  Semiannual Report                 FSV-1  


FRANKLIN SMALL CAP VALUE VIP FUND

 

Fund Goal and Main Investments

The Fund seeks long-term total return. Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets in investments of small capitalization companies. For this Fund, small capitalization companies are those with market capitalizations not exceeding either the highest market capitalization in the Russell 2000® Index or the 12-month average of the highest market capitalization in the Russell 2000® Index, whichever is greater, at the time of purchase. The Fund generally invests in equity securities of companies that the manager believes are undervalued at the time of purchase and have the potential for capital appreciation.

Fund Risks

All investments involve risks, including possible loss of principal. Value securities may not increase in price as anticipated, or may decline further in value. The Fund’s investments in smaller company stocks carry special risks as such stocks have historically exhibited greater price volatility than large-company stocks, particularly over the short term. Additionally, smaller companies often have relatively small revenues, limited product lines and a small market share. In addition, the Fund may invest up to 25% of its total assets in foreign securities, which involve special risks, including currency fluctuations and economic and political uncertainty. The Fund also may invest in equity real estate investment trusts (REITs). 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.

Performance Overview

You can find the Fund’s six-month total return in the Performance Summary. In comparison, the Russell 2000® Value Index posted a +13.47% total return for the same period.1 Please note the Fund employs a bottom-up stock selection process, and the managers invest in securities without regard to benchmark comparisons.

Economic and Market Overview

The U.S. economy grew during the six months ended June 30, 2019. After moderating for two consecutive quarters, the economy grew significantly faster in 2019’s first

quarter, driven by growth in consumer spending, inventory investment, exports, business investment, and state and local government spending. However, the economy moderated again in the second quarter, due to weakness in inventory investment, exports, business investment and housing investment. The manufacturing and services sectors expanded during the period. The unemployment rate decreased from 3.9% in December 2018 to 3.7% at period-end.2 The annual inflation rate, as measured by the Consumer Price Index, decreased from 1.9% in December 2018 to 1.6% at period-end.2

The U.S. Federal Reserve (Fed) held its target range for the federal funds rate unchanged, at 2.25%–2.50%, during the reporting period. In March, the Fed mentioned it would end its balance sheet normalization program by the end of September 2019. In June, the Fed indicated increased uncertainties around its views on economic activity and the labor market. With market-based inflation measures remaining low in recent months, the market has interpreted the Fed’s recent statements to mean it will likely cut rates in 2019’s second half to foster continued economic growth while attempting to achieve its inflation objective.

U.S. equity markets overall rose during the period, benefiting from upbeat economic data and U.S. corporate earnings. However, markets reflected concerns about tighter regulation of technology companies, U.S. political uncertainties, and the impact of U.S. trade disputes with China and other trading partners on global growth and corporate earnings. These concerns were partially alleviated in 2019’s first four months by easing trade tensions and optimism about a potential U.S.-China trade deal. Furthermore, markets benefited from the Fed’s indications of a patient approach to its monetary policy decisions. The broad U.S. stock market, as measured by the Standard & Poor’s® 500 Index (S&P 500®), rallied in 2019’s first four months, reaching a new all-time high in April 2019. After declining in May due to escalating trade tensions, stocks reached another all-time high in June amid investor optimism about potential interest-rate cuts. Overall, the S&P 500 posted a +18.54% total return for the six-month period.1

 

 

1. Source: Morningstar. One cannot invest directly in an index, and an index is not representative of the Fund’s portfolio. Please see Index Descriptions following the Fund Summaries.

2. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics.

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).

 

     
FSV-2        Semiannual Report  


FRANKLIN SMALL CAP VALUE VIP FUND

 

Investment Strategy

Our strategy is to invest in small-cap companies that we believe are undervalued at the time of purchase and have the potential for capital appreciation. A stock is undervalued, or is a “value,” when it trades at less than the price at which the investment manager believes it would trade if the market reflected all factors relating to the company’s worth. Following this strategy, the Fund invests in companies that the investment manager believes have, for example: stock prices that are low relative to current, or historical or future earnings, book value, cash flow or sales; recent sharp price declines but the potential for good long-term earnings prospects; and valuable intangibles not reflected in the stock price. The Fund also may invest in equity real estate investment trusts (REITs).

The Fund may invest up to 25% of its total assets in foreign securities.

Manager’s Discussion

During the six months under review, holdings that positively contributed to Fund performance included Dairy Crest Group (sold at period-end), Versum Materials (sold at period-end) and Carpenter Technologies.

Dairy Crest, a U.K.-based dairy products company, benefited in mid-February 2019 from the company agreeing to a takeover offer from Saputo (not a Fund holding) for a 30% premium to the share price before the announcement of the agreement and any unusual preannouncement price changes based on speculation. As a result of the takeover offer and subsequent increase in the stock price, we exited the position at period-end.

Versum Materials is a specialty materials and equipment company that primarily supplies the semiconductor end market. The company agreed to be acquired by Merck KGaA (not a Fund holding) for $53 per share at period-end. The revised offer was higher than Merck KGaA’s initial offer of $48 and substantially higher than Entegris’s (not a Fund holding) competing offer of approximately $41. Merck’s offer represented a 68% premium to Versum’s share price on the day prior to the announcement of the Entegris merger. We exited the position prior to period-end.

Shares of Carpenter Technologies delivered strong performance during the six-month reporting period driven by favorable quarterly results. Specifically, the company’s revenue and profits continue to expand due to demand for their commercial aerospace specialty metals. Revenue derived from the aerospace end-market has increased for 10 consecutive quarters and profit margins continued to

Portfolio Composition

Based on Total Net Assets as of 6/30/19

LOGO

improve as a result of improving product mix and operational improvement. Although recent delays in Boeing’s 737 Max launch represents a risk, in our opinion, we continue to like the prospects for Carpenter due to the large commercial aerospace backlogs at Boeing and Airbus and their respective jet engine suppliers.

 

 

     
  Semiannual Report                 FSV-3  


FRANKLIN SMALL CAP VALUE VIP FUND

 

 

Top 10 Holdings  

6/30/19

 

 

Company

Sector/Industry

   % of Total
Net Assets
 
The Hanover Insurance Group Inc.
Insurance
     3.7%  
Old Republic International Corp.
Insurance
     3.1%  
Gibraltar Industries Inc.
Building Products
     2.9%  
Mueller Water Products Inc.
Machinery
     2.8%  
Maple Leaf Foods Inc.
Food, Beverage & Tobacco
     2.8%  
Eagle Materials Inc.
Materials
     2.7%  
First Horizon National Corp.
Banks
     2.6%  
Horace Mann Educators Corp.
Insurance
     2.6%  
McGrath RentCorp
Commercial & Professional Services
     2.5%  
Regal Beloit Corp.
Electrical Equipment
     2.5%  

Detractors from Fund performance included OceanaGold, Caleres and Synaptics.

Despite a 10% increase in the price of gold during the period, shares of OceanaGold meaningfully declined due to concerns over the company’s ability to renew its production permit for the Didipio mine located in the Philippines as environmental groups placed pressure on the government. The company maintains that it exceeds all environmental requirements and it continues to operate the mine while its permit is under review. Although we think most of the risk is already factored into the share price, we slightly reduced our position.

Caleres, a designer and retailer of women’s and family footwear, reported quarterly results that fell short of investor expectations due to price discounting in its Famous Footwear and Allen Edmonds businesses, as well as higher operating expenses related to e-commerce sales. Management expects these challenges to continue in the near term as it prepares for the important back-to-school season, and is relying on the strength of its women’s shoe brand portfolio to help it achieve its projected modest growth for the year.

Synaptics, a developer and seller of intuitive human interface solutions for electronic devices, fell during the period

primarily due to the weakness in the smartphone market and news of potential market share loss for some of its products. In addition to the weakness in operations, the company also experienced top-level executive turnover as both the chief executive officer and chief financial officer (with the latter leaving to join another public company) departed from the company. We retained a position, albeit substantially reduced, as historically the company has been the leading innovator in its markets and therefore we believe the intrinsic value to be higher than current market value.

During the reporting period, we added some new positions with the largest purchases including Eagle Materials, a producer of building materials; Cinemark, a movie theater chain; and Wyndham Hotels and Resorts, a hotel and resort chain. We added to existing positions in Kennametal, a supplier of tooling and industrial materials; Universal Forest Products, a manufacturer and distributer of wood and wood-alternative products; and Coherent, a laser manufacturer. Conversely, we exited some positions including AAR and the aforementioned Versum Materials and Dairy Crest Group. We also reduced our positions in Brinker International, Heartland Express and the aforementioned Synaptics.

Thank you for your participation in Franklin Small Cap Value VIP Fund. We look forward to serving your future investment needs.

 

 

The foregoing information reflects our analysis, opinions and portfolio holdings as of June 30, 2019, 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.

 

 

     
FSV-4        Semiannual Report  


FRANKLIN SMALL CAP VALUE VIP FUND

 

Class 4 Fund Expenses

As an investor in a variable insurance contract (Contract) that indirectly provides for investment in an underlying mutual fund, you can incur transaction and/or ongoing expenses at both the Fund level and the Contract Level: (1) transaction expenses can include sales charges (loads) on purchases, surrender fees, transfer fees and premium taxes; and (2) ongoing expenses can include management fees, distribution and service (12b-1) fees, contract fees, annual maintenance fees, mortality and expense risk fees and other fees and expenses. All mutual funds and Contracts have some types of ongoing expenses. The table below shows Fund-level ongoing expenses and can help you understand these costs and compare them with those of other mutual funds offered through the Contract. The table assumes a $1,000 investment held for the six months indicated. Please refer to the Fund prospectus for additional information on operating expenses.

Actual Fund Expenses

The table below provides information about the actual account values and actual expenses in the columns under the heading “Actual.” In these columns the Fund’s actual return, which includes the effect of ongoing Fund expenses but does not include the effect of ongoing Contract expenses, is used to calculate the “Ending Account Value.” You can estimate the Fund-level expenses you paid during the period by following these steps (of course, your account value and expenses will differ from those in this illustration): Divide your account value by $1,000 (if your account had an $8,600 value, then $8,600 ÷ $1,000 = 8.6). Then multiply the result by the number under the headings “Actual” and “Fund-Level Expenses Paid During Period” (if Fund-Level Expenses Paid During Period were $ 7.50, then 8.6 x $7.50 = $64.50). In this illustration, the estimated expenses paid this period at the Fund level are $64.50.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison with Other Mutual Funds

Under the heading “Hypothetical” in the table, information is provided about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. This information may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period, but it can help you compare ongoing costs of investing in the Fund with those of other mutual funds offered through the Contract. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds offered through the Contract.

Please note that expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight ongoing costs at the Fund level only and do not reflect any ongoing expenses at the Contract level, or transaction expenses at either the Fund or Contract levels. In addition, while the Fund does not have transaction expenses, if the transaction and ongoing expenses at the Contract level were included, the expenses shown below would be higher. You should consult your Contract prospectus or disclosure document for more information.

 

              

Actual

(actual return after expenses)

        Hypothetical
(5% annual return before expenses)
         

  Share

  Class

   Beginning
Account
Value 1/1/19
       

Ending

Account

Value 6/30/19

  

Fund-Level
Expenses
Paid During

Period

1/1/19–6/30/191, 2

       

Ending

Account

Value 6/30/19

  

Fund-Level
Expenses

Paid During

Period

1/1/19–6/30/191, 2

        Net
Annualized
Expense
Ratio2

Class 4

   $1,000       $1,119.90    $5.36       $1,019.74    $5.11       1.02%

1. Expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio for the six-month period as indicated above—in the far right column—multiplied by the simple average account value over the period indicated, and then multiplied by 181/365 to reflect the one-half year period.

2. Reflects expenses after fee waivers and expense reimbursements. Does not include any ongoing expenses of the Contract for which the Fund is an investment option or acquired fund fees and expenses.

 

     
  Semiannual Report              FSV-5  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

 

Financial Highlights

Franklin Small Cap Value VIP Fund

   

Six Months Ended
June 30, 2019

(unaudited)

   

Year Ended December 31,

 
     2018      2017      2016      2015      2014  

Class 1

               

Per share operating performance

(for a share outstanding throughout the period)

               

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $15.14       $20.43        $19.93        $18.12        $22.81        $24.54  
       
Income from investment operationsa:                

Net investment incomeb

    0.12       0.21        0.21c        0.15        0.21        0.19  

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)

    1.66       (2.29      1.82        4.79        (1.53      0.06  
       

Total from investment operations

    1.78       (2.08      2.03        4.94        (1.32      0.25  
       
Less distributions from:                

Net investment income

    (0.22     (0.23      (0.15      (0.21      (0.20      (0.20

Net realized gains

    (2.78     (2.98      (1.38      (2.92      (3.17      (1.78
       

Total distributions

    (3.00     (3.21      (1.53      (3.13      (3.37      (1.98
       

Net asset value, end of period

    $13.92       $15.14        $20.43        $19.93        $18.12        $22.81  
       

Total returnd

    12.14%       (12.69)%        10.92%        30.54%        (7.18)%        0.88%  
Ratios to average net assetse                

Expenses before waiver and payments by affiliates

    0.68%       0.66%        0.66%        0.66%        0.65%        0.63%  

Expenses net of waiver and payments by affiliatesf

    0.67%       0.65%        0.65%        0.64%        0.64%        0.63% g  

Net investment income

    1.51%       1.13%        1.06% c        0.84%        1.04%        0.82%  
Supplemental data                

Net assets, end of period (000’s)

    $43,554       $40,644        $51,245        $47,831        $45,897        $57,843  

Portfolio turnover rate

    29.33%       47.82%        33.36%        34.60%        27.05%        19.45%  

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

bBased on average daily shares outstanding.

cNet investment income per share includes approximately $0.06 per share related to income received in the form of special dividends in connection with certain Fund holdings. Excluding this amount, the ratio of net investment income to average net assets would have been 0.75%.

dTotal return does not include fees, charges or expenses imposed by the variable annuity and life insurance contracts for which Franklin Templeton Variable Insurance Products Trust serves as an underlying investment vehicle. Total 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%.

gBenefit of waiver and payments by affiliates rounds to less than 0.01%.

 

     
FSV-6        Semiannual Report   |    The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

 

Franklin Small Cap Value VIP Fund (continued)

 

   

Six Months Ended
June 30, 2019

(unaudited)

   

Year Ended December 31,

 
     2018      2017      2016      2015      2014  

Class 2

               

Per share operating performance

(for a share outstanding throughout the period)

               

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $14.60       $19.80        $19.36        $17.68        $22.32        $24.07  
       
Income from investment operationsa:                

Net investment incomeb

    0.10       0.16        0.15 c        0.10        0.16        0.13  

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)

    1.59       (2.20      1.77        4.66        (1.49      0.05  
       

Total from investment operations

    1.69       (2.04      1.92        4.76        (1.33      0.18  
       
Less distributions from:                

Net investment income

    (0.17     (0.18      (0.10      (0.16      (0.14      (0.15

Net realized gains

    (2.78     (2.98      (1.38      (2.92      (3.17      (1.78
       

Total distributions

    (2.95     (3.16      (1.48)        (3.08)        (3.31      (1.93
       

Net asset value, end of period

    $13.34       $14.60        $19.80        $19.36        $17.68        $22.32  
       

Total returnd

    11.99%       (12.88)%        10.65%        30.19%        (7.39)%        0.57%  
Ratios to average net assetse                

Expenses before waiver and payments by affiliates

    0.93%       0.91%        0.91%        0.91%        0.90%        0.88%  

Expenses net of waiver and payments by affiliatesf

    0.92%       0.90%        0.90%        0.89%        0.89%        0.88% g  

Net investment income

    1.26%       0.88%        0.81% c        0.59%        0.79%        0.57%  
Supplemental data                

Net assets, end of period (000’s)

    $1,047,855       $978,675        $1,302,055        $1,366,807        $1,172,173        $1,445,325  

Portfolio turnover rate

    29.33%       47.82%        33.36%        34.60%        27.05%        19.45%  

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

bBased on average daily shares outstanding.

cNet investment income per share includes approximately $0.06 per share related to income received in the form of special dividends in connection with certain Fund holdings. Excluding this amount, the ratio of net investment income to average net assets would have been 0.50%.

dTotal return does not include fees, charges or expenses imposed by the variable annuity and life insurance contracts for which Franklin Templeton Variable Insurance Products Trust serves as an underlying investment vehicle. Total 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%.

gBenefit of waiver and payments by affiliates rounds to less than 0.01%.

 

     
  The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.    |   Semiannual Report                 FSV-7  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

 

Franklin Small Cap Value VIP Fund (continued)

 

   

Six Months Ended
June 30, 2019

(unaudited)

   

Year Ended December 31,

 
     2018      2017      2016      2015      2014  

Class 4

               

Per share operating performance

(for a share outstanding throughout the period)

               

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $14.96       $20.22        $19.74        $17.96        $22.63        $24.37  
       
Income from investment operationsa:                

Net investment incomeb

    0.09       0.15        0.14 c        0.09        0.14        0.11  

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)

    1.65       (2.28      1.81        4.75        (1.52      0.05  
       

Total from investment operations

    1.74       (2.13      1.95        4.84        (1.38      0.16  
       
Less distributions from:                

Net investment income

    (0.16     (0.15      (0.09      (0.14      (0.12      (0.12

Net realized gains

    (2.78     (2.98      (1.38      (2.92      (3.17      (1.78
       

Total distributions

    (2.94     (3.13      (1.47      (3.06      (3.29      (1.90
       

Net asset value, end of period

    $13.76       $14.96        $20.22        $19.74        $17.96        $22.63  
       

Total returnd

    11.99%       (13.01)%        10.56%        30.12%        (7.52)%        0.48%  
Ratios to average net assetse                

Expenses before waiver and payments by affiliates

    1.03%       1.01%        1.01%        1.01%        1.00%        0.98%  

Expenses net of waiver and payments by affiliatesf

    1.02%       1.00%        1.00%        0.99%        0.99%        0.98% g 

Net investment income

    1.16%       0.78%        0.71% c        0.49%        0.69%        0.47%  
Supplemental data                

Net assets, end of period (000’s)

    $26,586       $24,592        $32,053        $32,751        $26,128        $30,452  

Portfolio turnover rate

    29.33%       47.82%        33.36%        34.60%        27.05%        19.45%  

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

bBased on average daily shares outstanding.

cNet investment income per share includes approximately $0.06 per share related to income received in the form of special dividends in connection with certain Fund holdings. Excluding this amount, the ratio of net investment income to average net assets would have been 0.40%.

dTotal return does not include fees, charges or expenses imposed by the variable annuity and life insurance contracts for which Franklin Templeton Variable Insurance Products Trust serves as an underlying investment vehicle. Total 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%.

gBenefit of waiver and payments by affiliates rounds to less than 0.01%.

 

     
FSV-8        Semiannual Report   |    The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

 

Statement of Investments, June 30, 2019 (unaudited)

Franklin Small Cap Value VIP Fund

 

             
           Shares      Value  
 

Common Stocks 97.5%

     
 

Automobiles & Components 2.3%

     
 

Gentex Corp.

     36,000      $ 885,960  
 

LCI Industries

     280,066        25,205,940  
       

 

 

 
          26,091,900  
       

 

 

 
 

Banks 15.2%

     
 

Atlantic Union Bankshares Corp.

     183,648        6,488,284  
 

Bryn Mawr Bank Corp.

     455,083        16,983,698  
 

Chemical Financial Corp.

     350,142        14,394,338  
 

Columbia Banking System Inc.

     743,100        26,885,358  
 

First Horizon National Corp.

     1,971,637        29,436,540  
 

First of Long Island Corp.

     614,355        12,336,248  
 

German American Bancorp Inc.

     163,523        4,925,313  
 

Glacier Bancorp Inc.

     209,600        8,499,280  
 

Lakeland Financial Corp.

     516,362        24,181,233  
 

Peoples Bancorp Inc.

     289,712        9,346,109  
 

TrustCo Bank Corp. NY

     782,700        6,198,984  
 

Washington Trust Bancorp Inc.

     200,891        10,482,492  
       

 

 

 
          170,157,877  
       

 

 

 
 

Building Products 5.4%

     
a  

Gibraltar Industries Inc.

     806,679        32,557,564  
 

Insteel Industries Inc.

     282,352        5,878,569  
 

Simpson Manufacturing Co. Inc.

     5,719        380,085  
 

Universal Forest Products Inc.

     563,240        21,436,914  
       

 

 

 
          60,253,132  
       

 

 

 
 

Commercial & Professional Services 3.5%

     
a  

Huron Consulting Group Inc.

     205,815        10,368,960  
 

McGrath RentCorp

     458,768        28,512,431  
       

 

 

 
          38,881,391  
       

 

 

 
 

Consumer Durables & Apparel 2.8%

     
 

Carter’s Inc.

     165,993        16,190,957  
a  

Crocs Inc.

     156,700        3,094,825  
 

Toll Brothers Inc.

     263,605        9,653,215  
a  

Unifi Inc.

     121,800        2,213,106  
       

 

 

 
          31,152,103  
       

 

 

 
 

Consumer Services 3.0%

     
 

Brinker International Inc.

     245,240        9,650,194  
 

Jack in the Box Inc.

     68,800        5,599,632  
 

Wyndham Hotels and Resorts Inc.

     329,700        18,377,478  
       

 

 

 
          33,627,304  
       

 

 

 
 

Electrical Equipment 2.9%

     
 

Encore Wire Corp.

     75,262        4,408,848  
 

Regal Beloit Corp.

     343,900        28,100,069  
       

 

 

 
          32,508,917  
       

 

 

 

 

     
  Semiannual Report                 FSV-9  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin Small Cap Value VIP Fund (continued)

 

           Shares      Value  
 

Common Stocks (continued)

     
 

Energy 2.3%

     
 

Hunting PLC (United Kingdom)

     3,524,416      $ 22,849,122  
a  

Natural Gas Services Group Inc.

     173,987        2,870,786  
       

 

 

 
          25,719,908  
       

 

 

 
 

Food, Beverage & Tobacco 3.2%

     
a  

Landec Corp.

     443,589        4,156,429  
 

Maple Leaf Foods Inc. (Canada)

     1,414,971        30,984,057  
       

 

 

 
          35,140,486  
       

 

 

 
 

Insurance 9.4%

     
 

The Hanover Insurance Group Inc.

     320,400        41,107,320  
 

Horace Mann Educators Corp.

     728,286        29,342,643  
 

Old Republic International Corp.

     1,526,100        34,154,118  
       

 

 

 
          104,604,081  
       

 

 

 
 

Machinery 10.4%

     
 

Astec Industries Inc.

     227,127        7,395,255  
 

Federal Signal Corp.

     395,251        10,572,964  
 

The Greenbrier Cos. Inc.

     246,440        7,491,776  
 

Kennametal Inc.

     545,474        20,177,083  
 

Mueller Industries Inc.

     266,662        7,805,197  
 

Mueller Water Products Inc., A

     3,163,400        31,064,588  
 

Oshkosh Corp.

     221,200        18,467,988  
a  

Rexnord Corp.

     390,700        11,806,954  
a  

SPX Flow Inc.

     45,980        1,924,723  
       

 

 

 
          116,706,528  
       

 

 

 
 

Materials 11.6%

     
 

Carpenter Technology Corp.

     409,471        19,646,419  
 

Eagle Materials Inc.

     327,200        30,331,440  
 

Minerals Technologies Inc.

     421,752        22,567,949  
 

OceanaGold Corp. (Australia)

     9,070,561        24,792,982  
 

PH Glatfelter Co.

     887,200        14,975,936  
 

Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co.

     188,600        17,845,332  
       

 

 

 
          130,160,058  
       

 

 

 
 

Media & Entertainment 1.8%

     
 

Cinemark Holdings Inc.

     558,900        20,176,290  
       

 

 

 
 

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences 1.3%

     
a  

Cambrex Corp.

     310,547        14,536,705  
       

 

 

 
 

Real Estate 7.9%

     
 

Brandywine Realty Trust

     1,064,700        15,246,504  
 

Highwoods Properties Inc.

     478,400        19,757,920  
 

LTC Properties Inc.

     293,155        13,385,457  
 

Retail Properties of America Inc., A

     1,898,611        22,327,665  
 

Sunstone Hotel Investors Inc.

     1,308,797        17,943,607  
       

 

 

 
          88,661,153  
       

 

 

 

 

     
FSV-10        Semiannual Report  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin Small Cap Value VIP Fund (continued)

 

           Shares      Value  
 

Common Stocks (continued)

     
 

Retailing 0.7%

     
 

Caleres Inc.

     384,841      $ 7,666,033  
       

 

 

 
 

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment 3.3%

     
a  

Advanced Energy Industries Inc.

     398,076        22,399,736  
 

MKS Instruments Inc.

     132,894        10,351,114  
a  

Synaptics Inc.

     130,481        3,802,216  
       

 

 

 
          36,553,066  
       

 

 

 
 

Software & Services 0.2%

     
 

LogMeIn Inc.

     36,172        2,665,153  
       

 

 

 
 

Technology Hardware & Equipment 6.1%

     
a  

Coherent Inc.

     197,808        26,975,077  
a  

FARO Technologies Inc.

     68,500        3,601,730  
a  

Finisar Corp.

     502,300        11,487,601  
a  

Plexus Corp.

     444,800        25,962,976  
       

 

 

 
          68,027,384  
       

 

 

 
 

Transportation 0.1%

     
 

Heartland Express Inc.

     85,838        1,551,093  
       

 

 

 
 

Utilities 4.1%

     
 

Black Hills Corp.

     253,900        19,847,363  
 

IDACORP Inc.

     61,189        6,145,211  
 

Spire Inc.

     229,755        19,281,040  
       

 

 

 
          45,273,614  
       

 

 

 
 

Total Common Stocks (Cost $988,461,325)

        1,090,114,176  
       

 

 

 
         Principal
Amount
        
 

Corporate Bonds 0.5%

     
    Energy 0.3%              
 

Unit Corp., senior sub. note, 6.625%, 5/15/21

   $ 2,836,000        2,573,670  
       

 

 

 
    Machinery 0.2%              
 

Mueller Industries Inc., sub. bond, 6.00%, 3/01/27

     2,378,000        2,395,835  
       

 

 

 
 

Total Corporate Bonds (Cost $5,063,286)

        4,969,505  
       

 

 

 
 

Total Investments before Short Term Investments (Cost $993,524,611)

        1,095,083,681  
       

 

 

 

 

     
  Semiannual Report                 FSV-11  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin Small Cap Value VIP Fund (continued)

 

           Shares        Value  
 

Short Term Investments (Cost $13,865,812) 1.2%

       
    Money Market Funds 1.2%                
b,c  

Institutional Fiduciary Trust Money Market Portfolio, 2.05%

     13,865,812        $ 13,865,812  
         

 

 

 
 

Total Investments (Cost $1,007,390,423) 99.2%

          1,108,949,493  
 

Other Assets, less Liabilities 0.8%

          9,044,775  
         

 

 

 
 

Net Assets 100.0%

        $ 1,117,994,268  
         

 

 

 

 

 

aNon-income producing.

bSee Note 3(e) regarding investments in affiliated management investment companies.

cThe rate shown is the annualized seven-day effective yield at period end.

 

     
FSV-12        Semiannual Report   |    The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

June 30, 2019 (unaudited)

 

     Franklin Small
Cap Value
VIP Fund
 

Assets:

 

Investments in securities:

 

Cost - Unaffiliated issuers

          $ 993,524,611  

Cost - Non-controlled affiliates (Note 3e)

    13,865,812  
 

 

 

 

Value - Unaffiliated issuers

          $ 1,095,083,681  

Value - Non-controlled affiliates (Note 3e)

    13,865,812  

Receivables:

 

Investment securities sold

    11,232,101  

Capital shares sold

    333,719  

Dividends and interest

    1,186,308  

Other assets

    803  
 

 

 

 

Total assets

    1,121,702,424  
 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

Payables:

 

Investment securities purchased

    1,543,476  

Capital shares redeemed

    949,020  

Management fees

    563,468  

Distribution fees

    451,074  

Trustees’ fees and expenses

    1,460  

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

    199,658  
 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    3,708,156  
 

 

 

 

Net assets, at value

          $ 1,117,994,268  
 

 

 

 

Net assets consist of:

 

Paid-in capital

          $ 977,634,649  

Total distributable earnings (loss)

    140,359,619  
 

 

 

 

Net assets, at value

          $ 1,117,994,268  
 

 

 

 
Class 1:  

Net assets, at value

          $ 43,553,629  
 

 

 

 

Shares outstanding

    3,128,083  
 

 

 

 

Net asset value and maximum offering price per share

            $13.92  
 

 

 

 
Class 2:  

Net assets, at value

          $ 1,047,854,657  
 

 

 

 

Shares outstanding

    78,535,478  
 

 

 

 

Net asset value and maximum offering price per share

          $ 13.34  
 

 

 

 
Class 4:  

Net assets, at value

          $ 26,585,982  
 

 

 

 

Shares outstanding

    1,932,263  
 

 

 

 

Net asset value and maximum offering price per share

            $13.76  
 

 

 

 

 

     
  The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.    |   Semiannual Report                 FSV-13  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Statement of Operations

for the six months ended June 30, 2019 (unaudited)

 

    

Franklin

Small Cap

Value VIP

Fund

 

Investment income:

 

Dividends: (net of foreign taxes)*

 

Unaffiliated issuers

          $ 11,570,898  

Non-controlled affiliates (Note 3e)

    314,268  

Interest:

 

Unaffiliated issuers

    339,080  
 

 

 

 

Total investment income

    12,224,246  
 

 

 

 

Expenses:

 

Management fees (Note 3a)

    3,598,108  

Distribution fees: (Note 3c)

 

Class 2

    1,316,065  

Class 4

    46,755  

Custodian fees (Note 4)

    7,717  

Reports to shareholders

    135,407  

Professional fees

    27,049  

Trustees’ fees and expenses

    4,931  

Other

    16,553  
 

 

 

 

Total expenses

    5,152,585  

Expense reductions (Note 4)

    (208

Expenses waived/paid by affiliates (Note 3e)

    (53,687
 

 

 

 

Net expenses

    5,098,690  
 

 

 

 

Net investment income

    7,125,556  
 

 

 

 

Realized and unrealized gains (losses):

 

Net realized gain (loss) from:

 

Investments:

 

Unaffiliated issuers

    31,878,173  

Realized gain distributions from REITs

    757,889  

Foreign currency transactions

    (118,872
 

 

 

 

Net realized gain (loss)

    32,517,190  
 

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:

 

Investments:

 

Unaffiliated issuers

    85,190,270  

Translation of other assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies

    1,720  
 

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

    85,191,990  
 

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    117,709,180  
 

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

          $ 124,834,736  
 

 

 

 

 

 

*Foreign taxes withheld on dividends

          $          57,129  

 

     
FSV-14        Semiannual Report   |    The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

   

Franklin Small Cap

Value VIP Fund

 
    

Six Months Ended

June 30, 2019

(unaudited)

    

Year Ended

December 31, 2018

 

Increase (decrease) in net assets:

    

Operations:

    

Net investment income

          $ 7,125,556        $     11,431,886  

Net realized gain (loss)

    32,517,190        192,518,890  

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

    85,191,990        (356,985,491
 

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

    124,834,736        (153,034,715
 

 

 

 

Distributions to shareholders:

    

Class 1

    (7,896,338      (7,555,429

Class 2

    (189,976,242      (194,090,505

Class 4

    (4,683,798      (4,574,106
 

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

    (202,556,378      (206,220,040
 

 

 

 

Capital share transactions: (Note 2)

    

Class 1

    5,852,753        2,769,926  

Class 2

    142,231,285        14,343,221  

Class 4

    3,721,349        698,981  
 

 

 

 

Total capital share transactions

    151,805,387        17,812,128  
 

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets

    74,083,745        (341,442,627

Net assets:

    

Beginning of period

    1,043,910,523        1,385,353,150  
 

 

 

 

End of period

          $ 1,117,994,268        $1,043,910,523  
 

 

 

 

 

     
  The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.    |   Semiannual Report             FSV-15  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

 

Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited)

 

Franklin Small Cap Value VIP Fund

 

1.  Organization and Significant Accounting Policies

Franklin Templeton Variable Insurance Products Trust (Trust) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (1940 Act) as an open-end management investment company, consisting of eighteen separate funds and applies the specialized accounting and reporting guidance in U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (U.S. GAAP). Franklin Small Cap Value VIP Fund (Fund) is included in this report. Shares of the Fund are generally sold only to insurance company separate accounts to fund the benefits of variable life insurance policies or variable annuity contracts. The Fund offers three classes of shares: Class 1, Class 2 and Class 4. Each class of shares may differ by its distribution fees, voting rights on matters affecting a single class and its exchange privilege.

The following summarizes the Fund’s significant accounting policies.

a.  Financial Instrument Valuation

The Fund’s investments in financial instruments are carried at fair value daily. Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. The Fund calculates the net asset value (NAV) per share each business day as of 4 p.m. Eastern time or the regularly scheduled close of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), whichever is earlier. Under compliance policies and procedures approved by the Trust’s Board of Trustees (the Board), the Fund’s administrator has responsibility for oversight of valuation, including leading the cross-functional Valuation Committee (VC). The Fund may utilize independent pricing services, quotations from securities and financial instrument dealers, and other market sources to determine fair value.

Equity securities listed on an exchange or on the NASDAQ National Market System are valued at the last quoted sale price or the official closing price of the day, respectively. Foreign equity securities are valued as of the close of trading on the foreign stock exchange on which the security is primarily traded, or as of 4 p.m. Eastern time. The value is then converted into its U.S. dollar equivalent at the foreign exchange rate in effect at 4 p.m. Eastern time on the day that the value of the security is determined. Over-the-counter (OTC) securities are valued within the range of the most recent quoted bid and ask prices. Securities that trade in multiple markets or on multiple exchanges are valued

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

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

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

The Fund has procedures to determine the fair value of financial instruments for which market prices are not reliable or readily available. Under these procedures, the Fund primarily employs a market-based approach which may use related or comparable assets or liabilities, recent transactions, market multiples, book values, and other relevant information for the investment to determine the fair value of the investment. An income-based valuation approach may also be used in which the anticipated future cash flows of the investment are discounted to calculate fair value. Discounts may also be applied due to the nature or duration of any restrictions on the disposition of the investments. Due to the inherent uncertainty of valuations of such investments, the fair values may differ significantly from the values that would have been used had an active market existed.

Trading in securities on foreign securities stock exchanges and OTC markets may be completed before 4 p.m. Eastern time. In addition, trading in certain foreign markets may not take place on every Fund’s business day. Occasionally, events occur between the time at which trading in a foreign security is completed and 4 p.m. Eastern time that might call into question the reliability of the value of a portfolio security held by the Fund. As a result, differences may arise between the value of the Fund’s portfolio securities as determined at the foreign market close and the latest indications of value at

 

 

     
FSV-16        Semiannual Report  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin Small Cap Value VIP Fund (continued)

 

4 p.m. Eastern time. 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 Fund’s NAV is not calculated, which could result in differences between the value of the Fund’s portfolio securities on the last business day and the last calendar day of the reporting period. Any significant security valuation changes due to an open foreign market are adjusted and reflected by the Fund for financial reporting purposes.

b.  Foreign Currency Translation

Portfolio securities and other assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars based on the exchange rate of such currencies against U.S. dollars on the date of valuation. The Fund may enter into foreign currency exchange contracts to facilitate transactions denominated in a foreign currency. Purchases and sales of securities, income and expense items denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rate in effect on the transaction date. Portfolio securities and assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies contain risks that those currencies will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar. Occasionally, events may impact the availability or reliability of foreign exchange rates used to convert the U.S. dollar equivalent value. If such an event occurs, the foreign exchange rate will be valued at fair value using procedures established and approved by the Board.

The Fund does not separately report the effect of changes in foreign exchange rates from changes in market prices on securities held. Such changes are included in net realized and unrealized gain or loss from investments in the Statement of Operations.

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

c.  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 if applicable, 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 June 30, 2019, the Fund has determined that no tax liability is required in its financial statements related to uncertain tax positions for any open tax years (or expected to be taken in future tax years). Open tax years are those that remain subject to examination and are based on the statute of limitations in each jurisdiction in which the Fund invests.

d.  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

 

 

     
  Semiannual Report             FSV-17  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin Small Cap Value VIP Fund (continued)

 

1.  Organization and Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

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

premium and accretion of discount on debt securities are included in interest income. Dividend income and capital gain distributions are recorded on the ex-dividend date except for certain dividends from securities where the dividend rate is not available. In such cases, the dividend is recorded as soon as the information is received by the Fund. Distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Distributable earnings are determined according to income tax regulations (tax basis) and may differ from earnings recorded in accordance with U.S. GAAP. These differences may be permanent or temporary. Permanent differences are reclassified among capital accounts to reflect their tax character. These reclassifications have no impact on net assets or the results of operations. Temporary differences are not reclassified, as they may reverse in subsequent periods.

Common expenses incurred by the Trust are allocated among the Funds based on the ratio of net assets of each Fund to the combined net assets of the Trust or based on the ratio of number of shareholders of each Fund to the combined number of shareholders of the Trust. Fund specific expenses are charged directly to the Fund that incurred the expense.

Realized and unrealized gains and losses and net investment income, excluding class specific expenses, are allocated daily to each class of shares based upon the relative proportion of net assets of each class. Differences in per share distributions by class are generally due to differences in class specific expenses.

e.  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.

f.  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 June 30, 2019, there were an unlimited number of shares authorized (without par value). Transactions in the Fund’s shares were as follows:

 

     Six Months Ended
June 30, 2019
    Year Ended
December 31, 2018
 
      Shares      Amount     Shares     Amount  
Class 1 Shares:          

Shares sold

     126,514      $ 2,078,679       140,744     $ 2,624,857   

Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

     578,063        7,896,338       419,746       7,555,429   

Shares redeemed

     (261,103      (4,122,264     (384,144     (7,410,360)  
  

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease)

     443,474      $ 5,852,753       176,346     $ 2,769,926   
  

 

 

 
Class 2 Shares:          

Shares sold

     2,436,409      $ 39,190,494       3,241,202     $ 57,622,650   

Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

     14,513,082        189,976,242       11,167,463       194,090,505   

Shares redeemed

     (5,461,873      (86,935,451     (13,111,818     (237,369,934)  
  

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease)

     11,487,618      $ 142,231,285       1,296,847     $ 14,343,221   
  

 

 

 

 

     
FSV-18        Semiannual Report  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin Small Cap Value VIP Fund (continued)

 

     Six Months Ended
June 30, 2019
    Year Ended
December 31, 2018
 
      Shares      Amount     Shares     Amount  
Class 4 Shares:          

Shares sold

     102,833      $ 1,623,500       142,312     $ 2,499,385   

Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

     346,948        4,683,798       256,684       4,574,106   

Shares redeemed

     (161,332      (2,585,949     (340,602     (6,374,510)  
  

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease)

     288,449      $ 3,721,349       58,394     $ 698,981   
  

 

 

 

3.  Transactions with Affiliates

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

 

Subsidiary    Affiliation

Franklin Mutual Advisers, LLC (Franklin Mutual)

   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 Franklin Mutual based on the average daily net assets of the Fund as follows:

 

Annualized Fee Rate    Net Assets

0.750%

  

Up to and including $200 million

0.635%

  

Over $200 million, up to and including $700 million

0.600%

  

Over $700 million, up to and including $1.2 billion

0.575%

  

Over $1.2 billion, up to and including $1.3 billion

0.475%

  

In excess of $1.3 billion

For the period ended June 30, 2019, the annualized gross effective investment management fee rate was 0.642% of the Fund’s average daily net assets.

b.  Administrative Fees

Under an agreement with Franklin Mutual, FT Services provides administrative services to the Fund. The fee is paid by Franklin Mutual 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 Class 2 and Class 4 shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. Under the Fund’s 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 0.35% per year of its average daily net assets of each class. The Board has agreed to limit the current rate to 0.25% per year for Class 2. The plan year, for purposes of monitoring compliance with the maximum annual plan rates, is February 1 through January 31.

 

     
  Semiannual Report             FSV-19  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin Small Cap Value VIP Fund (continued)

 

3. Transactions with Affiliates (continued)

d.  Transfer Agent Fees

Investor Services, under terms of an agreement, performs shareholder servicing for the Fund and is not paid by the Fund for the services.

e.   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 Statement of Operations, in an amount not to exceed the management and administrative fees paid directly or indirectly by each affiliate. During the period ended June 30, 2019, the Fund held investments in affiliated management investment companies as follows:

 

     Value at
Beginning of
Period
    Purchases     Sales     Realized
Gain (Loss)
    Net Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
    Value at
End of
Period
    Number of
Shares
Held at End
of Period
    Dividend
Income
 
Non-Controlled Affiliates

 

           

Institutional Fiduciary Trust Money Market Portfolio, 2.05%

            $45,444,842             $ 140,817,135             $ (172,396,165   $         —     $         —     $ 13,865,812       13,865,812             $ 314,268  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

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 June 30, 2019, the custodian fees were reduced as noted in the Statement of Operations.

5.  Income Taxes

At June 30, 2019, the cost of investments and net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) for income tax purposes were as follows:

 

Cost of investments

   $ 1,008,223,398   
  

 

 

 

Unrealized appreciation

   $ 140,598,525   

Unrealized depreciation

     (39,872,430)  
  

 

 

 

Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

   $ 100,726,095   
  

 

 

 

Differences between income and/or capital gains as determined on a book basis and a tax basis are primarily due to differing treatment of wash sales.

6.  Investment Transactions

Purchases and sales of investments (excluding short term securities) for the period ended June 30, 2019, aggregated $317,584,251 and $337,659,609, respectively.

 

     
FSV-20        Semiannual Report  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin Small Cap Value VIP Fund (continued)

 

7.  Credit Facility

The Fund, together with other U.S. registered and foreign investment funds (collectively, Borrowers), managed by Franklin Templeton, are borrowers in a joint syndicated senior unsecured credit facility totaling $2 billion (Global Credit Facility) which matures on February 7, 2020. This Global Credit Facility provides a source of funds to the Borrowers for temporary and emergency purposes, including the ability to meet future unanticipated or unusually large redemption requests.

Under the terms of the Global Credit Facility, the Fund shall, in addition to interest charged on any borrowings made by the Fund and other costs incurred by the Fund, pay its share of fees and expenses incurred in connection with the implementation and maintenance of the Global Credit Facility, based upon its relative share of the aggregate net assets of all of the Borrowers, including an annual commitment fee of 0.15% based upon the unused portion of the Global Credit Facility. These fees are reflected in other expenses in the Statement of Operations. During the period ended June 30, 2019, the Fund did not use the Global Credit Facility.

8.   Fair Value Measurements

The Fund follows a fair value hierarchy that distinguishes between market data obtained from independent sources (observable inputs) and the Fund’s own market assumptions (unobservable inputs). These inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund’s financial instruments and are summarized in the following fair value hierarchy:

 

   

Level 1 – quoted prices in active markets for identical financial instruments

 

   

Level 2 – other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar financial instruments, interest rates, prepayment speed, credit risk, etc.)

 

   

Level 3 – significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of financial instruments)

The input levels are not necessarily an indication of the risk or liquidity associated with financial instruments at that level.

A summary of inputs used as of June 30, 2019, in valuing the Fund’s assets carried at fair value, is as follows:

 

      Level 1     Level 2     Level 3     Total  
Assets:         

Investments in Securities:a

        

Equity Investments

           $   1,090,114,176             $             $                 —             $   1,090,114,176  

Corporate Bonds

           4,969,505             4,969,505  

Short Term Investments

     13,865,812                   13,865,812  
  

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities

           $   1,103,979,988             $   4,969,505             $             $   1,108,949,493  
  

 

 

 

aFor detailed categories, see the accompanying Statement of Investments.

9.  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.

 

     
  Semiannual Report             FSV-21  


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Franklin Small-Mid Cap Growth VIP Fund

This semiannual report for Franklin Small-Mid Cap Growth VIP Fund covers the period ended June 30, 2019.

Class 4 Performance Summary as of June 30, 2019

The Fund’s Class 4 Shares posted a +26.61% total return* for the six-month period ended June 30, 2019.

*The Fund has a fee waiver associated with any investment it makes in a Franklin Templeton money fund and/or other Franklin Templeton fund, contractually guaranteed through 4/30/20. Fund investment results reflect the fee waiver; without this waiver, the results would have been lower.

Performance reflects the Fund’s Class 4 operating expenses, but does not include any contract fees, expenses or sales charges. If they had been included, performance would be lower. These charges and deductions, particularly for variable life policies, can have a significant effect on contract values and insurance benefits. See the contract prospectus for a complete description of these expenses, including sales charges.

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.

 

     
  Semiannual Report             FSC-1  


FRANKLIN SMALL-MID CAP GROWTH VIP FUND

 

Fund Goal and Main Investments

The Fund seeks long-term capital growth. Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets in equity securities of small-capitalization and mid-capitalization companies. For this Fund, small-cap companies are those within the market capitalization range of companies in the Russell 2500TM Index at the time of purchase, and midcap companies are those within the market capitalization range of companies in the Russell Midcap® Index at the time of purchase.1

Fund Risks

All investments involve risks, including possible loss of principal. Growth stock prices reflect projections of future earnings or revenues, and can, therefore, fall dramatically if the company fails to meet those projections. Smaller, midsized and relatively new or unseasoned companies can be particularly sensitive to changing economic conditions, and their prospects for growth are less certain than those of larger, more established companies. Historically, these securities have experienced more price volatility than larger-company stocks, especially over the short term. To the extent the Fund focuses on particular countries, regions, industries, sectors or types of investment from time to time, it may be subject to greater risk of adverse developments in such areas of focus than a fund that invests in a wider variety of countries, regions, industries, sectors or investments. From time to time, the trading market for a particular security or type of security in which the Fund invests may become less liquid or even illiquid. 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.

Performance Overview

You can find the Fund’s six-month total return in the Performance Summary. In comparison, the Fund’s narrow benchmark, the Russell Midcap® Growth Index, posted a +26.08% total return, and its broad benchmark, the Standard & Poor’s® 500 Index (S&P 500®) posted a +18.54% total return for the same period.2

Portfolio Composition

Based on Total Net Assets as of 6/30/19

 

LOGO

Economic and Market Overview

The U.S. economy grew during the six months ended June 30, 2019. After moderating for two consecutive quarters, the economy grew significantly faster in 2019’s first quarter, driven by growth in consumer spending, inventory investment, exports, business investment, and state and local government spending. However, the economy moderated again in the second quarter, due to weakness in inventory investment, exports, business investment and housing investment. The manufacturing and services sectors expanded during the period. The unemployment rate decreased from 3.9% in December 2018 to 3.7% at period-end.3 The annual inflation rate, as measured by the Consumer Price Index, decreased from 1.9% in December 2018 to 1.6% at period-end.3

 

 

1. Please see Index Descriptions following the Fund Summaries.

2. Source: Morningstar. One cannot invest directly in an index, and an index is not representative of the Fund’s portfolio. Please see Index Descriptions following the Fund Summaries.

3. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics.

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).

 

     
FSC-2        Semiannual Report  


FRANKLIN SMALL-MID CAP GROWTH VIP FUND

 

The U.S. Federal Reserve (Fed) held its target range for the federal funds rate unchanged, at 2.25%–2.50%, during the reporting period. In March, the Fed mentioned it would end its balance sheet normalization program by the end of September 2019. In June, the Fed indicated increased uncertainties around its views on economic activity and the labor market. With market-based inflation measures remaining low in recent months, the market has interpreted the Fed’s recent statements to mean it will likely cut rates in 2019’s second half to foster continued economic growth while attempting to achieve its inflation objective.

U.S. equity markets overall rose during the period, benefiting from upbeat economic data and U.S. corporate earnings. However, markets reflected concerns about tighter regulation of technology companies, U.S. political uncertainties, and the impact of U.S. trade disputes with China and other trading partners on global growth and corporate earnings. These concerns were partially alleviated in 2019’s first four months by easing trade tensions and optimism about a potential U.S.-China trade deal. Furthermore, markets benefited from the Fed’s indications of a patient approach to its monetary policy decisions. The broad U.S. stock market, as measured by the S&P 500, rallied in 2019’s first four months, reaching a new all-time high in April 2019. After declining in May due to escalating trade tensions, stocks reached another all-time high in June amid investor optimism about potential interest-rate cuts. Overall, the S&P 500 posted a +18.54% total return for the six-month period.2

Investment Strategy

We use fundamental, bottom-up research to seek companies meeting our criteria of growth potential, quality and valuation. In seeking sustainable growth characteristics, we look for companies we believe can produce sustainable earnings and cash flow growth, evaluating the long-term market opportunity and competitive structure of an industry to target leaders and emerging leaders. We define quality companies as those with strong and improving competitive positions in attractive markets. We also believe important attributes of quality are experienced and talented management teams as well as financial strength reflected in the capital structure, gross and operating margins, free cash flow generation and returns on capital employed. In assessing value, we consider whether security prices fully reflect the balance of the sustainable growth opportunities relative to business and financial risks.

Manager’s Discussion

During the period under review, all sectors represented in the Fund’s portfolio posted positive returns and contributed to

Top 10 Holdings       
6/30/19       

Company

Sector/Industry

   % of Total
Net Assets
 
SBA Communications Corp.
Real Estate
     1.9%  
Verisk Analytics Inc.
Industrials
     1.7%  
CoStar Group Inc.
Industrials
     1.7%  
Microchip Technology Inc.
Information Technology
     1.7%  
Mettler-Toledo International Inc.
Health Care
     1.6%  
IDEX Corp.
Industrials
     1.6%  
MSCI Inc.
Financials
     1.5%  
Fortive Corp.
Industrials
     1.5%  
MarketAxess Holdings Inc.
Financials
     1.4%  
Amphenol Corp.
Information Technology
     1.4%  

absolute performance. Relative to the Russell Midcap® Growth Index, key contributors to the Fund’s performance included stock selection in the industrials, information technology (IT) and health care sectors.

In the industrials sector, commercial real estate information, analytics and marketing services company CoStar Group performed well as all business segments exhibited strong growth. We expect CoStar to continue to achieve robust growth with the help of its Apartments.com and LoopNet.com businesses, which concentrate on apartment rental listings and commercial property marketplaces, respectively.

In the IT sector, our investments in cloud-based internet security platform firm Zscaler (not part of the index), Canada-based e-commerce platform operator Shopify (not part of the index) and Israel-based web development and management solutions provider Wix.com (not part of the index) contributed to relative results. Zscaler generated strong revenue and billings growth for its fiscal-year 2019 second and third quarters. We believe Zscaler’s user-centric approach to cybersecurity provides lower costs, better user experience and more effective security than traditional network-centric solutions.

 

 

     
  Semiannual Report             FSC-3  


FRANKLIN SMALL-MID CAP GROWTH VIP FUND

 

In the health care sector, cancer specialist Array BioPharma’s (not part of the index; not held at period-end) share price surged higher after the firm received a buyout offer from a pharmaceuticals competitor.

Other notable contributors to relative results included our positions in index and portfolio risk and performance analytics provider MSCI and electronic trading platform MarketAxess Holdings.

In contrast, stock selection in the consumer discretionary sector detracted from the Fund’s relative performance. Within the sector, apparel and home products retailer Burlington Stores posted positive returns that lagged the benchmark index, and our overweighted position hurt relative results. Fast-casual restaurant operator Chipotle Mexican Grill performed well, and our underweighted position hindered relative results.

Other key individual detractors included our positions in education technology company 2U, medical devices manufacturer ABIOMED, frozen potato products company Lamb Weston Holdings (not part of the index), biotechnology firm Heron Therapeutics (not part of the index) and software-as-a-service provider New Relic (not part of the index). 2U’s share price declined after the company reduced near-term guidance for revenue growth. ABIOMED’s shares declined after an investigation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration suggested higher mortality rates of patients using the firm’s Impella RP heart pump. ABIOMED is beginning a launch of Impella CP, its most widely used pump model, in Japan, which could support growth. Lamb Weston’s shares declined due to investor concerns about modestly higher capacity coming online. However, the company continued to see strong growth, driven by robust sales trends and strong pricing power.

Thank you for your participation in Franklin Small-Mid Cap Growth VIP Fund. We look forward to serving your future investment needs.

 

 

The foregoing information reflects our analysis, opinions and portfolio holdings as of June 30, 2019, 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.

 

 

     
FSC-4        Semiannual Report  


FRANKLIN SMALL-MID CAP GROWTH VIP FUND

 

Class 4 Fund Expenses

As an investor in a variable insurance contract (Contract) that indirectly provides for investment in an underlying mutual fund, you can incur transaction and/or ongoing expenses at both the Fund level and the Contract Level: (1) transaction expenses can include sales charges (loads) on purchases, surrender fees, transfer fees and premium taxes; and (2) ongoing expenses can include management fees, distribution and service (12b-1) fees, contract fees, annual maintenance fees, mortality and expense risk fees and other fees and expenses. All mutual funds and Contracts have some types of ongoing expenses. The table below shows Fund-level ongoing expenses and can help you understand these costs and compare them with those of other mutual funds offered through the Contract. The table assumes a $1,000 investment held for the six months indicated. Please refer to the Fund prospectus for additional information on operating expenses.

Actual Fund Expenses

The table below provides information about the actual account values and actual expenses in the columns under the heading “Actual.” In these columns the Fund’s actual return, which includes the effect of ongoing Fund expenses but does not include the effect of ongoing Contract expenses, is used to calculate the “Ending Account Value.” You can estimate the Fund-level expenses you paid during the period by following these steps (of course, your account value and expenses will differ from those in this illustration): Divide your account value by $1,000 (if your account had an $8,600 value, then $8,600 ÷ $1,000 = 8.6). Then multiply the result by the number under the headings “Actual” and “Fund-Level Expenses Paid During Period” (if Fund-Level Expenses Paid During Period were $ 7.50, then 8.6 x $ 7.50 = $64.50). In this illustration, the estimated expenses paid this period at the Fund level are $64.50.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison with Other Mutual Funds

Under the heading “Hypothetical” in the table, information is provided about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. This information may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period, but it can help you compare ongoing costs of investing in the Fund with those of other mutual funds offered through the Contract. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds offered through the Contract.

Please note that expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight ongoing costs at the Fund level only and do not reflect any ongoing expenses at the Contract level, or transaction expenses at either the Fund or Contract levels. In addition, while the Fund does not have transaction expenses, if the transaction and ongoing expenses at the Contract level were included, the expenses shown below would be higher. You should consult your Contract prospectus or disclosure document for more information.

 

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

  Share

  Class

     Beginning
Account
Value 1/1/19
    Ending
Account
Value 6/30/19
     Fund-Level
Expenses
Paid During
Period
1/1/19–6/30/191,2
    Ending
Account
Value 6/30/19
     Fund-Level
Expenses
Paid During
Period
1/1/19–6/30/191,2
    Net
Annualized
Expense
Ratio2

Class 4

     $1,000     $1,266.10      $6.63     $1,018.94      $5.91     1.18%

1. Expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio for the six-month period as indicated above—in the far right column—multiplied by the simple average account value over the period indicated, and then multiplied by 181/365 to reflect the one-half year period.

2. Reflects expenses after fee waivers and expense reimbursements. Does not include any ongoing expenses of the Contract for which the Fund is an investment option or acquired fund fees and expenses.

 

     
  Semiannual Report            FSC-5


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

 

Financial Highlights

Franklin Small-Mid Cap Growth VIP Fund

   

Six Months Ended
June 30, 2019

(unaudited)

     Year Ended December 31,  
      2018      2017      2016      2015     2014  

Class 1

               
Per share operating performance
(for a share outstanding throughout the period)
               

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $17.04        $19.71        $17.77        $19.09        $24.95       $28.38  
       
Income from investment operationsa:                

Net investment income (loss)b

    (0.02      (0.05      (0.04      (0.03      c,d       (0.07

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)

    4.55        (0.70      3.74        0.77        (0.03     2.04  
       

Total from investment operations

    4.53        (0.75      3.70        0.74        (0.03     1.97  
       
Less distributions from:                

Net realized gains

    (2.57      (1.92      (1.76      (2.06      (5.83     (5.40
       

Net asset value, end of period

    $19.00        $17.04        $19.71        $17.77        $19.09       $24.95  
       

Total returne

    26.86%        (5.15)%        21.75%        4.40%        (2.44)%       7.78%  
Ratios to average net assetsf                

Expenses before waiver and payments by affiliates

    0.84%        0.86%        0.85%        0.84%        0.81%       0.80%  

Expenses net of waiver and payments by affiliates

    0.83% g        0.85% g        0.84% g        0.82% g        0.81% h       0.80% h  

Net investment income (loss)

    (0.17)%        (0.24)%        (0.24)%        (0.16)%        0.01% d       (0.29)%  
Supplemental data                

Net assets, end of period (000’s)

    $42,625        $33,518        $36,864        $31,756        $87,866       $99,803  

Portfolio turnover rate

    31.38%        44.78%        40.49%        32.23% i       37.85%       48.73%  

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

bBased on average daily shares outstanding.

cAmount rounds to less than $0.01 per share.

dNet investment income per share includes approximately $0.05 per share related to income received in the form of special dividends in connection with certain fund holdings. Excluding this amount, the ratio of net investment income to average net assets would have been (0.24)%.

eTotal return does not include fees, charges or expenses imposed by the variable annuity and life insurance contracts for which Franklin Templeton Variable Insurance Products Trust serves as an underlying investment vehicle. Total 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%.

hBenefit of waiver and payments by affiliates rounds to less than 0.01%.

iExcludes the value of portfolio securities delivered as a result of a redemption in-kind.

 

     
FSC-6        Semiannual Report   |    The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

 

Franklin Small-Mid Cap Growth VIP Fund (continued)

   

Six Months Ended
June 30, 2019

(unaudited)

     Year Ended December 31,  
      2018      2017      2016      2015      2014  

Class 2

                
Per share operating performance
(for a share outstanding throughout the period)
                

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $15.22        $17.83        $16.27        $17.69        $23.56        $27.16  
       
Income from investment operationsa:                 

Net investment income (loss)b

    (0.04      (0.09      (0.08      (0.07      (0.05 )c        (0.13

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)

    4.06        (0.60      3.40        0.71        0.01        1.93  
       

Total from investment operations

    4.02        (0.69      3.32        0.64        (0.04      1.80  
       
Less distributions from:                 

Net realized gains

    (2.57      (1.92      (1.76      (2.06      (5.83      (5.40
       

Net asset value, end of period

    $16.67        $15.22        $17.83        $16.27        $17.69        $23.56  
       

Total returnd

    26.65%        (5.37)%        21.40%        4.17%        (2.66)%        7.47%  
Ratios to average net assetse                 

Expenses before waiver and payments by affiliates

    1.09%        1.11%        1.10%        1.09%        1.06%        1.05%  

Expenses net of waiver and payments by affiliates

    1.08% f        1.10% f        1.09% f        1.07% f        1.06% g        1.05% g  

Net investment income (loss)

    (0.42)%        (0.49)%        (0.49)%        (0.41)%        (0.24)%c        (0.54)%  
Supplemental data                 

Net assets, end of period (000’s)

    $386,369        $310,300        $390,094        $392,777        $478,649        $582,772  

Portfolio turnover rate

    31.38%        44.78%        40.49%        32.23% h        37.85%        48.73%  

 

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

bBased on average daily shares outstanding.

cNet investment income per share includes approximately $0.05 per share related to income received in the form of special dividends in connection with certain Fund holdings. Excluding this amount, the ratio of net investment income to average net assets would have been (0.49)%.

dTotal return does not include fees, charges or expenses imposed by the variable annuity and life insurance contracts for which Franklin Templeton Variable Insurance Products Trust serves as an underlying investment vehicle. Total 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%.

gBenefit of waiver and payments by affiliates rounds to less than 0.01%.

hExcludes the value of portfolio securities delivered as a result of a redemption in-kind.

 

     
  The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.    |   Semiannual Report                 FSC-7  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

 

Franklin Small-Mid Cap Growth VIP Fund (continued)

   

Six Months Ended
June 30, 2019

(unaudited)

     Year Ended December 31,  
      2018      2017      2016      2015      2014  

Class 4

                
Per share operating performance
(for a share outstanding throughout the period)
                

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $15.81        $18.47        $16.81        $18.23        $24.14        $27.72  
       
Income from investment operationsa:                 

Net investment income (loss)b

    (0.05      (0.11      (0.10      (0.09      (0.07 )c        (0.16

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)

    4.21        (0.63      3.52        0.73        (0.01      1.98  
       

Total from investment operations

    4.16        (0.74      3.42        0.64        (0.08      1.82  
       
Less distributions from:                 

Net realized gains

    (2.57      (1.92      (1.76      (2.06      (5.83      (5.40
       

Net asset value, end of period

    $17.40        $15.81        $18.47        $16.81        $18.23        $24.14  
       

Total returnd

    26.61%        (5.46)%        21.30%        4.04%        (2.77)%        7.39%  
Ratios to average net assetse                 

Expenses before waiver and payments by affiliates

    1.19%        1.21%        1.20%        1.19%        1.16%        1.15%  

Expenses net of waiver and payments by affiliates

    1.18% f        1.20% f        1.19% f        1.17% f        1.16% g        1.15% g  

Net investment income (loss)

    (0.52)%        (0.59)%        (0.59)%        (0.51)%        (0.34)% c       (0.64)%  
Supplemental data                 

Net assets, end of period (000’s)

    $17,322        $13,759        $15,829        $13,825        $15,105        $16,384  

Portfolio turnover rate

    31.38%        44.78%        40.49%        32.23% h       37.85%        48.73%  

 

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

bBased on average daily shares outstanding.

cNet investment income per share includes approximately $0.05 per share related to income received in the form of special dividends in connection with certain Fund holdings. Excluding this amount, the ratio of net investment income to average net assets would have been (0.59)%.

dTotal return does not include fees, charges or expenses imposed by the variable annuity and life insurance contracts for which Franklin Templeton Variable Insurance Products Trust serves as an underlying investment vehicle. Total 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%.

gBenefit of waiver and payments by affiliates rounds to less than 0.01%.

hExcludes the value of portfolio securities delivered as a result of a redemption in-kind.

 

     
FSC-8        Semiannual Report   |    The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

 

Statement of Investments, June 30, 2019 (unaudited)

Franklin Small-Mid Cap Growth VIP Fund

 

           Shares        Value  
 

Common Stocks 96.3%

       
 

Communication Services 2.1%

       
a  

IAC/InterActiveCorp.

     20,500        $  4,459,365  
a  

Pinterest Inc., A

     85,500          2,327,310  
a  

Spotify Technology SA

     17,000          2,485,740  
         

 

 

 
            9,272,415  
         

 

 

 
 

Consumer Discretionary 16.3%

       
 

Aptiv PLC

     59,777          4,831,775  
a  

Burlington Stores Inc.

     35,500          6,040,325  
a  

Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc.

     2,200          1,612,336  
a  

Dollar Tree Inc.

     28,411          3,051,057  
 

Domino’s Pizza Inc.

     18,800          5,231,664  
a,b,c  

DraftKings Inc.

     733,541          1,930,710  
 

Expedia Group Inc.

     44,000          5,853,320  
a  

Five Below Inc.

     19,000          2,280,380  
a  

Grand Canyon Education Inc.

     47,057          5,506,610  
a  

Levi Strauss & Co., A

     104,000          2,171,520  
 

MGM Resorts International

     126,000          3,599,820  
a  

NVR Inc.

     1,282          4,320,661  
a  

O’Reilly Automotive Inc.

     11,107          4,102,037  
a,d  

Revolve Group Inc.

     10,200          351,900  
 

Tractor Supply Co.

     46,237          5,030,586  
a  

Ulta Beauty Inc.

     10,700          3,711,723  
a  

Under Armour Inc., A

     64,000          1,622,400  
 

Vail Resorts Inc.

     17,000          3,794,060  
 

VF Corp.

     51,500          4,498,525  
 

Wingstop Inc.

     30,500          2,889,875  
         

 

 

 
            72,431,284  
         

 

 

 
 

Consumer Staples 2.5%

       
 

Brown-Forman Corp., B

     58,500          3,242,655  
 

Church & Dwight Co. Inc.

     34,000          2,484,040  
 

Lamb Weston Holdings Inc.

     47,000          2,977,920  
 

McCormick & Co. Inc.

     14,200          2,201,142  
         

 

 

 
            10,905,757  
         

 

 

 
 

Energy 1.1%

       
 

Concho Resources Inc.

     23,000          2,373,140  
 

Diamondback Energy Inc.

     24,000          2,615,280  
         

 

 

 
            4,988,420  
         

 

 

 
 

Financials 7.5%

       
 

Ares Management Corp., A

     80,000          2,093,600  
 

CBOE Global Markets Inc.

     42,000          4,352,460  
 

Chemical Financial Corp.

     50,000          2,055,500  
 

MarketAxess Holdings Inc.

     20,296          6,523,540  
 

MSCI Inc.

     28,000          6,686,120  
 

SEI Investments Co.

     62,000          3,478,200  
a  

SVB Financial Group

     12,878          2,892,270  
 

Tradeweb Markets Inc.

     61,000          2,672,410  

 

     
  Semiannual Report                 FSC-9  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin Small-Mid Cap Growth VIP Fund (continued)

 

           Shares        Value  
  Common Stocks (continued)        
  Financials (continued)        
a  

Western Alliance Bancorp

     61,000        $  2,727,920  
         

 

 

 
            33,482,020  
         

 

 

 
 

Health Care 13.4%

       
a  

ABIOMED Inc.

     20,300          5,287,947  
a  

Align Technology Inc.

     13,000          3,558,100  
a  

Argenx SE, ADR (Netherlands)

     5,000          707,900  
a  

Avantor Inc.

     95,000          1,813,550  
a  

BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc.

     24,308          2,081,980  
a  

DexCom Inc.

     25,288          3,789,154  
a  

GW Pharmaceuticals PLC, ADR (United Kingdom)

     14,000          2,413,460  
a  

HealthEquity Inc.

     46,500          3,041,100  
a  

Heron Therapeutics Inc.

     123,000          2,286,570  
a  

IDEXX Laboratories Inc.

     22,000          6,057,260  
a  

Incyte Corp.

     24,469          2,078,886  
a  

iRhythm Technologies Inc.

     25,500          2,016,540  
a  

Masimo Corp.

     4,500          669,690  
a  

Mettler-Toledo International Inc.

     8,455          7,102,200  
a  

Neurocrine Biosciences Inc.

     20,644          1,742,973  
a  

Penumbra Inc.

     26,748          4,279,680  
a  

Precision BioSciences Inc.

     37,000          490,250  
a  

PTC Therapeutics Inc.

     31,500          1,417,500  
a  

Reata Pharmaceuticals Inc.

     18,894          1,782,649  
a  

Revance Therapeutics Inc.

     70,801          918,289  
a  

Sage Therapeutics Inc.

     7,500          1,373,175  
a  

Sarepta Therapeutics Inc.

     9,000          1,367,550  
a  

Veeva Systems Inc.

     22,500          3,647,475  
         

 

 

 
            59,923,878  
         

 

 

 
 

Industrials 17.5%

       
 

BWX Technologies Inc.

     86,000          4,480,600  
a  

CoStar Group Inc.

     13,535          7,499,202  
 

Fortive Corp.

     81,000          6,603,120  
 

IDEX Corp.

     41,000          7,057,740  
a  

IHS Markit Ltd.

     44,915          2,861,984  
 

L3Harris Technologies Inc.

     30,500          5,768,465  
a,d  

Lyft Inc., A

     34,000          2,234,140  
a  

Mercury Systems Inc.

     30,500          2,145,675  
 

Old Dominion Freight Line Inc.

     27,500          4,104,650  
 

Republic Services Inc.

     51,000          4,418,640  
 

Rockwell Automation Inc.

     34,000          5,570,220  
 

Roper Technologies Inc.

     12,243          4,484,121  
a  

Spirit Airlines Inc.

     22,500          1,073,925  
 

Stanley Black & Decker Inc.

     25,296          3,658,055  
 

TransUnion

     44,000          3,234,440  
a  

Univar Inc.

     137,800          3,037,112  
a  

Upwork Inc.

     150,000          2,412,000  

 

     
FSC-10        Semiannual Report  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin Small-Mid Cap Growth VIP Fund (continued)

 

           Shares        Value  
  Common Stocks (continued)        
 

Industrials (continued)

       
 

Verisk Analytics Inc.

     51,361        $ 7,522,332  
         

 

 

 
            78,166,421  
         

 

 

 
 

Information Technology 32.3%

       
a  

2U Inc.

     74,547          2,805,949  
a  

Advanced Micro Devices Inc.

     82,000          2,490,340  
a  

Adyen NV (Netherlands)

     3,500          2,700,133  
a  

Alteryx Inc.

     9,500          1,036,640  
 

Amphenol Corp., A

     66,000          6,332,040  
a  

Arista Networks Inc.

     13,700          3,556,794  
a  

Atlassian Corp. PLC

     39,500          5,168,180  
a  

Black Knight Inc.

     82,500          4,962,375  
 

Cognex Corp.

     32,996          1,583,148  
a  

Cree Inc.

     19,500          1,095,510  
a  

Crowdstrike Holdings Inc., A

     11,100          758,019  
a  

DocuSign Inc.

     87,000          4,324,770  
a  

Elastic NV

     40,500          3,023,730  
a  

EPAM Systems Inc.

     24,000          4,154,400  
 

Global Payments Inc.

     36,000          5,764,680  
a  

GoDaddy Inc., A

     88,617          6,216,483  
a  

Guidewire Software Inc.

     41,000          4,156,580  
 

KLA-Tencor Corp.

     30,187          3,568,103  
 

Lam Research Corp.

     12,616          2,369,789  
a  

Lattice Semiconductor Corp.

     78,195          1,140,865  
 

Microchip Technology Inc.

     86,127          7,467,211  
 

Monolithic Power Systems

     34,000          4,616,520  
a  

New Relic Inc.

     37,500          3,244,125  
a  

Nutanix Inc., A

     40,000          1,037,600  
a,d  

Pagerduty Inc.

     31,100          1,463,255  
a  

Paylocity Holding Corp.

     29,000          2,720,780  
a  

Pluralsight Inc., A

     88,000          2,668,160  
a  

PTC Inc.

     62,500          5,610,000  
a  

Q2 Holdings Inc.

     48,196          3,680,247  
a  

Semtech Corp.

     4,600          221,030  
a  

Shopify Inc., A (Canada)

     5,300          1,590,795  
a  

Silicon Laboratories Inc.

     37,500          3,877,500  
a,d  

Slack Technologies Inc.

     23,980          899,250  
a  

Square Inc., A

     82,500          5,983,725  
a  

Synopsys Inc.

     36,500          4,697,185  
a  

Trimble Inc.

     66,500          2,999,815  
a  

Twilio Inc., A

     34,500          4,704,075  
a  

ViaSat Inc.

     43,866          3,545,250  
a  

WEX Inc.

     17,500          3,641,750  
a  

Wix.com Ltd. (Israel)

     18,800          2,671,480  
a  

Workday Inc., A

     19,843          4,079,324  
 

Xilinx Inc.

     28,500          3,360,720  

 

     
  Semiannual Report                 FSC-11  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin Small-Mid Cap Growth VIP Fund (continued)

 

         Shares        Value  

 

 
  Common Stocks (continued)        
    Information Technology (continued)                
a  

Zscaler Inc.

     28,000        $ 2,145,920  
         

 

 

 
            144,134,245  
         

 

 

 
 

Materials 1.7%

       
a  

Ingevity Corp.

     40,341          4,242,663  
 

Martin Marietta Materials Inc.

     15,000          3,451,650  
         

 

 

 
            7,694,313  
         

 

 

 
 

Real Estate 1.9%

       
a  

SBA Communications Corp., A

     38,057          8,556,736  
         

 

 

 
 

Total Common Stocks (Cost $317,240,492)

          429,555,489  
         

 

 

 
 

Preferred Stocks (Cost $799,998) 0.2%

       
 

Financials 0.2%

       
a,b,c  

Bill.com, pfd., H

     96,296          902,942  
         

 

 

 
 

Total Investments before Short Term Investments (Cost $318,040,490)

          430,458,431  
         

 

 

 
 

Short Term Investments 4.2%

       
 

Money Market Funds (Cost $15,958,950) 3.6%

       
e,f  

Institutional Fiduciary Trust Money Market Portfolio, 2.05%

     15,958,950          15,958,950  
         

 

 

 
g  

Investments from Cash Collateral Received for Loaned Securities 0.6%

       
 

Money Market Funds (Cost $2,916,125) 0.6%

       
e,f  

Institutional Fiduciary Trust Money Market Portfolio, 2.05%

     2,916,125          2,916,125  
         

 

 

 
 

Total Investments (Cost $336,915,565) 100.7%

          449,333,506  
 

Other Assets, less Liabilities (0.7)%

          (3,017,431
         

 

 

 
 

Net Assets 100.0%

        $ 446,316,075  
         

 

 

 

aNon-income producing.

bFair valued using significant unobservable inputs. See Note 9 regarding fair value measurements.

cSee Note 7 regarding restricted securities.

dA portion or all of the security is on loan at June 30, 2019. See Note 1(c).

eSee Note 3(e) regarding investments in affiliated management investment companies.

fThe rate shown is the annualized seven-day effective yield at period end.

gSee Note 1(c) regarding securities on loan.

 

     
FSC-12        Semiannual Report   |    The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

June 30, 2019 (unaudited)

 

    Franklin Small-Mid
Cap Growth
VIP Fund
 

 

 

Assets:

 

Investments in securities:

 

Cost - Unaffiliated issuers

          $ 318,040,490  

Cost - Non-controlled affiliates (Note 3e)

    18,875,075  
 

 

 

 

Value - Unaffiliated issuers+

          $ 430,458,431  

Value - Non-controlled affiliates (Note 3e)

    18,875,075  

Receivables:

 

Capital shares sold

    494,872  

Dividends and interest

    154,740  

Due from custodian

    1,863,720  

Other assets

    278  
 

 

 

 

Total assets

    451,847,116  
 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

Payables:

 

Capital shares redeemed

    182,224  

Management fees

    280,628  

Distribution fees

    168,144  

Trustees’ fees and expenses

    274  

Payable upon return of securities loaned

    4,779,845  

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

    119,926  
 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    5,531,041  
 

 

 

 

Net assets, at value

          $ 446,316,075  
 

 

 

 

Net assets consist of:

 

Paid-in capital

          $ 289,246,959  

Total distributable earnings (loss)

    157,069,116  
 

 

 

 

Net assets, at value

          $ 446,316,075  
 

 

 

 
Class 1:  

Net assets, at value

          $ 42,625,314  
 

 

 

 

Shares outstanding

    2,243,327  
 

 

 

 

Net asset value and maximum offering price per share

    $19.00  
 

 

 

 
Class 2:  

Net assets, at value

          $ 386,369,085  
 

 

 

 

Shares outstanding

    23,184,310  
 

 

 

 

Net asset value and maximum offering price per share

    $16.67  
 

 

 

 
Class 4:  

Net assets, at value

          $ 17,321,676  
 

 

 

 

Shares outstanding

    995,474  
 

 

 

 

Net asset value and maximum offering price per share

    $17.40  
 

 

 

 

 

 

+Includes securities loaned

          $     4,727,537  

 

     
  The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.    |   Semiannual Report                 FSC-13  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Statement of Operations

for the six months ended June 30, 2019 (unaudited)

 

    Franklin Small-Mid
Cap Growth
VIP Fund
 

 

 

Investment income:

 

Dividends: (net of foreign taxes)*

 

Unaffiliated issuers

            $  1,205,566  

Non-controlled affiliates (Note 3e)

    141,303  

Income from securities loaned:

 

Unaffiliated issuers (net of fees and rebates)

    18,364  

Non-controlled affiliates (Note 3e)

    16,954  
 

 

 

 

Total investment income

    1,382,187  
 

 

 

 

Expenses:

 

Management fees (Note 3a)

    1,673,806  

Distribution fees: (Note 3c)

 

Class 2

    454,581  

Class 4

    27,941  

Custodian fees (Note 4)

    1,684  

Reports to shareholders

    66,437  

Professional fees

    22,794  

Trustees’ fees and expenses

    1,515  

Other

    6,611  
 

 

 

 

Total expenses

    2,255,369  

Expense reductions (Note 4)

    (52

Expenses waived/paid by affiliates (Note 3e)

    (26,516
 

 

 

 

Net expenses

    2,228,801  
 

 

 

 

Net investment income (loss)

    (846,614
 

 

 

 

Realized and unrealized gains (losses):

 

Net realized gain (loss) from:

 

Investments:

 

Unaffiliated issuers

    45,965,449  

Foreign currency transactions

    (740
 

 

 

 

Net realized gain (loss)

    45,964,709  
 

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:

 

Investments:

 

Unaffiliated issuers

    49,984,210  
 

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    95,948,919  
 

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

            $95,102,305  
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*Foreign taxes withheld on dividends

    $              25  

 

     
FSC-14        Semiannual Report   |    The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

    Franklin Small-Mid Cap Growth VIP Fund  
     Six Months Ended
June 30, 2019
(unaudited)
     Year Ended
December 31, 2018
 

Increase (decrease) in net assets:

    

Operations:

    

Net investment income (loss)

            $ (846,614              $ (2,030,124

Net realized gain (loss)

    45,964,709        59,101,775  

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

    49,984,210        (74,199,939
 

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

    95,102,305        (17,128,288
 

 

 

 

Distributions to shareholders:

    

Class 1

    (5,113,428      (3,540,738

Class 2

    (51,808,967      (39,501,499

Class 4

    (2,209,122      (1,517,449
 

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

    (59,131,517      (44,559,686
 

 

 

 

Capital share transactions: (Note 2)

    

Class 1

    5,162,668        1,966,782  

Class 2

    45,439,605        (25,664,064

Class 4

    2,165,936        175,962  
 

 

 

 

Total capital share transactions

    52,768,209        (23,521,320
 

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets

    88,738,997        (85,209,294

Net assets:

    

Beginning of period

    357,577,078        442,786,372  
 

 

 

 

End of period

            $ 446,316,075                $ 357,577,078  
 

 

 

 

 

     
  The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.    |   Semiannual Report                 FSC-15  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

 

Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited)

 

Franklin Small-Mid Cap Growth VIP Fund

 

1.  Organization and Significant Accounting Policies

Franklin Templeton Variable Insurance Products Trust (Trust) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (1940 Act) as an open-end management investment company, consisting of eighteen separate funds and applies the specialized accounting and reporting guidance in U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (U.S. GAAP). Franklin Small-Mid Cap Growth VIP Fund (Fund) is included in this report. Shares of the Fund are generally sold only to insurance company separate accounts to fund the benefits of variable life insurance policies or variable annuity contracts. At June 30, 2019, 44.5% of the Fund’s shares were held through one insurance company. Investment activities of these insurance company separate accounts could have a material impact on the Fund. The Fund offers three classes of shares: Class 1, Class 2 and Class 4. Each class of shares may differ by its distribution fees, voting rights on matters affecting a single class and its exchange privilege.

The following summarizes the Fund’s significant accounting policies.

a.  Financial Instrument Valuation

The Fund’s investments in financial instruments are carried at fair value daily. Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. The Fund calculates the net asset value (NAV) per share each business day as of 4 p.m. Eastern time or the regularly scheduled close of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), whichever is earlier. Under compliance policies and procedures approved by the Trust’s Board of Trustees (the Board), the Fund’s administrator has responsibility for oversight of valuation, including leading the cross-functional Valuation Committee (VC). The Fund may utilize independent pricing services, quotations from securities and financial instrument dealers, and other market sources to determine fair value.

Equity securities listed on an exchange or on the NASDAQ National Market System are valued at the last quoted sale price or the official closing price of the day, respectively. Foreign equity securities are valued as of the close of trading on the foreign stock exchange on which the security is primarily traded, or as of 4 p.m. Eastern time. The value is then converted into its U.S. dollar equivalent at the foreign exchange rate in effect at 4 p.m. Eastern time on the day that the value of the security is determined. Over-the-counter

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

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

The Fund has procedures to determine the fair value of financial instruments for which market prices are not reliable or readily available. Under these procedures, the Fund primarily employs a market-based approach which may use related or comparable assets or liabilities, recent transactions, market multiples, book values, and other relevant information for the investment to determine the fair value of the investment. An income-based valuation approach may also be used in which the anticipated future cash flows of the investment are discounted to calculate fair value. Discounts may also be applied due to the nature or duration of any restrictions on the disposition of the investments. Due to the inherent uncertainty of valuations of such investments, the fair values may differ significantly from the values that would have been used had an active market existed.

Trading in securities on foreign securities stock exchanges and OTC markets may be completed before 4 p.m. Eastern time. In addition, trading in certain foreign markets may not take place on every Fund’s business day. Occasionally, events occur between the time at which trading in a foreign security is completed and 4 p.m. Eastern time that might call into question the reliability of the value of a portfolio security held by the Fund. As a result, differences may arise between the value of the Fund’s portfolio securities as determined at the foreign market close and the latest indications of value at 4 p.m. Eastern time. In order to minimize the potential for these differences, 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.

 

 

     
FSC-16            Semiannual Report  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin Small-Mid Cap Growth VIP Fund (continued)

 

When the last day of the reporting period is a non-business day, certain foreign markets may be open on those days that the Fund’s NAV is not calculated, which could result in differences between the value of the Fund’s portfolio securities on the last business day and the last calendar day of the reporting period. Any significant security valuation changes due to an open foreign market are adjusted and reflected by the Fund for financial reporting purposes.

b.  Foreign Currency Translation

Portfolio securities and other assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars based on the exchange rate of such currencies against U.S. dollars on the date of valuation. The Fund may enter into foreign currency exchange contracts to facilitate transactions denominated in a foreign currency. Purchases and sales of securities, income and expense items denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rate in effect on the transaction date. Portfolio securities and assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies contain risks that those currencies will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar. Occasionally, events may impact the availability or reliability of foreign exchange rates used to convert the U.S. dollar equivalent value. If such an event occurs, the foreign exchange rate will be valued at fair value using procedures established and approved by the Board.

The Fund does not separately report the effect of changes in foreign exchange rates from changes in market prices on securities held. Such changes are included in net realized and unrealized gain or loss from investments in the Statement of Operations.

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

c.  Securities Lending

The Fund participates in an agency based securities lending program to earn additional income. The Fund receives cash collateral against the loaned securities in an amount equal to at least 102% of the fair value of the loaned securities. Collateral is maintained over the life of the loan in an amount not less than 100% of the fair value of loaned securities, as determined at the close of Fund business each day; any additional collateral required due to changes in security values is delivered to the Fund on the next business day. The collateral is deposited into a joint cash account with other funds and is used to invest in a money market fund managed by Franklin Advisers, Inc., an affiliate of the Fund. The Fund may receive income from the investment of cash collateral, in addition to lending fees and rebates paid by the borrower. Income from securities loaned, net of fees paid to the securities lending agent and/or third-party vendor, is reported separately in the Statement of Operations. The Fund bears the market risk with respect to the collateral investment, securities loaned, and the risk that the agent may default on its obligations to the Fund. If the borrower defaults on its obligation to return the securities loaned, the Fund has the right to repurchase the securities in the open market using the collateral received. The securities lending agent has agreed to indemnify the Fund in the event of default by a third party borrower.

d.  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 if applicable, 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.

 

 

     
  Semiannual Report                 FSC-17  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin Small-Mid Cap Growth VIP Fund (continued)

 

1.  Organization and Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

d.  Income and Deferred Taxes (continued)

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 June 30, 2019, the Fund has determined that no tax liability is required in its financial statements related to uncertain tax positions for any open tax years (or expected to be taken in future tax years). Open tax years are those that remain subject to examination and are based on the statute of limitations in each jurisdiction in which the Fund invests.

e.  Security Transactions, Investment Income, Expenses and Distributions

Security transactions are accounted for on trade date. Realized gains and losses on security transactions are determined on a specific identification basis. Estimated expenses are accrued daily. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date except for certain dividends from securities where the dividend rate is not available. In such cases, the dividend is recorded as soon as the information is received by the Fund. Distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Distributable earnings are determined according to income tax regulations (tax basis) and may differ from earnings recorded in accordance with U.S. GAAP. These differences may be permanent or temporary. Permanent differences are reclassified among capital accounts to reflect their tax character. These reclassifications have no impact on net assets or the results of operations. Temporary differences are not reclassified, as they may reverse in subsequent periods.

Common expenses incurred by the Trust are allocated among the Funds based on the ratio of net assets of each Fund to the combined net assets of the Trust or based on the ratio of number of shareholders of each Fund to the combined number of shareholders of the Trust. Fund specific expenses are charged directly to the Fund that incurred the expense.

Realized and unrealized gains and losses and net investment income, excluding class specific expenses, are allocated daily to each class of shares based upon the relative proportion of net assets of each class. Differences in per share distributions by class are generally due to differences in class specific expenses.

f.  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.

g.  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.

 

 

     
FSC-18            Semiannual Report  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin Small-Mid Cap Growth VIP Fund (continued)

 

2.  Shares of Beneficial Interest

At June 30, 2019, there were an unlimited number of shares authorized (without par value). Transactions in the Fund’s shares were as follows:

 

     Six Months Ended
June 30, 2019
    Year Ended
December 31, 2018
 
      Shares     Amount     Shares     Amount  
Class 1 Shares:         

Shares sold

     167,375     $ 3,360,009       148,944     $ 2,929,602   

Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

     273,885       5,113,428       179,278       3,540,738   

Shares redeemed

     (164,444     (3,310,769     (231,919     (4,503,558)  
  

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease)

     276,816     $ 5,162,668       96,303     $ 1,966,782  
  

 

 

 
Class 2 Shares:         

Shares sold

     1,402,075     $ 24,991,042       706,305     $ 12,308,866   

Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

     3,162,941       51,808,967       2,236,778       39,501,499   

Shares redeemed

     (1,768,694     (31,360,404     (4,433,380     (77,474,429)  
  

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease)

     2,796,322     $ 45,439,605       (1,490,297   $ (25,664,064)  
  

 

 

 
Class 4 Shares:         

Shares sold

     82,090     $ 1,530,261       136,649     $ 2,474,956   

Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

     129,188       2,209,122       82,695       1,517,449   

Shares redeemed

     (86,166     (1,573,447     (205,969     (3,816,443)  
  

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease)

     125,112     $ 2,165,936       13,375     $ 175,962   
  

 

 

 

3.  Transactions with Affiliates

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

 

Subsidiary    Affiliation

Franklin Advisers, Inc. (Advisers)

   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

 

     
  Semiannual Report                 FSC-19  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin Small-Mid Cap Growth VIP Fund (continued)

 

3. Transactions with Affiliates (continued)

a. Management Fees

The Fund pays an investment management fee to Advisers based on the average daily net assets of the Fund as follows:

 

Annualized Fee Rate    Net Assets

0.800%

  

Up to and including $500 million

0.700%

  

Over $500 million, up to and including $1 billion

0.650%

  

Over $1 billion, up to and including $1.5 billion

0.600%

  

Over $1.5 billion, up to and including $6.5 billion

0.575%

  

Over $6.5 billion, up to and including $11.5 billion

0.550%

  

Over $11.5 billion, up to and including $16.5 billion

0.540%

  

Over $16.5 billion, up to and including $19 billion

0.530%

  

Over $19 billion, up to and including $21.5 billion

0.520%

  

In excess of $21.5 billion

b. Administrative Fees

Under an agreement with Advisers, FT Services provides administrative services to the Fund. The fee is paid by Advisers 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 Class 2 and Class 4 shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. Under the Fund’s 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 0.35% per year of its average daily net assets of each class. The Board has agreed to limit the current rate to 0.25% per year for Class 2. The plan year, for purposes of monitoring compliance with the maximum annual plan rates, is February 1 through January 31.

d. Transfer Agent Fees

Investor Services, under terms of an agreement, performs shareholder servicing for the Fund and is not paid by the Fund for the services.

 

     
FSC-20        Semiannual Report  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin Small-Mid Cap Growth VIP Fund (continued)

 

3. Transactions with Affiliates (continued)

e. 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 Statement of Operations, in an amount not to exceed the management and administrative fees paid directly or indirectly by each affiliate. During the period ended June 30, 2019, the Fund held investments in affiliated management investment companies as follows:

 

      Value at
Beginning
of Period
     Purchases      Sales     Realized
Gain (Loss)
     Net Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
    

Value at

End of

Period

    

Number of

Shares

Held at End

of Period

     Investment
Income
 
Non-Controlled Affiliates

 

                   
                         Dividends  
                      

 

 

 

Institutional Fiduciary Trust Money Market Portfolio, 2.05%

     $12,085,918        $59,649,353        $(55,776,321)       $    —        $    —        $15,958,950        15,958,950        $141,303  
                        

Income from
securities
loaned
 
 
 
                      

 

 

 

Institutional Fiduciary Trust Money Market Portfolio, 2.05%

            23,271,023        (20,354,898                   2,916,125        2,916,125        16,954  
  

 

 

       

 

 

 

Total Affiliated Securities

     $12,085,918        $82,920,376        $(76,131,219)       $    —        $    —        $18,875,075           $158,257  
  

 

 

       

 

 

 

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 June 30, 2019, the custodian fees were reduced as noted in the Statement of Operations.

5. Income Taxes

At June 30, 2019, the cost of investments and net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) for income tax purposes were as follows:

 

Cost of investments

       $ 337,358,579  
  

 

 

 

Unrealized appreciation

       $ 118,994,886  

Unrealized depreciation

     (7,019,959)  
  

 

 

 

Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

       $ 111,974,927  
  

 

 

 

Differences between income and/or capital gains as determined on a book basis and a tax basis are primarily due to differing treatment of wash sales.

6. Investment Transactions

Purchases and sales of investments (excluding short term securities) for the period ended June 30, 2019, aggregated $127,243,150 and $139,600,415, respectively.

 

     
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FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin Small-Mid Cap Growth VIP Fund (continued)

 

6. Investment Transactions (continued)

At June 30, 2019, in connection with securities lending transactions, the Fund loaned equity investments and received $4,779,845 of cash collateral. The gross amount of recognized liability for such transactions is included in payable upon return of securities loaned in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. The agreements can be terminated at any time.

7.  Restricted Securities

The Fund invests in securities that are restricted under the Securities Act of 1933 (1933 Act). Restricted securities are often purchased in private placement transactions, and cannot be sold without prior registration unless the sale is pursuant to an exemption under the 1933 Act. Disposal of these securities may require greater effort and expense, and prompt sale at an acceptable price may be difficult. The Fund may have registration rights for restricted securities. The issuer generally incurs all registration costs.

At June 30, 2019, investments in restricted securities, excluding securities exempt from registration under the 1933 Act deemed to be liquid, were as follows:

 

Shares    Issuer    Acquisition
Date
   Cost      Value  
96,296    Bill.com, pfd., H    12/21/18              $   799,998        $   902,942  
733,541    DraftKings Inc.    8/07/15      2,800,003        1,930,710  
        

 

 

 
  

Total Restricted Securities (Value is 0.6% of Net Assets)

                $3,600,001        $2,833,652  
        

 

 

 

8.  Credit Facility

The Fund, together with other U.S. registered and foreign investment funds (collectively, Borrowers), managed by Franklin Templeton, are borrowers in a joint syndicated senior unsecured credit facility totaling $2 billion (Global Credit Facility) which matures on February 7, 2020. This Global Credit Facility provides a source of funds to the Borrowers for temporary and emergency purposes, including the ability to meet future unanticipated or unusually large redemption requests.

Under the terms of the Global Credit Facility, the Fund shall, in addition to interest charged on any borrowings made by the Fund and other costs incurred by the Fund, pay its share of fees and expenses incurred in connection with the implementation and maintenance of the Global Credit Facility, based upon its relative share of the aggregate net assets of all of the Borrowers, including an annual commitment fee of 0.15% based upon the unused portion of the Global Credit Facility. These fees are reflected in other expenses in the Statement of Operations. During the period ended June 30, 2019, 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.)

 

     
FSC-22        Semiannual Report  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin Small-Mid Cap Growth VIP Fund (continued)

 

 

   

Level 3 – significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of financial instruments)

The input levels are not necessarily an indication of the risk or liquidity associated with financial instruments at that level.

A summary of inputs used as of June 30, 2019, in valuing the Fund’s assets carried at fair value, is as follows:

 

      Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  
Assets:            

Investments in Securities:a

           

Equity Investments:b

           

Consumer Discretionary

   $       70,500,574      $      $ 1,930,710      $       72,431,284  

Financials

     33,482,020               902,942        34,384,962  

All Other Equity Investments

     323,642,185                      323,642,185  

Short Term Investments

     18,875,075                      18,875,075  
  

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities

   $     446,499,854      $      $ 2,833,652      $     449,333,506  
  

 

 

 

aFor detailed categories, see the accompanying Statement of Investments.

bIncludes common and preferred stocks.

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 beginning and/or end of the period.

10.  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.

 

     
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Franklin Strategic Income VIP Fund

This semiannual report for Franklin Strategic Income VIP Fund covers the period ended June 30, 2019.

Class 4 Performance Summary as of June 30, 2019

The Fund’s Class 4 Shares posted a +6.74% total return* for the six-month period ended June 30, 2019.

*The Fund has a fee waiver associated with any investment in a Franklin Templeton money fund and/or other Franklin Templeton fund, contractually guaranteed through 4/30/20. Fund investment results reflect the fee waiver; without this reduction, the results would have been lower.

Performance reflects the Fund’s Class 4 operating expenses, but does not include any contract fees, expenses or sales charges. If they had been included, performance would be lower. These charges and deductions, particularly for variable life policies, can have a significant effect on contract values and insurance benefits. See the contract prospectus for a complete description of these expenses, including sales charges.

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.

 

     
  Semiannual Report                 FSI-1  


FRANKLIN STRATEGIC INCOME VIP FUND

 

Fund Goal and Main Investments

The Fund seeks a high level of current income, with capital appreciation over the long term as a secondary goal. Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests primarily to predominantly in U.S. and foreign debt securities, including those in emerging markets.

Fund Risks

All investments involve risks, including possible loss of principal. 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. Changes in the financial strength of a bond issuer or in a bond’s credit rating may affect its value. High yields reflect the higher credit risks associated with certain lower rated securities held in the portfolio. Floating rate loans and high yield corporate bonds are rated below investment grade and are subject to greater risk of default, which could result in loss of principal—a risk that may be heightened in a slowing economy. The risks of foreign securities include currency fluctuations and political uncertainty. Investments in developing markets involve heightened risks related to the same factors, in addition to those associated with their relatively small size and lesser liquidity. Investing in derivative securities and the use of foreign currency techniques involve special risks as such may not achieve the anticipated benefits and/or may result in losses to the Fund. 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.

Performance Overview

You can find the Fund’s six-month total return in the Performance Summary. For comparison, the Fund’s benchmark, the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Index, posted a +6.11% total return for the period under review.1 The Fund’s peers, as measured by the Lipper Multi-Sector Income Funds Classification Average, posted a +6.96% return.2

Economic and Market Overview

The U.S. economy grew during the six months ended June 30, 2019. After moderating for two consecutive quarters, the economy grew significantly faster in 2019’s first quarter, driven by growth in consumer spending, inventory investment, exports, business investment, and state and local government spending. However, the economy moderated again in the second quarter, due to weakness in inventory investment, exports, business investment and housing investment. The manufacturing and services sectors expanded during the period. The unemployment rate decreased from 3.9% in December 2018 to 3.7% at period-end.3 The annual inflation rate, as measured by the Consumer Price Index, decreased from 1.9% in December 2018 to 1.6% at period-end.3

The U.S. Federal Reserve (Fed) held its target range for the federal funds rate unchanged, at 2.25%–2.50%, during the reporting period. In March, the Fed mentioned it would end its balance sheet normalization program by the end of September 2019. In June, the Fed indicated increased uncertainties around its views on economic activity and the labor market. With market-based inflation measures remaining low in recent months, the market has interpreted the Fed’s recent statements to mean it will likely cut rates in 2019’s second half to foster continued economic growth while attempting to achieve its inflation objective.

The 10-year Treasury yield, which moves inversely to its price, decreased during the period. The yield rose at some points during 2019’s first quarter amid several better-than-expected U.S. economic reports and optimism about a potential U.S.-China trade deal. However, concerns about political uncertainties in the U.S., slower domestic and global economic growth, and the Fed’s patient approach to its monetary policy decisions weighed on the Treasury yield. Near period-end, the 10-year yield reached multi-year lows and fell below certain short-term yields, due to weaker economic data and escalating U.S. trade tensions with China and Mexico. Overall, the 10-year Treasury yield declined from 2.69% at the beginning of the period to 2.00% at period-end.

 

 

1. Source: Morningstar.

2. Source: Lipper, a Thomson Reuters Company.

One cannot invest directly in an index, and an index is not representative of the Fund’s portfolio. Please see Index Descriptions following the Fund Summaries.

3. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics.

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).

 

     
FSI-2            Semiannual Report  


FRANKLIN STRATEGIC INCOME VIP FUND

 

Investment Strategy

We allocate our investments among the various types of debt available based on our assessment of changing economic, global market, industry and issuer conditions. We use a top-down analysis of macroeconomic trends, combined with a bottom-up fundamental analysis of market sectors, industries and issuers, seeking to take advantage of varying sector reactions to economic events. For example, we may evaluate business cycles, yield curves, country risk, and the relative interest rates among currencies, and values between and within markets. In selecting debt securities, we generally conduct our own analysis of the security’s intrinsic value rather than simply relying on the coupon rate or rating. We may also enter into various transactions involving certain currency-, interest rate- or credit-related derivative instruments.

 

 

What is the yield curve?

 

A yield curve is a line that plots the yield to maturity of bonds having equal credit quality against their maturity dates.

 

Manager’s Discussion

The Fund allocated assets across the broad fixed income markets with an emphasis on spread sectors, both corporate and securitized. Our largest allocation was in corporate credit (inclusive of high-yield and investment-grade corporate credit, senior secured floating-rate bank loans and collateralized loan obligations (CLOs)), with a majority of credit exposure in below investment-grade corporate securities. Over the period we pared exposure to high-yield and investment-grade corporate credit as well as senior secured floating-rate loans, while we increased our CLO exposure. The Fund added to non-agency residential mortgage-backed securities (RMBS) over the period. For our RMBS exposure we preferred to remain allocated to the seasoned credit risk transfer where fundamental and technical forces remained positive. Our foreign-currency exposure was held through a basket of developed-market shorts with major positions in the Australian dollar, Canadian dollar, Swedish Krona and South Korean won versus a basket of emerging-market longs with major positions in the Norwegian krone, Indonesian rupiah, Brazilian real, Colombian and Mexican peso.

The Fund’s U.S. dollar yield curve positioning was the most significant contributor to performance. Allocations across corporate credit provided sizable contributions to results over the period, including high yield and investment-grade corporate bonds, senior secured floating-rate bank loans and CLOs. Foreign currency exposure contributed overall to

Portfolio Composition*       
Based on Consolidated Net Assets       
      6/30/19  
High-Yield Corporate Bonds      24.39%  
Floating Rate Loans      16.92%  
Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities      12.34%  
Interest-Rate Derivatives      12.21%  
International Government & Agency Bonds      11.13%  
Investment-Grade Corporate Bonds      10.80%  
Collateralized Loan Obligations      10.46%  
Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities      9.58%  
Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities      2.63%  
U.S. Treasury Securities      2.61%  
Municipal Bonds      2.46%  
Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities      1.81%  
Asset-Backed Securities      1.69%  
Other      0.33%  
Covered Bonds      0.12%  
Short-Term Investments & Other Net Assets      -1.54%  

*Notional exposure figures are intended to estimate the portfolio’s exposure, including any hedged or increased exposure through certain derivatives held in the portfolio (or their underlying reference assets). Portfolio breakdown percentages may not total 100% and may be negative due to rounding, use of any derivatives, unsettled trades or other factors. Interest-rate derivatives sector consists of Treasury, interest rate and other derivatives that are primarily used for duration management.

returns with performance gains mainly from our Mexican peso and Norwegian krone exposures, which more than offset negative returns from short Swedish krona and Canadian dollar positions. In contrast, the Fund’s exposure to fixed-rate agency MBS and non-dollar emerging market securities detracted from performance.

The Fund utilized derivatives, including credit default swaps, currency forwards and government bond futures, primarily as a tool for efficient portfolio management and to manage overall portfolio risk. These derivative transactions may provide the same, or similar, net long or short exposure to select currencies, interest rates, countries, duration or credit risks compared to holding securities.

 

 

What is a currency forward?

 

A currency forward is a direct 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.

 

 

 

     
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FRANKLIN STRATEGIC INCOME VIP FUND

 

 

 

What is a credit derivative?

 

A credit derivative is a contract agreement between the Fund and a counterparty that is principally used by the Fund to gain or increase exposure to certain financial assets and/or to hedge against credit risk

 

 

 

What is meant by “hedge”?

 

To hedge an investment is to take a position intended to offset potential losses/gains that may be incurred by a companion financial instrument.

 

Thank you for your participation in Franklin Strategic Income VIP Fund. We look forward to serving your future investment needs.

 

 

The foregoing information reflects our analysis, opinions and portfolio holdings as of June 30, 2019, 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.

 

 

     
FSI-4            Semiannual Report  


FRANKLIN STRATEGIC INCOME VIP FUND

 

Class 4 Fund Expenses

As an investor in a variable insurance contract (Contract) that indirectly provides for investment in an underlying mutual fund, you can incur transaction and/or ongoing expenses at both the Fund level and the Contract Level: (1) transaction expenses can include sales charges (loads) on purchases, surrender fees, transfer fees and premium taxes; and (2) ongoing expenses can include management fees, distribution and service (12b-1) fees, contract fees, annual maintenance fees, mortality and expense risk fees and other fees and expenses. All mutual funds and Contracts have some types of ongoing expenses. The table below shows Fund-level ongoing expenses and can help you understand these costs and compare them with those of other mutual funds offered through the Contract. The table assumes a $1,000 investment held for the six months indicated. Please refer to the Fund prospectus for additional information on operating expenses.

Actual Fund Expenses

The table below provides information about the actual account values and actual expenses in the columns under the heading “Actual.” In these columns the Fund’s actual return, which includes the effect of ongoing Fund expenses but does not include the effect of ongoing Contract expenses, is used to calculate the “Ending Account Value.” You can estimate the Fund-level expenses you paid during the period by following these steps (of course, your account value and expenses will differ from those in this illustration): Divide your account value by $1,000 (if your account had an $8,600 value, then $8,600 ÷ $1,000 = 8.6). Then multiply the result by the number under the headings “Actual” and “Fund-Level Expenses Paid During Period” (if Fund-Level Expenses Paid During Period were $7.50, then 8.6 x $7.50 = $64.50). In this illustration, the estimated expenses paid this period at the Fund level are $64.50.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison with Other Mutual Funds

Under the heading “Hypothetical” in the table, information is provided about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. This information may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period, but it can help you compare ongoing costs of investing in the Fund with those of other mutual funds offered through the Contract. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds offered through the Contract.

Please note that expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight ongoing costs at the Fund level only and do not reflect any ongoing expenses at the Contract level, or transaction expenses at either the Fund or Contract levels. In addition, while the Fund does not have transaction expenses, if the transaction and ongoing expenses at the Contract level were included, the expenses shown below would be higher. You should consult your Contract prospectus or disclosure document for more information.

 

              

Actual

(actual return after expenses)

        Hypothetical
(5% annual return before expenses)
         

  Share

  Class

   Beginning
Account
Value 1/1/19
        Ending
Account
Value 6/30/19
   Fund-Level
Expenses
Paid During
Period
1/1/19–6/30/191, 2
        Ending
Account
Value 6/30/19
   Fund-Level
Expenses
Paid During
Period
1/1/19–6/30/191, 2
        Net
Annualized
Expense
Ratio2

Class 4

   $1,000       $1,067.40    $5.23       $1,019.74    $5.11       1.02%

1. Expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio for the six-month period as indicated above—in the far right column—multiplied by the simple average account value over the period indicated, and then multiplied by 181/365 to reflect the one-half year period.

2. Reflects expenses after fee waivers and expense reimbursements. Does not include any ongoing expenses of the Contract for which the Fund is an investment option or acquired fund fees and expenses.

 

     
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FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

 

Consolidated Financial Highlights

Franklin Strategic Income VIP Fund

   

Six Months Ended
June 30, 2019

(unaudited)

     Year Ended December 31,  
      2018      2017      2016      2015      2014  

 

Class 1

                
Per share operating performance
(for a share outstanding throughout the period)
                

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $10.65        $11.15        $11.01        $10.55        $11.90        $12.64  
       
Income from investment operationsa:                 

Net investment incomeb

    0.24        0.47        0.45        0.48        0.53        0.54  

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)

    0.49        (0.65      0.04        0.37        (0.91      (0.25
       

Total from investment operations

    0.73        (0.18      0.49        0.85        (0.38      0.29  
       
Less distributions from:                 

Net investment income and net foreign currency gains

    (0.60      (0.32      (0.35      (0.39      (0.77      (0.78

Net realized gains

                                (0.20      (0.25
       

Total distributions

    (0.60      (0.32      (0.35      (0.39      (0.97      (1.03
       

Net asset value, end of period

    $10.78        $10.65        $11.15        $11.01        $10.55        $11.90  
       

Total returnc

    6.92%        (1.65)%        4.46%        8.25%        (3.62)%        2.12%  
Ratios to average net assetsd                 

Expenses before waiver and payments by affiliates

    0.70%        0.67%        0.68%        0.67%        0.63%        0.63%  

Expenses net of waiver and payments by affiliatese

    0.67%        0.63%        0.63%        0.60%        0.62%        0.62%  

Net investment income

    4.33%        4.28%        4.00%        4.42%        4.71%        4.34%  
Supplemental data                 

Net assets, end of period (000’s)

    $302,061        $302,610        $361,465        $396,170        $441,658        $574,850  

Portfolio turnover rate

    66.30% f       107.90% g       108.73%        128.51%        85.85%        55.64%  

Portfolio turnover rate excluding mortgage dollar rollsh

    37.89% f        40.38% g        48.11%        77.93%        51.47%        48.86%  

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

bBased on average daily shares outstanding.

cTotal return does not include fees, charges or expenses imposed by the variable annuity and life insurance contracts for which Franklin Templeton Variable Insurance Products Trust serves as an underlying investment vehicle. Total return is not annualized for periods less than one year.

dRatios are annualized for periods less than one year.

eBenefit of expense reduction rounds to less than 0.01%.

fExcludes the value of portfolio activity as a result of in-kind transactions. See Note 6.

gExcludes the value of portfolio securities delivered as a result of a redemption in-kind. See Note 11.

hSee Note 1(h) regarding mortgage dollar rolls.

 

     
FSI-6            Semiannual Report   |    The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

 

Franklin Strategic Income VIP Fund (continued)

   

Six Months Ended
June 30, 2019

(unaudited)

     Year Ended December 31,  
      2018      2017      2016      2015      2014  

 

Class 2

                
Per share operating performance
(for a share outstanding throughout the period)
                

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $10.28        $10.76        $10.64        $10.21        $11.55        $12.30  
       
Income from investment operationsa:                 

Net investment incomeb

    0.22        0.42        0.40        0.43        0.49        0.49  

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)

    0.47        (0.61      0.04        0.36        (0.89      (0.24
       

Total from investment operations

    0.69        (0.19      0.44        0.79        (0.40      0.25  
       
Less distributions from:                 

Net investment income and net foreign currency gains

    (0.55      (0.29      (0.32      (0.36      (0.74      (0.75

Net realized gains

                                (0.20      (0.25
       

Total distributions

    (0.55      (0.29      (0.32      (0.36      (0.94      (1.00
       

Net asset value, end of period

    $10.42        $10.28        $10.76        $10.64        $10.21        $11.55  
       

Total returnc

    6.72%        (1.77)%        4.17%        7.94%        (3.87)%        1.86%  
Ratios to average net assetsd                 

Expenses before waiver and payments by affiliates

    0.95%        0.92%        0.93%        0.92%        0.88%        0.88%  

Expenses net of waiver and payments by affiliatese

    0.92%        0.88%        0.88%        0.85%        0.87%        0.87%  

Net investment income

    4.08%        4.03%        3.75%        4.17%        4.46%        4.09%  
Supplemental data                 

Net assets, end of period (000’s)

    $92,191        $89,264        $214,271        $203,418        $202,192        $206,571  

Portfolio turnover rate

    66.30% f       107.90% g       108.73%        128.51%        85.85%        55.64%  

Portfolio turnover rate excluding mortgage dollar rollsh

    37.89% f       40.38% g        48.11%        77.93%        51.47%        48.86%  

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

bBased on average daily shares outstanding.

cTotal return does not include fees, charges or expenses imposed by the variable annuity and life insurance contracts for which Franklin Templeton Variable Insurance Products Trust serves as an underlying investment vehicle. Total return is not annualized for periods less than one year.

dRatios are annualized for periods less than one year.

eBenefit of expense reduction rounds to less than 0.01%.

fExcludes the value of portfolio activity as a result of in-kind transactions. See Note 6.

gExcludes the value of portfolio securities delivered as a result of a redemption in-kind. See Note 11.

hSee Note 1(h) regarding mortgage dollar rolls.

 

     
  The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.    |   Semiannual Report                 FSI-7  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

 

Franklin Strategic Income VIP Fund (continued)

 

   

Six Months Ended
June 30, 2019

(unaudited)

     Year Ended December 31,  
      2018      2017      2016      2015      2014  

 

Class 4

                
Per share operating performance
(for a share outstanding throughout the period)
                

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $10.56        $11.04        $10.90        $10.44        $11.78        $12.51  
       
Income from investment operationsa:                 

Net investment incomeb

    0.22        0.43        0.40        0.43        0.49        0.49  

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)

    0.49        (0.64      0.04        0.38        (0.91      (0.25
       

Total from investment operations

    0.71        (0.21      0.44        0.81        (0.42      0.24  
       
Less distributions from:                 

Net investment income and net foreign currency gains

    (0.56      (0.27      (0.30      (0.35      (0.72      (0.72

Net realized gains

                                (0.20      (0.25
       

Total distributions

    (0.56      (0.27      (0.30      (0.35      (0.92      (0.97
       

Net asset value, end of period

    $10.71        $10.56        $11.04        $10.90        $10.44        $11.78  
       

Total returnc

    6.74%        (1.88)%        4.08%        7.86%        (3.98)%        1.75%  
Ratios to average net assetsd                 

Expenses before waiver and payments by affiliates

    1.05%        1.02%        1.03%        1.02%        0.98%        0.98%  

Expenses net of waiver and payments by affiliatese

    1.02%        0.98%        0.98%        0.95%        0.97%        0.97%  

Net investment income

    3.98%        3.93%        3.65%        4.07%        4.36%        3.99%  
Supplemental data                 

Net assets, end of period (000’s)

    $59,274        $60,763        $74,013        $80,175        $92,965        $113,986  

Portfolio turnover rate

    66.30% f       107.90% g       108.73%        128.51%        85.85%        55.64%  

Portfolio turnover rate excluding mortgage dollar rollsh

    37.89% f       40.38% g       48.11%        77.93%        51.47%        48.86%  

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

bBased on average daily shares outstanding.

cTotal return does not include fees, charges or expenses imposed by the variable annuity and life insurance contracts for which Franklin Templeton Variable Insurance Products Trust serves as an underlying investment vehicle. Total return is not annualized for periods less than one year.

dRatios are annualized for periods less than one year.

eBenefit of expense reduction rounds to less than 0.01%.

fExcludes the value of portfolio activitiy as a result of in-kind transactions. See Note 6.

gExcludes the value of portfolio securities delivered as a result of a redemption in-kind. See Note 11.

hSee Note 1(h) regarding mortgage dollar rolls.

 

     
FSI-8            Semiannual Report   |    The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

 

Consolidated Statement of Investments, June 30, 2019 (unaudited)

Franklin Strategic Income VIP Fund

           Country      Shares/
Warrants
     Value  
 

Common Stocks and Other Equity Interests 0.3%

        
 

Commercial & Professional Services 0.0%

        
a  

Remington Outdoor Co. Inc.

     United States        74,576      $ 111,864  
          

 

 

 
 

Consumer Services 0.0%

        
a,b,c  

Turtle Bay Resort

     United States        1,901,449        41,832  
          

 

 

 
 

Energy 0.1%

        
a  

Birch Permian Holdings Inc.

     United States        39,385        438,158  
a  

Halcon Resources Corp.

     United States        78,920        13,953  
a  

Halcon Resources Corp., wts., 9/09/20

     United States        6,591        53  
a  

Midstates Petroleum Co. Inc.

     United States        415        2,444  
a,c  

Midstates Petroleum Co. Inc., wts., 4/21/20

     United States        4,005        9  
a  

Riviera Resources Inc.

     United States        6,922        87,910  
a  

Roan Resources Inc.

     United States        6,922        12,044  
          

 

 

 
             554,571  
          

 

 

 
 

Materials 0.1%

        
a,c,d  

Appvion Operations Inc.

     United States        18,684        287,369  
a  

Verso Corp., A

     United States        5,620        107,061  
a  

Verso Corp., wts., 7/25/23

     United States        592        2,368  
          

 

 

 
             396,798  
          

 

 

 
 

Media & Entertainment 0.1%

        
a  

Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings Inc.

     United States        20,804        98,195  
a,c,d  

iHeartMedia Inc., A

     United States        8,384        121,696  
a,c,d  

iHeartMedia Inc., B

     United States        142        2,061  
          

 

 

 
             221,952  
          

 

 

 
 

Retailing 0.0%

        
a,c,d  

K2016470219 South Africa Ltd., A

     South Africa        14,792,309        10,500  
a,c,d  

K2016470219 South Africa Ltd., B

     South Africa        1,472,041        1,045  
          

 

 

 
             11,545  
          

 

 

 
 

Total Common Stocks and Other Equity Interests (Cost $6,779,510)

           1,338,562  
          

 

 

 
 

Management Investment Companies (Cost $13,450,545) 2.6%

        
 

Diversified Financials 2.6%

        
e  

Franklin Floating Rate Income Fund

     United States        1,358,951        11,727,751  
          

 

 

 
                Principal  
Amount*
        
 

Corporate Bonds 35.4%

        
 

Automobiles & Components 0.2%

        
 

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV, senior note, 5.25%, 4/15/23

     United Kingdom        970,000        1,025,324  
          

 

 

 
 

Banks 3.4%

        
f  

Akbank T.A.S., senior note, 144A, 5.125%, 3/31/25

     Turkey        800,000        739,744  
 

Bank of America Corp.,

        
 

senior bond, 3.248%, 10/21/27

     United States        647,000        663,171  
 

senior note, 3.50%, 4/19/26

     United States        2,480,000        2,598,197  

 

     
         Semiannual Report                 FSI-9  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin Strategic Income VIP Fund (continued)

 

           Country     

Principal  

Amount*

             Value  
 

Corporate Bonds (continued)

           
 

Banks (continued)

           
 

CIT Group Inc., senior bond, 5.00%, 8/15/22

     United States        809,000         $ 857,540  
 

Citigroup Inc.,

           
 

senior note, 3.30%, 4/27/25

     United States        243,000           251,476  
 

senior note, 3.40%, 5/01/26

     United States        1,106,000           1,145,474  
 

senior note, 3.20%, 10/21/26

     United States        2,425,000           2,476,494  
 

sub. bond, 5.50%, 9/13/25

     United States        405,000           458,831  
 

sub. note, 4.05%, 7/30/22

     United States        243,000           253,561  
f  

Intesa Sanpaolo SpA, senior note, 144A, 6.50%, 2/24/21

     Italy        200,000           210,269  
 

JPMorgan Chase & Co.,

           
 

g  junior sub. bond, R, 6.00% to 8/01/23, FRN thereafter, Perpetual

     United States        213,000           224,069  
 

senior bond, 3.20%, 6/15/26

     United States        1,213,000           1,248,869  
 

sub. note, 3.375%, 5/01/23

     United States        809,000           832,031  
 

sub. note, 3.875%, 9/10/24

     United States        809,000           850,679  
h  

Turkiye Vakiflar Bankasi TAO, secured note, Reg S, 2.375%, 11/04/22

     Turkey        500,000        EUR        563,812  
 

Wells Fargo & Co., senior note, 3.00%, 4/22/26

     United States        2,021,000           2,045,409  
             

 

 

 
                15,419,626  
             

 

 

 
 

Capital Goods 1.3%

           
f  

Beacon Roofing Supply Inc., senior note, 144A, 4.875%, 11/01/25

     United States        1,294,000           1,285,912  
 

CNH Industrial NV, senior bond, 3.85%, 11/15/27

     United Kingdom        566,000           569,206  
f,i  

Herc Holdings Inc., senior note, 144A, 5.50%, 7/15/27

     United States        500,000           504,375  
 

Legrand France SA, senior bond, 8.50%, 2/15/25

     France        100,000           129,927  
j  

Onsite Rental Group Operations Pty. Ltd., secured note, PIK, 6.10%, 10/26/23

     Australia        262,519           203,452  
 

Tennant Co., senior note, 5.625%, 5/01/25

     United States        809,000           839,338  
f  

Terex Corp., senior note, 144A, 5.625%, 2/01/25

     United States        1,617,000           1,639,234  
f  

Vertiv Group Corp., senior note, 144A, 9.25%, 10/15/24

     United States        994,000           956,725  
             

 

 

 
                6,128,169  
             

 

 

 
 

Commercial & Professional Services 0.7%

           
 

United Rentals North America Inc., senior bond, 5.875%, 9/15/26

     United States        1,294,000           1,382,962  
f  

West Corp., senior note, 144A, 8.50%, 10/15/25

     United States        1,821,000           1,602,480  
             

 

 

 
                2,985,442  
             

 

 

 
 

Consumer Durables & Apparel 0.9%

           
f  

Hanesbrands Inc., senior bond, 144A, 4.875%, 5/15/26

     United States        1,682,000           1,753,300  
 

KB Home, senior note, 7.00%, 12/15/21

     United States        970,000           1,044,690  
 

PulteGroup Inc., senior bond, 5.00%, 1/15/27

     United States        309,000           325,163  
 

Toll Brothers Finance Corp., senior bond, 5.625%, 1/15/24

     United States        889,000           959,009  
             

 

 

 
                4,082,162  
             

 

 

 
 

Consumer Services 1.7%

           
f  

1011778 BC ULC/New Red Finance Inc.,

           
 

secured note, second lien, 144A, 5.00%, 10/15/25

     Canada        970,000           979,991  
 

senior secured note, first lien, 144A, 4.25%, 5/15/24

     Canada        728,000           737,038  

 

     
FSI-10            Semiannual Report  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin Strategic Income VIP Fund (continued)

 

           Country     

Principal  

Amount*

     Value  
 

Corporate Bonds (continued)

        
 

Consumer Services (continued)

        
f  

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

     United States        1,132,000      $ 1,168,790  
f  

International Game Technology PLC, senior secured bond, 144A, 6.50%, 2/15/25

     United States        1,051,000        1,154,787  
f  

KFC Holding Co./Pizza Hut Holdings LLC/Taco Bell of America LLC,

        
 

senior note, 144A, 5.00%, 6/01/24

     United States        728,000        753,480  
 

senior note, 144A, 5.25%, 6/01/26

     United States        851,000        894,605  
f  

Stars Group Holdings BV/Stars Group U.S. Co-Borrower LLC, senior note, 144A, 7.00%, 7/15/26.

     Canada        566,000        599,960  
f  

Wynn Las Vegas LLC/Wynn Las Vegas Capital Corp.,

        
 

senior bond, 144A, 5.50%, 3/01/25

     United States        970,000        1,004,241  
 

senior bond, 144A, 5.25%, 5/15/27

     United States        200,000        201,000  
          

 

 

 
             7,493,892  
          

 

 

 
 

Diversified Financials 2.2%

        
 

Capital One Financial Corp., senior note, 3.20%, 2/05/25

     United States        1,617,000        1,649,084  
 

The Goldman Sachs Group Inc.,

        
 

senior note, 3.50%, 1/23/25

     United States        1,725,000        1,784,898  
 

senior note, 3.75%, 2/25/26

     United States        1,213,000        1,266,693  
 

Morgan Stanley,

        
 

senior bond, 3.591% to 7/22/27, FRN thereafter, 7/22/28

     United States        809,000        842,669  
 

senior note, 3.875%, 1/27/26

     United States        2,395,000        2,547,030  
 

Navient Corp., senior note, 7.25%, 9/25/23

     United States        921,000        986,621  
 

Springleaf Finance Corp., senior note, 6.625%, 1/15/28

     United States        1,000,000        1,052,500  
          

 

 

 
             10,129,495  
          

 

 

 
 

Energy 3.5%

        
f  

Aker BP ASA, senior note, 144A, 4.75%, 6/15/24

     Norway        600,000        618,000  
f  

California Resources Corp., secured note, second lien, 144A, 8.00%, 12/15/22

     United States        579,000        439,316  
 

Cheniere Corpus Christi Holdings LLC,

        
 

senior secured note, first lien, 7.00%, 6/30/24

     United States        647,000        745,732  
 

senior secured note, first lien, 5.875%, 3/31/25

     United States        566,000        631,797  
 

Cheniere Energy Partners LP, senior secured note, first lien, 5.25%, 10/01/25

     United States        970,000        1,006,375  
 

CONSOL Energy Inc., senior note, 5.875%, 4/15/22

     United States        1,317,000        1,284,075  
 

Energy Transfer Operating LP,

        
 

senior bond, 4.05%, 3/15/25

     United States        200,000        208,581  
 

senior note, 7.50%, 10/15/20

     United States        1,536,000        1,629,569  
f,j  

EnQuest PLC, senior note, 144A, PIK, 7.00%, 4/15/22

     United Kingdom        1,020,556        832,498  
 

Exxon Mobil Corp., senior note, 2.222%, 3/01/21

     United States        324,000        324,821  
f,k  

Gaz Capital SA, (OJSC Gazprom), loan participation, senior note, 144A, 3.85%, 2/06/20

     Russia        1,213,000        1,220,029  
 

Kinder Morgan Inc.,

        
 

senior bond, 4.30%, 6/01/25

     United States        1,617,000        1,728,433  
 

senior note, 3.15%, 1/15/23

     United States        1,213,000        1,234,318  

 

     
  Semiannual Report                 FSI-11  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin Strategic Income VIP Fund (continued)

 

           Country     

Principal  

Amount*

     Value  
 

Corporate Bonds (continued)

        
 

Energy (continued)

        
 

Martin Midstream Partners LP/Martin Midstream Finance Corp., senior note, 7.25%, 2/15/21

     United States        1,617,000      $ 1,610,855  
 

Oceaneering International Inc., senior note, 4.65%, 11/15/24

     United States        200,000        197,000  
 

Sanchez Energy Corp., senior note, 6.125%, 1/15/23

     United States        243,000        12,150  
 

Sunoco LP/Sunoco Finance Corp., senior note, 4.875%, 1/15/23

     United States        485,000        496,519  
l  

Weatherford International Ltd.,

        
 

senior note, 7.75%, 6/15/21

     United States        647,000        344,528  
 

senior note, 8.25%, 6/15/23

     United States        809,000        426,748  
f  

Woodside Finance Ltd.,

        
 

senior bond, 144A, 3.70%, 3/15/28

     Australia        647,000        647,708  
 

senior note, 144A, 3.70%, 9/15/26

     Australia        405,000        411,394  
          

 

 

 
             16,050,446  
          

 

 

 
 

Food & Staples Retailing 0.8%

        
f  

Aramark Services Inc., senior bond, 144A, 5.00%, 2/01/28

     United States        1,247,000        1,285,969  
 

Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc., senior note, 3.80%, 11/18/24

     United States        2,087,000        2,171,414  
          

 

 

 
             3,457,383  
          

 

 

 
 

Food, Beverage & Tobacco 1.1%

        
 

Bunge Ltd. Finance Corp., senior note, 3.25%, 8/15/26

     United States        200,000        193,445  
f  

Imperial Brands Finance PLC, senior note, 144A, 3.50%, 2/11/23

     United Kingdom        1,698,000        1,729,867  
f  

Lamb Weston Holdings Inc.,

        
 

senior note, 144A, 4.625%, 11/01/24

     United States        485,000        505,006  
 

senior note, 144A, 4.875%, 11/01/26

     United States        1,132,000        1,182,940  
f  

Post Holdings Inc.,

        
 

senior bond, 144A, 5.625%, 1/15/28

     United States        405,000        417,656  
 

senior note, 144A, 5.50%, 3/01/25

     United States        809,000        838,326  
 

Reynolds American Inc., senior note, 4.45%, 6/12/25

     United Kingdom        200,000        212,131  
          

 

 

 
             5,079,371  
          

 

 

 
 

Health Care Equipment & Services 1.6%

        
 

Centene Corp.,

        
 

senior note, 4.75%, 5/15/22

     United States        1,374,000        1,408,350  
 

f senior note, 144A, 5.375%, 6/01/26

     United States        324,000        341,415  
 

CHS/Community Health Systems Inc.,

        
 

senior note, 6.875%, 2/01/22

     United States        183,000        124,440  
 

senior secured note, first lien, 6.25%, 3/31/23

     United States        405,000        391,331  
 

DaVita Inc.,

        
 

senior bond, 5.125%, 7/15/24

     United States        405,000        406,134  
 

senior bond, 5.00%, 5/01/25

     United States        728,000        721,448  
 

senior note, 5.75%, 8/15/22

     United States        309,000        312,863  
 

Edwards Lifesciences Corp., senior note, 4.30%, 6/15/28

     United States        243,000        262,547  
 

HCA Inc., senior bond, 5.875%, 5/01/23

     United States        1,213,000        1,322,024  
f  

MEDNAX Inc., senior note, 144A, 6.25%, 1/15/27

     United States        1,100,000        1,084,875  
f,j  

Polaris Intermediate Corp., senior note, 144A, PIK, 8.50%, 12/01/22

     United States        500,000        443,750  
 

Stryker Corp., senior bond, 3.50%, 3/15/26

     United States        405,000        423,967  
          

 

 

 
             7,243,144  
          

 

 

 

 

     
FSI-12            Semiannual Report  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin Strategic Income VIP Fund (continued)

 

           Country      Principal  
Amount*
     Value  
 

Corporate Bonds (continued)

        
 

Materials 4.9%

        
 

ArcelorMittal, senior note, 6.125%, 6/01/25

     France        243,000      $ 275,349  
f  

Ardagh Packaging Finance PLC/Ardagh MP Holdings USA Inc., senior note, 144A, 6.00%, 2/15/25

     Luxembourg        900,000        934,875  
f  

BWAY Holding Co., senior note, 144A, 7.25%, 4/15/25

     United States        1,278,000        1,236,465  
f  

Cemex Finance LLC, senior secured note, first lien, 144A, 6.00%, 4/01/24

     Mexico        500,000        515,907  
f  

Cemex SAB de CV, senior secured bond, first lien, 144A, 5.70%, 1/11/25

     Mexico        1,213,000        1,259,961  
 

Crown Americas LLC/Crown Americas Capital Corp. VI, senior note, 4.75%, 2/01/26

     United States        566,000        582,980  
f  

First Quantum Minerals Ltd., senior note, 144A, 7.25%, 4/01/23

     Zambia        1,294,000        1,264,885  
f  

FMG Resources (August 2006) Pty. Ltd.,

        
 

senior note, 144A, 5.125%, 3/15/23

     Australia        324,000        335,745  
 

senior note, 144A, 5.125%, 5/15/24

     Australia        647,000        673,488  
 

Freeport-McMoRan Inc., senior note, 4.55%, 11/14/24

     United States        1,217,000        1,247,121  
f  

Glencore Funding LLC,

        
 

senior note, 144A, 4.125%, 5/30/23

     Switzerland        485,000        504,585  
 

senior note, 144A, 4.625%, 4/29/24

     Switzerland        250,000        264,505  
f  

INVISTA Finance LLC, senior secured note, 144A, 4.25%, 10/15/19

     United States        1,536,000        1,552,444  
 

LYB International Finance BV, senior note, 4.00%, 7/15/23

     United States        1,698,000        1,789,633  
f  

New Gold Inc., senior note, 144A, 6.375%, 5/15/25

     Canada        566,000        472,610  
f  

Northwest Acquisitions ULC/Dominion Finco Inc., secured note, second lien, 144A, 7.125%, 11/01/22

     Canada        324,000        224,370  
f  

Novelis Corp., senior bond, 144A, 5.875%, 9/30/26

     United States        1,359,000        1,379,385  
f  

Owens-Brockway Glass Container Inc.,

        
 

senior note, 144A, 5.00%, 1/15/22

     United States        1,132,000        1,164,545  
 

senior note, 144A, 5.875%, 8/15/23

     United States        566,000        612,582  
 

Reynolds Group Issuer Inc./Reynolds Group Issuer LLC/Reynolds Group Issuer Luxembourg SA,

        
 

f senior note, 144A, 7.00%, 7/15/24

     United States        105,000        108,769  
 

senior secured note, first lien, 5.75%, 10/15/20

     United States        548,375        550,432  
 

f senior secured note, first lien, 144A, 5.125%, 7/15/23

     United States        566,000        578,027  
f  

SABIC Capital II BV, senior note, 144A, 4.50%, 10/10/28

     Saudi Arabia        600,000        643,809  
f  

Sealed Air Corp.,

        
 

senior bond, 144A, 5.125%, 12/01/24

     United States        809,000        853,495  
 

senior bond, 144A, 5.50%, 9/15/25

     United States        124,000        132,370  
 

senior note, 144A, 4.875%, 12/01/22

     United States        485,000        510,463  
 

Steel Dynamics Inc.,

        
 

senior bond, 5.50%, 10/01/24

     United States        809,000        840,349  
 

senior note, 5.125%, 10/01/21

     United States        609,000        616,107  
f  

SunCoke Energy Partners LP/SunCoke Energy Partners Finance Corp., senior note, 144A, 7.50%, 6/15/25

     United States        1,100,000        1,078,000  
          

 

 

 
             22,203,256  
          

 

 

 

 

     
  Semiannual Report                 FSI-13  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin Strategic Income VIP Fund (continued)

 

           Country      Principal  
Amount*
             Value  
 

Corporate Bonds (continued)

           
 

Media & Entertainment 3.0%

           
f  

Altice Financing SA, secured bond, 144A, 7.50%, 5/15/26

     Luxembourg        200,000         $ 201,500  
 

CCO Holdings LLC/CCO Holdings Capital Corp.,

           
 

senior bond, 5.25%, 9/30/22

     United States        889,000           904,091  
 

f senior bond, 144A, 5.375%, 5/01/25

     United States        728,000           754,390  
 

Clear Channel Worldwide Holdings Inc.,

           
 

senior note, 6.50%, 11/15/22

     United States        809,000           827,202  
 

f senior sub. note, 144A, 9.25%, 2/15/24

     United States        300,000           326,250  
f  

CSC Holdings LLC, senior secured note, first lien, 144A, 5.50%, 5/15/26

     United States        1,378,000           1,448,554  
 

DISH DBS Corp.,

           
 

senior bond, 6.75%, 6/01/21

     United States        405,000           426,262  
 

senior note, 5.875%, 11/15/24

     United States        970,000           921,500  
 

iHeartCommunications Inc.,

           
 

8.375%, 5/01/27

     United States        87,378           91,967  
 

secured note, 6.375%, 5/01/26

     United States        48,209           51,403  
 

Netflix Inc., senior bond, 5.875%, 2/15/25

     United States        1,400,000           1,547,000  
f  

Nexstar Broadcasting Inc., senior note, 144A, 5.625%, 8/01/24

     United States        1,417,000           1,471,498  
f  

Sirius XM Radio Inc.,

           
 

senior bond, 144A, 6.00%, 7/15/24

     United States        389,000           401,253  
 

senior bond, 144A, 5.375%, 4/15/25

     United States        647,000           669,645  
 

Tegna Inc.,

           
 

f senior bond, 144A, 5.50%, 9/15/24

     United States        405,000           417,150  
 

senior note, 5.125%, 7/15/20

     United States        205,000           205,769  
f  

Unitymedia KabelBW GmbH, senior bond, 144A, 6.125%, 1/15/25

     Germany        1,174,000           1,229,765  
f  

Univision Communications Inc., senior secured note, first lien, 144A, 5.125%, 2/15/25

     United States        1,621,000           1,548,055  
             

 

 

 
                13,443,254  
             

 

 

 
 

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences 1.9%

           
 

Allergan Funding SCS, senior bond, 3.80%, 3/15/25

     United States        1,778,000           1,844,639  
f  

Avantor Inc., senior secured note, first lien, 144A, 6.00%, 10/01/24

     United States        1,417,000           1,511,230  
f  

Bausch Health Cos. Inc.,

           
 

senior bond, 144A, 6.125%, 4/15/25

     United States        243,000           248,468  
 

senior note, 144A, 4.50%, 5/15/23

     United States        400,000        EUR        461,761  
 

senior note, 144A, 8.50%, 1/31/27

     United States        809,000           891,534  
 

senior note, first lien, 144A, 7.00%, 3/15/24

     United States        200,000           213,020  
f  

Bayer U.S. Finance II LLC, senior bond, 144A, 4.375%, 12/15/28

     Germany        889,000           937,454  
f,j  

Eagle Holdings Co. II LLC, senior note, 144A, PIK, 7.625%, 5/15/22

     United States        566,000           570,245  
f  

Endo DAC/Endo Finance LLC/Endo Finco Inc.,

           
 

senior bond, 144A, 6.00%, 2/01/25

     United States        970,000           654,750  
 

senior note, 144A, 6.00%, 7/15/23

     United States        328,000           237,800  
f  

Jaguar Holding Co. II/Pharmaceutical Product Development LLC, senior note, 144A, 6.375%, 8/01/23

     United States        970,000           1,006,375  
             

 

 

 
                8,577,276  
             

 

 

 

 

     
FSI-14        Semiannual Report  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin Strategic Income VIP Fund (continued)

 

           Country      Principal  
Amount*
     Value  
 

Corporate Bonds (continued)

        
 

Real Estate 1.1%

        
 

American Tower Corp., senior bond, 3.375%, 10/15/26

     United States        1,940,000      $ 1,974,400  
 

Equinix Inc.,

        
 

senior bond, 5.375%, 4/01/23

     United States        1,317,000        1,346,632  
 

senior bond, 5.875%, 1/15/26

     United States        100,000        106,125  
 

MPT Operating Partnership LP/MPT Finance Corp.,

        
 

senior bond, 5.25%, 8/01/26

     United States        647,000        676,924  
 

senior bond, 5.00%, 10/15/27

     United States        889,000        917,893  
          

 

 

 
             5,021,974  
          

 

 

 
 

Retailing 0.3%

        
c,d,j  

K2016470219 South Africa Ltd., senior secured note, 144A, PIK, 3.00%, 12/31/22

     South Africa        947,792        1,185  
d,j  

K2016470260 South Africa Ltd., senior secured note, 144A, PIK, 25.00%, 12/31/22

     South Africa        278,546        8,356  
f  

Party City Holdings Inc., senior note, 144A, 6.625%, 8/01/26

     United States        1,085,000        1,055,163  
f  

PetSmart Inc., senior secured note, first lien, 144A, 5.875%, 6/01/25

     United States        209,000        203,775  
          

 

 

 
             1,268,479  
          

 

 

 
 

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment 0.0%

        
 

Maxim Integrated Products Inc., senior note, 3.375%, 3/15/23

     United States        100,000        102,104  
          

 

 

 
 

Software & Services 0.4%

        
 

Fiserv Inc., senior bond, 3.85%, 6/01/25

     United States        485,000        513,466  
f  

Symantec Corp., senior note, 144A, 5.00%, 4/15/25

     United States        1,378,000        1,413,254  
          

 

 

 
             1,926,720  
          

 

 

 
 

Technology Hardware & Equipment 0.4%

        
f  

CommScope Technologies LLC,

        
 

senior bond, 144A, 6.00%, 6/15/25

     United States        324,000        304,560  
 

senior bond, 144A, 5.00%, 3/15/27

     United States        1,374,000        1,202,250  
 

Juniper Networks Inc., senior bond, 5.95%, 3/15/41

     United States        100,000        109,096  
 

Tech Data Corp., senior bond, 4.95%, 2/15/27

     United States        200,000        209,394  
          

 

 

 
             1,825,300  
          

 

 

 
 

Telecommunication Services 1.6%

        
 

AT&T Inc., senior note, 2.95%, 7/15/26

     United States        2,021,000        2,009,224  
f  

Digicel Group Two Ltd., senior note, 144A, 8.25%, 9/30/22

     Bermuda        486,000        122,919  
f  

Digicel Ltd., senior note, 144A, 6.00%, 4/15/21

     Bermuda        1,000,000        750,000  
 

Hughes Satellite Systems Corp., senior bond, 6.625%, 8/01/26

     United States        994,000        1,047,427  
 

Sprint Communications Inc.,

        
 

senior note, 6.00%, 11/15/22

     United States        405,000        423,225  
 

f senior note, 144A, 7.00%, 3/01/20

     United States        647,000        664,793  
 

Sprint Corp., senior bond, 7.875%, 9/15/23

     United States        405,000        441,450  
 

T-Mobile USA Inc.,

        
 

senior bond, 6.50%, 1/15/24

     United States        405,000        420,188  
 

senior bond, 6.375%, 3/01/25

     United States        1,051,000        1,094,091  
 

senior note, 6.00%, 4/15/24

     United States        200,000        209,000  
          

 

 

 
             7,182,317  
          

 

 

 

 

     
  Semiannual Report                 FSI-15  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin Strategic Income VIP Fund (continued)

 

           Country      Principal  
Amount*
     Value  
 

Corporate Bonds (continued)

        
 

Transportation 1.0%

        
f  

DAE Funding LLC, senior note, 144A, 5.00%, 8/01/24

     United Arab Emirates        1,294,000      $ 1,350,612  
f  

Kazakhstan Temir Zholy Finance BV, senior bond, 144A, 6.95%, 7/10/42

     Kazakhstan        1,200,000        1,491,366  
f  

Mexico City Airport Trust, secured bond, 144A, 5.50%, 7/31/47

     Mexico        1,200,000        1,197,564  
h,k  

RZD Capital PLC, (Russian Railways), loan participation, senior bond, Reg S, 5.70%, 4/05/22

     Russia        400,000        422,332  
          

 

 

 
             4,461,874  
          

 

 

 
 

Utilities 3.4%

        
 

Calpine Corp.,

        
 

senior bond, 5.75%, 1/15/25

     United States        970,000        966,362  
 

senior note, 5.375%, 1/15/23

     United States        551,000        558,576  
f  

Clearway Energy Operating LLC, senior note, 144A, 5.75%, 10/15/25

     United States        1,132,000        1,153,225  
 

Dominion Energy Inc., senior bond, 2.85%, 8/15/26

     United States        889,000        882,068  
f,g  

EDF SA, junior sub. note, 144A, 5.25% to 1/29/23, FRN thereafter, Perpetual

     France        2,425,000        2,491,700  
 

Exelon Corp., senior bond, 3.95%, 6/15/25

     United States        1,455,000        1,553,984  
f  

InterGen NV, secured bond, 144A, 7.00%, 6/30/23

     Netherlands        700,000        651,438  
f  

Israel Electric Corp. Ltd., secured bond, 144A, 4.25%, 8/14/28

     Israel        1,000,000        1,044,465  
 

The Southern Co., senior bond, 3.25%, 7/01/26

     United States        2,410,000        2,448,606  
f  

State Grid Overseas Investment 2016 Ltd., senior note, 144A, 3.50%, 5/04/27

     China        1,051,000        1,088,431  
f  

Talen Energy Supply LLC, senior secured note, 144A, 7.25%, 5/15/27

     United States        1,300,000        1,335,750  
f  

Three Gorges Finance I Cayman Islands Ltd., senior note, 144A, 3.15%, 6/02/26

     China        1,051,000        1,056,723  
 

Virginia Electric & Power Co., senior bond, 6.35%, 11/30/37

     United States        85,000        114,004  
          

 

 

 
             15,345,332  
          

 

 

 
 

Total Corporate Bonds (Cost $160,497,780)

           160,452,340  
          

 

 

 
m,n  

Senior Floating Rate Interests 13.0%

        
 

Automobiles & Components 0.8%

        
o,p  

Adient US LLC, Initial Term Loans, TBD, 5/06/24

     United States        1,170,000        1,142,704  
 

Allison Transmission Inc., Initial Term Loans, 4.475%, (2-month USD LIBOR + 2.00%), 3/29/26

     United States        519,785        521,950  
 

Thor Industries Inc., Initial USD Term Loans, 6.25%, (1-month USD LIBOR + 3.75%), 2/01/26

     United States        2,128,113        2,101,495  
          

 

 

 
             3,766,149  
          

 

 

 
 

Capital Goods 0.2%

        
 

Altra Industrial Motion Corp., Term Loan, 4.402%, (1-month USD LIBOR + 2.00%), 10/01/25

     United States        239,214        235,177  
 

Doncasters U.S. Finance LLC, Second Lien Term Loan, 10.58%, (3-month USD LIBOR + 8.25%), 10/09/20

     United States        742,509        222,010  
 

Harsco Corp., Term Loan B-2, 4.688%, (1-month USD LIBOR + 2.25%), 12/10/24

     United States        229,110        229,444  
 

Onsite Rental Group Operations Pty. Ltd., Term Loan, 6.904%, (1-month USD LIBOR + 4.50%), 10/25/22

     Australia        192,010        188,170  
          

 

 

 
             874,801  
          

 

 

 

 

     
FSI-16        Semiannual Report  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin Strategic Income VIP Fund (continued)

 

           Country      Principal  
Amount*
     Value  
m,n  

Senior Floating Rate Interests (continued)

        
 

Commercial & Professional Services 0.0%

        
 

KAR Auction Services Inc., Tranche B-5 Term Loans, 4.875%, (3-month USD LIBOR + 2.50%), 3/09/23

     United States        178,651      $ 178,734  
          

 

 

 
 

Consumer Services 0.7%

        
 

Aristocrat Technologies Inc., Term B-3 Loans, 4.342%, (3-month USD LIBOR + 1.75%), 10/19/24

     United States        838,240        831,953  
 

Avis Budget Car Rental LLC, Tranche B Term Loans, 4.41%, (1-month USD LIBOR + 2.00%), 2/13/25

     United States        1,013,874        1,012,926  
 

Eldorado Resorts Inc., Initial Term Loan, 4.688%, (1-month USD LIBOR + 2.25%), 4/17/24

     United States        345,096        344,734  
 

Las Vegas Sands LLC, Term B Loans, 4.152%, (1-month USD LIBOR + 1.75%), 3/27/25

     United States        839,375        834,511  
          

 

 

 
             3,024,124  
          

 

 

 
 

Diversified Financials 0.4%

        
 

Asurion LLC, Second Lien Replacement B-2 Term Loans, 8.902%, (1-month USD LIBOR + 6.50%), 8/04/25

     United States        35,919        36,499  
o  

Russell Investments U.S. Institutional Holdco Inc., Initial Term Loan, 5.652%, (1-month USD LIBOR + 3.25%), 6/01/23

     United States        1,169,103        1,160,335  
 

Trans Union LLC, 2017 Replacement Term A-2 Loans, 4.152%, (1-month USD LIBOR + 1.75%), 8/09/22

     United States        796,813        795,941  
          

 

 

 
             1,992,775  
          

 

 

 
 

Energy 2.2%

        
 

Fieldwood Energy LLC, Closing Date Loans, 7.652%, (1-month USD LIBOR + 5.25%), 4/11/22

     United States        5,136,631        4,789,909  
 

Foresight Energy LLC, Term Loans, 8.272%, (3-month USD LIBOR + 5.75%), 3/28/22

     United States        1,452,781        1,196,728  
 

Utex Industries Inc.,

        
 

First Lien Initial Term Loan, 6.402%, (1-month USD LIBOR + 4.00%), 5/21/21

     United States        518,399        487,295  
 

Second Lien Initial Term Loan, 9.652%, (1-month USD LIBOR + 7.25%), 5/20/22

     United States        53,878        49,164  
 

Wolverine Fuels Holding LLC,

        
 

First Lien Initial Term Loan, 8.272%, (3-month USD LIBOR + 5.75%), 8/14/20

     United States        1,881,662        1,850,300  
 

Second Lien Initial Term Loan, 13.272%, (3-month USD LIBOR + 10.75%), 2/16/21

     United States        1,571,328        1,491,779  
          

 

 

 
             9,865,175  
          

 

 

 
 

Food & Staples Retailing 0.1%

        
 

Aramark Corp., U.S. Term B-3 Loan, 4.08%, (3-month USD LIBOR + 1.75%), 3/11/25

     United States        359,644        359,080  
          

 

 

 
 

Food, Beverage & Tobacco 0.1%

        
 

CSM Bakery Supplies LLC, Second Lien Term Loan, 10.34%, (3-month USD LIBOR + 7.75%), 7/03/21

     United States        584,249        543,838  
          

 

 

 

 

     
  Semiannual Report                 FSI-17  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin Strategic Income VIP Fund (continued)

 

           Country      Principal  
Amount*
     Value  
m,n  

Senior Floating Rate Interests (continued)

        
 

Health Care Equipment & Services 0.8%

        
 

DaVita Healthcare Partners Inc., Tranche B Term Loan, 5.135%, (1-week USD LIBOR + 2.75%), 6/24/21

     United States        1,102,591      $ 1,103,280  
 

HCA Inc., Term Loan B11, 4.08%, (3-month USD LIBOR + 1.75%), 3/18/23

     United States        486,404        487,113  
 

IQVIA Inc.,

        
 

Term B-2 Dollar Loans, 4.33%, (3-month USD LIBOR + 2.00%), 1/20/25

     United States        1,139,325        1,139,122  
 

Term B-3 Dollar Loans, 4.152%, (1-month USD LIBOR + 1.75%), 6/11/25

     United States        695,054        692,509  
          

 

 

 
             3,422,024  
          

 

 

 
 

Household & Personal Products 0.5%

        
c  

FGI Operating Co. LLC (Freedom Group),

        
 

j  Term Loan, PIK, 12.518%, (3-month USD LIBOR + 10.00%), 5/15/22

     United States        811,426        780,394  
 

Term Loan FILO, 10.018% - 10.022%, (3-month USD LIBOR + 7.50%), 5/15/21

     United States        1,616,351        1,610,309  
          

 

 

 
             2,390,703  
          

 

 

 
 

Materials 1.1%

        
 

Appvion Operations Inc., Term Loan, 8.60%, (3-month USD LIBOR + 6.00%), 6/15/26

     United States        424,833        424,833  
 

Axalta Coating Systems U.S. Holdings Inc., Term B-3 Dollar Loan, 4.08%, (3-month USD LIBOR + 1.75%), 6/01/24

     United States        569,571        563,699  
 

Chemours Co., Tranche B-2 US$ Term Loan, 4.16%, (1-month USD LIBOR + 1.75%), 4/03/25

     United States        1,329,939        1,294,473  
 

Crown Americas LLC, Dollar Term B Loan, 4.401%, (1-month USD LIBOR + 2.00%), 4/03/25

     United States        795,370        800,789  
 

Oxbow Carbon LLC,

        
 

Second Lien Term Loan, 9.902%, (1-month USD LIBOR + 7.50%), 1/04/24

     United States        151,273        151,651  
 

Tranche A Term Loan, 4.902%, (1-month USD LIBOR + 2.50%), 1/04/22

     United States        1,147,500        1,141,763  
 

Tranche B Term Loan, 6.152%, (1-month USD LIBOR + 3.75%), 1/04/23

     United States        518,000        520,590  
          

 

 

 
             4,897,798  
          

 

 

 
 

Media & Entertainment 1.4%

        
 

Charter Communications Operating LLC, Term A-2 Loan, 3.83%, (3-month USD LIBOR + 1.50%), 3/31/23

     United States        868,965        865,489  
 

CSC Holdings LLC, March 2017 Incremental Term Loans, 4.644%, (1-month USD LIBOR + 2.25%), 7/17/25

     United States        1,209,516        1,192,696  
 

Gray Television Inc.,

        
 

Term B-2 Loan, 4.681%, (1-month USD LIBOR + 2.25%), 2/07/24

     United States        843,033        840,549  
 

Term C Loan, 4.931%, (1-month USD LIBOR + 2.50%), 1/02/26

     United States        628,112        628,269  

 

     
FSI-18        Semiannual Report  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin Strategic Income VIP Fund (continued)

 

           Country      Principal  
Amount*
     Value  
m,n  

Senior Floating Rate Interests (continued)

        
 

Media & Entertainment (continued)

        
  iHeartCommunications Inc., Term Loan, 6.579%, (3-month USD LIBOR + 4.00%), 5/04/26      United States        210,913      $ 211,424  
  Lions Gate Capital Holdings LLC, Term A Loan, 4.152%, (1-month USD LIBOR + 1.75%), 3/22/23      Canada        252,699        250,962  
  Live Nation Entertainment Inc., Term B-3 Loans, 4.188%, (1-month USD LIBOR + 1.75%), 10/31/23      United States        571,234        571,056  
  Mediacom Illinois LLC, Tranche N Term Loan, 4.14%, (1-week USD LIBOR + 1.75%), 2/15/24      United States        1,653,773        1,645,491  
          

 

 

 
             6,205,936  
          

 

 

 
    Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences 0.8%  
  Endo Luxembourg Finance Co. I S.A.R.L. and Endo LLC, Initial Term Loans, 6.688%, (1-month USD LIBOR + 4.25%), 4/29/24      United States        2,215,115        2,083,593  
  Valeant Pharmaceuticals International,         
 

First Incremental Term Loan, 5.162%, (1-month USD LIBOR + 2.75%), 11/27/25

     United States        1,406,250        1,399,746  
 

Initial Term Loans, 5.412%, (1-month USD LIBOR + 3.00%), 6/02/25

     United States        285,199        285,377  
          

 

 

 
             3,768,716  
          

 

 

 
    Retailing 1.2%  
j    99 Cents Only Stores,         
 

First Lien Term Loan, PIK, 8.83% - 9.022%, (3-month USD LIBOR + 6.50%), 1/13/22

     United States        154,133        141,931  
 

First Lien Term Loan, PIK, 9.151%, (6-month USD LIBOR + 6.50%), 1/13/22

     United States        187,199        172,379  
  Ascena Retail Group Inc., Tranche B Term Loan, 6.938%, (1-month USD LIBOR + 4.50%), 8/21/22      United States        2,103,259        1,383,765  
  General Nutrition Centers Inc., FILO Term Loan (ABL), 9.41%, (1-month USD LIBOR + 7.00%), 12/31/22      United States        152,644        154,695  
  General Nutrition Centers, Inc.,         
 

Tranche B-2 Term Loans, 11.16%, (1-month USD LIBOR + 8.75%), 3/04/21

     United States        413,269        367,165  
 

Tranche B-2 Term Loans, 11.24%, (2-month USD LIBOR + 8.75%), 3/04/21

     United States        410,443        364,654  
  Harbor Freight Tools USA Inc., Refinancing Loans, 4.902%, (1-month USD LIBOR + 2.50%), 8/19/23      United States        1,963,343        1,916,306  
  Jo-Ann Stores Inc., Initial Loans, 7.592%, (3-month USD LIBOR + 5.00%), 10/23/23      United States        821,178        730,849  
  PETCO Animal Supplies Stores Inc., Second Amendment Term Loans, 5.833%, (3-month USD LIBOR + 3.25%), 1/26/23      United States        106,928        83,404  
o    PetSmart Inc., Amended Loan, 6.67%, (1-month USD LIBOR + 4.25%), 3/11/22      United States        29,780        29,068  
          

 

 

 
             5,344,216  
          

 

 

 
 

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment 0.4%

 

  MKS Instruments Inc.,         
 

Tranche B-4 Term Loan, 4.402%, (1-month USD LIBOR + 2.00%), 4/29/23

     United States        224,811        225,204  
 

Tranche B-5 Term Loans, 4.652%, (1-month USD LIBOR + 2.25%), 2/01/26

     United States        313,475        314,141  

 

     
  Semiannual Report                 FSI-19  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin Strategic Income VIP Fund (continued)

 

           Country      Principal  
Amount*
     Value  
m,n  

Senior Floating Rate Interests (continued)

        
  Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment (continued)

 

 

ON Semiconductor Corp., 2018 New Replacement Term B-3 Loans, 4.152%, (1-month USD LIBOR + 1.75%), 3/31/23

     United States        1,139,956      $ 1,126,736  
          

 

 

 
             1,666,081  
          

 

 

 
 

Software & Services 0.5%

 

o   Carbonite Inc., Initial Term Loan, 6.152%, (1-month USD LIBOR + 3.75%), 3/26/26      United States        94,118        94,490  
  LegalZoom.com Inc., 2018 Term Loans, 6.902%, (1-month USD LIBOR + 4.50%), 11/21/24      United States        184,556        185,244  
o,p    TIBCO Software Inc., First Lien Term Loan, TBD, 6/15/26      United States        1,170,000        1,173,168  
  WEX Inc., Term Loan B, 4.652%, (1-month USD LIBOR + 2.25%), 5/17/26      United States        643,353        642,013  
          

 

 

 
             2,094,915  
          

 

 

 
 

Technology Hardware & Equipment 0.1%

 

  CommScope Inc., Initial Term Loans, 5.652%, (1-month USD LIBOR + 3.25%), 4/04/26      United States        647,567        647,648  
          

 

 

 
 

Telecommunication Services 0.3%

 

  Global Tel*Link Corp.,         
 

o First Lien Term Loan, 6.652%, (1-month USD LIBOR + 4.25%), 11/29/25.

     United States        398,997        386,130  
 

Second Lien Term Loan, 10.652%, (1-month USD LIBOR + 8.25%), 11/29/26

     United States        183,038        178,690  
  Securus Technologies Holdings Inc.,         
 

o Initial Term Loan, 6.83%, (3-month USD LIBOR + 4.50%), 11/01/24

     United States        249,367        232,743  
 

Second Lien Initial Loan, 10.58%, (3-month USD LIBOR + 8.25%), 11/01/25

     United States        597,127        553,338  
          

 

 

 
             1,350,901  
          

 

 

 
 

Transportation 0.8%

 

  Allegiant Travel Co., Class B Term Loans, 7.065%, (3-month USD LIBOR + 4.50%), 2/05/24      United States        232,708        232,999  
  Hertz Corp., Tranche B-1 Term Loan, 5.16%, (1-month USD LIBOR + 2.75%), 6/30/23      United States        1,658,930        1,655,820  
  International Seaways Operating Corp., Initial Term Loans, 8.44%, (1-month USD LIBOR + 6.00%), 6/22/22      United States        722,471        722,471  
  Navios Maritime Midstream Partners LP, Initial Term Loan, 6.89%, (3-month USD LIBOR + 4.50%), 6/18/20      Marshall Islands        1,252,931        1,234,137  
          

 

 

 
             3,845,427  
          

 

 

 
 

Utilities 0.6%

 

  EFS Cogen Holdings I LLC (Linden), Term B Advance, 5.86%, (1-month USD LIBOR + 3.25%), 6/28/23      United States        2,769,083        2,756,622  
          

 

 

 
 

Total Senior Floating Rate Interests (Cost $60,911,718)

           58,995,663  
          

 

 

 

 

     
FSI-20        Semiannual Report  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin Strategic Income VIP Fund (continued)

 

           Country      Principal  
Amount*
             Value  
 

Foreign Government and Agency Securities 5.6%

 

f  

Angolan Government International Bond, senior note, 144A, 8.25%, 5/09/28

     Angola        1,600,000         $ 1,716,064  
h   

Banque Centrale de Tunisie International Bond, senior note, Reg S, 5.625%, 2/17/24

     Tunisia        1,400,000        EUR        1,585,940  
f   

Dominican Republic, senior note, 144A, 8.90%, 2/15/23

     Dominican Republic        56,500,000        DOP        1,115,534  
f   

The Export-Import Bank of India, senior note, 144A, 3.875%, 2/01/28

     India        1,455,000           1,497,288  
 

Government of Colombia,

           
 

senior bond, 9.85%, 6/28/27

     Colombia        4,015,000,000        COP        1,576,903  
 

senior bond, 5.00%, 6/15/45

     Colombia        1,300,000           1,438,541  
f   

Government of Gabon, 144A, 6.375%, 12/12/24

     Gabon        1,700,000           1,686,578  
 

Government of Indonesia,

           
 

senior bond, FR64, 6.125%, 5/15/28

     Indonesia        26,500,000,000        IDR        1,736,028  
 

senior bond, FR70, 8.375%, 3/15/24

     Indonesia        19,648,000,000        IDR        1,474,765  
f   

Government of Iraq, 144A, 5.80%, 1/15/28

     Iraq        1,600,000           1,581,128  
f   

Government of Kazakhstan, senior bond, 144A, 4.875%, 10/14/44

     Kazakhstan        700,000           807,362  
 

Government of Mexico,

           
 

senior bond, M, 6.50%, 6/10/21

     Mexico        293,000q        MXN        1,498,101  
 

senior note, 4.15%, 3/28/27

     Mexico        1,100,000           1,153,350  
 

Government of South Africa, senior bond, 7.00%, 2/28/31

     South Africa        24,100,000        ZAR        1,465,765  
f  

Government of Ukraine,

           
 

144A, 7.75%, 9/01/22

     Ukraine        200,000           212,265  
 

144A, 7.75%, 9/01/23

     Ukraine        369,000           391,574  
 

144A, 7.75%, 9/01/24

     Ukraine        369,000           385,605  
 

a,r 144A, VRI, GDP Linked Security, 5/31/40

     Ukraine        978,000           701,651  
 

senior bond, 144A, 7.375%, 9/25/32

     Ukraine        500,000           491,993  
s   

Government of Uruguay, senior bond, Index Linked, 3.70%, 6/26/37

     Uruguay        44,585,302        UYU        1,260,404  
 

Nota do Tesouro Nacional,

           
 

10.00%, 1/01/21

     Brazil        2,900t        BRL        796,231  
 

10.00%, 1/01/23

     Brazil        2,800t        BRL        801,273  
             

 

 

 
 

Total Foreign Government and Agency Securities
(Cost $24,485,743)

              25,374,343  
             

 

 

 
 

U.S. Government and Agency Securities 5.2%

 

 

U.S. Treasury Bond,

           
 

7.875%, 2/15/21

     United States        728,000           798,155  
 

6.50%, 11/15/26

     United States        1,940,000           2,552,237  
 

3.875%, 8/15/40

     United States        2,800,000           3,495,078  
 

3.00%, 11/15/45

     United States        2,041,000           2,231,427  
 

U.S. Treasury Note,

           
 

2.75%, 2/15/24

     United States        809,000           844,552  
 

3.125%, 11/15/28

     United States        1,700,000           1,863,891  
 

s Index Linked, 0.125%, 7/15/24

     United States        7,409,448           7,399,616  
 

s Index Linked, 0.375%, 7/15/25

     United States        4,525,161           4,576,872  
             

 

 

 
 

Total U.S. Government and Agency Securities

(Cost $23,006,727)

              23,761,828  
             

 

 

 

 

     
  Semiannual Report                 FSI-21  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin Strategic Income VIP Fund (continued)

 

           Country      Principal  
Amount*
     Value  
 

Asset-Backed Securities and Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities 26.3%

 

 

Banks 0.4%

 

u  

Commercial Mortgage Trust, 2006-GG7, AJ, FRN, 5.83%, 7/10/38

     United States        425,000      $ 393,829  
 

CSAIL Commercial Mortgage Trust, 2015-C1, A4, 3.505%, 4/15/50

     United States        740,000        777,576  
u  

CWABS Asset-Backed Certificates Trust, 2005-11, AF4, FRN, 5.21%, 3/25/34

     United States        723,056        733,497  
v  

Merrill Lynch Mortgage Investors Trust, 2005-A6, 2A3, FRN, 2.784%, (1-month USD LIBOR + 0.38%), 8/25/35

     United States        73,795        74,174  
          

 

 

 
             1,979,076  
          

 

 

 
 

Diversified Financials 25.9%

 

v  

American Express Credit Account Master Trust, 2017-2, A, FRN, 2.844%, (1-month USD LIBOR + 0.45%), 9/16/24

     United States        670,000        673,814  
f,v  

AMMC CLO XI Ltd.,

        
 

2012-11A, BR2, 144A, FRN, 4.183%, (3-month USD LIBOR + 1.60%), 4/30/31

     United States        350,000        346,272  
 

2012-11A, DR2, 144A, FRN, 5.433%, (3-month USD LIBOR + 2.85%), 4/30/31

     United States        300,000        284,049  
f,v  

Antares CLO Ltd., 2018-1A, B, 144A, FRN, 4.242%, (3-month USD LIBOR + 1.65%), 4/20/31

     United States        1,455,000        1,438,937  
f,v  

Ares CLO Ltd., 2018-48A, D, 144A, FRN, 5.292%, (3-month USD LIBOR + 2.70%), 7/20/30

     United States        400,000        383,048  
f,u  

ARES L CLO Ltd., 2018-50A, B, 144A, FRN, 4.478%, 1/15/32

     United States        500,000        497,965  
f,u  

ARES LII CLO Ltd.,

        
 

2019-52A, A2, 144A, FRN, 4.259%, 4/22/31

     United States        250,000        250,300  
 

2019-52A, B, 144A, FRN, 4.459%, 4/22/31

     United States        500,000        500,770  
f,v  

Ares XLIII CLO Ltd., 2017-43A, A, 144A, FRN, 3.817%, (3-month USD LIBOR + 1.22%), 10/15/29

     United States        432,000        431,348  
f,u  

Atrium XIV LLC, 14A, D, 144A, FRN, 5.551%, 8/23/30

     United States        750,000        732,300  
 

Banc of America Commercial Mortgage Trust,

        
 

2015-UBS7, A3, 3.441%, 9/15/48

     United States        849,000        892,502  
 

2015-UBS7, A4, 3.705%, 9/15/48

     United States        946,000        1,008,780  
 

u 2015-UBS7, B, FRN, 4.506%, 9/15/48

     United States        615,000        666,586  
f,u  

BCAP LLC Trust, 2009-RR1, 2A2, 144A, FRN, 4.961%, 5/26/35

     United States        224,354        216,794  
f,u  

BCC Middle Market CLO LLC, 2018-1A, A2, 144A, FRN, 4.742%, 10/20/30

     United States        700,000        689,472  
f  

Betony CLO 2 Ltd.,

        
 

u 2018-1A, A1, 144A, FRN, 3.663%, 4/30/31

     United States        1,250,000        1,240,600  
 

v 2018-1A, C, 144A, FRN, 5.483%, (3-month USD LIBOR + 2.90%), 4/30/31

     United States        400,000        387,096  
f,u  

BlueMountain CLO Ltd.,

        
 

2012-2A, BR2, 144A, FRN, 3.97%, 11/20/28

     United States        510,000        507,776  
 

2012-2A, CR2, 144A, FRN, 4.52%, 11/20/28

     United States        270,000        266,827  
 

2018-1A, D, 144A, FRN, 5.633%, 7/30/30

     United States        1,000,000        974,520  

 

     
FSI-22        Semiannual Report  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin Strategic Income VIP Fund (continued)

 

           Country      Principal  
Amount*
     Value  
 

Asset-Backed Securities and Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities (continued)

 

 

Diversified Financials (continued)

 

f,v  

BlueMountain Fuji U.S. CLO II Ltd., 2017-2A, A1A, 144A, FRN, 3.792%, (3-month USD LIBOR + 1.20%), 10/20/30

     United States        1,455,000      $  1,456,280  
f,v  

BlueMountain Fuji U.S. CLO III Ltd., 2017-3A, A2, 144A, FRN, 3.747%, (3-month USD LIBOR + 1.15%), 1/15/30

     United States        200,000        194,760  
f  

BRAVO Residential Funding Trust, 2019-1, A1C, 144A, 3.50%, 3/25/58

     United States        1,052,916        1,076,018  
f  

Burnham Park CLO Ltd.,

        
 

v 2016-1A, A, 144A, FRN, 4.022%, (3-month USD LIBOR + 1.43%), 10/20/29

     United States        350,000        351,830  
 

u 2016-1A, BR, 144A, FRN, 4.092%, 10/20/29

     United States        460,000        454,931  
 

u 2016-1A, CR, 144A, FRN, 4.742%, 10/20/29

     United States        460,000        457,833  
f,u  

Buttermilk Park CLO Ltd., 2018-1A, C, 144A, FRN, 4.697%, 10/15/31

     United States        1,408,860        1,378,781  
v  

Capital One Multi-Asset Execution Trust,

        
 

2016-A2, A2, FRN, 3.024%, (1-month USD LIBOR + 0.63%), 2/15/24

     United States        3,225,000        3,251,847  
 

2016-A7, A7, FRN, 2.904%, (1-month USD LIBOR + 0.51%), 9/16/24

     United States        320,000        322,344  
f,v  

Carlyle Global Market Strategies CLO Ltd., 2014-4RA, C, 144A, FRN, 5.497%, (3-month USD LIBOR + 2.90%), 7/15/30

     United States        300,000        286,863  
f,u  

Carlyle GMS Finance MM CLO LLC, 2015-1A, A2R, 144A, FRN, 4.797%, 10/15/31

     United States        1,213,000        1,207,857  
f,v  

Carlyle U.S. CLO Ltd., 2017-2A, A1B, 144A, FRN, 3.812%, (3-month USD LIBOR + 1.22%), 7/20/31

     United States        1,150,000        1,148,827  
f,v  

Catamaran CLO Ltd., 2014-2A, BR, 144A, FRN, 5.551%, (3-month USD LIBOR + 2.95%), 10/18/26

     United States        1,253,000        1,253,514  
f,u  

CGRBS Commercial Mortgage Trust, 2013-VN05, C, 144A, FRN, 3.703%, 3/13/35

     United States        704,000        740,948  
f,u  

CIM Trust,

        
 

2019-INV1, A1, 144A, FRN, 4.00%, 2/25/49

     United States        1,547,541        1,590,437  
 

2019-INV2, A3, 144A, FRN, 4.00%, 5/25/49

     United States        2,210,859        2,263,028  
u  

Citibank Credit Card Issuance Trust,

        
 

2016-A3, A3, FRN, 2.909%, 12/07/23

     United States        350,000        352,533  
 

2017-A7, A7, FRN, 2.782%, 8/08/24

     United States        2,685,000        2,694,525  
f,u  

Cole Park CLO Ltd., 2015-1A, BR, 144A, FRN, 4.192%, 10/20/28

     United States        270,000        268,798  
f  

Core Industrial Trust, 2015-CALW, A, 144A, 3.04%, 2/10/34

     United States        1,081,627        1,107,012  
u  

Discover Card Execution Note Trust, 2017-A7, A7, FRN, 2.754%, 4/15/25

     United States        390,000        390,516  
f,u  

Dryden 38 Senior Loan Fund,

        
 

2015-38A, CR, 144A, FRN, 4.597%, 7/15/30

     United States        863,000        848,950  
 

2015-38A, DR, 144A, FRN, 5.597%, 7/15/30

     United States        557,000        544,451  

 

     
  Semiannual Report                 FSI-23  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin Strategic Income VIP Fund (continued)

 

 

 

           Country      Principal  
Amount*
     Value  
 

Asset-Backed Securities and Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities (continued)

 

  
 

Diversified Financials (continued)

        
f,v  

Dryden 41 Senior Loan Fund, 2015-41A, AR, 144A, FRN, 3.567%, (3-month USD LIBOR + 0.97%), 4/15/31

     United States        1,100,000      $ 1,088,483  
f,v  

Dryden 42 Senior Loan Fund, 2016-42A, DR, 144A, FRN, 5.527%, (3-month USD LIBOR + 2.93%), 7/15/30

     United States        1,294,000        1,248,658  
f,v  

Dryden 55 CLO Ltd.,

        
 

2018-55A, A1, 144A, FRN, 3.617%, (3-month USD LIBOR + 1.02%), 4/15/31

     United States        900,000        895,446  
 

2018-55A, D, 144A, FRN, 5.447%, (3-month USD LIBOR + 2.85%), 4/15/31

     United States        300,000        288,027  
f,v  

Dryden 64 CLO Ltd., 2018-64A, D, 144A, FRN, 5.251%, (3-month USD LIBOR + 2.65%), 4/18/31

     United States        300,000        289,527  
f,u  

Eaton Vance CLO Ltd.,

        
 

2014-1RA, C, 144A, FRN, 4.697%, 7/15/30

     United States        315,610        310,680  
 

2014-1RA, D, 144A, FRN, 5.647%, 7/15/30

     United States        462,825        455,674  
f,u  

Eleven Madison Trust 2015-11MD Mortgage Trust, 2015-11MD, A, 144A, FRN, 3.673%, 9/10/35

     United States        1,091,000        1,156,887  
 

FHLMC Structured Agency Credit Risk Debt Notes,

        
 

v 2013-DN2, M2, FRN, 6.654%, (1-month USD LIBOR + 4.25%), 11/25/23

     United States        1,861,193        2,012,903  
 

v 2014-DN1, M2, FRN, 4.604%, (1-month USD LIBOR + 2.20%), 2/25/24

     United States        796,894        810,740  
 

v 2014-DN2, M3, FRN, 6.004%, (1-month USD LIBOR + 3.60%), 4/25/24

     United States        2,290,000        2,437,671  
 

v 2014-DN3, M3, FRN, 6.404%, (1-month USD LIBOR + 4.00%), 8/25/24

     United States        184,376        196,889  
 

v 2014-DN4, M3, FRN, 6.954%, (1-month USD LIBOR + 4.55%), 10/25/24

     United States        1,373,225        1,479,039  
 

v 2014-HQ1, M3, FRN, 6.504%, (1-month USD LIBOR + 4.10%), 8/25/24

     United States        355,909        373,946  
 

v 2014-HQ2, M2, FRN, 4.604%, (1-month USD LIBOR + 2.20%), 9/25/24

     United States        571,769        581,014  
 

v 2014-HQ3, M3, FRN, 7.154%, (1-month USD LIBOR + 4.75%), 10/25/24

     United States        712,776        761,593  
 

v 2015-DNA1, M3, FRN, 5.704%, (1-month USD LIBOR + 3.30%), 10/25/27

     United States        250,000        269,264  
 

v 2015-DNA3, M3, FRN, 7.104%, (1-month USD LIBOR + 4.70%), 4/25/28

     United States        1,819,000        2,024,130  
 

v 2015-HQ1, M3, FRN, 6.204%, (1-month USD LIBOR + 3.80%), 3/25/25

     United States        873,900        899,839  
 

v 2015-HQA1, M3, FRN, 7.104%, (1-month USD LIBOR + 4.70%), 3/25/28

     United States        1,835,000        1,989,733  
 

v 2016-DNA2, M3, FRN, 7.054%, (1-month USD LIBOR + 4.65%), 10/25/28

     United States        1,673,000        1,808,430  
 

u 2017-DNA1, M2, FRN, 5.654%, 7/25/29

     United States        990,000        1,047,496  
 

u 2017-DNA2, M2, FRN, 5.854%, 10/25/29

     United States        1,340,000        1,434,417  
 

v 2017-DNA3, M2, FRN, 4.904%, (1-month USD LIBOR + 2.50%), 3/25/30

     United States        2,920,000        2,988,942  
 

u 2017-HQA1, M2, FRN, 5.954%, 8/25/29

     United States        1,180,000        1,260,333  

 

     
FSI-24        Semiannual Report     


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin Strategic Income VIP Fund (continued)

 

 

 

           Country     

Principal  

Amount*

     Value  
  Asset-Backed Securities and Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities (continued)

 

  
 

Diversified Financials (continued)

        
f,v  

Flagship CLO VIII Ltd.,

        
 

2014-8A, ARR, 144A, FRN, 3.451%, (3-month USD LIBOR + 0.85%), 1/16/26

     United States        501,760      $ 501,258  
 

2014-8A, DR, 144A, FRN, 5.651%, (3-month USD LIBOR + 3.05%), 1/16/26

     United States        350,000        338,037  
 

FNMA Connecticut Avenue Securities,

        
 

v 2013-C01, M2, FRN, 7.654%, (1-month USD LIBOR + 5.25%), 10/25/23

     United States        336,022        373,556  
 

v 2014-C01, M2, FRN, 6.804%, (1-month USD LIBOR + 4.40%), 1/25/24

     United States        498,000        544,759  
 

v 2014-C02, 1M2, FRN, 5.004%, (1-month USD LIBOR + 2.60%), 5/25/24

     United States        1,414,047        1,462,571  
 

v 2014-C02, 2M2, FRN, 5.004%, (1-month USD LIBOR + 2.60%), 5/25/24

     United States        727,098        745,047  
 

v 2014-C03, 1M2, FRN, 5.404%, (1-month USD LIBOR + 3.00%), 7/25/24

     United States        2,868,442        3,010,131  
 

v 2014-C03, 2M2, FRN, 5.304%, (1-month USD LIBOR + 2.90%), 7/25/24

     United States        144,781        151,054  
 

v 2015-C01, 1M2, FRN, 6.704%, (1-month USD LIBOR + 4.30%), 2/25/25

     United States        955,095        1,022,414  
 

v 2015-C01, 2M2, FRN, 6.954%, (1-month USD LIBOR + 4.55%), 2/25/25

     United States        870,071        916,168  
 

v 2015-C02, 1M2, FRN, 6.404%, (1-month USD LIBOR + 4.00%), 5/25/25

     United States        2,094,284        2,233,397  
 

v 2015-C02, 2M2, FRN, 6.404%, (1-month USD LIBOR + 4.00%), 5/25/25

     United States        1,009,199        1,050,810  
 

v 2015-C03, 1M2, FRN, 7.404%, (1-month USD LIBOR + 5.00%), 7/25/25

     United States        3,071,858        3,364,218  
 

v 2015-C03, 2M2, FRN, 7.404%, (1-month USD LIBOR + 5.00%), 7/25/25

     United States        1,478,527        1,582,395  
 

u 2016-C04, 1M2, FRN, 6.654%, 1/25/29

     United States        1,590,000        1,708,924  
 

v 2017-C01, 1M2, FRN, 5.954%, (1-month USD LIBOR + 3.55%), 7/25/29

     United States        1,858,000        1,968,476  
 

u 2017-C03, 1M2, FRN, 5.404%, 10/25/29

     United States        2,720,000        2,841,761  
 

u 2017-C03, 2M2, FRN, 5.254%, 11/25/29

     United States        450,000        464,174  
 

u 2016-C02, 1M2, FRN, 8.404%, 9/25/28

     United States        872,467        965,143  
 

u 2017-C05, 1M2, FRN, 4.604%, 1/25/30

     United States        1,020,000        1,030,627  
f  

Galaxy XVIII CLO Ltd.,

        
 

u 2018-28A, A2, 144A, FRN, 3.667%, 7/15/31

     United States        900,000        900,198  
 

v 2018-28A, C, 144A, FRN, 4.547%, (3-month USD LIBOR + 1.95%), 7/15/31

     United States        250,000        241,555  
f,u  

Galaxy XXV CLO Ltd., 2018-25A, D, 144A, FRN, 5.68%, 10/25/31

     United States        852,270        839,980  
f,u  

Galaxy XXVI CLO Ltd., 2018-26A, A, 144A, FRN, 3.723%, 11/22/31

     United States        700,000        698,327  
f,v  

Galaxy XXVII CLO Ltd.,

        
 

2018-27A, C, 144A, FRN, 4.325%, (3-month USD LIBOR + 1.80%), 5/16/31

     United States        400,000        386,984  
 

2018-27A, C, 144A, FRN, 5.275%, (3-month USD LIBOR + 2.75%), 5/16/31

     United States        600,000        565,164  

 

     
  Semiannual Report                 FSI-25  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin Strategic Income VIP Fund (continued)

 

           Country      Principal  
Amount*
             Value  
 

Asset-Backed Securities and Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities (continued)

 

     
 

Diversified Financials (continued)

           
 

GS Mortgage Securities Trust,

           
 

u 2016-GS3, B, FRN, 3.395%, 10/10/49

     United States        728,000         $ 742,486  
 

2017-GS6, B, 3.869%, 5/10/50

     United States        704,000           738,600  
f,v  

LCM 26 Ltd., 26A, B, 144A, FRN, 3.992%, (3-month USD LIBOR + 1.40%), 1/20/31

     United States        250,000           245,228  
f,u  

LCM XVI LP, 2016A, BR2, 144A, FRN, 4.347%, 10/15/31

     United States        351,320           351,236  
f,u  

LCM XVII LP,

           
 

2017A, BRR, 144A, FRN, 4.197%, 10/15/31

     United States        350,000           347,154  
 

2017A, CRR, 144A, FRN, 4.697%, 10/15/31

     United States        320,000           315,283  
f,v  

LCM XVIII LP, 2018A, DR, 144A, FRN, 5.392%, (3-month USD LIBOR + 2.80%), 4/20/31

     United States        770,000           737,660  
f,v  

LCM XXIV Ltd., 24A, A, 144A, FRN, 3.902%, (3-month USD LIBOR + 1.31%), 3/20/30

     United States        480,000           480,480  
f,i,w  

Madison Park Euro Funding XIV DAC, 14A, A1N, 144A, FRN, 7/15/32

     Ireland        1,000,000        EUR        1,136,850  
f,v  

Madison Park Funding XXIII Ltd.,

           
 

2017-23A, B, 144A, FRN, 4.282%, (3-month USD LIBOR + 1.70%), 7/27/30

     United States        400,000           399,300  
 

2017-23A, C, 144A, FRN, 4.932%, (3-month USD LIBOR + 2.35%), 7/27/30

     United States        500,000           500,725  
f,u  

Mill City Mortgage Loan Trust, 2018-4, A1B, 144A, FRN, 3.50%, 4/25/66

     United States        1,470,000           1,509,700  
v  

MortgageIT Trust, 2004-1, A2, FRN, 3.304%, (1-month USD LIBOR + 0.90%), 11/25/34

     United States        134,695           135,582  
f,u  

Mountain View Funding CLO XIV Ltd.,

           
 

2019-1A, A1, 144A, FRN, 4.058%, 4/15/29

     United States        500,000           501,165  
 

2019-1A, C, 144A, FRN, 5.518%, 4/15/29

     United States        500,000           501,535  
f,v  

NZCG Funding Ltd., 2015-1A, A2R, 144A, FRN, 4.071%, (3-month USD LIBOR + 1.55%), 2/26/31

     United States        2,182,000           2,150,186  
f,u  

Octagon Investment Partners 24 Ltd., 2015-1A, BS, 144A, FRN, 4.529%, 4/21/31

     United States        390,000           390,835  
f,u  

Octagon Investment Partners 28 Ltd., 2016-1A, BR, 144A, FRN, 4.381%, 10/24/30

     United States        250,000           250,368  
f,v  

Octagon Investment Partners 30 Ltd., 144A, FRN, 3.912%, (3-month USD LIBOR + 1.32%), 3/17/30

     United States        480,000           481,517  
f,v  

Octagon Investment Partners 36 Ltd., 2018-1A, A1, 144A, FRN, 3.567%, (3-month USD LIBOR + 0.97%), 4/15/31

     United States        500,000           496,725  
f,v  

Octagon Investment Partners 37 Ltd., 2018-2A, C, 144A, FRN, 5.43%, (3-month USD LIBOR + 2.85%), 7/25/30

     United States        400,000           386,892  
f,u  

Octagon Investment Partners 38 Ltd., 2018-1A, C, 144A, FRN, 5.542%, 7/20/30

     United States        1,000,000           974,240  
f,v  

Octagon Investment Partners XVI Ltd., 2013-1A, DR, 144A, FRN, 5.588%, (3-month USD LIBOR + 3.00%), 7/17/30

     United States        400,000           387,964  
f,v  

Octagon Investment Partners XXIII Ltd.,

           
 

2015-1A, BR, 144A, FRN, 3.797%, (3-month USD LIBOR + 1.20%), 7/15/27

     United States        400,000           395,764  
 

2015-1A, DR, 144A, FRN, 5.147%, (3-month USD LIBOR + 2.55%), 7/15/27

     United States        800,000           792,376  

 

     
FSI-26            Semiannual Report  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin Strategic Income VIP Fund (continued)

 

           Country      Principal  
Amount*
             Value  
 

Asset-Backed Securities and Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities (continued)

 

     
 

Diversified Financials (continued)

           
v  

Opteum Mortgage Acceptance Corp. Trust, 2005-4, 1APT, FRN, 2.714%, (1-month USD LIBOR + 0.31%), 11/25/35

     United States      160,754         $ 161,184  
f,v  

Race Point IX CLO Ltd., 2015-9A, A1AR, 144A, FRN, 3.807%, (3-month USD LIBOR + 1.21%), 10/15/30

     United States        400,000           400,064  
f,u  

Strata CLO I Ltd., 2018-1A, B, 144A, FRN, 5.016%, 1/15/31

     United States        1,300,000           1,308,996  
v  

Structured Asset Securities Corp., 2005-2XS, 2A2, FRN, 3.94%, (1-month USD LIBOR + 1.50%), 2/25/35

     United States        142,393           143,354  
u  

Thornburg Mortgage Securities Trust, 2005-1, A3, FRN, 4.616%, 4/25/45

     United States        110,943           113,874  
f  

Voya CLO Ltd.,

           
 

v 2013-2A, BR, 144A, FRN, 4.43%, (3-month USD LIBOR + 1.85%), 4/25/31

     United States        780,000           754,221  
 

v 2014-1A, CR2, 144A, FRN, 5.401%, (3-month USD LIBOR + 2.80%), 4/18/31

     United States        1,000,000           957,020  
 

u 2015-2A, BR, 144A, FRN, 4.092%, 7/23/27

     United States        820,000           814,891  
 

u 2016-3A, A1R, 144A, FRN, 3.791%, 10/18/31

     United States        900,000           898,425  
 

v 2017-2A, B, 144A, FRN, 4.947%, (3-month USD LIBOR + 2.35%), 6/07/30

     United States        1,455,000           1,455,567  
 

u 2018-2A, A1, 144A, FRN, 3.597%, 7/15/31

     United States        400,000           397,564  
 

v 2018-2A, D, 144A, FRN, 5.347%, (3-month USD LIBOR + 2.75%), 7/15/31

     United States        300,000           288,054  
 

Wells Fargo Mortgage Backed Securities Trust,

           
 

u 2004-W, A9, FRN, 4.855%, 11/25/34

     United States        252,829           263,709  
 

2007-3, 3A1, 5.50%, 4/25/22

     United States        46,075           47,041  
             

 

 

 
                117,403,343  
             

 

 

 
 

Total Asset-Backed Securities and Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities
(Cost $120,760,595)

 

           119,382,419  
             

 

 

 
 

Mortgage-Backed Securities 9.6%

           
x  

Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. (FHLMC) Adjustable Rate 0.0%

           
 

FHLMC, 4.929%, (US 1 Year CMT T-Note +/- MBS Margin), 1/01/33

     United States        8,697           9,007  
             

 

 

 
    Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. (FHLMC) Fixed Rate 1.6%                            
 

FHLMC Gold 30 Year, 3.50%, 5/01/49

     United States        6,519,759           6,669,322  
 

FHLMC Gold 30 Year, 5.00%, 4/01/34 - 8/01/35

     United States        193,140           210,937  
 

FHLMC Gold 30 Year, 5.50%, 3/01/33 - 1/01/35

     United States        144,030           156,469  
 

FHLMC Gold 30 Year, 6.00%, 4/01/33 - 2/01/36

     United States        91,167           101,902  
 

FHLMC Gold 30 Year, 6.50%, 11/01/27 - 7/01/32

     United States        18,121           20,327  
 

FHLMC Gold 30 Year, 7.00%, 9/01/21 - 4/01/30

     United States        7,177           7,631  
 

FHLMC Gold 30 Year, 7.50%, 8/01/30 - 7/01/31

     United States        903           949  
             

 

 

 
                7,167,537  
             

 

 

 
x  

Federal National Mortgage Association (FNMA) Adjustable Rate 0.0%

           
 

FNMA, 4.622%, (US 1 Year CMT T-Note +/- MBS Margin), 12/01/34

     United States        68,028           71,697  
             

 

 

 

 

     
  Semiannual Report                 FSI-27  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin Strategic Income VIP Fund (continued)

 

           Country       

Principal  

Amount*

       Value  
 

Mortgage-Backed Securities (continued)

            
    Federal National Mortgage Association (FNMA) Fixed Rate 7.0%                         
 

FNMA 15 Year, 2.50%, 7/01/22 - 6/01/27

     United States          196,413        $ 198,135  
 

FNMA 15 Year, 4.50%, 3/01/20

     United States          713          728  
 

FNMA 30 Year, 3.00%, 9/01/48

     United States          3,509,872          3,555,004  
 

FNMA 30 Year, 3.00%, 11/01/48

     United States          4,332,392          4,381,622  
 

FNMA 30 Year, 3.50%, 11/01/47

     United States          2,763,193          2,846,360  
 

FNMA 30 Year, 3.50%, 6/01/49

     United States          3,959,511          4,053,516  
y  

FNMA 30 Year, 3.50%, 7/01/49

     United States          1,100,000          1,124,320  
y  

FNMA 30 Year, 4.00%, 6/01/49

     United States          9,380,000          9,693,094  
 

FNMA 30 Year, 4.50%, 5/01/48

     United States          5,519,488          5,863,947  
 

FNMA 30 Year, 5.00%, 4/01/30

     United States          44,865          47,462  
 

FNMA 30 Year, 6.50%, 6/01/28 - 10/01/37

     United States          124,061          142,612  
              

 

 

 
                 31,906,800  
              

 

 

 
    Government National Mortgage Association (GNMA) Fixed Rate 1.0%                         
 

GNMA I SF 30 Year, 5.00%, 11/15/33 - 7/15/34

     United States          197,167          214,049  
 

GNMA I SF 30 Year, 7.00%, 10/15/28 - 6/15/32

     United States          13,958          14,099  
 

GNMA I SF 30 Year, 7.50%, 9/15/30

     United States          1,163          1,349  
 

GNMA II SF 30 Year, 4.50%, 5/20/49

     United States          3,751,202          3,933,186  
 

GNMA II SF 30 Year, 5.00%, 9/20/33 - 11/20/33

     United States          51,080          54,950  
 

GNMA II SF 30 Year, 6.00%, 11/20/34

     United States          67,712          77,682  
 

GNMA II SF 30 Year, 6.50%, 4/20/31 - 2/20/34

     United States          34,703          40,105  
 

GNMA II SF 30 Year, 7.50%, 1/20/28 - 4/20/32

     United States          8,734          9,891  
              

 

 

 
                 4,345,311  
              

 

 

 
 

Total Mortgage-Backed Securities
(Cost $43,011,753)

               43,500,352  
              

 

 

 
  Municipal Bonds 1.5%             
 

California State GO, Various Purpose, Refunding, 5.00%, 9/01/29

     United States          1,335,000          1,643,225  
 

New York City HDC Capital Fund Grant Program Revenue, New York City Housing Authority Program, Series B1, 5.00%, 7/01/33

     United States          405,000          446,780  
 

Orlando Health Obligated Group, 3.777%, 10/01/28

     United States          330,000          351,823  
 

Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Revenue, Consolidated, One Hundred Ninety-First Series, 4.823%, 6/01/45

     United States          1,205,000          1,326,283  

l

 
 

Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority Power Revenue,
Series A-RSA-1, 6.75%, 7/01/36

     United States          2,805,000          2,258,025  
 

Series XX-RSA-1, 5.25%, 7/01/40.

     United States          165,000          129,938  
 

San Jose RDA Successor Agency Tax Allocation, Senior, Refunding,
Series A-T, 3.25%, 8/01/29

     United States          440,000          454,709  
              

 

 

 
 

Total Municipal Bonds (Cost $6,657,154)

               6,610,783  
              

 

 

 

 

     
FSI-28        Semiannual Report  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin Strategic Income VIP Fund (continued)

 

           Country        Shares/
Units
       Value  
  Escrows and Litigation Trusts 0.0%             
a,c  

Clear Channel Communications Inc., Escrow Account

     United States          485,000        $  
a,c  

iHeartCommunications Inc., Escrow Account

     United States          324,000           
a,c  

Midstates Petroleum Co. Inc./Midstates Petroleum Co. LLC, Escrow Account

     United States          1,500,000           
a,c  

NewPage Corp., Litigation Trust

     United States          2,500,000           
a,c,d  

Remington Outdoor Co. Inc., Litigation Units

     United States          7,021           
a,c  

T-Mobile USA Inc., Escrow Account.

     United States          1,654,665           
a  

Vistra Energy Corp., Escrow Account.

     United States          3,000,000          7,500  
              

 

 

 
 

Total Escrows and Litigation Trusts (Cost $82,648)

               7,500  
              

 

 

 
 

Total Investments before Short Term Investments (Cost $459,644,173)

               451,151,541  
              

 

 

 
                  Shares           
 

Short Term Investments (Cost $7,294,034) 1.6%

            
    Money Market Funds 1.6%                         
e,z  

Institutional Fiduciary Trust Money Market Portfolio, 2.05%

     United States          7,294,034          7,294,034  
              

 

 

 
 

Total Investments (Cost $466,938,207) 101.1%

               458,445,575  
 

Other Assets, less Liabilities (1.1)%

               (4,920,351
              

 

 

 
 

Net Assets 100.0%

             $ 453,525,224  
              

 

 

 

 

     
  Semiannual Report                 FSI-29  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin Strategic Income VIP Fund (continued)

 

Rounds to less than 0.1% of net assets.

*The principal amount is stated in U.S. dollars unless otherwise indicated.

aNon-income producing.

bThe security is owned by FT Holdings Corporation III, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Fund. See Note 1(g).

cFair valued using significant unobservable inputs. See Note 12 regarding fair value measurements.

dSee Note 8 regarding restricted securities.

eSee Note 3(e) regarding investments in affiliated management investment companies.

fSecurity was purchased pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933 and may be sold in transactions exempt from registration only to qualified institutional buyers or in a 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 June 30, 2019 , the aggregate value of these securities was $145,843,754, representing 32.2% of net assets.

gPerpetual security with no stated maturity date.

hSecurity was purchased pursuant to Regulation S under the Securities Act of 1933, which exempts from registration securities offered and sold outside of the United States. Such a security cannot be sold in the United States without either an effective registration statement filed pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, or pursuant to an exemption from registration. These securities have been deemed liquid under guidelines approved by the Trust’s Board of Trustees. At June 30, 2019, the aggregate value of these securities was $2,572,084, representing 0.6% of net assets.

iSecurity purchased on a when-issued basis. See Note 1(c).

jIncome may be received in additional securities and/or cash.

kSee Note 1(f) regarding loan participation notes.

lSee Note 7 regarding defaulted securities.

mThe coupon rate shown represents the rate at period end.

nSee Note 1(i) regarding senior floating rate interests.

oSecurity purchased on a delayed delivery basis. See Note 1(c).

pA portion or all of the security represents an unsettled loan commitment. The coupon rate is to-be determined (TBD) at the time of settlement and will be based upon a reference index/floor plus a spread.

qPrincipal amount is stated in 100 Mexican Peso Units.

rThe principal represents the notional amount. See Note 1(d) regarding value recovery instruments.

sPrincipal amount of security is adjusted for inflation. See Note 1(k).

tPrincipal amount is stated in 1,000 Brazilian Real Units.

uAdjustable rate security with an interest rate that is not based on a published reference index and spread. The rate is based on the structure of the agreement and current market conditions. The coupon rate shown represents the rate at period end.

vThe coupon rate shown represents the rate inclusive of any caps or floors, if applicable, in effect at period end.

wThe coupon rate will be determined at time of issue.

xAdjustable Rate Mortgage-Backed Security (ARM); the rate shown is the effective rate at period end. ARM rates are not based on a published reference rate and spread, but instead pass-through weighted average interest income inclusive of any caps or floors, if applicable, from the underlying mortgage loans in which the majority of mortgages pay interest based on the index shown at their designated reset dates plus a spread, less the applicable servicing and guaranty fee (MBS margin).

ySecurity purchased on a to-be-announced (TBA) basis. See Note 1(c).

zThe rate shown is the annualized seven-day effective yield at period end.

At June 30, 2019, the Fund had the following futures contracts outstanding. See Note 1(d).

Futures Contracts

 

Description    Type      Number of
Contracts
    

Notional  

Amount*

     Expiration
Date
     Value/
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
Interest Rate Contracts               

U.S. Treasury 5 Yr. Note

     Long        70      $ 8,270,937        9/30/19              $ 17,355  

U.S. Treasury 10 Yr. Note

     Long        33        4,222,969        9/19/19        48,658  

Ultra 10 Yr. U.S. Treasury Note

     Long        341        47,100,625        9/19/19        1,008,147  
              

 

 

 

Total Futures Contracts

                       $ 1,074,160  
              

 

 

 

*As of period end.

 

     
FSI-30        Semiannual Report  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin Strategic Income VIP Fund (continued)

 

At June 30, 2019, the Fund had the following forward exchange contracts outstanding. See Note 1(d).

Forward Exchange Contracts

 

Currency    Counterpartya      Type      Quantity      Contract
Amount
     Settlement
Date
     Unrealized
Appreciation
     Unrealized
Depreciation
 
OTC Forward Exchange Contracts

 

Australian Dollar

     JPHQ          Sell        3,050,000      $ 2,185,432        7/26/19      $ 42,321      $  

Canadian Dollar

     JPHQ          Sell        4,000,000        3,024,323        7/26/19               (31,779

Australian Dollar

     JPHQ          Sell        1,350,000        946,889        8/08/19               (2,075

Canadian Dollar

     JPHQ          Buy        600,000        448,229        9/18/19        10,556         

Canadian Dollar

     JPHQ          Sell        1,500,000        1,127,997        9/18/19               (18,966

Euro

     DBAB          Sell        650,000        733,863        9/18/19               (9,956

Euro

     JPHQ          Buy        2,936,600        3,341,366        9/18/19        19,092         

Euro

     JPHQ          Sell        4,242,409        4,834,384        9/18/19               (20,357

Norwegian Krone

     JPHQ          Buy        25,500,000        2,923,440        9/18/19        71,573         

Swedish Krona

     JPHQ          Buy        13,400,000        1,440,605        9/18/19        11,035         

Swedish Krona

     JPHQ          Sell        13,400,000        1,463,202        9/18/19        11,562         

Swedish Krona

     JPHQ          Sell        27,800,000        2,933,727        9/18/19               (77,884

Swiss Franc

     JPHQ          Buy        200,000        199,169        9/18/19        7,200         

Swiss Franc

     JPHQ          Sell        200,000        202,018        9/18/19               (4,351

Chinese Yuan Renminbi

     JPHQ          Buy        6,600,000        983,418        9/27/19               (23,529

Chinese Yuan Renminbi

     JPHQ          Sell        12,750,000        1,897,773        9/27/19        43,443         

Chinese Yuan Renminbi

     JPHQ          Sell        15,500,000        2,244,325        9/27/19               (9,959

Australian Dollar

     JPHQ          Sell        1,300,000        895,817        10/11/19               (19,476

Australian Dollar

     JPHQ          Sell        2,000,000        1,438,914        10/11/19        30,772         

Turkish Lira

     JPHQ          Buy        5,800,000        892,239        10/18/19        52,463         

Indonesian Rupiah

     JPHQ          Sell        7,200,000,000        491,199        12/13/19               (7,667

Mexican Peso

     JPHQ          Buy        1,300,000        65,853        12/16/19               (85

South Korean Won

     JPHQ          Sell        1,700,000,000        1,453,054        12/16/19               (23,994
                 

 

 

 

Total Forward Exchange Contracts

 

   $ 300,017      $ (250,078
                 

 

 

 

Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

 

   $ 49,939     
                 

 

 

    

aMay be comprised of multiple contracts with the same counterparty, currency and settlement date.

At June 30, 2019, the Fund had the following credit default swap contracts outstanding. See Note 1(d).

Credit Default Swap Contracts

 

Description   Periodic
Payment Rate
Received
(Paid)
    Payment
Frequency
    Counter-
party
    Maturity
Date
   

Notional 

Amounta

    Value     Unamortized
Upfront
Payments
(Receipts)
    Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
    Ratingb  
Centrally Cleared Swap Contracts

 

           
Contracts to Sell Protectionc,d

 

           
Traded Index                  

CDX.EM.30

    1.00     Quarterly         12/20/23     $ 5,200,000     $ (147,820     $(199,488)       $ 51,668       Investment  
           

 

 

   
                    Grade  
OTC Swap Contracts                  
Contracts to Buy Protectionc                  
Single Name                  

Ally Financial Inc.

    (5.00 )%      Quarterly       JPHQ       6/20/24     $ 1,810,000     $ (329,739     $(284,905)       $(44,834)    

 

     
  Semiannual Report                 FSI-31  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin Strategic Income VIP Fund (continued)

Credit Default Swap Contracts (continued)

 

Description   Periodic
Payment Rate
Received
(Paid)
    Payment
Frequency
    Counter-
party
    Maturity
Date
   

Notional  

Amounta

    Value     Unamortized
Upfront
Payments
(Receipts)
    Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
    Ratingb  
OTC Swap Contracts (continued)

 

             
Contracts to Buy Protectionc (continued)

 

             
Single Name (continued)

 

             

Government of Italy

    (1.00 )%      Quarterly       BZWS       6/20/23     $ 1,500,000     $ 10,721     $ 12,984     $ (2,263  

Government of Turkey

    (1.00 )%      Quarterly       BZWS       12/20/19       966,667       4,905       21,398       (16,493  
Contracts to Sell Protectionc,d

 

             
Single Name

 

             

Government of Argentina

    5.00     Quarterly       MSCO       6/20/23       4,300,000       (621,435     341,249       (962,684     B  

Government of Indonesia

    1.00     Quarterly       CITI       6/20/24       2,300,000       10,819       (7,458     18,277       BBB  

Government of Italy

    1.00     Quarterly       BZWS       6/20/23       1,500,000       (42,487     (56,937     14,450       NR  

Government of Russia

    1.00     Quarterly       BNDP       6/20/24       1,300,000       (8,045     (16,773     8,728       BBB-  
Traded Index

 

             

eBNP Paribas Bespoke Bordeaux Index, Mezzanine Tranche 7-10%

    2.10     Quarterly       BNDP       6/20/20       750,000       5,132             5,132      

Non-
Investment
Grade
 
 
 

eBNP Paribas Bespoke Rodez2 Index, Mezzanine Tranche 5-7%

    3.20     Quarterly       BNDP       12/20/20       300,000       5,467             5,467      

Non-
Investment
Grade
 
 
 

eCitibank Bespoke Bogota Index, Mezzanine Tranche 7-10%

    1.35     Quarterly       CITI       6/20/20       750,000       1,790             1,790      

Non-
Investment
Grade
 
 
 

eCitibank Bespoke Cambridge Index, Equity Tranche 0-3%

    0.00     Quarterly       CITI       12/20/19       2,900,000       (682,788     (112,511     (570,277    

Non-
Investment
Grade
 
 
 

eCitibank Bespoke Palma Index, Mezzanine Tranche 5-7%

    2.30     Quarterly       CITI       6/20/21       620,000       3,957             3,957      

Non-
Investment
Grade
 
 
 

eCitibank Bespoke Singapore Index, Equity Tranche 0-3%

    0.00     Quarterly       CITI       6/20/20       300,000       (49,137     (40,828     (8,309    

Non-
Investment
Grade
 
 
 

eCitibank Bespoke Sydney Index, Equity Tranche 0-3%

    0.00     Quarterly       CITI       6/20/20       450,000       (140,317     (69,915     (70,402    

Non-
Investment
Grade
 
 
 

eCitibank Bespoke Verona Index, Equity Tranche 0-3%

    0.00     Quarterly       CITI       12/20/19       1,100,000       (227,784     (52,386     (175,398    

Non-
Investment
Grade
 
 
 

 

     
FSI-32        Semiannual Report  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin Strategic Income VIP Fund (continued)

Credit Default Swap Contracts (continued)

 

Description   Periodic
Payment Rate
Received
(Paid)
    Payment
Frequency
    Counter-
party
    Maturity
Date
   

Notional  

Amounta

    Value     Unamortized
Upfront
Payments
(Receipts)
    Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
    Ratingb  
OTC Swap Contracts (continued)

 

             
Contracts to Sell Protectionc,d (continued)

 

             
Traded Index (continued)

 

             

eCitibank Bespoke Verona Index, Mezzanine Tranche 7-15%

    0.40     Quarterly       CITI       12/20/19     $ 3,100,000     $ 2,857     $     $ 2,857      

Non-
Investment
Grade
 
 
 

MCDX.NA.31

    1.00     Quarterly       CITI       12/20/23       2,270,000       44,185       20,573       23,612      
Investment
Grade
 
 

eMorgan Stanley Bespoke Pecan Index, Mezzanine Tranche 5-10%

    4.10     Quarterly       MSCO       12/20/21       850,000       13,073             13,073      

Non-
Investment
Grade
 
 
 

eMorgan Stanley Bespoke Pecan Index, Mezzanine Tranche 5-10%

    3.98     Quarterly       MSCO       12/20/21       850,000       13,713             13,713      

Non-
Investment
Grade
 
 
 
           

 

 

   

Total OTC Swap Contracts

            $ (1,985,113   $ (245,509   $ (1,739,604  
           

 

 

   

Total Credit Default Swap Contracts

            $ (2,132,933   $ (444,997   $ (1,687,936  
           

 

 

   

aFor contracts to sell protection, the notional amount is equal to the maximum potential amount of the future payments and no recourse provisions have been entered into in association with the contracts.

bBased on Standard and Poor’s (S&P) Rating for single name swaps and internal ratings for index swaps. Internal ratings based on mapping into equivalent ratings from external vendors.

cPerformance triggers for settlement of contract include default, bankruptcy or restructuring for single name swaps and failure to pay or bankruptcy of the underlying securities for traded index swaps.

dThe fund enters contracts to sell protection to create a long credit position.

eRepresents a custom index comprised of a basket of underlying instruments.

At June 30, 2019, the Fund had the following cross-currency swap contracts outstanding. See Note 1(d).

Cross-Currency Swap Contracts

 

Description    Payment
Frequency
    

Counter-

party

     Maturity
Date
     Notional
Amount
    Value/
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
OTC Swap Contracts              

Receive Floating 3-month USD LIBOR + 2.87%

     Quarterly              464,800     USD   

Pay Fixed 2.50%

     Annual        CITI        5/04/21        400,000     EUR    $ 9,751  
             

 

 

 

 

     
  Semiannual Report                 FSI-33  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin Strategic Income VIP Fund (continued)

 

At June 30, 2019, the Fund had the following total return swap contracts outstanding. See Note 1(d).

Total Return Swap Contracts

 

Underlying Instruments    Financing Rate    Payment
Frequency
   Counter-
party
   Maturity
Date
   Notional
Value
   Value/
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
OTC Swap Contracts                              
Longa                              

Markit iBoxx USD Liquid Leveraged Loan Index

       3-month USD LIBOR        Quarterly        JPHQ        12/20/19      $ 600,000              $ 824

Markit iBoxx USD Liquid Leveraged Loan Index

       3-month USD LIBOR        Quarterly        MSCO        12/20/19        700,000        5,399

Markit iBoxx USD Liquid Leveraged Loan Index

       3-month USD LIBOR        Quarterly        FBCO        3/20/20        750,000        3,381

Markit iBoxx USD Liquid Leveraged Loan Index

       3-month USD LIBOR        Quarterly        GSCO        3/20/20        1,100,000        9,385
                             

 

 

 

Total Total Return Swap Contracts

                                      $ 18,989
                             

 

 

 

aThe Fund receives the total return on the underlying instrument and pays a variable financing rate.

See Note 9 regarding other derivative information.

See Abbreviations on page FSI-54.

 

     
FSI-34        Semiannual Report   |    The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities

June 30, 2019 (unaudited)

 

      Franklin Strategic
Income VIP Fund
 

Assets:

  

Investments in securities:

  

Cost - Unaffiliated issuers

           $ 446,193,628  

Cost - Non-controlled affiliates (Note 3e)

     20,744,579  
  

 

 

 

Value - Unaffiliated issuers

           $ 439,423,790  

Value - Non-controlled affiliates (Note 3e)

     19,021,785  

Cash

     7,697,525  

Restricted cash for OTC derivative contracts (Note 1e)

     110,000  

Foreign currency, at value (cost $52,370)

     52,370  

Receivables:

  

Investment securities sold

     173,988  

Capital shares sold

     173,398  

Dividends and interest

     3,861,100  

Deposits with brokers for:

  

OTC derivative contracts

     1,680,000  

Futures contracts

     524,150  

Centrally cleared swap contracts

     839,188  

Variation margin on futures contracts

     11,688  

Variation margin on centrally cleared swap contracts

     2,422  

OTC swap contracts (upfront payments $551,403)

     396,204  

Unrealized appreciation on OTC forward exchange contracts

     300,017  

Unrealized appreciation on OTC swap contracts

     139,796  

FT Subsidiary deferred tax benefit (Note 1g)

     181,227  

Other assets

     316  
  

 

 

 

Total assets

     474,588,964  
  

 

 

 

Liabilities:

  

Payables:

  

Investment securities purchased

     16,883,959  

Capital shares redeemed

     839,398  

Management fees

     224,965  

Distribution fees

     72,794  

Trustees’ fees and expenses

     857  

Deposits from brokers for:

  

OTC derivative contracts

     110,000  

OTC swap contracts (upfront receipts $1,299,682)

     641,713  

Unrealized depreciation on OTC forward exchange contracts

     250,078  

Unrealized depreciation on OTC swap contracts

     1,850,660  

Deferred tax

     22,442  

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

     166,874  
  

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     21,063,740  
  

 

 

 

Net assets, at value

           $ 453,525,224  
  

 

 

 

Net assets consist of:

  

Paid-in capital

           $ 487,808,916  

Total distributable earnings (loss)

     (34,283,692
  

 

 

 

Net assets, at value

           $ 453,525,224  
  

 

 

 

 

     
  The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.    |   Semiannual Report                 FSI-35  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities (continued)

June 30, 2019 (unaudited)

 

      Franklin Strategic
Income VIP Fund
Class 1:   

Net assets, at value

       $ 302,060,958  
  

 

 

 

Shares outstanding

     28,008,421  
  

 

 

 

Net asset value and maximum offering price per share

         $10.78  
  

 

 

 
Class 2:   

Net assets, at value

       $ 92,190,615  
  

 

 

 

Shares outstanding

     8,844,521  
  

 

 

 

Net asset value and maximum offering price per share

         $10.42  
  

 

 

 
Class 4:   

Net assets, at value

       $ 59,273,651  
  

 

 

 

Shares outstanding

     5,535,613  
  

 

 

 

Net asset value and maximum offering price per share

         $10.71  
  

 

 

 

 

     
FSI-36        Semiannual Report   |    The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Consolidated Statement of Operations

for the six months ended June 30, 2019 (unaudited)

 

      Franklin Strategic
Income VIP Fund

Investment income:

  

Dividends:

  

Non-controlled affiliates (Note 3e)

           $ 950,855  

Interest: (net of foreign taxes)~

  

Unaffiliated issuers

     10,282,607  
  

 

 

 

Total investment income

     11,233,462  
  

 

 

 

Expenses:

  

Management fees (Note 3a)

     1,404,208  

Distribution fees: (Note 3c)

  

Class 2

     111,460  

Class 4

     102,523  

Custodian fees (Note 4)

     5,708  

Reports to shareholders

     73,872  

Professional fees

     55,275  

Trustees’ fees and expenses

     2,274  

Other

     34,623  
  

 

 

 

Total expenses

     1,789,943  

Expense reductions (Note 4)

     (4,401

Expenses waived/paid by affiliates (Note 3e)

     (71,107
  

 

 

 

Net expenses

     1,714,435  
  

 

 

 

Net investment income

     9,519,027  
  

 

 

 

Realized and unrealized gains (losses):

  

Net realized gain (loss) from:

  

Investments:

  

Unaffiliated issuers

     (424,838

Non-controlled affiliates (Note 3e)

     (1,769,646

Foreign currency transactions

     11,307  

Forward exchange contracts

     316,816  

Futures contracts

     1,609,018  

Swap contracts

     1,771,132  
  

 

 

 

Net realized gain (loss)

     1,513,789  
  

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:

  

Investments:

  

Unaffiliated issuers

     17,908,048  

Non-controlled affiliates (Note 3e)

     586,351  

Translation of other assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies

     (20,151

Forward exchange contracts

     (212,811

Futures contracts

     382,479  

Swap contracts

     408,595  

Change in deferred taxes on unrealized appreciation

     (14,081
  

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

     19,038,430  
  

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

     20,552,219  
  

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

           $ 30,071,246  
  

 

 

 
  

~Foreign taxes withheld on interest

           $ 12,493  

 

     
  The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.    |   Semiannual Report                 FSI-37  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Net Assets

for the six months ended June 30, 2019 (unaudited)

 

    Franklin Strategic
Income VIP Fund
 
         Six Months Ended
June 30, 2019
(unaudited)
     Year Ended
December 31, 2018
 

Increase (decrease) in net assets:

    

Operations:

    

Net investment income

            $    9,519,027              $ 24,508,744  

Net realized gain (loss)

    1,513,789        (9,616,538

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

    19,038,430        (23,561,419
 

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

    30,071,246        (8,669,213
 

 

 

 

Distributions to shareholders:

    

Class 1

    (16,055,733      (9,703,924

Class 2

    (4,608,498      (5,724,625

Class 4

    (2,951,572      (1,690,861
 

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

    (23,615,803      (17,119,410
 

 

 

 

Capital share transactions: (Note 2)

    

Class 1

    (4,794,924      (43,986,518

Class 2

    1,616,075        (117,066,128

Class 4

    (2,387,529      (10,271,574
 

 

 

 

Total capital share transactions

    (5,566,378      (171,324,220
 

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets

    889,065        (197,112,843

Net assets:

    

Beginning of period

    452,636,159        649,749,002  
 

 

 

 

End of period

            $453,525,224              $ 452,636,159  
 

 

 

 

 

     
FSI-38        Semiannual Report   |    The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

 

Franklin Strategic Income VIP Fund

 

1.  Organization and Significant Accounting Policies

Franklin Templeton Variable Insurance Products Trust (Trust) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (1940 Act) as an open-end management investment company, consisting of eighteen separate funds and applies the specialized accounting and reporting guidance in U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (U.S. GAAP). Franklin Strategic Income VIP Fund (Fund) is included in this report. Shares of the Fund are generally sold only to insurance company separate accounts to fund the benefits of variable life insurance policies or variable annuity contracts. At June 30, 2019, 80.6% of the Fund’s shares were held through one insurance company. Investment activities of these insurance company separate accounts could have a material impact on the Fund. The Fund offers three classes of shares: Class 1, Class 2 and Class 4. Each class of shares may differ by its distribution fees, voting rights on matters affecting a single class and its exchange privilege.

The following summarizes the Fund’s significant accounting policies.

a.  Financial Instrument Valuation

The Fund’s investments in financial instruments are carried at fair value daily. Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. The Fund calculates the net asset value (NAV) per share each business day as of 4 p.m. Eastern time or the regularly scheduled close of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), whichever is earlier. Under compliance policies and procedures approved by the Trust’s Board of Trustees (the Board), the Fund’s administrator has responsibility for oversight of valuation, including leading the cross-functional Valuation Committee (VC). The Fund may utilize independent pricing services, quotations from securities and financial instrument dealers, and other market sources to determine fair value.

Equity securities and derivative financial instruments listed on an exchange or on the NASDAQ National Market System are valued at the last quoted sale price or the official closing price of the day, respectively. Foreign equity securities are valued as of the close of trading on the foreign stock exchange on which the security is primarily traded, or as of 4 p.m. Eastern time. The value is then converted into its U.S. dollar equivalent at the foreign exchange rate in effect at 4 p.m. Eastern time on the day that the value of the security is

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

Debt securities generally trade in the OTC market rather than on a securities exchange. The Fund’s pricing services use multiple valuation techniques to determine fair value. In instances where sufficient market activity exists, the pricing services may utilize a market-based approach through which quotes from market makers are used to determine fair value. In instances where sufficient market activity may not exist or is limited, the pricing services also utilize proprietary valuation models which may consider market characteristics such as benchmark yield curves, credit spreads, estimated default rates, anticipated market interest rate volatility, coupon rates, anticipated timing of principal repayments, underlying collateral, and other unique security features in order to estimate the relevant cash flows, which are then discounted to calculate the fair value. Securities denominated in a foreign currency are converted into their U.S. dollar equivalent at the foreign exchange rate in effect at 4 p.m. Eastern time on the date that the values of the foreign debt securities are determined.

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

Certain derivative financial instruments are centrally cleared or trade in the OTC market. The Fund’s pricing services use various techniques including industry standard option pricing models and proprietary discounted cash flow models to determine the fair value of those instruments. The Fund’s net benefit or obligation under the derivative contract, as measured by the fair value of the contract, is included in net assets.

The Fund has procedures to determine the fair value of financial instruments for which market prices are not reliable or readily available. Under these procedures, the Fund primarily employs a market-based approach which may use related or comparable assets or liabilities, recent transactions, market multiples, book values, and other relevant information for the investment to determine the fair value of the investment. An income-based valuation approach may also be used in which the anticipated future cash flows of the

 

 

     
  Semiannual Report                 FSI-39  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin Strategic Income VIP Fund (continued)

 

1.  Organization and Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

a.  Financial Instrument Valuation (continued)

investment are discounted to calculate fair value. Discounts may also be applied due to the nature or duration of any restrictions on the disposition of the investments. Due to the inherent uncertainty of valuations of such investments, the fair values may differ significantly from the values that would have been used had an active market existed.

Trading in securities on foreign securities stock exchanges and OTC markets may be completed before 4 p.m. Eastern time. In addition, trading in certain foreign markets may not take place on every Fund’s business day. Occasionally, events occur between the time at which trading in a foreign security is completed and 4 p.m. Eastern time that might call into question the reliability of the value of a portfolio security held by the Fund. As a result, differences may arise between the value of the Fund’s portfolio securities as determined at the foreign market close and the latest indications of value at 4 p.m. Eastern time. In order to minimize the potential for these differences, 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 Fund’s NAV is not calculated, which could result in differences between the value of the Fund’s portfolio securities on the last business day and the last calendar day of the reporting period. Any significant security valuation changes due to an open foreign market are adjusted and reflected by the Fund for financial reporting purposes.

b.  Foreign Currency Translation

Portfolio securities and other assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars based on the exchange rate of such currencies

against U.S. dollars on the date of valuation. The Fund may enter into foreign currency exchange contracts to facilitate transactions denominated in a foreign currency. Purchases and sales of securities, income and expense items denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rate in effect on the transaction date. Portfolio securities and assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies contain risks that those currencies will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar. Occasionally, events may impact the availability or reliability of foreign exchange rates used to convert the U.S. dollar equivalent value. If such an event occurs, the foreign exchange rate will be valued at fair value using procedures established and approved by the Board.

The Fund does not separately report the effect of changes in foreign exchange rates from changes in market prices on securities held. Such changes are included in net realized and unrealized gain or loss from investments in the Consolidated Statement of Operations.

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

c.  Securities Purchased on a When-Issued or Delayed Delivery and TBA Basis

The Fund purchases securities on a when-issued or delayed delivery and to-be-announced (TBA) 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.

d.  Derivative Financial Instruments

The Fund invested in derivative financial instruments in order to manage risk or gain exposure to various other investments or markets. Derivatives are financial contracts based on an

 

 

     
  FSI-40              Semiannual Report  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin Strategic Income VIP Fund (continued)

 

underlying or notional amount, require no initial investment or an initial net investment that is smaller than would normally

be required to have a similar response to changes in market factors, and require or permit net settlement. Derivatives contain various risks including the potential inability of the counterparty to fulfill their obligations under the terms of the contract, the potential for an illiquid secondary market, and/or the potential for market movements which expose the Fund to gains or losses in excess of the amounts shown in the Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Realized gain and loss and unrealized appreciation and depreciation on these contracts for the period are included in the Consolidated Statement of Operations.

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

Collateral requirements differ by type of derivative. Collateral or initial margin requirements are set by the broker or exchange clearing house for exchange traded and centrally cleared derivatives. Initial margin deposited is held at the exchange and can be in the form of cash and/or securities. For OTC derivatives traded under an ISDA master agreement, posting of collateral is required by either the Fund or the applicable counterparty if the total net exposure of all OTC derivatives with the applicable counterparty exceeds the minimum transfer amount, which typically ranges from

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

The Fund entered into exchange traded futures contracts primarily to manage and/or gain exposure to interest rate risk. A futures contract is an agreement between the Fund and a counterparty to buy or sell an asset at a specified price on a future date. Required initial margins are pledged by the Fund, and the daily change in fair value is accounted for as a variation margin payable or receivable.

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

 

 

     
  Semiannual Report                 FSI-41  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin Strategic Income VIP Fund (continued)

 

1.  Organization and Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

d.  Derivative Financial Instruments (continued)

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 OTC cross currency swap contracts primarily to manage and/or gain exposure to interest rate risk and certain foreign currencies. A cross currency swap is an agreement between the Fund and a counterparty to exchange cash flows (determined using either a fixed or floating rate) based on the notional amounts of two different currencies. The notional amounts are typically determined based on the spot exchange rates at the opening of the contract. Cross currency swaps may require the exchange of notional amounts at the opening and/or closing of the contract. 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. Upfront payments and receipts are reflected in the Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities and represent compensating factors between stated terms of the cross currency swap contract and prevailing market conditions (interest rate 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 OTC total return swap contracts primarily to manage and/or gain exposure to interest rate 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 invests in value recovery instruments (VRI) primarily to gain exposure to economic growth. Periodic payments from VRI are dependent on established benchmarks for underlying variables. VRI has a notional amount, which is used to calculate amounts of payments to holders. Payments are recorded upon receipt as realized gains in the Consolidated Statement of Operations. The risks of investing in VRI include growth risk, liquidity, and the potential loss of investment.

See Note 9 regarding other derivative information.

e.  Restricted Cash

At June 30, 2019, 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.

f.  Loan Participation Notes

The Fund invests in loan participation notes (Participations). Participations are loans originally issued to a borrower by one or more financial institutions (the Lender) and subsequently sold to other investors, such as the Fund. Participations typically result in the Fund having a contractual relationship only with the Lender and not with the borrower. The Fund has the right to receive from the Lender any payments of principal, interest and fees which the Lender received from the borrower. The Fund generally has no rights to either enforce compliance by the borrower with the terms of the loan agreement or to any collateral relating to the original loan. As a result, the Fund assumes the credit risk of both the borrower and the Lender that is selling the Participation. The Participations may also involve interest rate risk and liquidity risk, including the potential default or insolvency of the borrower and/or the Lender.

 

 

     
FSI-42            Semiannual Report  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin Strategic Income VIP Fund (continued)

 

g.  Investments in FT Holdings Corporation III (FT Subsidiary)

The Fund invests in certain financial instruments through its investment in FT Subsidiary. FT Subsidiary is a Delaware Corporation, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Fund, and is able to invest in certain financial instruments consistent with the investment objective of the Fund. At June 30, 2019, FT Subsidiary’s investment, Turtle Bay Resort, as well as any other assets and liabilities of FT Subsidiary are reflected in the Fund’s Consolidated Statement of Investments and Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

At June 30, 2019, FT Subsidiary, which is a tax paying entity, recognized an unrealized loss on its Turtle Bay investment. An estimated deferred tax asset based on such unrealized loss is reflected as FT Subsidiary deferred tax benefit in the Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities. The estimated benefit was calculated using a federal rate of 21%. When the Turtle Bay investment liquidates, the FT Subsidiary will recognize a capital loss which can be carried-back to offset prior year capital gains, resulting in a tax refund which will relieve the deferred tax asset.

The financial statements have been consolidated and include the accounts of the Fund and FT Subsidiary. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated. At June 30, 2019, the net assets of FT Subsidiary were $6,398,598, representing 1.4% of the Fund’s consolidated net assets. The Fund’s investment in FT Subsidiary is limited to 25% of consolidated assets.

h.  Mortgage Dollar Rolls

The Fund enters into mortgage dollar rolls, typically on a TBA basis. Mortgage dollar rolls are agreements between the Fund and a financial institution where the Fund sells (or buys) mortgage-backed securities for delivery on a specified date and simultaneously contracts to repurchase (or sell) substantially similar (same type, coupon, and maturity) securities at a future date and at a predetermined price. Gains or losses are realized on the initial sale, and the difference between the repurchase price and the sale price is recorded as an unrealized gain or loss to the Fund upon entering into the mortgage dollar roll. In addition, the Fund may invest the cash proceeds that are received from the initial sale. During the period between the sale and repurchase, the Fund is not entitled to principal and interest paid on the mortgage backed securities. Transactions in mortgage dollar rolls are accounted for as purchases and

sales and may result in an increase to the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate. The risks of mortgage dollar roll transactions include the potential inability of the counterparty to fulfill its obligations.

i.  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.

j.  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 if applicable, 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 June 30, 2019, the Fund has determined that no tax liability is required in its financial statements related to uncertain tax positions for any open tax years (or expected to be taken in future tax years). Open tax years are those that remain subject to examination and are based on the statute of limitations in each jurisdiction in which the Fund invests.

 

 

     
  Semiannual Report                 FSI-43  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin Strategic Income VIP Fund (continued)

 

1.  Organization and Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

k.  Security Transactions, Investment Income, Expenses and Distributions

Security transactions are accounted for on trade date. Realized gains and losses on security transactions are determined on a specific identification basis. Interest income and estimated expenses are accrued daily. Amortization of premium and accretion of discount on debt securities are included in interest income. Paydown gains and losses are recorded as an adjustment to interest income. Facility fees are recognized as income over the expected term of the loan. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date except for certain dividends from securities where the dividend rate is not available. In such cases, the dividend is recorded as soon as the information is received by the Fund. Distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Distributable earnings are determined according to income tax regulations (tax basis) and may differ from earnings recorded in accordance with U.S. GAAP. These differences may be permanent or temporary. Permanent differences are reclassified among capital accounts to reflect their tax character. These reclassifications have no impact on net assets or the results of operations. Temporary differences are not reclassified, as they may reverse in subsequent periods.

Common expenses incurred by the Trust are allocated among the Funds based on the ratio of net assets of each Fund to the combined net assets of the Trust or based on the ratio of number of shareholders of each Fund to the combined number of shareholders of the Trust. Fund specific expenses are charged directly to the Fund that incurred the expense.

Realized and unrealized gains and losses and net investment income, excluding class specific expenses, are allocated daily to each class of shares based upon the relative proportion of

net assets of each class. Differences in per share distributions by class are generally due to differences in class specific expenses.

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 in the Consolidated Statement of Operations.

l.  Accounting Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the amounts of income and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

m.  Guarantees and Indemnifications

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

 

 

     
FSI-44            Semiannual Report              


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin Strategic Income VIP Fund (continued)

 

2.  Shares of Beneficial Interest

At June 30, 2019, there were an unlimited number of shares authorized (without par value). Transactions in the Fund’s shares were as follows:

 

     Six Months Ended
June 30, 2019
    Year Ended
December 31, 2018
 
      Shares      Amount     Shares     Amount  
Class 1 Shares:          

Shares sold

     381,210      $ 4,201,734       529,935     $ 5,819,800   

Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

     1,499,135        16,055,733       904,373       9,703,924   

Shares redeemed

     (2,273,100      (25,052,391     (5,463,142     (59,510,242)  
  

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease)

     (392,755    $ (4,794,924     (4,028,834   $ (43,986,518)  
  

 

 

 
Class 2 Shares:          

Shares sold

     859,552      $ 9,193,927       1,939,103     $ 20,473,500   

Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

     445,266        4,608,498       552,570       5,724,625   

Shares redeemed in-kind (Note 11)

                  (10,844,970     (113,023,023)  

Shares redeemed

     (1,145,506      (12,186,350     (2,870,064     (30,241,230)  
  

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease)

     159,312      $ 1,616,075       (11,223,361   $ (117,066,128)  
  

 

 

 
Class 4 Shares:          

Shares sold

     282,205      $ 3,113,729       351,399     $ 3,829,733   

Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

     277,403        2,951,572       158,766       1,690,861   

Shares redeemed

     (778,798      (8,452,830     (1,457,847     (15,792,168)  
  

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease)

     (219,190    $ (2,387,529     (947,682   $ (10,271,574)  
  

 

 

 

3.  Transactions with Affiliates

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

 

Subsidiary    Affiliation

Franklin Advisers, Inc. (Advisers)

   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

 

     
  Semiannual Report                 FSI-45  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin Strategic Income VIP Fund (continued)

 

3.  Transactions with Affiliates (continued)

a.  Management Fees

The Fund pays an investment management fee to Advisers based on the average daily net assets of the Fund as follows:

 

Annualized Fee Rate    Net Assets

0.625%

  

Up to and including $500 million

0.525%

  

Over $500 million, up to and including $1 billion

0.480%

  

Over $1 billion, up to and including $1.5 billion

0.435%

  

Over $1.5 billion, up to and including $6.5 billion

0.415%

  

Over $6.5 billion, up to and including $11.5 billion

0.400%

  

Over $11.5 billion, up to and including $16.5 billion

0.390%

  

Over $16.5 billion, up to and including $19 billion

0.380%

  

Over $19 billion, up to and including $21.5 billion

0.370%

  

In excess of $21.5 billion

b.  Administrative Fees

Under an agreement with Advisers, FT Services provides administrative services to the Fund. The fee is paid by Advisers 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 Class 2 and Class 4 shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. Under the Fund’s 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 0.25% and 0.35% per year of its average daily net assets of Class 2 and Class 4, respectively. The plan year, for purposes of monitoring compliance with the maximum annual plan rates, is February 1 through January 31.

d.  Transfer Agent Fees

Investor Services, under terms of an agreement, performs shareholder servicing for the Fund and is not paid by the Fund for the services.

e.  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. During the period ended June 30, 2019, the Fund held investments in affiliated management investment companies as follows:

 

      Value at
Beginning
of Period
     Purchases      Sales      Realized
Gain (Loss)
     Net Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
    

Value at

End of

Period

     Number of
Shares
Held at End
of Period
     Dividend
Income
 
Non-Controlled Affiliates                        

Franklin Floating Rate Income Funda

     $      12,230,563        $              —        $              —        $              —        $(502,812)        $11,727,751        1,358,951        $485,775  

 

     
FSI-46            Semiannual Report  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin Strategic Income VIP Fund (continued)

 

 

      Value at
Beginning
of Period
     Purchases      Sales     Realized
Gain (Loss)
     Net Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
     Value at End
of Period
     Number of
Shares
Held at End
of Period
     Dividend
Income
 
Non-Controlled Affiliates (continued)

 

                   

Franklin Lower Tier Floating Rate Fund

     $  13,000,405        $                —        $  (12,319,922) b      $  (1,769,646)        $  1,089,163        $               —               $359,788  

Institutional Fiduciary Trust Money Market Portfolio, 2.05%

     10,265,231        78,898,452        (81,869,649)              $               —        7,294,034        7,294,034        105,292  
  

 

 

       

 

 

 

Total Affiliated Securities

     $  35,496,199        $  78,898,452        $  (94,189,571)       $  (1,769,646)        $     586,351        $  19,021,785           $950,855  
  

 

 

       

 

 

 

aEffective May 31, 2019, Franklin Middle Tier Floating Rate Fund was renamed Franklin Floating Rate Income Fund.

bThe Fund sold shares of the affiliate through an in-kind transfer of common stocks and other equity interests, corporate bonds and senior floating rate interests securities and cash. See Note 6.

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 June 30, 2019, 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.

At December 31, 2018, the capital loss carryforwards were as follows:

 

Capital loss carryforwards not subject to expiration:

  

Short term

   $ 3,186,035  

Long term

     36,761,926  
  

 

 

 

Total capital loss carryforwards

   $ 39,947,961 a 
  

 

 

 

a Subject to certain limitations under Internal Revenue Code Section 382.

At June 30, 2019, the cost of investments and net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) for income tax purposes were as follows:

 

Cost of investments

   $ 469,675,559  
  

 

 

 

Unrealized appreciation

   $ 9,535,735  

Unrealized depreciation

     (21,758,733
  

 

 

 

Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

   $ (12,222,998
  

 

 

 

Differences between income and/or capital gains as determined on a book basis and a tax basis are primarily due to differing treatments of foreign currency transactions, bond discounts and premiums, swaps and financial futures transactions.

 

     
  Semiannual Report                 FSI-47  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin Strategic Income VIP Fund (continued)

 

6.  Investment Transactions

Purchases and sales of investments (excluding short term securities) for the period ended June 30, 2019, aggregated $309,092,020 and $336,241,726, respectively. Purchases and sales of investments excludes in-kind transactions of $10,271,362 and $12,319,922, respectively.

7.  Credit Risk and Defaulted Securities

At June 30, 2019, the Fund had 51.4% of its portfolio invested in high yield, senior secured floating rate loans, or other securities rated below investment grade and unrated securities, if any. These securities may be more sensitive to economic conditions causing greater price volatility and are potentially subject to a greater risk of loss due to default than higher rated securities.

The Fund held defaulted securities and/or other securities for which the income has been deemed uncollectible. At June 30, 2019, the aggregate value of these securities was $3,159,239, representing 0.7% of the Fund’s net assets. The Fund discontinues accruing income on securities for which income has been deemed uncollectible and provides an estimate for losses on interest receivable. The securities have been identified in the accompanying Consolidated Statement of Investments.

8.  Restricted Securities

The Fund invests in securities that are restricted under the Securities Act of 1933 (1933 Act). Restricted securities are often purchased in private placement transactions, and cannot be sold without prior registration unless the sale is pursuant to an exemption under the 1933 Act. Disposal of these securities may require greater effort and expense, and prompt sale at an acceptable price may be difficult. The Fund may have registration rights for restricted securities. The issuer generally incurs all registration costs.

At June 30, 2019, investments in restricted securities, excluding securities exempt from registration under the 1933 Act deemed to be liquid, were as follows:

 

Principal
Amount/
Shares/
Units
   Issuer    Acquisition
Date
     Cost      Value  
18,684   

a Appvion Operations Inc.

     4/12/19    $ 252,711      $ 287,369  
8,384   

  iHeartMedia Inc., A

     6/09/11 - 9/05/14        194,247        121,696  
142   

  iHeartMedia Inc., B

     6/09/11 - 9/05/14        3,268        2,061  
14,792,309   

  K2016470219 South Africa Ltd., A

     2/08/13 - 2/01/17        114,768        10,500  
1,472,041   

  K2016470219 South Africa Ltd., B

     2/01/17        1,093        1,045  
947,792   

  K2016470219 South Africa Ltd., senior secured note, 144A, PIK, 3.00%, 12/31/22

     2/08/13 - 6/30/19        1,330,313        1,185  
278,546   

  K2016470260 South Africa Ltd., senior secured note, 144A, PIK, 25.00%, 12/31/22

     2/01/17 - 6/30/19        199,465        8,356  
7,021   

b Remington Outdoor Co. Inc., Litigation Units

     4/12/19                
        

 

 

 
  

Total Restricted Securities (Value is 0.1% of Net Assets)

      $ 2,095,865      $ 432,212  
        

 

 

 

a The Fund also invests in unrestricted securities of the issuer, valued at $424,833 as of June 30, 2019.

b The Fund also invests in unrestricted securities of the issuer, valued at $111,864 as of June 30, 2019.

 

     
FSI-48            Semiannual Report  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin Strategic Income VIP Fund (continued)

 

9.  Other Derivative Information

At June 30, 2019, investments in derivative contracts are reflected in the Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities as follows:

 

    

Asset Derivatives

    

Liability Derivatives

 
Derivative Contracts
Not Accounted for as
Hedging Instruments
  

Consolidated Statement of

Assets and Liabilities

Location

  Fair Value      Consolidated Statement of
Assets and Liabilities
Location
  Fair Value  

Interest rate contracts

  

Variation margin on futures contracts

  $
 
1,074,160

 
  

Variation margin on futures contracts

  $  
  

Unrealized appreciation on OTC swap contracts

    28,740     

Unrealized depreciation on OTC swap contracts

     

Foreign exchange contracts

  

Unrealized appreciation on OTC forward exchange contracts

    300,017     

Unrealized depreciation on OTC forward exchange contracts

    250,078  

Credit contracts

  

Variation margin on centrally cleared swap contracts

    51,668 a     

Variation margin on centrally cleared swap contracts

     
  

OTC swap contracts (upfront payments)

    396,204     

OTC swap contracts (upfront receipts)

    641,713  
  

Unrealized appreciation on OTC swap contracts

    111,056     

Unrealized depreciation on OTC swap contracts

    1,850,660  

Value recovery instruments

  

Investments in securities, at value

    701,651 b       
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Totals

     $ 2,663,496        $ 2,742,451  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

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

bVRI are included in investments in securities, at value in the Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

For the period ended June 30, 2019, the effect of derivative contracts in the Consolidated Statement of Operations was as follows:

 

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

Net realized gain (loss) from:

    Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:  

Interest rate contracts

   Futures contracts     $1,609,018     Futures contracts     $382,479  
   Swap contracts     925,071     Swap contracts     451,264  

Foreign exchange contracts

   Forward exchange contracts     316,816     Forward exchange contracts     (212,811

Credit contracts

   Swap contracts     846,061     Swap contracts     (42,669

Value recovery instruments

  

Investments

    98,000 a     Investments     65,778 a  
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Totals

       $3,794,966         $644,041  
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

aVRI are included in net realized gain (loss) from investments and net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments in the Consolidated Statement of Operations.

 

     
  Semiannual Report                 FSI-49  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin Strategic Income VIP Fund (continued)

 

9. Other Derivative Information (continued)

 

For the period ended June 30, 2019, the average month end notional amount of futures contracts and swap contracts and the average month end contract value for forward exchange contracts, and average month end fair value of VRI, were as follows:

 

Futures contracts

     $32,829,607  

Swap contracts

     56,808,610  

Forward exchange contracts

     37,064,038  

VRI

     729,187  

 

     Gross Amounts of
Assets and Liabilities Presented
in the Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities
 
      Assetsa     Liabilitiesa  
Derivatives     

Forward exchange contracts

     $300,017       $   250,078  

Swap contracts

     536,000       2,492,373  
  

 

 

 

Total

     $836,017       $2,742,451  
  

 

 

 

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 June 30, 2019, OTC derivative assets, which may be offset against OTC derivative liabilities and collateral received from the counterparty, are as follows:

 

           Amounts Not Offset in the
Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities
       
      



Gross
Amounts of
Assets Presented in
the Consolidated Statement of
Assets and Liabilities




 
   


Financial
Instruments
Available
for Offset
 
 
 
 
   


Financial
Instruments
Collateral
Received
 
 
 
 
   


Cash
Collateral
Receiveda
 
 
 
 
   

Net Amount
(Not less
than zero)
 
 
 
Counterparty           

BNDP

     $  19,327       $  (16,773     $  —       $         —       $2,554  

BZWS

     48,832       (48,832                  

CITI

     80,817       (80,817                  

DBAB

                              

FBCO

     3,381                         3,381  

GSCO

     9,385                   (9,385      

JPHQ

     300,841       (300,841                  

MSCO

     373,434       (373,434                  
  

 

 

 

Total

     $836,017       $(820,697     $  —       $(9,385     $5,935  
  

 

 

 

 

     
FSI-50            Semiannual Report  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin Strategic Income VIP Fund (continued)

 

At June 30, 2019, OTC derivative liabilities, which may be offset against OTC derivative assets and collateral pledged to the counterparty, are as follows:

 

           Amounts Not Offset in the
Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities
       
      



Gross
Amounts of
Liabilities Presented in
the Consolidated Statement of
Assets and Liabilities




 
   


Financial
Instruments
Available
for Offset
 
 
 
 
   


Financial
Instruments
Collateral
Pledged
 
 
 
 
   

Cash
Collateral
Pledgeda
 
 
 
   

Net Amount
(Not less
than zero)
 
 
 
Counterparty           

BNDP

     $      16,773       $   (16,773)       $  —       $                —       $            —  

BZWS

     75,693       (48,832)                   26,861  

CITI

     1,107,484       (80,817)             (1,020,000)       6,667  

DBAB

     9,956                         9,956  

FBCO

                              

GSCO

                              

JPHQ

     569,861       (300,841)                   269,020  

MSCO

     962,684       (373,434)             (589,250)        
  

 

 

 

Total

     $2,742,451       $(820,697)       $  —       $(1,609,250)       $312,504  
  

 

 

 

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 overcollateralization. Actual collateral received and/or pledged may be more than the amounts disclosed herein.

See Note 1(d) regarding derivative financial instruments.

See Abbreviations on page FSI-54.

10.  Credit Facility

The Fund, together with other U.S. registered and foreign investment funds (collectively, Borrowers), managed by Franklin Templeton, are borrowers in a joint syndicated senior unsecured credit facility totaling $2 billion (Global Credit Facility) which matures on February 7, 2020. This Global Credit Facility provides a source of funds to the Borrowers for temporary and emergency purposes, including the ability to meet future unanticipated or unusually large redemption requests.

Under the terms of the Global Credit Facility, the Fund shall, in addition to interest charged on any borrowings made by the Fund and other costs incurred by the Fund, pay its share of fees and expenses incurred in connection with the implementation and maintenance of the Global Credit Facility, based upon its relative share of the aggregate net assets of all of the Borrowers, including an annual commitment fee of 0.15% based upon the unused portion of the Global Credit Facility. These fees are reflected in other expenses in the Consolidated Statement of Operations. During the period ended June 30, 2019, the Fund did not use the Global Credit Facility.

11.  Redemption In-Kind

During the year ended December 31, 2018, the Fund realized $2,963,426 of net losses resulting from a redemption in-kind in which a shareholder redeemed fund shares for cash and securities held by the Fund. Because such losses are not taxable to the Fund, are not netted with capital gains that are distributed to remaining shareholders, they are reclassified from accumulated net realized losses to paid-in capital.

 

     
  Semiannual Report                 FSI-51  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin Strategic Income VIP Fund (continued)

 

12.  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.

 

     
FSI-52            Semiannual Report  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin Strategic Income VIP Fund (continued)

 

A summary of inputs used as of June 30, 2019, in valuing the Fund’s assets and liabilities carried at fair value, is as follows:

 

      Level 1     Level 2     Level 3     Total  
Assets:         

Investments in Securities:a

        

Equity Investments:b

        

Commercial & Professional Services

   $     $ 111,864     $     $ 111,864  

Consumer Services

                 41,832       41,832  

Energy

     116,404       438,158       9       554,571  

Materials

     109,429             287,369       396,798  

Media & Entertainment

     98,195             123,757       221,952  

Retailing

                 11,545       11,545  

All Other Equity Investments

     11,727,751                   11,727,751  

Corporate Bonds:

        

Retailing

           1,267,294       1,185       1,268,479  

All Other Corporate Bonds

           159,183,861             159,183,861  

Senior Floating Rate Interests:

        

Household & Personal Products

                 2,390,703       2,390,703  

All Other Senior Floating Rate Interests

           56,604,960             56,604,960  

Foreign Government and Agency Securities

           25,374,343             25,374,343  

U.S. Government and Agency Securities

           23,761,828             23,761,828  

Asset-Backed Securities and Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities

           119,382,419             119,382,419  

Mortgage-Backed Securities

           43,500,352             43,500,352  

Municipal Bonds

           6,610,783             6,610,783  

Escrows and Litigation Trusts

           7,500       c       7,500  

Short Term Investments

     7,294,034                   7,294,034  
  

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities

   $     19,345,813     $     436,243,362     $     2,856,400     $     458,445,575  
  

 

 

 

Other Financial Instruments:

        

Futures Contracts

   $ 1,074,160     $     $     $ 1,074,160  

Forward Exchange Contracts

           300,017             300,017  

Swap Contracts

           191,464             191,464  
  

 

 

 

Total Other Financial Instruments

   $ 1,074,160     $ 491,481     $     $ 1,565,641  
  

 

 

 
Liabilities:         

Other Financial Instruments:

        

Forward Exchange Contracts

   $     $ 250,078     $     $ 250,078  

Swap Contracts

           1,850,660             1,850,660  
  

 

 

 

Total Other Financial Instruments

   $     $ 2,100,738     $     $ 2,100,738  
  

 

 

 

aFor detailed categories, see the accompanying Consolidated Statement of Investments.

bIncludes common stocks and management investment companies as well as other equity interests.

cIncludes securities determined to have no value at June 30, 2019.

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 beginning and/or end of the period.

 

     
  Semiannual Report                 FSI-53  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin Strategic Income VIP Fund (continued)

 

13.  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   Currency   Selected Portfolio
BNDP   BNP Paribas SA   BRL   Brazilian Real   ARM   Adjustable Rate Mortgage
BZWS   Barclays Bank PLC   COP   Colombian Peso   CLO   Collateralized Loan Obligation
CITI   Citigroup, Inc.   DOP   Dominican Peso   CMT   1 year Constant Maturity Treasury Index
DBAB   Deutsche Bank AG   EUR   Euro   FHLMC   Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp.
FBCO   Credit Suisse International   IDR   Indonesian Rupiah   FNMA   Federal National Mortgage Association
GSCO   The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.   MXN   Mexican Peso   FRN   Floating Rate Note
JPHQ   JP Morgan Chase & Co.   USD   United States Dollar   GDP   Gross Domestic Product
MSCO   Morgan Stanley   UYU   Uruguayan peso   GNMA   Government National Mortgage Association
    ZAR   South African rand   HDC   Housing Development Corp.
        LIBOR   London InterBank Offered Rate
        MBS   Mortgage-Backed Security
        PIK   Payment-In-Kind
        RDA   Redevelopment Agency/Authority
        SF   Single Family
        T-Note   Treasury Note
        VRI   Value Recovery Instrument

 

Index
CDX.EM.Series number   CDX Emerging Markets Index
MCDX.NA.Series number   MCDX North America Index

 

     
FSI-54            Semiannual Report  


Templeton Developing Markets VIP Fund

This semiannual report for Templeton Developing Markets VIP Fund covers the period ended June 30, 2019.

Class 4 Performance Summary as of June 30, 2019

The Fund’s Class 4 Shares posted a + 14.04% total return* for the six-month period ended June 30, 2019.

*The Fund has a fee waiver associated with any investments it makes in a Franklin Templeton money fund and/or other Franklin Templeton fund, contractually guaranteed through 4/30/20. Fund investment results reflect the expense reduction and fee waiver; without these reductions, the results would have been lower.

Performance reflects the Fund’s Class 4 operating expenses, but does not include any contract fees, expenses or sales charges. If they had been included, performance would be lower. These charges and deductions, particularly for variable life policies, can have a significant effect on contract values and insurance benefits. See the contract prospectus for a complete description of these expenses, including sales charges.

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.

 

     
  Semiannual Report                 TD-1  


TEMPLETON DEVELOPING MARKETS VIP FUND

 

Fund Goal and Main Investments

The Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation. Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets in emerging market investments.

Fund Risks

All investments involve risks, including possible loss of principal. Special risks are associated with foreign investing, including currency fluctuations, economic instability and political developments. Investments in developing markets, of which frontier markets are a subset, involve heightened risks related to the same factors, in addition to those associated with these markets’ smaller size, lesser liquidity and lack of established legal, political, business and social frameworks to support securities markets. Because these frameworks are typically even less developed in frontier markets, as well as various factors including the increased potential for extreme price volatility, illiquidity, trade barriers and exchange controls, the risks associated with developing markets are magnified in frontier markets. The Fund is designed for the aggressive portion of a well-diversified portfolio. 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.

Performance Overview

You can find the Fund’s six-month total return in the Performance Summary. In comparison, the MSCI Emerging Markets (EM) Index posted a +10.78% total return, and the Standard & Poor’s®/International Finance Corporation Investable Composite Index posted a +10.49% total return for the same period.1 Please note, index performance numbers are for reference and we do not attempt to track an index but rather undertake investments on the basis of fundamental research.

Economic and Market Overview

Emerging market economic growth moderated during the six months ended June 30, 2019, with many countries’ growth rates dipping to multi-year lows. However, emerging market economies in general continued to grow faster than their developed market counterparts. China’s annual growth rate held steady in the first quarter of 2019 before moderating in

Geographic Composition

Based on Total Net Assets as of 6/30/19

 

LOGO

the second quarter to its lowest level since 1992. Trade tensions with the U.S. and weak global demand hurt China’s economy, though industrial production growth and strong consumer demand, stimulated by government policies, were bright spots. Elsewhere in Asia, South Korea’s first-quarter annual growth rate was the lowest since 2009, due to weak growth in manufacturing and a contraction in construction. Taiwan’s first-quarter annual growth rate also hit a multi-year low, as the global slowdown hurt the country’s export-driven economy. In India, weak consumer demand and fixed investment drove first-quarter annual growth to its lowest level since 2014. Turning to Europe, Russia’s annual growth rate slowed in the first quarter due to weakness in information, communication, financial and insurance sectors, as well as contractions in other sectors, significantly real estate. In Latin America, Brazil’s first-quarter annual growth moderated due to weak consumer demand and fixed investment.

Monetary policies varied among emerging market central banks. The People’s Bank of China left its benchmark interest rate unchanged during the period, but it took measures to improve financial liquidity to mitigate the negative effects of the U.S.-China trade dispute and support economic growth. South Korea’s and Taiwan’s central banks also held their benchmark interest rates steady, despite concerns about the negative effects of the U.S.-China trade dispute on the countries’ economies. India’s central bank unexpectedly cut its benchmark interest rate in February to

 

 

1. Source: Morningstar. One cannot invest directly in an index, and an index is not representative of the Fund’s portfolio. Please see Index Descriptions following the Fund Summaries.

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).

 

     
TD-2        Semiannual Report  


TEMPLETON DEVELOPING MARKETS VIP FUND

 

boost a slowing economy amid low inflation, and made further cuts in April and June amid continued economic concerns. Russia’s central bank cut its key rate in June due to slowing inflation growth and weaker-than-expected economic growth. In Latin America, Brazil and Mexico’s central banks held their benchmark rates steady.

Emerging market equities rose during the six-month period, though they lagged developed and frontier market stocks. Emerging market equities, led by Asia, posted significant gains in the first quarter of 2019, aided by the U.S. Federal Reserve’s decision to halt interest rate hikes and easing U.S.-China trade tensions. In contrast, emerging market equities posted modest gains in the second quarter, as Asian emerging market equities declined due to a spike in U.S.-China tensions in May (though tensions eased again in late June) that included further tariff impositions and fears China would decrease stimulus policies. For the six-month period, all major regions posted positive returns, although Europe was the only region where emerging market equities outpaced overall developed market equites. Russia benefited from higher oil prices, an appreciating ruble and its perceived relative insulation from the U.S.-China trade dispute. Latin American equities advanced, led by Colombia and Brazil, despite concerns about Brazil’s slowing economic growth. Asian emerging market stocks lagged other regions, though Chinese equities still outpaced overall emerging market stocks. In this environment, global emerging market stocks, as measured by the MSCI EM Index, posted a +10.78% total return for the six-month period.1

Investment Strategy

We employ a fundamental research, value-oriented, long-term investment approach. We focus on the market price of a company’s securities relative to our evaluation of its long-term earnings, asset value and cash flow potential. This includes an assessment of the potential impacts of material environmental, social and governance factors on the long-term risk and return profile of a company. We also consider a company’s profit and loss outlook, balance sheet strength, cash flow trends and asset value in relation to the current price of the company’s securities. Our analysis considers the company’s position in its sector, the economic framework and political environment.

Manager’s Discussion

During the six months under review, key contributors to absolute performance included Naspers, Brilliance China Automotive and Samsung Electronics.

Top 10 Countries       

6/30/19

 

      
     

% of Total

Net Assets

 
China      24.5%  
South Korea      16.0%  
Russia      9.2%  
Taiwan      8.5%  
Brazil      8.2%  
India      7.3%  
South Africa      6.8%  
U.K.      3.0%  
U.S.      3.0%  
Thailand      2.6%  

Naspers is an internet and media group based in South Africa. It also has sizeable investments in some of the world’s leading technology companies, including China-based Tencent and Russia-based Mail.Ru (both Fund holdings). The first quarter of 2019 saw a broad recovery in the information technology (IT) sector driven by improved investor confidence. Sentiment in Naspers further benefited from Tencent’s above-consensus fourth quarter 2018 revenue and earnings. Investors also reacted positively to Naspers’ creation of a new company listing in Amsterdam, which management expects to unlock value and reduce the discount to net asset value.

Brilliance China manufactures and sells automobiles for the Chinese domestic market, predominantly through its joint venture (JV) with German luxury car maker BMW (not a Fund holding). Brilliance China’s share price rebounded in the first half of 2019 as investors saw value emerge following a steep decline in the second half of 2018 after BMW announced plans to increase its JV stake to a majority share. The sale of part of Brilliance’s stake to BMW was approved by shareholders in early 2019, and the company is expected to distribute a special dividend from sale proceeds. However, completion of the deal is pending approval from Chinese regulators in 2022, when a change in regulations on foreign ownership comes into effect. Sentiment in the stock also benefited from Chinese government measures to support car sales.

Samsung is a South Korea-based consumer electronics and semiconductor manufacturer. It is one of the world’s largest smartphone and memory chip producers as well as a key supplier of organic light-emitting diode displays. Following weakness in the second half of 2018, Samsung’s share price rebounded due to improved sentiment in the technology sector in general. Although the company

 

 

     
  Semiannual Report                 TD-3  


TEMPLETON DEVELOPING MARKETS VIP FUND

 

reported weak first-quarter operating profits, largely due to weakness in the semiconductor and display segments, management expectations for a recovery in the second half of 2019 provided investors with some comfort.

In contrast, key detractors from absolute performance included Glenmark Pharmaceuticals, Massmart and Naver.

Glenmark Pharmaceuticals is a mid-size Indian pharmaceutical company with a presence in generics and research and development. While fourth-quarter 2018 corporate results generally met market expectations, sentiment was hurt by weaker-than-expected growth in U.S. revenues along with earnings pressure from foreign exchange losses and higher research and development expenditures. A delay in U.S. approval and launch of an investigational product for the treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis also led to shares falling sharply in June.

Massmart is a leading South African wholesaler, distributor and retailer of food products, general merchandise, alcohol, home improvement equipment and supplies. U.S.-based Walmart (not a Fund holding), the world’s largest retailer, owns a controlling stake in the company. Disappointing 2018 corporate results gave rise to a correction of Massmart’s share price. 2018 earnings declined largely due to weak sales growth and a contraction in the operating margin in two divisions. The company also released a profit decline warning for the first half of 2019. The resignation of the CEO and CFO further impacted sentiment.

Naver is South Korea’s largest web search engine, as well as a global information and communication technology brand that provides services including LINE messenger, currently with more than 200 million users around the world. Although lower marketing costs supported earnings, concerns that competition from U.S. search platforms have impacted key business areas hurt its share price. Losses at Naver’s Japanese subsidiary LINE were due to aggressive efforts to expand the service into fintech and also raised investor concerns.

During the past six months, we increased the Fund’s holdings in China, Brazil and Mexico due to their solid fundamentals. Investments in companies that are listed in the U.S. but have significant exposure to emerging markets were also increased. In terms of sectors, we undertook

Top 10 Holdings       

6/30/19

 

      

Company

Sector/Industry, Country

   % of Total
Net Assets
 

Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals,

    South Korea

     7.5%  
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd.
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment, Taiwan
     6.4%  

Naspers Ltd.

Internet & Direct Marketing Retail, South Africa

     5.9%  

Alibaba Group Holding Ltd.

Internet & Direct Marketing Retail, China

     5.0%  

ICICI Bank Ltd.

Banks, India

     3.6%  
Brilliance China Automotive Holdings Ltd.
Automobiles, China
     3.4%  
Unilever PLC
Personal Products, U.K.
     3.0%  

Tencent Holdings Ltd.

Interactive Media & Services, China

     2.9%  

Banco Bradesco SA

Banks, Brazil

     2.6%  

LUKOIL PJSC

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels, Russia

     2.5%  

additions in IT, industrials and financials.2 New purchases included Health & Happiness H&H International, a leading family nutrition product company in China; Petroleo Brasileiro (Petrobras), Brazil’s national energy company; and Argentinian bank BBVA Argentina, which initiated the Fund’s exposure to that country. We increased existing positions in Cognizant Technology, a major global information technology services company, and China Resources Cement.

We reduced the Fund’s investments in Thailand, Peru and Taiwan in favor of stocks we deemed to be more attractively valued within our investment universe. Sectors that experienced the largest sales were materials, consumer discretionary and communication services.3 We made key reductions in the aforementioned Naspers and in Compania De Minas Buenaventura, a Peruvian precious metals company, while we liquidated the Fund’s positions in cement producer Semen Indonesia and Nigerian Breweries, which eliminated the Fund’s exposure to Nigeria.

 

 

2. The information technology sector comprises electronic equipment, instruments and components; IT services; semiconductors and semiconductor equipment; software; and technology hardware, storage and peripherals in the SOI. The industrials sector comprises construction and engineering, industrial conglomerates and transportation infrastructure in the SOI. The financials sector comprises banks, capital markets, diversified financial services and insurance in the SOI.

3. The materials sector comprises chemicals, construction materials, and metals and mining in the SOI. The consumer discretionary sector comprises auto components; automobiles; distributors; hotels, restaurants and leisure; internet and direct marketing retail; multiline retail; and textiles, apparel and luxury goods in the SOI. The communication services sector comprises entertainment, interactive media and services, media and wireless telecommunication services in the SOI.

 

     
TD-4        Semiannual Report  


TEMPLETON DEVELOPING MARKETS VIP FUND

 

Thank you for your participation in Templeton Developing Markets VIP Fund. We look forward to serving your future investment needs.

 

 

The foregoing information reflects our analysis, opinions and portfolio holdings as of June 30, 2019, 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.

 

 

     
  Semiannual Report                 TD-5  


TEMPLETON DEVELOPING MARKETS VIP FUND

 

Class 4 Fund Expenses

As an investor in a variable insurance contract (Contract) that indirectly provides for investment in an underlying mutual fund, you can incur transaction and/or ongoing expenses at both the Fund level and the Contract Level: (1) transaction expenses can include sales charges (loads) on purchases, surrender fees, transfer fees and premium taxes; and (2) ongoing expenses can include management fees, distribution and service (12b-1) fees, contract fees, annual maintenance fees, mortality and expense risk fees and other fees and expenses. All mutual funds and Contracts have some types of ongoing expenses. The table below shows Fund-level ongoing expenses and can help you understand these costs and compare them with those of other mutual funds offered through the Contract. The table assumes a $1,000 investment held for the six months indicated. Please refer to the Fund prospectus for additional information on operating expenses.

Actual Fund Expenses

The table below provides information about the actual account values and actual expenses in the columns under the heading “Actual.” In these columns the Fund’s actual return, which includes the effect of ongoing Fund expenses but does not include the effect of ongoing Contract expenses, is used to calculate the “Ending Account Value.” You can estimate the Fund-level expenses you paid during the period by following these steps (of course, your account value and expenses will differ from those in this illustration): Divide your account value by $1,000 (if your account had an $8,600 value, then $8,600 ÷ $1,000 = 8.6). Then multiply the result by the number under the headings “Actual” and “Fund-Level Expenses Paid During Period” (if Fund-Level Expenses Paid During Period were $ 7.50, then 8.6 x $7.50 = $64.50). In this illustration, the estimated expenses paid this period at the Fund level are $64.50.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison with Other Mutual Funds

Under the heading “Hypothetical” in the table, information is provided about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. This information may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period, but it can help you compare ongoing costs of investing in the Fund with those of other mutual funds offered through the Contract. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds offered through the Contract.

Please note that expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight ongoing costs at the Fund level only and do not reflect any ongoing expenses at the Contract level, or transaction expenses at either the Fund or Contract levels. In addition, while the Fund does not have transaction expenses, if the transaction and ongoing expenses at the Contract level were included, the expenses shown below would be higher. You should consult your Contract prospectus or disclosure document for more information.

 

              

Actual

(actual return after expenses)

        Hypothetical
(5% annual return before expenses)
         

  Share

  Class

  

Beginning

Account
Value 1/1/19

        Ending
Account
Value 6/30/19
   Fund-Level
Expenses
Paid  During
Period
1/1/19–6/30/191, 2
        Ending
Account
Value 6/30/19
   Fund-Level
Expenses
Paid During
Period
1/1/19–6/30/191, 2
        Net
Annualized
Expense
Ratio2

Class 4

   $1,000       $1,140.40    $7.96       $1,017.36    $7.50       1.50%

1. Expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio for the six-month period as indicated above—in the far right column—multiplied by the simple average account value over the period indicated, and then multiplied by 181/365 to reflect the one-half year period.

2. Reflects expenses after fee waivers and expense reimbursements. Does not include any ongoing expenses of the Contract for which the Fund is an investment option or acquired fund fees and expenses.

 

     
TD-6        Semiannual Report  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

 

Financial Highlights

Templeton Developing Markets VIP Fund

   

Six Months Ended
June 30, 2019

(unaudited)

     Year Ended December 31,  
      2018      2017      2016      2015      2014  

Class 1

                
Per share operating performance
(for a share outstanding throughout the period)
                

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $ 8.62        $10.31        $ 7.42        $ 6.37        $ 9.27        $10.26  
       
Income from investment operationsa:                 

Net investment incomeb

    0.07        0.09        0.08        0.05        0.06        0.15 c  

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)

    1.15        (1.67      2.92        1.08        (1.63      (0.97
       

Total from investment operations

    1.22        (1.58      3.00        1.13        (1.57      (0.82
       
Less distributions from:                 

Net investment income

    (0.12      (0.11      (0.11      (0.08      (0.20      (0.17

Net realized gains

                                (1.13       
       

Total distributions

    (0.12      (0.11      (0.11      (0.08      (1.33      (0.17
       
Redemption fees                                        d 
       
Net asset value, end of period     $ 9.72        $ 8.62        $10.31        $ 7.42        $ 6.37        $ 9.27  
       

Total returne

    14.23%        (15.44)%        40.65%        17.79%        (19.42)%        (8.09)%  
Ratios to average net assetsf                 

Expenses before waiver and payments by affiliates

    1.15%        1.24%        1.36%        1.38%        1.33%        1.36%  

Expenses net of waiver and payments by affiliates

    1.15% g        1.24% g        1.35% h        1.36%        1.32%        1.36% g  

Net investment income

    1.42%        0.99%        0.86%        0.79%        0.74%        1.51% c  
Supplemental data                 

Net assets, end of period (000’s)

    $91,732        $85,397        $105,493        $82,596        $77,000        $114,487  

Portfolio turnover rate

    8.56%        9.22%        10.76%        26.78%        71.69%        82.87%  

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

bBased on average daily shares outstanding.

cNet investment income per share includes approximately $0.04 per share related to income received in the form of special dividends in connection with certain Fund holdings. Excluding this amount, the ratio of net investment income to average net assets would have been 1.11%.

dAmount rounds to less than $0.01 per share.

eTotal return does not include fees, charges or expenses imposed by the variable annuity and life insurance contracts for which Franklin Templeton Variable Insurance Products Trust serves as an underlying investment vehicle. Total return is not annualized for periods less than one year.

fRatios are annualized for periods less than one year.

gBenefit of waiver and payments by affiliates rounds to less than 0.01%.

hBenefit of expense reduction rounds to less than 0.01%.

 

     
  The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.    |   Semiannual Report                 TD-7  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

 

Templeton Developing Markets VIP Fund (continued)

   

Six Months Ended
June 30, 2019

(unaudited)

     Year Ended December 31,  
      2018      2017      2016      2015      2014  

Class 2

                
Per share operating performance
(for a share outstanding throughout the period)
                

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $ 8.54        $10.23        $ 7.36        $ 6.32        $ 9.20        $10.19  
       
Income from investment operationsa:                 

Net investment incomeb

    0.05        0.07        0.05        0.04        0.04        0.12 c  

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)

    1.15        (1.68      2.91        1.06        (1.61      (0.96
       

Total from investment operations

    1.20        (1.61      2.96        1.10        (1.57      (0.84
       
Less distributions from:                 

Net investment income

    (0.09      (0.08      (0.09      (0.06      (0.18      (0.15

Net realized gains

                                (1.13       
       

Total distributions

    (0.09      (0.08      (0.09      (0.06      (1.31      (0.15
       
Redemption fees                                        d 
       
Net asset value, end of period     $ 9.65        $ 8.54        $10.23        $ 7.36        $ 6.32        $ 9.20  
       

Total returne

    14.16%        (15.79)%        40.41%        17.44%        (19.60)%        (8.39)%  
Ratios to average net assetsf                 

Expenses before waiver and payments by affiliates

    1.40%        1.49%        1.61%        1.63%        1.58%        1.61%  

Expenses net of waiver and payments by affiliates

    1.40% g        1.49% g        1.60% h        1.61%        1.57%        1.61% g  

Net investment income

    1.17%        0.74%        0.61%        0.54%        0.49%        1.26% c  
Supplemental data                 

Net assets, end of period (000’s)

    $221,695        $195,305        $270,433        $205,151        $192,120        $250,813  

Portfolio turnover rate

    8.56%        9.22%        10.76%        26.78%        71.69%        82.87%  

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

bBased on average daily shares outstanding.

cNet investment income per share includes approximately $0.04 per share related to income received in the form of special dividends in connection with certain Fund holdings. Excluding this amount, the ratio of net investment income to average net assets would have been 0.86%.

dAmount rounds to less than $0.01 per share.

eTotal return does not include fees, charges or expenses imposed by the variable annuity and life insurance contracts for which Franklin Templeton Variable Insurance Products Trust serves as an underlying investment vehicle. Total return is not annualized for periods less than one year.

fRatios are annualized for periods less than one year.

gBenefit of waiver and payments by affiliates rounds to less than 0.01%.

hBenefit of expense reduction rounds to less than 0.01%.

 

     
TD-8        Semiannual Report   |    The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

 

Templeton Developing Markets VIP Fund (continued)

   

Six Months Ended
June 30, 2019

(unaudited)

     Year Ended December 31,  
      2018      2017      2016      2015      2014  

Class 4

                
Per share operating performance
(for a share outstanding throughout the period)
                

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $ 8.59        $10.28        $ 7.39        $ 6.34        $ 9.22        $10.20  
       
Income from investment operationsa:                 

Net investment incomeb

    0.05        0.06        0.05        0.03        0.03        0.12 c  

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)

    1.15        (1.68      2.92        1.06        (1.62      (0.97
       

Total from investment operations

    1.20        (1.62      2.97        1.09        (1.59      (0.85
       
Less distributions from:                 

Net investment income

    (0.08      (0.07      (0.08      (0.04      (0.16      (0.13

Net realized gains

                                (1.13       
       

Total distributions

    (0.08      (0.07      (0.08      (0.04      (1.29      (0.13
       
Redemption fees                                        d 
       
Net asset value, end of period     $ 9.71        $ 8.59        $10.28        $ 7.39        $ 6.34        $ 9.22  
       

Total returne

    14.04%        (15.81)%        40.30%        17.32%        (19.70)%        (8.48)%  
Ratios to average net assetsf                 

Expenses before waiver and payments by affiliates

    1.50%        1.59%        1.71%        1.73%        1.68%        1.71%  

Expenses net of waiver and payments by affiliates

    1.50% g        1.59% g        1.70% h        1.71%        1.67%        1.71% g  

Net investment income

    1.07%        0.64%        0.51%        0.44%        0.39%        1.16% c  
Supplemental data                 

Net assets, end of period (000’s)

    $5,574        $5,203        $7,199        $6,377        $7,109        $11,106  

Portfolio turnover rate

    8.56%        9.22%        10.76%        26.78%        71.69%        82.87%  

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

bBased on average daily shares outstanding.

cNet investment income per share includes approximately $0.04 per share related to income received in the form of special dividends in connection with certain Fund holdings. Excluding this amount, the ratio of net investment income to average net assets would have been 0.76%.

dAmount rounds to less than $0.01 per share.

eTotal return does not include fees, charges or expenses imposed by the variable annuity and life insurance contracts for which Franklin Templeton Variable Insurance Products Trust serves as an underlying investment vehicle. Total return is not annualized for periods less than one year.

fRatios are annualized for periods less than one year.

gBenefit of waiver and payments by affiliates rounds to less than 0.01%.

hBenefit of expense reduction rounds to less than 0.01%.

 

     
  The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.    |   Semiannual Report                 TD-9  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

 

Statement of Investments, June 30, 2019 (unaudited)

 

Templeton Developing Markets VIP Fund

 

                    
           Industry      Shares      Value  
 

Common Stocks 91.8%

        
    Argentina 0.2%                     
 

Banco BBVA Argentina SA, ADR

     Banks        58,700      $ 664,484  
          

 

 

 
    Brazil 2.7%                     
a  

B2W Cia Digital

     Internet & Direct Marketing Retail        115,300        981,430  
 

B3 SA - Brasil Bolsa Balcao

     Capital Markets        247,800        2,414,825  
 

Lojas Americanas SA

     Multiline Retail        169,200        580,139  
 

M. Dias Branco SA

     Food Products        136,200        1,380,425  
 

Mahle-Metal Leve SA

     Auto Components        136,600        878,447  
 

Totvs SA

     Software        200,000        2,287,721  
          

 

 

 
             8,522,987  
          

 

 

 
    Cambodia 1.1%                     
 

NagaCorp Ltd.

     Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure        2,857,800        3,515,480  
          

 

 

 
    China 24.5%                     
a  

Alibaba Group Holding Ltd., ADR

     Internet & Direct Marketing Retail        93,210        15,794,435  
 

BAIC Motor Corp. Ltd., H

     Automobiles        1,686,100        1,057,569  
a  

Baidu Inc., ADR

     Interactive Media & Services        9,411        1,104,475  
 

Brilliance China Automotive Holdings Ltd.

     Automobiles        9,831,800        10,873,671  
 

China Construction Bank Corp., H

     Banks        7,168,000        6,175,079  
 

China Merchants Bank Co. Ltd., A

     Banks        337,500        1,768,400  
 

China Mobile Ltd.

     Wireless Telecommunication Services        447,000        4,071,101  
 

China Petroleum & Chemical Corp., H

     Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels        2,500,900        1,699,888  
 

China Resources Cement Holdings Ltd.

     Construction Materials        2,338,400        2,265,918  
 

CNOOC Ltd.

     Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels        2,000,500        3,421,168  
 

COSCO Shipping Ports Ltd.

     Transportation Infrastructure        847,238        836,160  
 

Dah Chong Hong Holdings Ltd.

     Distributors        1,746,100        583,363  
 

Dairy Farm International Holdings Ltd.

     Food & Staples Retailing        98,933        707,371  
 

Health & Happiness H&H International Holdings Ltd.

     Food Products        335,400        1,904,084  
 

MGM China Holdings Ltd.

     Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure        603,200        1,025,389  
 

NetEase Inc., ADR

     Entertainment        6,922        1,770,440  
 

Ping An Bank Co. Ltd., A

     Banks        2,027,300        4,068,299  
 

Ping An Insurance Group Co. of China Ltd., A

     Insurance        273,623        3,530,864  
 

Sands China Ltd.

     Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure        338,600        1,618,851  
 

Sunny Optical Technology Group Co. Ltd.

    
Electronic Equipment, Instruments &
Components
 
 
     161,000        1,663,140  
 

Tencent Holdings Ltd.

     Interactive Media & Services        208,500        9,410,610  
 

Uni-President China Holdings Ltd.

     Food Products        2,016,700        2,245,898  
 

Weifu High-Technology Co. Ltd., B

     Auto Components        334,339        603,014  
          

 

 

 
             78,199,187  
          

 

 

 
    Czech Republic 0.4%                     
 

Moneta Money Bank AS

     Banks        390,403        1,336,799  
          

 

 

 
    Hungary 0.9%                     
 

Richter Gedeon Nyrt

     Pharmaceuticals        161,270        2,970,562  
          

 

 

 
    India 7.3%                     
 

Bajaj Holdings & Investment Ltd.

     Diversified Financial Services        35,390        1,846,876  
 

Biocon Ltd.

     Biotechnology        581,104        2,111,611  
 

Coal India Ltd.

     Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels        224,035        824,657  
 

Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Ltd.

     Pharmaceuticals        292,323        1,879,643  

 

     
TD-10            Semiannual Report  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Templeton Developing Markets VIP Fund (continued)

 

           Industry      Shares      Value  
  Common Stocks (continued)         
 

India (continued)

        
 

ICICI Bank Ltd.

     Banks        1,806,409      $ 11,451,506  
 

Infosys Ltd.

     IT Services        306,365        3,252,490  
 

Tata Chemicals Ltd.

     Chemicals        174,200        1,583,085  
a  

Tata Motors Ltd., A

     Automobiles        394,471        455,687  
          

 

 

 
             23,405,555  
          

 

 

 
 

Indonesia 1.3%

        
 

Astra International Tbk PT

     Automobiles        8,085,700        4,263,915  
          

 

 

 
 

Kenya 0.3%

        
 

Equity Group Holdings PLC

     Banks        2,127,994        810,862  
          

 

 

 
 

Mexico 2.5%

        
 

Banco Santander Mexico SA Institucion de Banca Multiple

        
 

Grupo Financiero Santander, ADR

     Banks        949,761        7,265,672  
 

Nemak SAB de CV

     Auto Components        1,686,600        791,311  
          

 

 

 
             8,056,983  
          

 

 

 
 

Pakistan 0.3%

        
 

Habib Bank Ltd.

     Banks        1,460,000        1,002,690  
          

 

 

 
 

Peru 0.7%

        
 

Compania de Minas Buenaventura SA, ADR

     Metals & Mining        47,770        796,326  
 

Intercorp Financial Services Inc.

     Banks        31,950        1,453,725  
          

 

 

 
             2,250,051  
          

 

 

 
 

Philippines 0.3%

        
 

BDO Unibank Inc.

     Banks        327,469        894,899  
          

 

 

 
 

Russia 9.2%

        
 

Gazprom PJSC, ADR

     Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels        622,000        4,556,772  
 

LUKOIL PJSC, ADR

     Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels        95,250        8,041,005  
a,b  

Mail.Ru Group Ltd., GDR, Reg S

     Interactive Media & Services        112,799        2,878,630  
 

MMC Norilsk Nickel PJSC, ADR

     Metals & Mining        37,800        858,438  
 

Sberbank of Russia PJSC, ADR

     Banks        498,847        7,672,267  
a  

Yandex NV, A

     Interactive Media & Services        136,818        5,199,084  
          

 

 

 
             29,206,196  
          

 

 

 
 

Singapore 0.2%

        
 

DBS Group Holdings Ltd.

     Banks        25,706        493,130  
          

 

 

 
 

South Africa 6.8%

        
 

Massmart Holdings Ltd.

     Food & Staples Retailing        465,421        2,054,831  
a  

MultiChoice Group Ltd.

     Media        90,505        860,637  
 

Naspers Ltd., N

     Internet & Direct Marketing Retail        77,527        18,817,330  
          

 

 

 
             21,732,798  
          

 

 

 
 

South Korea 16.0%

        
 

Fila Korea Ltd.

     Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods        59,210        3,925,361  
 

Hankook Technology Group Co. Ltd.

     Diversified Financial Services        37,500        555,885  
 

Hankook Tire & Technology Co. Ltd.

     Auto Components        21,600        655,315  
 

Hanon Systems

     Auto Components        94,741        954,010  
 

HDC Hyundai Development Co-Engineering & Construction

     Construction & Engineering        56,247        2,114,841  
 

Hite Jinro Co. Ltd.

     Beverages        29,470        518,363  

 

     
  Semiannual Report                 TD-11  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Templeton Developing Markets VIP Fund (continued)

 

           Industry      Shares      Value  
  Common Stocks (continued)         
 

South Korea (continued)

        
 

KT Skylife Co. Ltd.

     Media        166,071      $ 1,514,382  
 

LG Corp.

     Industrial Conglomerates        83,455        5,547,124  
 

Naver Corp.

     Interactive Media & Services        62,869        6,194,847  
 

POSCO

     Metals & Mining        12,766        2,697,881  
 

Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.

     Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals        589,877        23,963,403  
 

SK Hynix Inc.

     Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment        37,980        2,281,544  
          

 

 

 
             50,922,956  
          

 

 

 
 

Taiwan 8.5%

        
 

Catcher Technology Co. Ltd.

     Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals        248,000        1,781,264  
 

CTBC Financial Holding Co. Ltd.

     Banks        2,244,000        1,546,562  
 

FIT Hon Teng Ltd.

    
Electronic Equipment, Instruments
& Components
 
 
     1,759,800        711,836  
 

Hon Hai Precision Industry Co. Ltd.

    
Electronic Equipment, Instruments
& Components
 
 
     629,200        1,572,086  
 

Largan Precision Co. Ltd.

    
Electronic Equipment, Instruments
& Components
 
 
     7,900        983,101  
 

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd.

     Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment        2,658,000        20,506,876  
          

 

 

 
             27,101,725  
          

 

 

 
 

Thailand 2.6%

        
 

Kasikornbank PCL, fgn

     Banks        619,500        3,825,196  
 

Kiatnakin Bank PCL, fgn

     Banks        1,009,800        2,286,774  
 

Thai Beverage PCL, fgn

     Beverages        3,442,500        2,111,417  
          

 

 

 
             8,223,387  
          

 

 

 
 

United Kingdom 3.0%

        
 

Unilever PLC

     Personal Products        155,816        9,685,164  
          

 

 

 
 

United States 3.0%

        
 

Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp., A

     IT Services        110,315        6,992,868  
a  

IMAX Corp.

     Entertainment        125,255        2,530,151  
          

 

 

 
             9,523,019  
          

 

 

 
 

Total Common Stocks (Cost $215,575,062)

           292,782,829  
          

 

 

 
 

Preferred Stocks 5.5%

        
 

Brazil 5.5%

        
c  

Banco Bradesco SA, 3.053%, ADR, pfd.

     Banks        828,715        8,137,981  
c  

Itau Unibanco Holding SA, 7.589%, ADR, pfd.

     Banks        808,743        7,618,359  
c  

Petroleo Brasileiro SA, 0.599%, ADR, pfd.

     Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels        118,600        1,684,120  
          

 

 

 
 

Total Preferred Stocks (Cost $7,685,628)

           17,440,460  
          

 

 

 
 

Total Investments before Short Term
Investments (Cost $223,260,690)

           310,223,289  
          

 

 

 

 

     
TD-12        Semiannual Report  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Templeton Developing Markets VIP Fund (continued)

 

                   Shares      Value  
 

Short Term Investments (Cost $8,751,654) 2.7%

        
 

Money Market Funds 2.7%

        
    United States 2.7%                     
d,e  

Institutional Fiduciary Trust Money Market Portfolio, 2.05%

        8,751,654      $ 8,751,654  
          

 

 

 
 

Total Investments (Cost $232,012,344) 100.0%

           318,974,943  
 

Other Assets, less Liabilities 0.0%

           25,081  
          

 

 

 
 

Net Assets 100.0%

         $ 319,000,024  
          

 

 

 

 

See Abbreviations on page TD-23.

Rounds to less than 0.1% of net assets.

aNon-income producing.

bSecurity was purchased pursuant to Regulation Sunder 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. This security has been deemed liquid under guidelines approved by the Trust’s Board of Trustees. At June 30, 2019, the value of this security was $2,878,630, representing 0.9% of net assets.

cVariable rate security. The rate shown represents the yield at period end.

dSee Note 3(e) regarding investments in affiliated management investment companies.

eThe rate shown is the annualized seven-day effective yield at period end.

 

     
  The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.    |   Semiannual Report                 TD-13  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

June 30, 2019 (unaudited)

 

     Templeton
Developing Markets
VIP Fund
 

Assets:

 

Investments in securities:

 

Cost - Unaffiliated issuers

            $223,260,690  

Cost - Non-controlled affiliates (Note 3e)

    8,751,654  
 

 

 

 

Value - Unaffiliated issuers

            $310,223,289  

Value - Non-controlled affiliates (Note 3e)

    8,751,654  

Foreign currency, at value (cost $40,969)

    41,031  

Receivables:

 

Capital shares sold

    320,724  

Dividends

    1,630,697  

Foreign tax refund

    22,245  

Other assets

    221  
 

 

 

 

Total assets

    320,989,861  
 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

Payables:

 

Investment securities purchased

    442,375  

Capital shares redeemed

    254,788  

Management fees

    263,622  

Distribution fees

    92,834  

Trustees’ fees and expenses

    370  

Deferred tax.

    787,108  

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

    148,740  
 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    1,989,837  
 

 

 

 

Net assets, at value

            $319,000,024  
 

 

 

 

Net assets consist of:

 

Paid-in capital

            $236,719,859  

Total distributable earnings (loss)

    82,280,165  
 

 

 

 

Net assets, at value

            $319,000,024  
 

 

 

 
Class 1:  

Net assets, at value

            $ 91,731,514  
 

 

 

 

Shares outstanding

    9,441,896  
 

 

 

 

Net asset value and maximum offering price per share

            $9.72  
 

 

 

 
Class 2:  

Net assets, at value

            $221,694,981  
 

 

 

 

Shares outstanding

    22,978,355  
 

 

 

 

Net asset value and maximum offering price per share

            $9.65  
 

 

 

 
Class 4:  

Net assets, at value

            $    5,573,529  
 

 

 

 

Shares outstanding

    574,222  
 

 

 

 

Net asset value and maximum offering price per share

            $9.71  
 

 

 

 

 

     
TD-14        Semiannual Report   |    The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Statement of Operations

for the six months ended June 30, 2019 (unaudited)

 

     Templeton
Developing Markets
VIP Fund
 

Investment income:

 

Dividends: (net of foreign taxes)*

 

Unaffiliated issuers

            $  3,954,387  

Non-controlled affiliates (Note 3e)

    62,701  
 

 

 

 

Total investment income

    4,017,088  
 

 

 

 

Expenses:

 

Management fees (Note 3a)

    1,638,242  

Distribution fees: (Note 3c)

 

Class 2

    269,584  

Class 4

    9,623  

Custodian fees (Note 4)

    44,519  

Reports to shareholders

    79,037  

Professional fees

    32,077  

Trustees’ fees and expenses

    1,304  

Other

    15,131  
 

 

 

 

Total expenses

    2,089,517  

Expenses waived/paid by affiliates (Note 3e)

    (10,484
 

 

 

 

Net expenses

    2,079,033  
 

 

 

 

Net investment income

    1,938,055  
 

 

 

 

Realized and unrealized gains (losses):

 

Net realized gain (loss) from:

 

Investments:#

 

Unaffiliated issuers

    4,574,914  

Foreign currency transactions

    (17,931
 

 

 

 

Net realized gain (loss)

    4,556,983  
 

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:

 

Investments:

 

Unaffiliated issuers

    33,336,434  

Translation of other assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies

    (4,828

Change in deferred taxes on unrealized appreciation

    (226,625
 

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

    33,104,981  
 

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    37,661,964  
 

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

            $39,600,019  
 

 

 

 

 

*Foreign taxes withheld on dividends

  $         593,574  

#Net of foreign taxes

  $ 62,742  

 

     
  The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.    |   Semiannual Report                 TD-15  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

    Templeton Developing
Markets VIP Fund
 
     Six Months Ended
June 30, 2019
(unaudited)
     Year Ended
December 31, 2018
 

Increase (decrease) in net assets:

    

Operations:

    

Net investment income

            $ 1,938,055                $ 2,697,670  

Net realized gain (loss)

    4,556,983        19,694,258  

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

    33,104,981        (77,137,099
 

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

    39,600,019        (54,745,171
 

 

 

 

Distributions to shareholders:

    

Class 1

    (1,134,638      (1,013,838

Class 2

    (2,113,534      (1,947,210

Class 4

    (46,961      (46,243
 

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

    (3,295,133      (3,007,291
 

 

 

 

Capital share transactions: (Note 2)

    

Class 1

    (4,446,567      (3,414,259

Class 2

    1,537,945        (35,130,020

Class 4

    (301,194      (923,409
 

 

 

 

Total capital share transactions

    (3,209,816      (39,467,688
 

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets

    33,095,070        (97,220,150

Net assets:

    

Beginning of period

    285,904,954        383,125,104  
 

 

 

 

End of period

            $ 319,000,024                $ 285,904,954  
 

 

 

 

 

     
TD-16        Semiannual Report   |    The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

 

Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited)

 

Templeton Developing Markets VIP Fund

 

1.  Organization and Significant Accounting Policies

Franklin Templeton Variable Insurance Products Trust (Trust) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (1940 Act) as an open-end management investment company, consisting of eighteen separate funds and applies the specialized accounting and reporting guidance in U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (U.S. GAAP). Templeton Developing Markets VIP Fund (Fund) is included in this report. Shares of the Fund are generally sold only to insurance company separate accounts to fund the benefits of variable life insurance policies or variable annuity contracts. The Fund offers three classes of shares: Class 1, Class 2, and Class 4. Each class of shares may differ by its distribution fees, voting rights on matters affecting a single class and its exchange privilege.

The following summarizes the Fund’s significant accounting policies.

a.  Financial Instrument Valuation

The Fund’s investments in financial instruments are carried at fair value daily. Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. The Fund calculates the net asset value (NAV) per share each business day as of 4 p.m. Eastern time or the regularly scheduled close of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), whichever is earlier. Under compliance policies and procedures approved by the Trust’s Board of Trustees (the Board), the Fund’s administrator has responsibility for oversight of valuation, including leading the cross-functional Valuation Committee (VC). The Fund may utilize independent pricing services, quotations from securities and financial instrument dealers, and other market sources to determine fair value.

Equity securities listed on an exchange or on the NASDAQ National Market System are valued at the last quoted sale price or the official closing price of the day, respectively. Foreign equity securities are valued as of the close of trading on the foreign stock exchange on which the security is primarily traded, or as of 4 p.m. Eastern time. The value is then converted into its U.S. dollar equivalent at the foreign exchange rate in effect at 4 p.m. Eastern time on the day that the value of the security is determined. Over-the-counter (OTC) securities are valued within the range of the most recent quoted bid and ask prices. Securities that trade in multiple markets or on multiple exchanges are valued

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

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

The Fund has procedures to determine the fair value of financial instruments for which market prices are not reliable or readily available. Under these procedures, the Fund primarily employs a market-based approach which may use related or comparable assets or liabilities, recent transactions, market multiples, book values, and other relevant information for the investment to determine the fair value of the investment. An income-based valuation approach may also be used in which the anticipated future cash flows of the investment are discounted to calculate fair value. Discounts may also be applied due to the nature or duration of any restrictions on the disposition of the investments. Due to the inherent uncertainty of valuations of such investments, the fair values may differ significantly from the values that would have been used had an active market existed.

Trading in securities on foreign securities stock exchanges and OTC markets may be completed before 4 p.m. Eastern time. In addition, trading in certain foreign markets may not take place on every Fund’s business day. Occasionally, events occur between the time at which trading in a foreign security is completed and 4 p.m. Eastern time that might call into question the reliability of the value of a portfolio security held by the Fund. As a result, differences may arise between the value of the Fund’s portfolio securities as determined at the foreign market close and the latest indications of value at 4 p.m. Eastern time. In order to minimize the potential for these differences, 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.

 

 

     
  Semiannual Report                 TD-17  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Templeton Developing Markets VIP Fund (continued)

 

1.  Organization and Significant Accounting

Policies (continued)

 

a.  Financial Instrument Valuation (continued)

When the last day of the reporting period is a non-business day, certain foreign markets may be open on those days that the Fund’s NAV is not calculated, which could result in differences between the value of the Fund’s portfolio securities on the last business day and the last calendar day of the reporting period. Any significant security valuation changes due to an open foreign market are adjusted and reflected by the Fund for financial reporting purposes.

b.  Foreign Currency Translation

Portfolio securities and other assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars based on the exchange rate of such currencies against U.S. dollars on the date of valuation. The Fund may enter into foreign currency exchange contracts to facilitate transactions denominated in a foreign currency. Purchases and sales of securities, income and expense items denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rate in effect on the transaction date. Portfolio securities and assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies contain risks that those currencies will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar. Occasionally, events may impact the availability or reliability of foreign exchange rates used to convert the U.S. dollar equivalent value. If such an event occurs, the foreign exchange rate will be valued at fair value using procedures established and approved by the Board.

The Fund does not separately report the effect of changes in foreign exchange rates from changes in market prices on securities held. Such changes are included in net realized and unrealized gain or loss from investments in the Statement of Operations.

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

c.  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 if applicable, 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 June 30, 2019, the Fund has determined that no tax liability is required in its financial statements related to uncertain tax positions for any open tax years (or expected to be taken in future tax years). Open tax years are those that remain subject to examination and are based on the statute of limitations in each jurisdiction in which the Fund invests.

d.  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. Estimated expenses are accrued daily. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date except for certain dividends from securities where the dividend rate is not available. In such cases, the dividend is recorded as soon as the information is received by the Fund. Distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Distributable earnings are determined according to income tax regulations (tax basis) and may differ from earnings recorded in accordance with U.S. GAAP. These differences may be permanent or temporary. Permanent differences are reclassified among capital accounts to reflect their tax character. These

 

 

     
TD-18        Semiannual Report  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Templeton Developing Markets VIP Fund (continued)

 

reclassifications have no impact on net assets or the results of operations. Temporary differences are not reclassified, as they may reverse in subsequent periods.

Common expenses incurred by the Trust are allocated among the Funds based on the ratio of net assets of each Fund to the combined net assets of the Trust or based on the ratio of number of shareholders of each Fund to the combined number of shareholders of the Trust. Fund specific expenses are charged directly to the Fund that incurred the expense.

Realized and unrealized gains and losses and net investment income, excluding class specific expenses, are allocated daily to each class of shares based upon the relative proportion of net assets of each class. Differences in per share distributions by class are generally due to differences in class specific expenses.

e. 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.

f. 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 June 30, 2019, there were an unlimited number of shares authorized (without par value). Transactions in the Fund’s shares were as follows:

 

     Six Months Ended
June 30, 2019
    Year Ended
December 31, 2018
 
      Shares      Amount     Shares     Amount  
Class 1 Shares:          

Shares sold

     326,922      $ 3,144,807       1,801,012     $ 17,302,432  

Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

     121,873        1,134,638       105,170       1,013,838  

Shares redeemed

     (918,209      (8,726,012     (2,222,370     (21,730,529
  

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease)

     (469,414    $ (4,446,567     (316,188   $ (3,414,259
  

 

 

 
Class 2 Shares:          

Shares sold

     2,954,596      $ 28,019,292       4,771,227     $ 45,978,347  

Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

     228,490        2,113,534       203,470       1,947,210  

Shares redeemed

     (3,063,335      (28,594,881     (8,557,714     (83,055,577
  

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease)

     119,751      $ 1,537,945       (3,583,017   $ (35,130,020
  

 

 

 
Class 4 Shares:          

Shares sold

     21,672      $ 206,120       48,260     $ 471,887  

Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

     5,050        46,961       4,802       46,243  

Shares redeemed

     (58,336      (554,275     (147,608     (1,441,539
  

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease)

     (31,614    $ (301,194     (94,546   $ (923,409
  

 

 

 

 

     
  Semiannual Report                 TD-19  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Templeton Developing Markets VIP Fund (continued)

 

3.  Transactions with Affiliates

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

 

Subsidiary    Affiliation

Templeton Asset Management Ltd. (Asset Management)

   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 Asset Management based on the average daily net assets of the Fund as follows:

 

Annualized Fee Rate    Net Assets

1.050%

  

Up to and including $1 billion

1.000%

  

Over $1 billion, up to and including $5 billion

0.950%

  

Over $5 billion, up to and including $10 billion

0.900%

  

Over $10 billion, up to and including $15 billion

0.850%

  

Over $15 billion, up to and including $20 billion

0.800%

  

In excess of $20 billion

For the period ended June 30, 2019, the annualized gross effective investment management fee rate was 1.049% of the Fund’s average daily net assets.

b.  Administrative Fees

Under an agreement with Asset Management, FT Services provides administrative services to the Fund. The fee is paid by Asset Management 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 Class 2 and Class 4 shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. Under the Fund’s 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 0.25% and 0.35% per year of its average daily net assets of Class 2 and Class 4 respectively. The plan year, for purposes of monitoring compliance with the maximum annual plan rates, is February 1 through January 31.

d.  Transfer Agent Fees

Investor Services, under terms of an agreement, performs shareholder servicing for the Fund and is not paid by the Fund for the services.

 

     
TD-20        Semiannual Report  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Templeton Developing Markets VIP Fund (continued)

 

e. 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 Statement of Operations, in an amount not to exceed the management and administrative fees paid directly or indirectly by each affiliate. During the period ended June 30, 2019, the Fund held investments in affiliated management investment companies as follows:

 

      Value at
Beginning
of Period
   Purchases      Sales     Realized
Gain (Loss)
     Net Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
     Value at
End of
Period
     Number of
Shares
Held at End
of Period
     Dividend
Income
 
Non-Controlled Affiliates                       
Institutional Fiduciary Trust Money Market Portfolio, 2.05%    $5,427,431    $ 30,356,496      $ (27,032,273   $  —      $  —      $ 8,751,654        8,751,654      $ 62,701  
  

 

 

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 June 30, 2019, there were no credits earned.

5.  Income Taxes

At December 31, 2018, the capital loss carryforwards were as follows:

 

Capital loss carryforwards not subject to expiration:

  

Short term

   $ 6,657,029  

At June 30, 2019, the cost of investments and net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) for income tax purposes were as follows:

 

Cost of investments

   $ 237,006,458  
  

 

 

 

Unrealized appreciation

   $ 101,238,393  

Unrealized depreciation

     (19,269,908)  
  

 

 

 

Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

   $ 81,968,485  
  

 

 

 

Differences between income and/or capital gains as determined on a book basis and a tax basis are primarily due to differing treatment of corporate actions.

6.  Investment Transactions

Purchases and sales of investments (excluding short term securities) for the period ended June 30, 2019, aggregated $26,350,921 and $35,045,781, respectively.

 

     
  Semiannual Report                 TD-21  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Templeton Developing Markets VIP Fund (continued)

 

7.  Concentration of Risk

Investing in foreign securities may include certain risks and considerations not typically associated with investing in U.S. securities, such as fluctuating currency values and changing local and regional economic, political and social conditions, which may result in greater market volatility. Current political and financial uncertainty surrounding the European Union may increase market volatility and the economic risk of investing in securities in Europe. In addition, certain foreign securities may not be as liquid as U.S. securities.

The United States and other nations have imposed and could impose additional sanctions on certain issuers in Russia due to regional conflicts. These sanctions could result in the devaluation of Russia’s currency, a downgrade in Russian issuers’ credit ratings, or a decline in the value and liquidity of Russian stocks or other securities. Such sanctions could also adversely affect Russia’s economy. The Fund may be prohibited from investing in securities issued by companies subject to such sanctions. In addition, if the Fund holds the securities of an issuer that is subject to such sanctions, an immediate freeze of that issuer’s securities could result, impairing the ability of the Fund to buy, sell, receive or deliver those securities. There is also the risk that countermeasures could be taken by Russia’s government, which could involve the seizure of the Fund’s assets. These risks could affect the value of the Fund’s portfolio. While the Fund holds securities of certain issuers impacted by the sanctions, existing investments do not presently violate the applicable terms and conditions of the sanctions. The sanctions currently do not affect the Fund’s ability to sell these securities. At June 30, 2019, the Fund had 9.2% of its net assets invested in Russia.

8.  Credit Facility

The Fund, together with other U.S. registered and foreign investment funds (collectively, Borrowers), managed by Franklin Templeton, are borrowers in a joint syndicated senior unsecured credit facility totaling $2 billion (Global Credit Facility) which matures on February 7, 2020. This Global Credit Facility provides a source of funds to the Borrowers for temporary and emergency purposes, including the ability to meet future unanticipated or unusually large redemption requests.

Under the terms of the Global Credit Facility, the Fund shall, in addition to interest charged on any borrowings made by the Fund and other costs incurred by the Fund, pay its share of fees and expenses incurred in connection with the implementation and maintenance of the Global Credit Facility, based upon its relative share of the aggregate net assets of all of the Borrowers, including an annual commitment fee of 0.15% based upon the unused portion of the Global Credit Facility. These fees are reflected in other expenses in the Statement of Operations. During the period ended June 30, 2019, 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.

 

     
TD-22        Semiannual Report  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Templeton Developing Markets VIP Fund (continued)

 

At June 30, 2019, all of the Fund’s investments in financial instruments carried at fair value were valued using Level 1 inputs. For detailed categories, see the accompanying Statement of Investments.

10.  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

 

Selected Portfolio
ADR   American Depositary Receipt
GDR   Global Depositary Receipt

 

     
  Semiannual Report                 TD-23  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

 

Tax Information (unaudited)

 

Templeton Developing Markets VIP Fund

At December 31, 2018, more than 50% of the Fund’s total assets were invested in securities of foreign issuers. In most instances, foreign taxes were withheld from income paid to the Fund on these investments. As shown in the table below, the Fund hereby reports to shareholders the foreign source income and foreign taxes paid, pursuant to Section 853 of the Internal Revenue Code. This written statement will allow shareholders of record on June 13, 2019, to treat their proportionate share of foreign taxes paid by the Fund as having been paid directly by them. The shareholder shall consider these amounts as foreign taxes paid in the tax year in which they receive the Fund distribution.

The following table provides a detailed analysis of foreign tax paid and foreign source income as reported by the Fund to shareholders of record.

 

Class    Foreign Tax Paid
Per Share
     Foreign Source
Income Per Share
 

Class 1

     $0.0303        $0.1526  

Class 2

     $0.0303        $0.1267  

Class 4

     $0.0303        $0.1143  

Foreign Tax Paid Per Share is the amount per share available to you, as a tax credit (assuming you held your shares in the Fund for a minimum of 16 days during the 31-day period beginning 15 days before the ex-dividend date of the Fund’s distribution to which the foreign taxes relate), or, as a tax deduction.

Foreign Source Income Per Share is the amount per share of income dividends attributable to foreign securities held by the Fund, plus any foreign taxes withheld on these dividends.

 

     
TD-24        Semiannual Report  


Templeton Foreign VIP Fund

This semiannual report for Templeton Foreign VIP Fund covers the period ended June 30, 2019.

Class 4 Performance Summary as of June 30, 2019

The Fund’s Class 4 Shares posted a +6.47% total return* for the six-month period ended June 30, 2019.

*The Fund has a fee waiver associated with any investments it makes in a Franklin Templeton money fund and/or other Franklin Templeton fund, contractually guaranteed through 4/30/20. Fund investment results reflect the expense reduction and fee waiver; without these reductions, the results would have been lower.

Performance reflects the Fund’s Class 4 operating expenses, but does not include any contract fees, expenses or sales charges. If they had been included, performance would be lower. These charges and deductions, particularly for variable life policies, can have a significant effect on contract values and insurance benefits. See the contract prospectus for a complete description of these expenses, including sales charges.

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.

 

     
  Semiannual Report                 TF-1  


TEMPLETON FOREIGN VIP FUND

 

Fund Goal and Main Investments

The Fund seeks long-term capital growth. Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets in investments of issuers located outside the US, including those in emerging markets.

Fund Risks

All investments involve risks, including possible loss of principal. Special risks are associated with foreign investing, including currency fluctuations, economic instability and political developments; investments in emerging markets involve heightened risks related to the same factors. Currency rates may fluctuate significantly over short periods of time, and can reduce returns. Because the Fund may invest its assets in companies in a specific region, including Europe, it is subject to greater risks of adverse developments in that region and/or the surrounding regions than a fund that is more broadly diversified geographically. Current political and financial uncertainty surrounding the European Union may increase market volatility and the economic risk of investing in companies in Europe. 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.

Performance Overview

You can find the Fund’s six-month total return in the Performance Summary. In comparison, the Fund’s benchmark, the MSCI All Country World Index (ACWI) ex USA Index, posted a +13.60% total return for the same period.1 Please note, index performance information is provided for reference and we do not attempt to track the index but rather undertake investments on the basis of fundamental research.

Economic and Market Overview

The global economy expanded during the six months ended June 30, 2019, despite weakness in certain regions. Global developed and emerging market stocks were aided by upbeat economic data in some regions, encouraging corporate earnings reports and periods of optimism about a potential U.S.-China trade deal. Further supporting markets

Geographic Composition

Based on Total Net Assets as of 6/30/19

 

LOGO

were the U.S. Federal Reserve’s (Fed’s) patient approach to its monetary policy in 2019 and recent indication it will act as appropriate to sustain U.S. economic expansion.

However, markets reflected concerns about political uncertainties in the U.S. and the European Union, geopolitical risks in certain regions, and the impact of U.S. trade disputes with China and other trading partners on global growth and corporate earnings. In this environment, global developed and emerging market stocks, as measured by the MSCI ACWI, posted a +16.60% total return for the six-month period.1

The U.S. economy grew during the six months ended June 30, 2019. After moderating for two consecutive quarters, the economy grew significantly faster in 2019’s first quarter, driven by growth in consumer spending, inventory investment, exports, business investment, and state and local government spending. However, the economy moderated again in the second quarter, due to weakness in inventory investment, exports, business investment and housing investment. The unemployment rate decreased from 3.9% in December 2018 to 3.7% at period-end.2 The annual inflation rate, as measured by the Consumer Price Index, decreased from 1.9% in December 2018 to 1.6% at period-end.2

The Fed held its target range for the federal funds rate unchanged, at 2.25%–2.50%, during the reporting period. In March, the Fed mentioned it would end its balance sheet normalization program by the end of September 2019. In

 

 

1. Source: Morningstar. One cannot invest directly in an index, and an index is not representative of the Fund’s portfolio. Please see Index Descriptions following the Fund Summaries.

2. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

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).

 

     
TF-2        Semiannual Report  


TEMPLETON FOREIGN VIP FUND

 

June, the Fed indicated increased uncertainties around its views on economic activity and the labor market. With market-based inflation measures remaining low recently, the market has interpreted the Fed’s recent statements to mean it will likely cut rates in 2019’s second half to foster continued economic growth while attempting to achieve its inflation objective.

In Europe, the U.K.’s quarterly gross domestic product (GDP) growth accelerated in 2019’s first quarter. The Bank of England left its key policy rate unchanged during the period. The eurozone’s quarterly GDP accelerated in 2019’s first quarter. However, the bloc’s annual inflation rate decreased during the period. The European Central Bank (ECB) kept its benchmark interest rate unchanged during the period. In June, the ECB mentioned it would leave interest rates unchanged through the first half of 2020, provided details of its new stimulus, and indicated its openness to cut rates or increase stimulus.

In Asia, Japan’s quarterly GDP growth accelerated in 2019’s first quarter. In June, the Bank of Japan also left its benchmark interest rate unchanged, while continuing its stimulus measures, and expressed its openness to cut interest rates or increase stimulus.

In larger emerging markets, Brazil’s quarterly GDP growth contracted in 2019’s first quarter. The Central Bank of Brazil left its benchmark interest rate unchanged during the period. Russia’s annual GDP growth moderated in 2019’s first quarter. The Bank of Russia cut its key rate once during the period. China’s annual GDP growth rate stabilized in 2019’s first quarter. The People’s Bank of China left its benchmark interest rate unchanged, but it took measures to improve financial liquidity to mitigate the effects of the U.S.-China trade dispute and support economic growth. Overall, global emerging market stocks, as measured by the MSCI Emerging Markets Index, posted a +10.78% total return during the six-month period.1

Investment Strategy

Our investment philosophy is bottom up, value oriented and long term. When choosing investments for the Fund, we generally focus on the market price of a company’s securities relative to our evaluation of the company’s potential long-term earnings, asset value and cash flow. This includes an assessment by the investment manager of the potential impacts of material environmental, social and governance factors on the long-term risk and return profile of

Top 10 Holdings       

6/30/19

 

      

Company

Sector/Industry, Country

   % of Total
Net Assets
 
Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals, South Korea
     4.1%  
BP PLC
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels, U.K.
     3.3%  
Standard Chartered PLC
Banks, U.K.
     3.3%  
Roche Holding AG
Pharmaceuticals, Switzerland
     3.1%  
Royal Dutch Shell PLC
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels, U.K.
     3.0%  
BNP Paribas SA
Banks, France
     3.0%  
Wheaton Precious Metals Corp.
Metals & Mining, Canada
     2.7%  
KB Financial Group Inc.
Banks, South Korea
     2.6%  
Sanofi
Pharmaceuticals, France
     2.4%  
ING Groep NV
Banks, Netherlands
     2.2%  

a company. We also consider a company’s price/earnings ratio, price/cash flow ratio, profit margins and liquidation value.

Manager’s Discussion

During the six months under review, stock selection in materials contributed to relative performance.3 The sector’s largest contributors were Canadian precious metal firms Alamos Gold (not part of the index) and Wheaton Precious Metals. Wheaton benefited from a favorable settlement related to a Canadian tax audit that had depressed its share price for years. Shares also rallied in May after the firm’s reported earnings and gold production beat consensus expectations. The stock remains an attractive holding, trading at what we view as reasonable valuations on a variety of metrics and providing a capital-light, low-cost streaming model that offers gold exposure with superior economics compared to traditional mining companies.

In other sectors, key relative contributors included China Life Insurance (not held at period-end), a Chinese life insurer, and SBM Offshore (not part of the index), a Dutch oil

 

 

3. The materials sector comprises chemicals, construction materials, and metals and mining in the SOI.

 

     
  Semiannual Report                 TF-3  


TEMPLETON FOREIGN VIP FUND

 

services firm. SBM’s shares rallied after it announced a strong order book, raised its dividend and initiated a share buyback program. The stock continued to rally after securing contracts from Exxon Mobil and Petrobras (not Fund holdings). Other relative contributors included Dutch semiconductor manufacturer NXP Semiconductors, South Korean multinational electronics company Samsung Electronics, Swiss smart metering solutions company Landis+Gyr (not part of the index), Canadian integrated oil company Cenovus Energy (not held at period-end), British banking firm Standard Chartered and Singaporean telecommunications firm Singapore Telecommunications.

In contrast, stock selection and an overweighted allocation in the communication services sector detracted from relative results.4 Notably, our positions in Chinese internet services company Baidu, German telecommunication services provider Telefonica Deutschland, Luxembourg-based media firm SES and British telecommunications company Vodafone hurt performance. Baidu’s stock price fell amid a cyclical slowdown in China’s economy. We believe Baidu’s core search business remains undervalued, and the company has enjoyed strong growth in active daily users and a high cash position.

Stock selection in the health care and financials sectors also detracted from relative results.5 In health care, Israeli pharmaceuticals firm Teva Pharmaceutical Industries and Chinese health care provider Sinopharm were notable detractors. Teva’s share price declined due to weakness in the U.S. generic drug market and slumping sales of one of its aging flagship drugs. A surprising settlement of a U.S. opioid lawsuit, which added to the existing litigation risk surrounding an industry-wide price-fixing scandal, also hurt its share price. While these situations are unlikely to materially impact near-term cash flow—which we believe should improve amid ongoing cost-cutting—they do raise the risk profile of the investment, particularly in light of Teva’s high financial and operating leverage in the competitive, commodity-like generic drug industry. In financials, South Korean banking firm KB Financial Group was a notable relative detractor.

Key relative detractors in other sectors included Japanese food retailer Seven & i Holdings, Japanese household durables company Panasonic and South Korean electric utilities firm Korea Electric Power.

No region contributed to relative performance, but overweighting in the Netherlands and stock selection in Singapore and Canada helped relative results. In contrast, stock selection in Asia and Europe detracted from relative results. Notable individual detractors included China, Germany and Israel.

Thank you for your participation in Templeton Foreign VIP Fund. We look forward to serving your future investment needs.

 

 

The foregoing information reflects our analysis, opinions and portfolio holdings as of June 30, 2019, 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.

 

4. The communication services sector comprises diversified telecommunication services, entertainment, interactive media and services, media and wireless telecommunication services in the SOI.

5. The health care sector comprises health care equipment and supplies, health care providers and services, and pharmaceuticals in the SOI. The financials sector comprises banks and capital markets in the SOI.

 

     
TF-4        Semiannual Report  


TEMPLETON FOREIGN VIP FUND

 

Class 4 Fund Expenses

As an investor in a variable insurance contract (Contract) that indirectly provides for investment in an underlying mutual fund, you can incur transaction and/or ongoing expenses at both the Fund level and the Contract Level: (1) transaction expenses can include sales charges (loads) on purchases, surrender fees, transfer fees and premium taxes; and (2) ongoing expenses can include management fees, distribution and service (12b-1) fees, contract fees, annual maintenance fees, mortality and expense risk fees and other fees and expenses. All mutual funds and Contracts have some types of ongoing expenses. The table below shows Fund-level ongoing expenses and can help you understand these costs and compare them with those of other mutual funds offered through the Contract. The table assumes a $1,000 investment held for the six months indicated. Please refer to the Fund prospectus for additional information on operating expenses.

Actual Fund Expenses

The table below provides information about the actual account values and actual expenses in the columns under the heading “Actual.” In these columns the Fund’s actual return, which includes the effect of ongoing Fund expenses but does not include the effect of ongoing Contract expenses, is used to calculate the “Ending Account Value.” You can estimate the Fund-level expenses you paid during the period by following these steps (of course, your account value and expenses will differ from those in this illustration): Divide your account value by $1,000 (if your account had an $8,600 value, then $8,600 ÷ $1,000 = 8.6). Then multiply the result by the number under the headings “Actual” and “Fund-Level Expenses Paid During Period” (if Fund-Level Expenses Paid During Period were $ 7.50, then 8.6 x $7.50 = $64.50). In this illustration, the estimated expenses paid this period at the Fund level are $64.50.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison with Other Mutual Funds

Under the heading “Hypothetical” in the table, information is provided about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. This information may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period, but it can help you compare ongoing costs of investing in the Fund with those of other mutual funds offered through the Contract. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds offered through the Contract.

Please note that expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight ongoing costs at the Fund level only and do not reflect any ongoing expenses at the Contract level, or transaction expenses at either the Fund or Contract levels. In addition, while the Fund does not have transaction expenses, if the transaction and ongoing expenses at the Contract level were included, the expenses shown below would be higher. You should consult your Contract prospectus or disclosure document for more information.

 

              

Actual

(actual return after expenses)

       

Hypothetical

(5% annual return before expenses)

         

  Share

  Class

   Beginning
Account
Value 1/1/19
        Ending
Account
Value 6/30/19
   Fund-Level
Expenses
Paid During
Period
1/1/19–6/30/191, 2
        Ending
Account
Value 6/30/19
   Fund-Level
Expenses
Paid During
Period
1/1/19–6/30/191, 2
        Net
Annualized
Expense
Ratio2

Class 4

   $1,000       $1,064.70    $6.04       $1,018.94    $5.91       1.18%

1. Expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio for the six-month period as indicated above—in the far right column—multiplied by the simple average account value over the period indicated, and then multiplied by 181/365 to reflect the one-half year period.

2. Reflects expenses after fee waivers and expense reimbursements. Does not include any ongoing expenses of the Contract for which the Fund is an investment option or acquired fund fees and expenses.

 

     
  Semiannual Report                  TF-5  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

 

Financial Highlights

Templeton Foreign VIP Fund

    Six Months Ended
June 30, 2019
(unaudited)
     Year Ended December 31,  
      2018      2017      2016      2015      2014  

Class 1

                
Per share operating performance
(for a share outstanding throughout the period)
                

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $13.01        $15.80        $13.89        $13.46        $15.34        $17.56  
       
Income from investment operationsa:                 

Net investment incomeb

    0.33        0.29        0.30        0.33        0.31        0.53 c  

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)

    0.52        (2.64      2.03        0.62        (1.16      (2.39
       

Total from investment operations

    0.85        (2.35      2.33        0.95        (0.85      (1.86
       
Less distributions from:                 

Net investment income

    (0.27      (0.44      (0.42      (0.29      (0.53      (0.36

Net realized gains

    (0.14                    (0.23      (0.50       
       

Total distributions

    (0.41      (0.44      (0.42      (0.52      (1.03      (0.36
       

Redemption fees

                                       d 
       

Net asset value, end of period

    $13.45        $13.01        $15.80        $13.89        $13.46        $15.34  
       

Total returne

    6.65%        (15.27)%        17.02%        7.49%        (6.31)%        (10.89)%  
Ratios to average net assetsf                 

Expenses before waiver and payments by affiliates

    0.85%        0.83%        0.82%        0.80%        0.78%        0.77%  

Expenses net of waiver and payments by affiliates

    0.83%        0.81%        0.81% g        0.78%        0.78% h        0.77% h  

Net investment income

    4.85%        1.96%        1.99%        2.38%        2.05%        3.11% c  
Supplemental data                 

Net assets, end of period (000’s)

    $119,825        $114,784        $152,684        $133,218        $214,172        $248,355  

Portfolio turnover rate

    11.70%        21.38%        26.81%        20.93%        15.15%        25.71%  

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

bBased on average daily shares outstanding.

cNet investment income per share includes approximately $0.16 per share related to income received in the form of special dividends in connection with certain Fund holdings. Excluding this amount, the ratio of net investment income to average net assets would have been 2.13%.

dAmount rounds to less than $0.01 per share.

eTotal return does not include fees, charges or expenses imposed by the variable annuity and life insurance contracts for which Franklin Templeton Variable Insurance Products Trust serves as an underlying investment vehicle. Total 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%.

hBenefit of waiver and payments by affiliates rounds to less than 0.01%.

 

     
TF-6        Semiannual Report   |    The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

 

Templeton Foreign VIP Fund (continued)

   

Six Months Ended

June 30, 2019
(unaudited)

     Year Ended December 31,  
      2018      2017      2016      2015      2014  

Class 2

                
Per share operating performance
(for a share outstanding throughout the period)
                

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $12.74        $15.47        $13.61        $13.20        $15.05        $17.24  
       
Income from investment operationsa:                 

Net investment incomeb

    0.31        0.25        0.26        0.28        0.27        0.48 c  

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)

    0.50        (2.58      1.98        0.62        (1.13      (2.35
       

Total from investment operations

    0.81        (2.33      2.24        0.90        (0.86      (1.87
       
Less distributions from:                 

Net investment income

    (0.23      (0.40      (0.38      (0.26      (0.49      (0.32

Net realized gains

    (0.14                    (0.23      (0.50       
       

Total distributions

    (0.37      (0.40      (0.38      (0.49      (0.99      (0.32
       

Redemption fees

                                       d  
       

Net asset value, end of period

    $13.18        $12.74        $15.47        $13.61        $13.20        $15.05  
       

Total returne

    6.47%        (15.44)%        16.69%        7.18%        (6.49)%        (11.13)%  
Ratios to average net assetsf                 

Expenses before waiver and payments by affiliates

    1.10%        1.08%        1.07%        1.05%        1.03%        1.02%  

Expenses net of waiver and payments by affiliates

    1.08%        1.06%        1.06% g        1.03%        1.03% h        1.02% h  

Net investment income

    4.60%        1.71%        1.74%        2.13%        1.80%        2.86% c  
Supplemental data                 

Net assets, end of period (000’s)

    $1,087,490        $1,060,101        $1,394,475        $1,436,518        $1,456,854        $1,645,571  

Portfolio turnover rate

    11.70%        21.38%        26.81%        20.93%        15.15%        25.71%  

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

bBased on average daily shares outstanding.

cNet investment income per share includes approximately $0.16 per share related to income received in the form of special dividends in connection with certain Fund holdings. Excluding this amount, the ratio of net investment income to average net assets would have been 1.88%.

dAmount rounds to less than $0.01 per share.

eTotal return does not include fees, charges or expenses imposed by the variable annuity and life insurance contracts for which Franklin Templeton Variable Insurance Products Trust serves as an underlying investment vehicle. Total 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%.

hBenefit of waiver and payments by affiliates rounds to less than 0.01%.

 

     
  The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.    |   Semiannual Report                 TF-7  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

 

Templeton Foreign VIP Fund (continued)

   

Six Months Ended
June 30, 2019

(unaudited)

     Year Ended December 31,  
      2018      2017      2016      2015      2014  

Class 4

                
Per share operating performance
(for a share outstanding throughout the period)
                

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $12.96        $15.71        $13.71        $13.29        $15.16        $17.37  
       
Income from investment operationsa:                 

Net investment incomeb

    0.30        0.24        0.23        0.26        0.25        0.46 c 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)

    0.53        (2.63      2.03        0.63        (1.14      (2.36
       

Total from investment operations

    0.83        (2.39      2.26        0.89        (0.89      (1.90
       
Less distributions from:                 

Net investment income

    (0.21      (0.36      (0.26      (0.24      (0.48      (0.31

Net realized gains

    (0.14                    (0.23      (0.50       
       

Total distributions

    (0.35      (0.36      (0.26      (0.47      (0.98      (0.31
       

Redemption fees

                                       d 
       

Net asset value, end of period

    $13.44        $12.96        $15.71        $13.71        $13.29        $15.16  
       

Total returne

    6.47%        (15.54)%        16.62%        7.09%        (6.65)%        (11.22)%  
Ratios to average net assetsf                 

Expenses before waiver and payments by affiliates

    1.20%        1.18%        1.17%        1.15%        1.13%        1.12%  

Expenses net of waiver and payments by affiliates

    1.18%        1.16%        1.16% g        1.13%        1.13% h        1.12% h 

Net investment income

    4.50%        1.61%        1.64%        2.03%        1.70%        2.76% c 
Supplemental data                 

Net assets, end of period (000’s)

    $112,652        $125,265        $159,944        $484,763        $472,189        $503,143  

Portfolio turnover rate

    11.70%        21.38%        26.81%        20.93%        15.15%        25.71%  

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

bBased on average daily shares outstanding.

cNet investment income per share includes approximately $0.16 per share related to income received in the form of special dividends in connection with certain Fund holdings. Excluding this amount, the ratio of net investment income to average net assets would have been 1.78%.

dAmount rounds to less than $0.01 per share.

eTotal return does not include fees, charges or expenses imposed by the variable annuity and life insurance contracts for which Franklin Templeton Variable Insurance Products Trust serves as an underlying investment vehicle. Total 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%.

hBenefit of waiver and payments by affiliates rounds to less than 0.01%.

 

     
TF-8        Semiannual Report   |    The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

 

Statement of Investments, June 30, 2019 (unaudited)

 

Templeton Foreign VIP Fund

 

          
           Country        Shares        Value  
 

Common Stocks 94.6%

            
 

Aerospace & Defense 1.1%

            
 

BAE Systems PLC

     United Kingdom          2,299,513        $ 14,467,000  
              

 

 

 
 

Auto Components 1.3%

            
 

Cie Generale des Etablissements Michelin SCA

     France          67,168          8,517,953  
 

Sumitomo Rubber Industries Ltd.

     Japan          712,200          8,230,395  
              

 

 

 
                 16,748,348  
              

 

 

 
 

Automobiles 0.4%

            
 

Hero Motocorp Ltd.

     India          154,059          5,767,996  
              

 

 

 
 

Banks 19.6%

            
 

Bangkok Bank PCL, fgn

     Thailand          2,290,200          14,850,108  
 

Bank of Ireland Group PLC

     Ireland          2,346,131          12,258,447  
 

Barclays PLC

     United Kingdom          6,423,850          12,220,636  
 

BNP Paribas SA

     France          832,583          39,531,492  
 

Hana Financial Group Inc.

     South Korea          494,927          15,999,334  
 

HSBC Holdings PLC

     United Kingdom          3,012,800          24,990,488  
 

ING Groep NV

     Netherlands          2,515,913          29,162,760  
 

Kasikornbank PCL, fgn

     Thailand          1,860,000          11,484,848  
 

KB Financial Group Inc., ADR

     South Korea          871,106          34,391,265  
 

Standard Chartered PLC

     United Kingdom          4,786,838          43,416,537  
 

Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group Inc.

     Japan          571,800          20,184,296  
              

 

 

 
                 258,490,211  
              

 

 

 
 

Beverages 1.0%

            
 

Suntory Beverage & Food Ltd.

     Japan          293,800          12,766,212  
              

 

 

 
 

Building Products 1.1%

            
 

Compagnie de Saint-Gobain

     France          373,982          14,572,409  
              

 

 

 
 

Capital Markets 1.2%

            
 

UBS Group AG

     Switzerland          1,326,231          15,755,317  
              

 

 

 
 

Chemicals 2.1%

            
 

Johnson Matthey PLC

     United Kingdom          494,842          20,920,254  
 

Lotte Chemical Corp.

     South Korea          29,003          6,329,851  
              

 

 

 
                 27,250,105  
              

 

 

 
 

Construction & Engineering 0.8%

            
 

Sinopec Engineering Group Co. Ltd.

     China          11,734,000          9,943,368  
              

 

 

 
 

Construction Materials 1.8%

            
 

CRH PLC

     Ireland          294,271          9,598,010  
 

Taiheiyo Cement Corp.

     Japan          452,700          13,687,646  
              

 

 

 
                 23,285,656  
              

 

 

 
 

Diversified Telecommunication Services 4.0%

            
 

China Telecom Corp. Ltd., H

     China          40,444,357          20,346,041  
 

Singapore Telecommunications Ltd.

     Singapore          8,893,300          23,001,330  
 

Telefonica Deutschland Holding AG

     Germany          3,443,999          9,619,918  
              

 

 

 
                 52,967,289  
              

 

 

 
 

Electric Utilities 0.5%

            
a  

Korea Electric Power Corp.

     South Korea          267,802          5,914,171  
              

 

 

 

 

     
  Semiannual Report                 TF-9  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Templeton Foreign VIP Fund (continued)

 

           Country        Shares        Value  
  Common Stocks (continued)             
 

Electrical Equipment 0.7%

            
 

Vestas Wind Systems AS

     Denmark          110,255        $ 9,521,244  
              

 

 

 
 

Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components 0.7%

            
b  

Landis+Gyr Group AG

     Switzerland          120,834          9,621,428  
              

 

 

 
 

Energy Equipment & Services 2.3%

            
 

The Drilling Co. of 1972 AS

     Denmark          10,416          809,065  
 

SBM Offshore NV

     Netherlands          1,147,815          22,157,092  
 

Tenaris SA

     Italy          570,849          7,469,641  
              

 

 

 
                 30,435,798  
              

 

 

 
 

Entertainment 0.9%

            
 

NetEase Inc., ADR

     China          48,100          12,302,537  
              

 

 

 
 

Food & Staples Retailing 0.9%

            
 

Seven & i Holdings Co. Ltd.

     Japan          360,100          12,183,684  
              

 

 

 
 

Food Products 0.5%

            
 

Ezaki Glico Co. Ltd.

     Japan          143,750          6,399,555  
              

 

 

 
 

Health Care Equipment & Supplies 0.1%

            
a  

Alcon Inc.

     Switzerland          25,784          1,591,745  
              

 

 

 
 

Health Care Providers & Services 0.7%

            
 

Sinopharm Group Co. Ltd., H

     China          2,794,800          9,838,137  
              

 

 

 
 

Household Durables 1.4%

            
 

Panasonic Corp.

     Japan          2,272,100          18,915,201  
              

 

 

 
 

Industrial Conglomerates 2.3%

            
 

CK Hutchison Holdings Ltd.

     Hong Kong          2,353,000          23,192,207  
 

Siemens AG

     Germany          63,215          7,517,181  
              

 

 

 
                 30,709,388  
              

 

 

 
 

Interactive Media & Services 1.2%

            
a  

Baidu Inc., ADR

     China          138,230          16,222,673  
              

 

 

 
    Marine 0.5%                         
 

A.P. Moeller-Maersk AS, B

     Denmark          5,208          6,458,244  
              

 

 

 
    Media 1.0%                         
 

SES SA, IDR

     Luxembourg          809,562          12,654,820  
              

 

 

 
    Metals & Mining 5.3%                         
 

Alamos Gold Inc., A

     Canada          3,063,752          18,535,700  
 

Sumitomo Metal Mining Co. Ltd.

     Japan          553,200          16,515,960  
 

Wheaton Precious Metals Corp.

     Canada          1,450,800          35,080,615  
              

 

 

 
                 70,132,275  
              

 

 

 
 

Multi-Utilities 2.5%

            
 

E.ON SE

     Germany          1,516,092          16,461,809  
 

Veolia Environnement SA

     France          671,188          16,344,319  
              

 

 

 
                 32,806,128  
              

 

 

 
 

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels 11.5%

            
 

BP PLC

     United Kingdom          6,337,733          44,154,640  
 

Eni SpA

     Italy          1,751,379          29,081,353  
b  

Husky Energy Inc.

     Canada          1,163,600          11,025,216  

 

     
TF-10        Semiannual Report  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Templeton Foreign VIP Fund (continued)

 

 

           Country        Shares        Value  
  Common Stocks (continued)             
 

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels (continued)

            
 

Royal Dutch Shell PLC, A

     United Kingdom          16,803        $ 548,945  
 

Royal Dutch Shell PLC, B

     United Kingdom          1,205,385          39,509,397  
 

Total SA

     France          493,039          27,619,198  
              

 

 

 
                 151,938,749  
              

 

 

 
 

Pharmaceuticals 13.1%

            
 

Astellas Pharma Inc.

     Japan          1,323,300          18,839,413  
 

Bayer AG

     Germany          314,157          21,764,684  
 

Merck KGaA

     Germany          121,789          12,732,398  
 

Novartis AG

     Switzerland          128,920          11,777,013  
 

Roche Holding AG

     Switzerland          143,560          40,379,696  
 

Sanofi

     France          370,668          31,988,013  
 

Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.

     Japan          565,194          20,040,221  
a  

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., ADR

     Israel          1,610,544          14,865,321  
              

 

 

 
                 172,386,759  
              

 

 

 
 

Real Estate Management & Development 1.9%

            
 

CK Asset Holdings Ltd.

     Hong Kong          933,100          7,303,887  
 

Mitsui Fudosan Co. Ltd.

     Japan          604,000          14,635,040  
 

Swire Pacific Ltd., A

     Hong Kong          201,500          2,476,143  
              

 

 

 
                 24,415,070  
              

 

 

 
 

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment 3.9%

            
 

Infineon Technologies AG

     Germany          590,665          10,441,786  
 

NXP Semiconductors NV

     Netherlands          221,300          21,601,093  
 

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd.

     Taiwan          2,587,000          19,959,100  
              

 

 

 
                 52,001,979  
              

 

 

 
 

Specialty Retail 1.1%

            
 

Kingfisher PLC

     United Kingdom          5,347,092          14,592,869  
              

 

 

 
 

Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals 4.1%

            
 

Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.

     South Korea          1,337,964          54,353,992  
              

 

 

 
 

Wireless Telecommunication Services 3.1%

            
 

China Mobile Ltd.

     China          1,821,000          16,584,954  
 

Vodafone Group PLC, ADR

     United Kingdom          1,512,103          24,692,642  
              

 

 

 
                 41,277,596  
              

 

 

 
 

Total Common Stocks (Cost $1,188,489,209)

               1,248,687,953  
              

 

 

 
 

Short Term Investments 5.6%

            
 

Money Market Funds (Cost $63,314,322) 4.8%

            
c,d  

Institutional Fiduciary Trust Money Market Portfolio, 2.05%

     United States          63,314,322          63,314,322  
              

 

 

 

 

     
  Semiannual Report                 TF-11  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Templeton Foreign VIP Fund (continued)

 

           Country        Shares        Value  
  Short Term Investments (continued)             
e  

Investments from Cash Collateral Received for Loaned Securities 0.8%

            
 

Money Market Funds (Cost $11,122,273) 0.8%

            
c,d  

Institutional Fiduciary Trust Money Market Portfolio, 2.05%

     United States          11,122,273        $ 11,122,273  
              

 

 

 
 

Total Investments (Cost $1,262,925,804) 100.2%

               1,323,124,548  
 

Other Assets, less Liabilities (0.2)%

               (3,157,225
              

 

 

 
 

Net Assets 100.0%

             $ 1,319,967,323  
              

 

 

 

 

 

See Abbreviations on page TF-23.

aNon-income producing.

bA portion or all of the security is on loan at June 30, 2019. See Note 1(c).

cSee Note 3(e) regarding investments in affiliated management investment companies.

dThe rate shown is the annualized seven-day effective yield at period end.

eSee Note 1(c) regarding securities on loan.

 

     
TF-12        Semiannual Report   |    The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

June 30, 2019 (unaudited)

 

    

Templeton

Foreign
VIP Fund

 

Assets:

 

Investments in securities:

 

Cost - Unaffiliated issuers

      $ 1,188,489,209  

Cost - Non-controlled affiliates (Note 3e)

    74,436,595  
 

 

 

 

Value - Unaffiliated issuers+

      $ 1,248,687,953  

Value - Non-controlled affiliates (Note 3e)

    74,436,595  

Cash

    25,095  

Receivables:

 

Investment securities sold

    9,722  

Capital shares sold

    2,368,573  

Dividends

    8,564,960  

European Union tax reclaims

    159,053  

Other assets

    971  
 

 

 

 

Total assets

    1,334,252,922  
 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

Payables:

 

Investment securities purchased

    562,239  

Capital shares redeemed

    892,227  

Management fees

    826,384  

Distribution fees

    512,222  

Trustees’ fees and expenses

    1,925  

Payable upon return of securities loaned

    11,122,273  

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

    368,329  
 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    14,285,599  
 

 

 

 

Net assets, at value

      $ 1,319,967,323  
 

 

 

 

Net assets consist of:

 

Paid-in capital

      $ 1,239,440,919  

Total distributable earnings (loss)

    80,526,404  
 

 

 

 

Net assets, at value

      $ 1,319,967,323  
 

 

 

 
Class 1:  

Net assets, at value

      $ 119,825,105  
 

 

 

 

Shares outstanding

    8,911,289  
 

 

 

 

Net asset value and maximum offering price per share

    $13.45  
 

 

 

 
Class 2:  

Net assets, at value

      $ 1,087,490,226  
 

 

 

 

Shares outstanding

    82,500,011  
 

 

 

 

Net asset value and maximum offering price per share

    $13.18  
 

 

 

 
Class 4:  

Net assets, at value

      $ 112,651,992  
 

 

 

 

Shares outstanding

    8,384,869  
 

 

 

 

Net asset value and maximum offering price per share

        $13.44  
 

 

 

 

+Includes securities loaned

      $ 4,912,344  

 

     
  The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.    |   Semiannual Report                 TF-13  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Statement of Operations

for the six months ended June 30, 2019 (unaudited)

 

    

Templeton

Foreign

VIP Fund

 

Investment income:

 

Dividends: (net of foreign taxes)*

 

Unaffiliated issuers

    $37,062,615  

Non-controlled affiliates (Note 3e)

    454,823  

Interest:

 

Unaffiliated issuers

    3,478  

Income from securities loaned:

 

Unaffiliated issuers (net of fees and rebates)

    4,816  

Non-controlled affiliates (Note 3e)

    234,251  
 

 

 

 

Total investment income

    37,759,983  
 

 

 

 

Expenses:

 

Management fees (Note 3a)

    5,329,091  

Distribution fees: (Note 3c)

 

Class 2

    1,367,445  

Class 4

    203,435  

Custodian fees (Note 4)

    71,309  

Reports to shareholders

    156,411  

Professional fees

    48,264  

Trustees’ fees and expenses

    6,013  

Other

    25,846  
 

 

 

 

Total expenses

    7,207,814  

Expenses waived/paid by affiliates (Note 3e)

    (116,436
 

 

 

 

Net expenses

    7,091,378  
 

 

 

 

Net investment income

    30,668,605  
 

 

 

 

Realized and unrealized gains (losses):

 

Net realized gain (loss) from:

 

Investments:

 

Unaffiliated issuers

    (7,023,946

Foreign currency transactions

    (179,114
 

 

 

 

Net realized gain (loss)

    (7,203,060
 

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:

 

Investments:

 

Unaffiliated issuers

    60,778,948  

Translation of other assets and liabilities
denominated in foreign currencies

    (37,118
 

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

    60,741,830  
 

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    53,538,770  
 

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

    $84,207,375  
 

 

 

 

*Foreign taxes withheld on dividends

  $ 2,795,886  

 

     
TF-14        Semiannual Report   |    The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

    Templeton Foreign VIP Fund  
    

Six Months Ended

June 30, 2019

(unaudited)

     Year Ended
December 31, 2018
 

Increase (decrease) in net assets:

    

Operations:

    

Net investment income

          $ 30,668,605              $ 26,739,957  

Net realized gain (loss)

    (7,203,060      97,768,736  

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

    60,741,830        (367,924,342
 

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

    84,207,375        (243,415,649
 

 

 

 

Distributions to shareholders:

    

Class 1

    (3,542,825      (3,961,619

Class 2

    (29,727,357      (33,465,356

Class 4

    (2,819,837      (3,521,973
 

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

    (36,090,019      (40,948,948
 

 

 

 

Capital share transactions: (Note 2)

    

Class 1

    988,366        (12,722,479

Class 2

    (11,544,167      (102,793,664

Class 4

    (17,744,037      (7,072,417
 

 

 

 

Total capital share transactions

    (28,299,838      (122,588,560
 

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets

    19,817,518        (406,953,157

Net assets:

    

Beginning of period

    1,300,149,805        1,707,102,962  
 

 

 

 

End of period

            $ 1,319,967,323                $ 1,300,149,805  
 

 

 

 

 

     
  The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.    |   Semiannual Report                 TF-15  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

 

Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited)

 

Templeton Foreign VIP Fund

 

1.  Organization and Significant Accounting Policies

Franklin Templeton Variable Insurance Products Trust (Trust) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (1940 Act) as an open-end management investment company, consisting of eighteen separate funds and applies the specialized accounting and reporting guidance in U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (U.S. GAAP). Templeton Foreign VIP Fund (Fund) is included in this report. Shares of the Fund are generally sold only to insurance company separate accounts to fund the benefits of variable life insurance policies or variable annuity contracts. The Fund offers three classes of shares: Class 1, Class 2, and Class 4. Each class of shares may differ by its distribution fees, voting rights on matters affecting a single class and its exchange privilege.

The following summarizes the Fund’s significant accounting policies.

a.  Financial Instrument Valuation

The Fund’s investments in financial instruments are carried at fair value daily. Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. The Fund calculates the net asset value (NAV) per share each business day as of 4 p.m. Eastern time or the regularly scheduled close of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), whichever is earlier. Under compliance policies and procedures approved by the Trust’s Board of Trustees (the Board), the Fund’s administrator has responsibility for oversight of valuation, including leading the cross-functional Valuation Committee (VC). The Fund may utilize independent pricing services, quotations from securities and financial instrument dealers, and other market sources to determine fair value.

Equity securities listed on an exchange or on the NASDAQ National Market System are valued at the last quoted sale price or the official closing price of the day, respectively. Foreign equity securities are valued as of the close of trading on the foreign stock exchange on which the security is primarily traded, or as of 4 p.m. Eastern time. The value is then converted into its U.S. dollar equivalent at the foreign exchange rate in effect at 4 p.m. Eastern time on the day that the value of the security is determined. Over-the-counter (OTC) securities are valued within the range of the most recent quoted bid and ask prices. Securities that trade in multiple markets or on multiple exchanges are valued

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

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

The Fund has procedures to determine the fair value of financial instruments for which market prices are not reliable or readily available. Under these procedures, the Fund primarily employs a market-based approach which may use related or comparable assets or liabilities, recent transactions, market multiples, book values, and other relevant information for the investment to determine the fair value of the investment. An income-based valuation approach may also be used in which the anticipated future cash flows of the investment are discounted to calculate fair value. Discounts may also be applied due to the nature or duration of any restrictions on the disposition of the investments. Due to the inherent uncertainty of valuations of such investments, the fair values may differ significantly from the values that would have been used had an active market existed.

Trading in securities on foreign securities stock exchanges and OTC markets may be completed before 4 p.m. Eastern time. In addition, trading in certain foreign markets may not take place on every Fund’s business day. Occasionally, events occur between the time at which trading in a foreign security is completed and 4 p.m. Eastern time that might call into question the reliability of the value of a portfolio security held by the Fund. As a result, differences may arise between the value of the Fund’s portfolio securities as determined at the foreign market close and the latest indications of value at 4 p.m. Eastern time. In order to minimize the potential for these differences, 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.

 

 

     
TF-16        Semiannual Report  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Templeton Foreign VIP Fund (continued)

 

When the last day of the reporting period is a non-business day, certain foreign markets may be open on those days that the Fund’s NAV is not calculated, which could result in differences between the value of the Fund’s portfolio securities on the last business day and the last calendar day of the reporting period. Any significant security valuation changes due to an open foreign market are adjusted and reflected by the Fund for financial reporting purposes.

b.  Foreign Currency Translation

Portfolio securities and other assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars based on the exchange rate of such currencies against U.S. dollars on the date of valuation. The Fund may enter into foreign currency exchange contracts to facilitate transactions denominated in a foreign currency. Purchases and sales of securities, income and expense items denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rate in effect on the transaction date. Portfolio securities and assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies contain risks that those currencies will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar. Occasionally, events may impact the availability or reliability of foreign exchange rates used to convert the U.S. dollar equivalent value. If such an event occurs, the foreign exchange rate will be valued at fair value using procedures established and approved by the Board.

The Fund does not separately report the effect of changes in foreign exchange rates from changes in market prices on securities held. Such changes are included in net realized and unrealized gain or loss from investments in the Statement of Operations.

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

c.  Securities Lending

The Fund participates in an agency based securities lending program to earn additional income. The Fund receives cash collateral against the loaned securities in an amount equal to at least 102% of the fair value of the loaned securities. Collateral is maintained over the life of the loan in an amount not less than 100% of the fair value of loaned securities, as determined at the close of Fund business each day; any additional collateral required due to changes in security values is delivered to the Fund on the next business day. The collateral is deposited into a joint cash account with other funds and is used to invest in a money market fund managed by Franklin Advisers, Inc., an affiliate of the Fund. The Fund may receive income from the investment of cash collateral, in addition to lending fees and rebates paid by the borrower. Income from securities loaned, net of fees paid to the securities lending agent and/or third-party vendor, is reported separately in the Statement of Operations. The Fund bears the market risk with respect to the collateral investment, securities loaned, and the risk that the agent may default on its obligations to the Fund. If the borrower defaults on its obligation to return the securities loaned, the Fund has the right to repurchase the securities in the open market using the collateral received. The securities lending agent has agreed to indemnify the Fund in the event of default by a third party borrower.

d.  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 if applicable, 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.

 

 

     
  Semiannual Report                 TF-17  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Templeton Foreign VIP Fund (continued)

 

1.  Organization and Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

d.  Income and Deferred Taxes (continued)

As a result of several court cases, in certain countries across the European Union, the Fund filed additional tax reclaims for previously withheld taxes on dividends earned in those countries (EU reclaims). These additional filings are subject to various administrative proceedings by the local jurisdictions’ tax authorities within the European Union, as well as a number of related judicial proceedings. Income recognized, if any, for EU reclaims is reflected as other income in the Statement of Operations and any related receivable, if any, is reflected as European Union tax reclaims in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. When uncertainty exists as to the ultimate resolution of these proceedings, the likelihood of receipt of these EU reclaims, and the potential timing of payment, no amounts are reflected in the financial statements. For U.S. income tax purposes, when EU reclaims are received by the Fund and the Fund previously passed foreign tax credit on to its shareholders, the Fund must either amend historic tax reporting to shareholders or enter into a closing agreement with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in order to pay the associated tax liability on behalf of the Fund’s shareholders.

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 June 30, 2019, the Fund has determined that no tax liability is required in its financial statements related to uncertain tax positions for any open tax years (or expected to be taken in future tax years). Open tax years are those that remain subject to examination and are based on the statute of limitations in each jurisdiction in which the Fund invests.

e.  Security Transactions, Investment Income, Expenses and Distributions

Security transactions are accounted for on trade date. Realized gains and losses on security transactions are determined on a specific identification basis. Interest income and estimated expenses are accrued daily. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date except for certain dividends from securities where the dividend rate is not

available. In such cases, the dividend is recorded as soon as the information is received by the Fund. Distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Distributable earnings are determined according to income tax regulations (tax basis) and may differ from earnings recorded in accordance with U.S. GAAP. These differences may be permanent or temporary. Permanent differences are reclassified among capital accounts to reflect their tax character. These reclassifications have no impact on net assets or the results of operations. Temporary differences are not reclassified, as they may reverse in subsequent periods.

Common expenses incurred by the Trust are allocated among the Funds based on the ratio of net assets of each Fund to the combined net assets of the Trust or based on the ratio of number of shareholders of each Fund to the combined number of shareholders of the Trust. Fund specific expenses are charged directly to the Fund that incurred the expense.

Realized and unrealized gains and losses and net investment income, excluding class specific expenses, are allocated daily to each class of shares based upon the relative proportion of net assets of each class. Differences in per share distributions by class are generally due to differences in class specific expenses.

f.  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.

g.  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.

 

 

     
TF-18        Semiannual Report              


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Templeton Foreign VIP Fund (continued)

 

2. Shares of Beneficial Interest

At June 30, 2019, there were an unlimited number of shares authorized (without par value). Transactions in the Fund’s shares were as follows:

 

     Six Months Ended
June 30, 2019
    Year Ended
December 31, 2018
 
      Shares      Amount     Shares     Amount  
Class 1 Shares:          

Shares sold

     175,552      $ 2,431,425       438,905     $ 6,719,723  

Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

     273,789        3,542,825       263,056       3,961,619  

Shares redeemed

     (361,352      (4,985,884     (1,543,257     (23,403,821
  

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease)

     87,989      $ 988,366       (841,296   $
 
 
(12,722,479
 
  

 

 

 
Class 2 Shares:          

Shares sold

     3,116,026      $ 42,274,359       7,214,702     $ 104,866,589  

Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

     2,342,581        29,727,357       2,265,765       33,465,356  

Shares redeemed

     (6,178,932      (83,545,883     (16,372,436     (241,125,609
  

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease)

     (720,325    $ (11,544,167     (6,891,969   $ (102,793,664
  

 

 

 
Class 4 Shares:          

Shares sold

     414,444      $ 5,663,852       1,564,942     $ 23,205,250  

Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

     218,085        2,819,837       234,330       3,521,973  

Shares redeemed

     (1,913,741      (26,227,726     (2,311,503     (33,799,640
  

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease)

     (1,281,212    $ (17,744,037     (512,231   $ (7,072,417
  

 

 

 

3.  Transactions with Affiliates

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

 

Subsidiary    Affiliation

Templeton Investment Counsel, LLC (TIC)

   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

 

     
  Semiannual Report                 TF-19  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Templeton Foreign VIP Fund (continued)

 

3.  Transactions with Affiliates (continued)

a.  Management Fees

The Fund pays an investment management fee to TIC based on the average daily net assets of the Fund as follows:

 

Annualized Fee Rate    Net Assets

0.900%

  

Up to and including $200 million

0.810%

  

Over $200 million, up to and including $700 million

0.775%

  

Over $700 million, up to and including $1.2 billion

0.750%

  

Over $1.2 billion, up to and including $1.3 billion

0.675%

  

Over $1.3 billion, up to and including $10 billion

0.655%

  

Over $10 billion, up to and including $15 billion

0.635%

  

Over $15 billion, up to and including $20 billion

0.615%

  

In excess of $20 billion

For the period ended June 30, 2019, the annualized gross effective investment management fee rate was 0.801% of the Fund’s average daily net assets.

b.  Administrative Fees

Under an agreement with TIC, FT Services provides administrative services to the Fund. The fee is paid by TIC 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 Class 2 and Class 4 shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. Under the Fund’s 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 0.25% and 0.35% per year of its average daily net assets of Class 2 and Class 4, respectively. The plan year, for purposes of monitoring compliance with the maximum annual plan rates, is February 1 through January 31.

d.  Transfer Agent Fees

Investor Services, under terms of an agreement, performs shareholder servicing for the Fund and is not paid by the Fund for the services.

 

     
TF-20        Semiannual Report              


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Templeton Foreign VIP Fund (continued)

 

e.  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 Statement of Operations, in an amount not to exceed the management and administrative fees paid directly or indirectly by each affiliate. During the period ended June 30, 2019, the Fund held investments in affiliated management investment companies as follows:

 

      Value at
Beginning
of Period
     Purchases      Sales     Realized
Gain (Loss)
     Net Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
    

Value at

End of
Period

     Number of
Shares
Held at End
of Period
     Investment
Income
 
Non-Controlled Affiliates                       
                         Dividends  
                      

 

 

 

Institutional Fiduciary Trust Money Market Portfolio, 2.05%

     $49,866,794        $156,280,845        $(142,833,317)       $      —        $      —        $63,314,322        63,314,322        $454,823  
                        

Income from
securities
loaned
 
 
 
                      

 

 

 

Institutional Fiduciary Trust Money Market Portfolio, 2.05%

     13,003,937        267,023,676        (268,905,340                   11,122,273          11,122,273        234,251  
  

 

 

       

 

 

 

Total Affiliated Securities

     $62,870,731        $423,304,521        $(411,738,657     $      —        $      —        $74,436,595             $689,074  
  

 

 

       

 

 

 

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 June 30, 2019, there were no credits earned.

5.  Income Taxes

At June 30, 2019, the cost of investments and net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) for income tax purposes were as follows:

 

Cost of investments.

       $ 1,266,955,782  
  

 

 

 

Unrealized appreciation

       $ 200,220,390  

Unrealized depreciation

     (144,051,624
  

 

 

 

Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

       $ 56,168,766  
  

 

 

 

Differences between income and/or capital gains as determined on a book basis and a tax basis are primarily due to differing treatment of passive foreign investment company shares.

6.  Investment Transactions

Purchases and sales of investments (excluding short term securities) for the period ended June 30, 2019, aggregated $149,655,770 and $208,609,412, respectively.

 

     
  Semiannual Report                 TF-21  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Templeton Foreign VIP Fund (continued)

 

6.  Investment Transactions (continued)

At June 30, 2019, in connection with securities lending transactions, the Fund loaned equity investments and received $11,122,273 of cash collateral. The gross amount of recognized liability for such transactions is included in payable upon return of securities loaned in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. The agreements can be terminated at any time.

7.  Concentration of Risk

Investing in foreign securities may include certain risks and considerations not typically associated with investing in U.S. securities, such as fluctuating currency values and changing local and regional economic, political and social conditions, which may result in greater market volatility. Current political and financial uncertainty surrounding the European Union may increase market volatility and the economic risk of investing in securities in Europe. In addition, certain foreign securities may not be as liquid as U.S. securities.

8.  Credit Facility

The Fund, together with other U.S. registered and foreign investment funds (collectively, Borrowers), managed by Franklin Templeton, are borrowers in a joint syndicated senior unsecured credit facility totaling $2 billion (Global Credit Facility) which matures on February 7, 2020. This Global Credit Facility provides a source of funds to the Borrowers for temporary and emergency purposes, including the ability to meet future unanticipated or unusually large redemption requests.

Under the terms of the Global Credit Facility, the Fund shall, in addition to interest charged on any borrowings made by the Fund and other costs incurred by the Fund, pay its share of fees and expenses incurred in connection with the implementation and maintenance of the Global Credit Facility, based upon its relative share of the aggregate net assets of all of the Borrowers, including an annual commitment fee of 0.15% based upon the unused portion of the Global Credit Facility. These fees are reflected in other expenses in the Statement of Operations. During the period ended June 30, 2019, 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.

At June 30, 2019, all of the Fund’s investments in financial instruments carried at fair value were valued using Level 1 inputs. For detailed categories, see the accompanying Statement of Investments.

10.  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.

 

     
TF-22        Semiannual Report              


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Templeton Foreign VIP Fund (continued)

 

Abbreviations

 

Selected Portfolio
ADR   American Depositary Receipt
IDR   International Depositary Receipt

 

     
  Semiannual Report                 TF-23  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

 

Tax Information (unaudited)

 

Templeton Foreign VIP Fund

At December 31, 2018, more than 50% of the Fund’s total assets were invested in securities of foreign issuers. In most instances, foreign taxes were withheld from income paid to the Fund on these investments. As shown in the table below, the Fund hereby reports to shareholders the foreign source income and foreign taxes paid, pursuant to Section 853 of the Internal Revenue Code. This written statement will allow shareholders of record on June 13, 2019, to treat their proportionate share of foreign taxes paid by the Fund as having been paid directly by them. The shareholder shall consider these amounts as foreign taxes paid in the tax year in which they receive the Fund distribution.

The following table provides a detailed analysis of foreign tax paid and foreign source income as reported by the Fund to shareholders of record.

 

Class    Foreign Tax Paid
Per Share
     Foreign Source
Income Per Share
 

Class 1

     $0.0348        $0.3349  

Class 2

     $0.0348        $0.2952  

Class 4

     $0.0348        $0.2701  

Foreign Tax Paid Per Share is the amount per share available to you, as a tax credit (assuming you held your shares in the Fund for a minimum of 16 days during the 31-day period beginning 15 days before the ex-dividend date of the Fund’s distribution to which the foreign taxes relate), or, as a tax deduction.

Foreign Source Income Per Share is the amount per share of income dividends attributable to foreign securities held by the Fund, plus any foreign taxes withheld on these dividends.

 

     
TF-24        Semiannual Report              


Templeton Global Bond VIP Fund

This semiannual report for Templeton Global Bond VIP Fund covers the period ended June 30, 2019.

Class 4 Performance Summary as of June 30, 2019

The Fund’s Class 4 Shares posted a +3.04% total return* for the six-month period ended June 30, 2019.

*The Fund has a fee waiver associated with any investment it makes in a Franklin Templeton money fund and/or other Franklin Templeton fund, contractually guaranteed through 4/30/20. Fund investment results reflect the fee waiver; without this waiver, the results would have been lower.

Performance reflects the Fund’s Class 4 operating expenses, but does not include any contract fees, expenses or sales charges. If they had been included, performance would be lower. These charges and deductions, particularly for variable life policies, can have a significant effect on contract values and insurance benefits. See the contract prospectus for a complete description of these expenses, including sales charges.

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.

 

     
  Semiannual Report                 TGB-1  


TEMPLETON GLOBAL BOND VIP FUND

 

Fund Goal and Main Investments

The Fund seeks high current income, consistent with preservation of capital, with capital appreciation as a secondary consideration. Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets in bonds, which include debt securities of any maturity, such as bonds, notes, bills and debentures.

Fund Risks

All investments involve risks, including possible loss of principal. Foreign securities involve special risks, including currency fluctuations and economic and political uncertainties. Currency rates may fluctuate significantly over short periods of time, and can reduce returns. Sovereign debt securities are subject to various risks in addition to those relating to debt securities and foreign securities generally, including, but not limited to, the risk that a governmental entity may be unwilling or unable to pay interest and repay principal on its sovereign debt, or otherwise meet its obligations when due. Adverse conditions in a certain region or country can adversely affect securities of issuers in other countries whose economies appear to be unrelated. Investments in developing markets involve heightened risks related to the same factors, in addition to those associated with these markets’ smaller size, lesser liquidity and lack of established legal, political, business and social frameworks to support securities market. 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.

Performance Overview

You can find the Fund’s six-month total return in the Performance Summary. For comparison, the J.P.Morgan Global Government Bond Index posted a +5.37% total return and the FTSE World Government Bond Index (WGBI), posted a +5.38% total return for the same period.1

Economic and Market Overview

Global financial markets began the six-month period on a positive note, significantly recovering from the heightened volatility in December 2018. Some of the strongest rallies in January were seen across emerging markets, notably in

Geographic Composition*

Based on Total Net Assets as of 6/30/19

 

LOGO

*Figures represent the net Fund exposure and include 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 or other factors.

**The Fund’s supranational investment was denominated in the Mexican peso.

Latin America. Most global currencies initially strengthened against a broadly weaker U.S. dollar before the trends reversed in February, March, April and May. However, weakness in the U.S. dollar returned in June, resulting in positive appreciations for a number of currencies against the U.S. dollar over the full six-month period. Additionally, risk assets around the world largely rallied during the period as a whole despite intermittent periods of volatility, with credit spreads broadly tightening across much of the global fixed income markets.

The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) shifted its policy stance at its January 2019 meeting, keeping rates unchanged, but removing its prior statement that “some further gradual increases in the target range for the federal funds rate” would be warranted. By March, the U.S. Federal Reserve (Fed) dropped its projected rate hikes for 2019 to zero, from the previous projections for two. In June, the FOMC shifted forward guidance further into dovish territory, notably removing its prior statement on being “patient...on future adjustments” and replacing it with a declaration that it “will act as appropriate to sustain the expansion.” Fed Chair Jay Powell indicated that several FOMC members saw a strengthening case for rate cuts.

In Europe, the European Central Bank (ECB) kept its policy rate unchanged at its January, March, April and June meetings, but moved increasingly into dovish territory

 

 

1. Source: Morningstar. One cannot invest directly in an index, and an index is not representative of the Fund’s portfolio. Please see Index Descriptions following the Fund

Summaries.

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).

 

     
TGB-2        Semiannual Report  


TEMPLETON GLOBAL BOND VIP FUND

 

throughout the period. ECB President Mario Draghi indicated the central bank was prepared to “use all the instruments in its toolbox” to support economic conditions and move inflation closer to its 2.0% target, specifically including the possibility for rate cuts and quantitative easing.

Trade tensions between the U.S. and China presented risks to economic continuity and market sentiment during the period. Negotiations appeared to deteriorate throughout May, but not to a point that we believed would trigger an imminent recession or require acute monetary accommodation. The impasse appeared to thaw at the end of June, as President Trump resumed trade talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the G20 summit in Osaka, Japan. Our baseline view was for trade agreements to be reached in the second half of 2019, though the tail risks for “no-deal” scenarios and ongoing tariff tensions remained elevated.

Sovereign bond yields around the world declined during the six-month period, with the yield on the 10-year U.S. Treasury (UST) note finishing 0.68% lower at 2.01%, its lowest level since November 2016, and the yield on the 10-year German bund dropping 0.57% to finish at 0.33%, its lowest level on record. The UST yield curve inverted with the spread between three-month and 10-year USTs reaching a low of -0.25% in early June, its lowest level since 2007. In our view, markets were overvaluing longer-term USTs during the period and overstating the probabilities for a near-term contraction in the U.S. economy. The probability for slower growth in the second half of 2019 increased during the period, but the likelihood for a recession still remained quite low, in our assessment.

On the whole, duration and credit exposures around the world rallied during the period. Additionally, a number of global currencies appreciated against a weakened U.S. dollar, with some notable exceptions including the euro, the Australian dollar, the Argentine peso and the Ghanaian cedi. Overall, long-duration exposures and select currency exposures across global fixed income markets were key drivers of investment returns during the period.

Investment Strategy

We invest selectively in bonds around the world based upon our assessment of changing market, political and economic conditions. While seeking opportunities, we monitor various factors including changes in interest rates, currency exchange rates and credit risks. We seek to manage the Fund’s exposure to various currencies and regularly utilize currency and cross currency forward contracts and may also use currency and currency index futures contracts and other derivative instruments.

Currency Composition*       

6/30/19

 

      
     

% of Total

Net Assets

 
Americas      128.4
U.S. Dollar      93.1
Mexican Peso      17.9
Brazilian Real      12.1
Argentine Peso      3.7
Colombian Peso      1.6
Canadian Dollar      0.0 %** 
Asia Pacific      10.6
Japanese Yen      16.9
Indonesian Rupiah      4.1
Philippine Peso      0.7
Indian Rupee      0.2
South Korean Won      0.0 %** 
New Zealand Dollar      0.0 %** 
Australian Dollar      -11.3
Middle East & Africa      1.4
Ghanaian Cedi      1.4
Europe      -40.4
Polish Zloty      0.0 %** 
Euro      -40.4

*Figures represent the net Fund exposure and include 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 or other factors.

**Rounds to less than 0.1%.

 

 

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. Currency forward contracts are privately traded in the interbank market, not on a centralized exchange.

 

 

 

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.

 

Manager’s Discussion

During the period, we held duration exposures in select local-currency markets, notably including Brazil, Colombia, India and Indonesia. We held short-term local-currency bonds in Mexico, Argentina and South Korea. We also continued to hold a net-negative position in the euro, through

 

 

     
  Semiannual Report                 TGB-3  


TEMPLETON GLOBAL BOND VIP FUND

 

currency forward contracts, as a macro hedge against a broadly strengthening U.S. dollar and as a directional view on the currency. We expected the euro to weaken based on rate differentials and growth divergence between Europe and the U.S. The ECB has shifted back toward ongoing stimulus with intentions to not raise rates above the 0% main refinancing rate through at least the first half of 2020. Our short euro position was also designed to hedge against eurosceptic political risks and unresolved structural risks across Europe. We also continued to hold net-negative positioning in the Australian dollar, also through currency forward contracts, based on the Reserve Bank of Australia’s (RBA’s) continued rate accommodation, and as a partial hedge against potential trade risks and tail risks associated with China’s economy. The short Australian dollar position is intended to hedge broad-based beta risk across emerging markets. In May, we closed our net-negative position in the Japanese yen, formerly achieved through currency forward contracts, and transitioned toward a positive exposure to the yen, as our expectations shifted to a positive outlook for yen strength. We continued to hedge our exposures to the Indian rupee and South Korean won but maintained our positions in the local-currency bonds. In credit markets, we continued to see areas of value in some specific sovereign credits. However, we largely preferred the risk-adjusted returns in specific areas of the local-currency bond markets over the more fully valued credit markets. We remained positioned for rising yields by maintaining low overall portfolio duration and holding negative duration exposure to USTs through interest-rate swaps.

 

 

What is duration?

 

Duration is a measure of a bond’s price sensitivity to interest-rate changes. In general, a portfolio of securities with a lower duration can be expected to be less sensitive to interest-rate changes than a portfolio with a higher duration.

 

 

 

What is an interest-rate swap?

 

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).

 

During the period, the strategy’s positive absolute performance was primarily attributable to currency positions. Interest-rate strategies detracted from absolute performance, while sovereign credit exposures had a largely neutral effect. Among currencies, the Fund’s net-negative positions in the

euro and the Japanese yen contributed to absolute performance. Its position in the Mexican peso also contributed to absolute results, while its position in the Argentine peso detracted. The Fund maintained a defensive approach regarding interest rates in developed markets, while holding duration exposures in select emerging markets. Negative duration exposure to USTs detracted from absolute performance. However, duration exposure in Brazil contributed to absolute results.

The strategy’s relative underperformance during the period was primarily due to interest-rate strategies. Currency positions contributed to relative results while sovereign credit exposures had a largely neutral effect. Underweighted duration exposure in the U.S. detracted from relative performance, as did select underweighted duration exposures in Europe and Japan. However, overweighted duration exposure in Brazil contributed to relative results. Among currencies, the Fund’s underweighted positions in the euro and the Japanese yen contributed to relative results. Its overweighted position in the Mexican peso also contributed to relative performance, while its overweighted position in the Argentine peso detracted.

Thank you for your participation in Templeton Global Bond VIP Fund. We look forward to serving your future investment needs.

 

 

The foregoing information reflects our analysis, opinions and portfolio holdings as of June 30, 2019, 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.

 

 

     
TGB-4        Semiannual Report  


TEMPLETON GLOBAL BOND VIP FUND

 

Class 4 Fund Expenses

As an investor in a variable insurance contract (Contract) that indirectly provides for investment in an underlying mutual fund, you can incur transaction and/or ongoing expenses at both the Fund level and the Contract Level: (1) transaction expenses can include sales charges (loads) on purchases, surrender fees, transfer fees and premium taxes; and (2) ongoing expenses can include management fees, distribution and service (12b-1) fees, contract fees, annual maintenance fees, mortality and expense risk fees and other fees and expenses. All mutual funds and Contracts have some types of ongoing expenses. The table below shows Fund-level ongoing expenses and can help you understand these costs and compare them with those of other mutual funds offered through the Contract. The table assumes a $1,000 investment held for the six months indicated. Please refer to the Fund prospectus for additional information on operating expenses.

Actual Fund Expenses

The table below provides information about the actual account values and actual expenses in the columns under the heading “Actual.” In these columns the Fund’s actual return, which includes the effect of ongoing Fund expenses but does not include the effect of ongoing Contract expenses, is used to calculate the “Ending Account Value.” You can estimate the Fund-level expenses you paid during the period by following these steps (of course, your account value and expenses will differ from those in this illustration): Divide your account value by $1,000 (if your account had an $8,600 value, then $8,600 ÷ $1,000 = 8.6). Then multiply the result by the number under the headings “Actual” and “Fund-Level Expenses Paid During Period” (if Fund-Level Expenses Paid During Period were $ 7.50, then 8.6 x $ 7.50 = $64.50). In this illustration, the estimated expenses paid this period at the Fund level are $64.50.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison with Other Mutual Funds

Under the heading “Hypothetical” in the table, information is provided about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. This information may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period, but it can help you compare ongoing costs of investing in the Fund with those of other mutual funds offered through the Contract. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds offered through the Contract.

Please note that expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight ongoing costs at the Fund level only and do not reflect any ongoing expenses at the Contract level, or transaction expenses at either the Fund or Contract levels. In addition, while the Fund does not have transaction expenses, if the transaction and ongoing expenses at the Contract level were included, the expenses shown below would be higher. You should consult your Contract prospectus or disclosure document for more information.

 

              

Actual

(actual return after expenses)

        Hypothetical
(5% annual return before expenses)
         

  Share

  Class

   Beginning
Account
Value 1/1/19
        Ending
Account
Value 6/30/19
   Fund-Level
Expenses
Paid During
Period
1/1/19–6/30/191, 2
       

Ending
Account

Value 6/30/19

  

Fund-Level
Expenses

Paid During

Period

1/1/19–6/30/191, 2

        Net
Annualized
Expense
Ratio2

Class 4

   $1,000       $1,030.40    $4.03       $1,020.83    $4.01       0.80%

1. Expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio for the six-month period as indicated above—in the far right column—multiplied by the simple average account value over the period indicated, and then multiplied by 181/365 to reflect the one-half year period.

2. Reflects expenses after fee waivers and expense reimbursements. Does not include any ongoing expenses of the Contract for which the Fund is an investment option or acquired fund fees and expenses.

 

     
  Semiannual Report                 TGB-5  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

 

Financial Highlights

Templeton Global Bond VIP Fund

   

Six Months Ended
June 30, 2019

(unaudited)

     Year Ended December 31,  
      2018      2017      2016      2015     2014  

Class 1

               
Per share operating performance
(for a share outstanding throughout the period)
               

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $17.54        $17.17        $16.85        $16.34        $18.56       $19.15  
 

 

 

 
Income from investment operationsa:                

Net investment incomeb

    0.52        0.88        0.83        0.62        0.52       0.58  

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)

    0.05        (0.51      (0.46      (0.10      (1.22     (0.16
 

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    0.57        0.37        0.37        0.52        (0.70     0.42  
 

 

 

 
Less distributions from:                

Net investment income and net foreign currency gains

    (1.26                           (1.43     (1.01

Net realized gains

                  (0.05      (0.01      (0.09      
 

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (1.26             (0.05      (0.01      (1.52     (1.01
 

 

 

 

Redemption fees

                                      c 
 

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

    $16.85        $17.54        $17.17        $16.85        $16.34       $18.56  
 

 

 

 

Total returnd

    3.24%        2.15%        2.15%        3.21%        (4.10 )%      2.12%  
Ratios to average net assetse                

Expenses before waiver and payments by affiliates and expense reduction

    0.53%        0.56%        0.53%        0.53%        0.52%       0.51%  

Expenses net of waiver and payments by affiliates

    0.45%        0.47%        0.46%        0.48%        0.52% f       0.51%  

Expenses net of waiver and payments by affiliates and expense reduction

    0.45% g        0.45%        0.46% g        0.48% g        0.52% f,g       0.51% g  

Net investment income

    5.81%        5.09%        4.81%        3.88%        2.99%       3.08%  
Supplemental data                

Net assets, end of period (000’s)

    $322,895        $285,046        $286,502        $241,792        $292,802       $323,491  

Portfolio turnover rate

    12.95%        18.22%        37.97%        59.00%        51.58%       39.14%  

 

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

bBased on average daily shares outstanding.

cAmount rounds to less than $0.01 per share.

dTotal return does not include fees, charges or expenses imposed by the variable annuity and life insurance contracts for which Franklin Templeton Variable Insurance Products Trust serves as an underlying investment vehicle. Total return is not annualized for periods less than one year.

eRatios are annualized for periods less than one year.

fBenefit of waiver and payments by affiliates rounds to less than 0.01%.

gBenefit of expense reduction rounds to less than 0.01%.

 

     
TGB-6        Semiannual Report   |    The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

 

Templeton Global Bond VIP Fund (continued)

   

Six Months Ended
June 30, 2019

(unaudited)

     Year Ended December 31,  
      2018      2017      2016      2015     2014  

Class 2

               
Per share operating performance
(for a share outstanding throughout the period)
               

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $16.83        $16.51        $16.25        $15.80        $17.99       $18.60  
 

 

 

 
Income from investment operationsa:                

Net investment incomeb

    0.47        0.81        0.76        0.56        0.46       0.52  

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)

    0.05        (0.49      (0.45      (0.10      (1.17     (0.17
 

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    0.52        0.32        0.31        0.46        (0.71     0.35  
 

 

 

 
Less distributions from:                

Net investment income and net foreign currency gains

    (1.21                           (1.39     (0.96

Net realized gains

                  (0.05      (0.01      (0.09      
 

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (1.21             (0.05      (0.01      (1.48     (0.96
 

 

 

 

Redemption fees

                                      c  
 

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

    $16.14        $16.83        $16.51        $16.25        $15.80       $17.99  
 

 

 

 

Total returnd

    3.10%        1.94%        1.93%        2.94%        (4.30 )%      1.83%  
Ratios to average net assetse                

Expenses before waiver and payments by affiliates and expense reduction

    0.78%        0.81%        0.78%        0.78%        0.77%       0.76%  

Expenses net of waiver and payments by affiliates

    0.70%        0.72%        0.71%        0.73%        0.77% f       0.76%  

Expenses net of waiver and payments by affiliates and expense reduction

    0.70% g        0.70%        0.71% g        0.73% g        0.77% f,g       0.76% g  

Net investment income

    5.56%        4.84%        4.56%        3.63%        2.74%       2.83%  
Supplemental data                

Net assets, end of period (000’s)

    $2,506,399        $2,544,900        $2,730,081        $2,812,535        $2,971,667       $3,177,638  

Portfolio turnover rate

    12.95%        18.22%        37.97%        59.00%        51.58%       39.14%  

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

bBased on average daily shares outstanding.

cAmount rounds to less than $0.01 per share.

dTotal return does not include fees, charges or expenses imposed by the variable annuity and life insurance contracts for which Franklin Templeton Variable Insurance Products Trust serves as an underlying investment vehicle. Total return is not annualized for periods less than one

year.

eRatios are annualized for periods less than one year.

fBenefit of waiver and payments by affiliates rounds to less than 0.01%.

gBenefit of expense reduction rounds to less than 0.01%.

 

     
  The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.    |   Semiannual Report                 TGB-7  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

 

Templeton Global Bond VIP Fund (continued)

   

Six Months Ended
June 30, 2019

(unaudited)

     Year Ended December 31,  
      2018      2017      2016      2015     2014  

Class 4

               
Per share operating performance
(for a share outstanding throughout the period)
               

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $17.19        $16.88        $16.62        $16.18        $18.38       $18.97  
 

 

 

 
Income from investment operationsa:                

Net investment incomeb

    0.47        0.81        0.76        0.56        0.46       0.51  

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)

    0.05        (0.50      (0.45      (0.11      (1.21     (0.18
 

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    0.52        0.31        0.31        0.45        (0.75     0.33  
 

 

 

 
Less distributions from:                

Net investment income and net foreign currency gains

    (1.19                           (1.36     (0.92

Net realized gains

                  (0.05      (0.01      (0.09      
 

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (1.19             (0.05      (0.01      (1.45     (0.92
 

 

 

 

Redemption fees

                                      c 
 

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

    $16.52        $17.19        $16.88        $16.62        $16.18       $18.38  
 

 

 

 

Total returnd

    3.04%        1.84%        1.76%        2.87%        (4.39 )%      1.69%  
Ratios to average net assetse                

Expenses before waiver and payments by affiliates and expense reduction

    0.88%        0.91%        0.88%        0.88%        0.87%       0.86%  

Expenses net of waiver and payments by affiliates

    0.80%        0.82%        0.81%        0.83%        0.87% f       0.86%  

Expenses net of waiver and payments by affiliates and expense reduction

    0.80% g        0.80%        0.81% g        0.83% g        0.87% f,g       0.86% g  

Net investment income

    5.46%        4.74%        4.46%        3.53%        2.64%       2.73%  
Supplemental data                

Net assets, end of period (000’s)

    $92,416        $94,312        $98,934        $96,798        $103,045       $111,199  

Portfolio turnover rate

    12.95%        18.22%        37.97%        59.00%        51.58%       39.14%  

 

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

bBased on average daily shares outstanding.

cAmount rounds to less than $0.01 per share.

dTotal return does not include fees, charges or expenses imposed by the variable annuity and life insurance contracts for which Franklin Templeton Variable Insurance Products Trust serves as an underlying investment vehicle. Total return is not annualized for periods less than one year.

eRatios are annualized for periods less than one year.

fBenefit of waiver and payments by affiliates rounds to less than 0.01%.

gBenefit of expense reduction rounds to less than 0.01%.

 

     
TGB-8        Semiannual Report   |    The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

 

Statement of Investments, June 30, 2019 (unaudited)

 

Templeton Global Bond VIP Fund

 

                   
          

Principal  

Amount*

            Value  
 

Foreign Government and Agency Securities 47.3%

       
 

Argentina 2.4%

       
 

Argentina Treasury Bill,

       
 

Strip, 4/30/20

     207,735,000       ARS      $ 5,558,300  
 

Strip, 7/31/20

     48,339,000       ARS        1,101,897  
 

Argentine Bonos del Tesoro,

       
 

18.20%, 10/03/21

     820,823,000       ARS        13,129,701  
 

16.00%, 10/17/23

     844,288,000       ARS        14,301,850  
 

senior note, 15.50%, 10/17/26

     1,668,306,000       ARS        27,487,318  
 

Government of Argentina,

       
 

a FRN, 68.466%, (ARPP7DRR), 6/21/20

     10,990,000       ARS        252,144  
 

a FRN, 52.006%, (ARS Badlar + 2.00%), 4/03/22

     24,036,000       ARS        486,090  
 

b Index Linked, 4.00%, 3/06/20

     4,138,000       ARS        133,534  
 

senior note, 4.50%, 2/13/20

     9,351,000          8,088,615  
         

 

 

 
            70,539,449  
         

 

 

 
 

Brazil 10.3%

       
 

Letra Tesouro Nacional,

       
 

Strip, 7/01/19

     102,840 c      BRL        26,746,771  
 

Strip, 7/01/20

     118,041 c      BRL        29,011,063  
 

Strip, 7/01/21

     24,360 c      BRL        5,631,006  
 

Nota do Tesouro Nacional,

       
 

10.00%, 1/01/21

     38,520 c      BRL        10,576,145  
 

10.00%, 1/01/23

     522,145 c      BRL        149,421,694  
 

10.00%, 1/01/25

     69,029 c      BRL        20,277,628  
 

10.00%, 1/01/27

     194,573 c      BRL        58,114,855  
         

 

 

 
            299,779,162  
         

 

 

 
 

Colombia 1.6%

       
 

Government of Colombia,

       
 

senior bond, 7.75%, 4/14/21

     2,386,000,000       COP        777,177  
 

senior bond, 4.375%, 3/21/23

     362,000,000       COP        109,464  
 

senior bond, 9.85%, 6/28/27

     576,000,000       COP        226,226  
 

Titulos de Tesoreria,

       
 

senior bond, B, 11.00%, 7/24/20

     9,167,000,000       COP        3,048,135  
 

senior bond, B, 7.00%, 5/04/22

     10,237,000,000       COP        3,361,594  
 

senior bond, B, 10.00%, 7/24/24

     40,977,000,000       COP        15,439,515  
 

senior bond, B, 7.50%, 8/26/26

     35,134,200,000       COP        12,115,832  
 

senior bond, B, 6.00%, 4/28/28

     29,113,600,000       COP        9,100,649  
 

senior note, B, 7.00%, 9/11/19

     4,056,000,000       COP        1,268,860  
         

 

 

 
            45,447,452  
         

 

 

 
 

Ghana 1.4%

       
 

Government of Ghana,

       
 

24.75%, 3/01/21

     690,000       GHS        136,680  
 

16.25%, 5/17/21

     7,250,000       GHS        1,275,199  
 

24.50%, 6/21/21

     80,000       GHS        15,977  
 

24.75%, 7/19/21

     1,190,000       GHS        239,092  
 

18.75%, 1/24/22

     26,840,000       GHS        4,872,819  
 

17.60%, 11/28/22

     370,000       GHS        66,255  

 

     
  Semiannual Report                 TGB-9  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Templeton Global Bond VIP Fund (continued)

 

          

Principal 

Amount*

             Value  
 

Foreign Government and Agency Securities (continued)

        
 

Ghana (continued)

        
 

Government of Ghana, (continued)

        
 

19.75%, 3/25/24

     26,840,000        GHS      $ 5,012,541  
 

19.00%, 11/02/26

     80,510,000        GHS        14,589,657  
 

senior bond, 19.75%, 3/15/32

     80,510,000        GHS        14,670,390  
 

senior note, 21.50%, 3/09/20

     1,270,000        GHS        238,727  
 

senior note, 18.50%, 6/01/20

     500,000        GHS        91,843  
 

senior note, 18.25%, 9/21/20

     480,000        GHS        87,844  
 

senior note, 16.50%, 3/22/21

     1,730,000        GHS        306,376  
          

 

 

 
             41,603,400  
          

 

 

 
 

India 8.4%

        
 

Government of India,

        
 

senior bond, 8.20%, 2/15/22

     500,000,000        INR        7,549,021  
 

senior bond, 8.35%, 5/14/22

     212,700,000        INR        3,233,626  
 

senior bond, 8.08%, 8/02/22

     1,783,000,000        INR        26,951,616  
 

senior bond, 8.13%, 9/21/22

     28,000,000        INR        424,824  
 

senior bond, 9.15%, 11/14/24

     2,409,000,000        INR        38,356,381  
 

senior note, 8.27%, 6/09/20

     1,222,000,000        INR        18,064,244  
 

senior note, 7.80%, 4/11/21

     1,980,300,000        INR        29,430,934  
 

senior note, 8.79%, 11/08/21

     653,000,000        INR        9,950,508  
 

senior note, 8.15%, 6/11/22

     1,621,000,000        INR        24,542,810  
 

senior note, 6.84%, 12/19/22

     98,000,000        INR        1,432,534  
 

senior note, 7.16%, 5/20/23

     133,700,000        INR        1,967,261  
 

senior note, 8.83%, 11/25/23

     2,983,900,000        INR        46,706,799  
 

senior note, 7.68%, 12/15/23

     1,376,000,000        INR        20,741,179  
 

senior note, 6.79%, 5/15/27

     1,142,800,000        INR        16,360,789  
          

 

 

 
             245,712,526  
          

 

 

 
 

Indonesia 4.1%

        
 

Government of Indonesia,

        
 

senior bond, FR34, 12.80%, 6/15/21

     324,406,000,000        IDR        25,564,426  
 

senior bond, FR35, 12.90%, 6/15/22

     71,229,000,000        IDR        5,855,124  
 

senior bond, FR39, 11.75%, 8/15/23

     5,491,000,000        IDR        455,313  
 

senior bond, FR40, 11.00%, 9/15/25

     46,856,000,000        IDR        3,951,127  
 

senior bond, FR43, 10.25%, 7/15/22

     147,832,000,000        IDR        11,451,421  
 

senior bond, FR44, 10.00%, 9/15/24

     4,454,000,000        IDR        355,374  
 

senior bond, FR46, 9.50%, 7/15/23

     226,780,000,000        IDR        17,495,487  
 

senior bond, FR47, 10.00%, 2/15/28

     12,000,000        IDR        984  
 

senior bond, FR52, 10.50%, 8/15/30

     6,960,000,000        IDR        600,252  
 

senior bond, FR59, 7.00%, 5/15/27

     47,752,000,000        IDR        3,334,952  
 

senior bond, FR61, 7.00%, 5/15/22

     244,849,000,000        IDR        17,460,500  
 

senior bond, FR63, 5.625%, 5/15/23

     258,951,000,000        IDR        17,655,046  
 

senior bond, FR64, 6.125%, 5/15/28

     37,000,000        IDR        2,424  
 

senior bond, FR70, 8.375%, 3/15/24

     78,915,000,000        IDR        5,923,305  
 

senior bond, FR71, 9.00%, 3/15/29

     51,222,000,000        IDR        4,012,194  
 

senior bond, FR73, 8.75%, 5/15/31

     60,845,000,000        IDR        4,682,619  
          

 

 

 
             118,800,548  
          

 

 

 

 

     
TGB-10        Semiannual Report  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Templeton Global Bond VIP Fund (continued)

 

                  

Principal  

Amount*

            Value  
  Foreign Government and Agency Securities (continued)           
 

Mexico 13.1%

          
 

Government of Mexico,

          
 

senior bond, M, 8.00%, 6/11/20

        3,814,000 d      MXN      $ 19,899,575  
 

senior bond, M, 6.50%, 6/10/21

        18,568,200 d      MXN        94,938,684  
 

senior bond, M, 6.50%, 6/09/22

        16,179,100 d      MXN        82,219,895  
 

senior bond, M, 8.00%, 12/07/23

        41,600 d      MXN        221,479  
 

senior note, M, 5.00%, 12/11/19

        18,742,300 d      MXN        96,281,699  
 

senior note, M, 7.25%, 12/09/21

        17,097,500 d      MXN        88,702,869  
 

e Mexican Udibonos, Index Linked, 2.50%, 12/10/20

        381,661 f       MXN        1,963,943  
            

 

 

 
               384,228,144  
            

 

 

 
 

Philippines 0.7%

          
 

Government of the Philippines, senior note, 3.375%, 8/20/20

        1,102,110,000       PHP        21,237,184  
            

 

 

 
 

South Korea 5.0%

          
 

Korea Monetary Stabilization Bond,

          
 

senior note, 2.06%, 12/02/19

        91,389,000,000       KRW        79,158,429  
 

senior note, 2.14%, 6/02/20

        14,858,000,000       KRW        12,912,156  
 

senior note, 2.05%, 10/05/20

        31,280,000,000       KRW        27,206,900  
 

Korea Treasury Bond,

          
 

senior note, 1.25%, 12/10/19

        18,280,000,000       KRW        15,783,599  
 

senior note, 1.75%, 6/10/20

        7,615,000,000       KRW        6,596,702  
 

senior note, 3.00%, 3/10/23

        3,919,000,000       KRW        3,566,062  
            

 

 

 
               145,223,848  
            

 

 

 
g  

Supranational 0.3%

          
 

Inter-American Development Bank, senior bond, 7.50%, 12/05/24

        200,000,000       MXN        10,375,132  
            

 

 

 
 

Total Foreign Government and Agency Securities (Cost $1,523,195,112)

             1,382,946,845  
            

 

 

 
         Number of
Contracts
     Notional  
Amount*
              
 

Options Purchased 0.4%

          
 

Calls - Over-the-Counter

          
 

Currency Options 0.3%

          
 

AUD/JPY, Counterparty CITI, February Strike Price 82.35 JPY, Expires 2/12/20

     1        2,664,000       AUD        3,804  
 

AUD/JPY, Counterparty CITI, May Strike Price 84.00 JPY, Expires 5/06/20

     1        11,838,000       AUD        18,447  
 

AUD/JPY, Counterparty CITI, May Strike Price 86.63 JPY, Expires 5/06/20

     1        13,022,000       AUD        11,545  
 

AUD/JPY, Counterparty CITI, May Strike Price 85.50 JPY, Expires 5/07/20

     1        47,352,000       AUD        51,187  
 

AUD/JPY, Counterparty CITI, November Strike Price 84.33 JPY, Expires 11/12/20

     1        8,878,000       AUD        27,813  
 

AUD/USD, Counterparty HSBK, April Strike Price $0.77, Expires 4/30/20

     1        14,798,000       AUD        33,988  
 

AUD/USD, Counterparty HSBK, May Strike Price $0.77, Expires 5/04/20

     1        18,644,000       AUD        47,807  
 

AUD/USD, Counterparty HSBK, May Strike Price $0.77, Expires 5/07/20

     1        11,838,000       AUD        25,212  
 

USD/MXN, Counterparty CITI, November Strike Price 20.00 MXN, Expires 11/07/19

     1        11,701,000          209,577  
 

USD/MXN, Counterparty CITI, December Strike Price 20.50 MXN, Expires 12/05/19

     1        36,196,000          548,659  
 

USD/MXN, Counterparty CITI, May Strike Price 20.50 MXN, Expires 5/11/20

     1        65,528,000          2,401,929  

 

     
  Semiannual Report                 TGB-11  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Templeton Global Bond VIP Fund (continued)

 

           Number of
Contracts
    

Notional  

Amount*

             Value  
  Options Purchased (continued)            
  Calls - Over-the-Counter (continued)            
  Currency Options (continued)            
 

USD/MXN, Counterparty CITI, May Strike Price 20.92 MXN, Expires 5/12/20

     1        39,005,000         $ 1,176,040  
 

USD/MXN, Counterparty CITI, May Strike Price 20.87 MXN, Expires 5/14/20

     1        43,998,000           1,374,717  
 

USD/MXN, Counterparty JPHQ, November Strike Price 20.11 MXN, Expires 11/14/19

     1        21,999,000           381,551  
 

USD/MXN, Counterparty JPHQ, November Strike Price 20.11 MXN, Expires 11/14/19

     1        21,999,000           381,551  
 

USD/MXN, Counterparty JPHQ, November Strike Price 22.35 MXN, Expires 11/14/19

     1        21,999,000           77,480  
 

USD/MXN, Counterparty JPHQ, May Strike Price 20.93 MXN, Expires 5/13/20

     1        25,142,000           758,182  
             

 

 

 
                7,529,489  
             

 

 

 
 

Puts - Over-the-Counter

           
 

Currency Options 0.1%

           
 

AUD/JPY, Counterparty CITI, May Strike Price 69.54 JPY, Expires 5/06/20

     1        9,470,000        AUD        72,251  
 

AUD/JPY, Counterparty CITI, May Strike Price 70.65 JPY, Expires 5/06/20

     1        5,919,000        AUD        54,096  
 

AUD/JPY, Counterparty CITI, May Strike Price 74.48 JPY, Expires 5/06/20

     1        43,800,000        AUD        753,385  
 

AUD/JPY, Counterparty CITI, May Strike Price 75.50 JPY, Expires 5/06/20

     1        17,757,000        AUD        335,695  
 

AUD/JPY, Counterparty CITI, May Strike Price 65.55 JPY, Expires 5/07/20

     1        23,676,000        AUD        96,675  
 

AUD/JPY, Counterparty CITI, May Strike Price 73.25 JPY, Expires 5/07/20

     1        23,676,000        AUD        333,085  
 

AUD/JPY, Counterparty CITI, November Strike Price 66.78 JPY, Expires 11/12/20

     1        4,439,000        AUD        41,180  
 

AUD/JPY, Counterparty CITI, November Strike Price 69.18 JPY, Expires 11/12/20

     1        2,664,000        AUD        33,331  
 

AUD/JPY, Counterparty CITI, November Strike Price 72.78 JPY, Expires 11/12/20

     1        11,098,000        AUD        219,342  
 

AUD/JPY, Counterparty CITI, November Strike Price 74.00 JPY, Expires 11/12/20

     1        7,990,000        AUD        184,416  
 

AUD/USD, Counterparty HSBK, April Strike Price $0.66, Expires 4/30/20

     1        39,460,000        AUD        174,060  
 

AUD/USD, Counterparty HSBK, April Strike Price $0.68, Expires 4/30/20

     1        19,730,000        AUD        151,389  
 

AUD/USD, Counterparty HSBK, May Strike Price $0.65, Expires 5/04/20

     1        49,720,000        AUD        130,006  
 

AUD/USD, Counterparty HSBK, May Strike Price $0.68, Expires 5/04/20

     1        24,662,000        AUD        173,877  
 

AUD/USD, Counterparty HSBK, May Strike Price $0.66, Expires 5/05/20

     1        19,730,000        AUD        106,752  
 

AUD/USD, Counterparty HSBK, May Strike Price $0.65, Expires 5/07/20

     1        23,676,000        AUD        97,157  
 

AUD/USD, Counterparty HSBK, May Strike Price $0.68, Expires 5/07/20

     1        11,838,000        AUD        86,446  
 

AUD/USD, Counterparty MSCO, November Strike Price $0.67, Expires 11/14/19

     1        43,000        AUD        122  
 

USD/MXN, Counterparty CITI, October Strike Price 18.25 MXN, Expires 10/08/19

     1        18,098,000           45,136  
 

USD/MXN, Counterparty CITI, November Strike Price 18.28 MXN, Expires 11/07/19

     1        11,701,000           40,544  
 

USD/MXN, Counterparty CITI, May Strike Price 18.31 MXN, Expires 5/14/20

     1        11,000,000           90,706  
             

 

 

 
                3,219,651  
             

 

 

 
 

Total Options Purchased
(Cost $14,763,158)

              10,749,140  
             

 

 

 
 

Total Investments before Short Term Investments
(Cost $1,537,958,270)

              1,393,695,985  
             

 

 

 

 

     
TGB-12        Semiannual Report  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Templeton Global Bond VIP Fund (continued)

 

                  

Principal  

Amount*

            Value  
 

Short Term Investments 39.8%

          
 

Foreign Government and Agency Securities 9.2%

          
 

Argentina 1.5%

          
h  

Argentina Treasury Bill, 7/19/19 - 2/28/20

        1,467,087,600       ARS      $ 43,469,653  
            

 

 

 
 

Mexico 4.4%

          
h  

Mexico Treasury Bill,

          
 

7/04/19

        199,789,187 i       MXN        103,869,279  
 

7/18/19 - 2/27/20

        50,835,660 i       MXN        25,388,664  
            

 

 

 
               129,257,943  
            

 

 

 
 

South Korea 3.3%

          
 

Korea Monetary Stabilization Bond,

          
 

senior note, 1.85%, 10/02/19

        59,950,000,000       KRW        51,856,384  
 

senior note, 1.87%, 11/09/19

        45,390,000,000       KRW        39,276,235  
 

senior note, 2.16%, 2/02/20

        7,615,000,000       KRW        6,605,569  
            

 

 

 
               97,738,188  
            

 

 

 
 

Total Foreign Government and Agency Securities (Cost $278,628,187)

             270,465,784  
            

 

 

 
 

U.S. Government and Agency Securities (Cost $51,743,504) 1.8%

          
 

United States 1.8%

          
h  

U.S. Treasury Bill, 7/18/19 - 12/05/19

        52,062,000          51,779,602  
            

 

 

 
 

Total Investments before Money Market Funds (Cost $1,868,329,961)

             1,715,941,371  
            

 

 

 
                Shares               
 

Money Market Funds (Cost $840,987,190) 28.8%

          
 

United States 28.8%

          
j,k  

Institutional Fiduciary Trust Money Market Portfolio, 2.05%

        840,987,190          840,987,190  
            

 

 

 
 

Total Investments (Cost $2,709,317,151) 87.5%

             2,556,928,561  
 

Options Written (0.3)%

             (8,140,326
 

Other Assets, less Liabilities 12.8%

             372,921,281  
            

 

 

 
 

Net Assets 100.0%

           $ 2,921,709,516  
            

 

 

 
         Number of
Contracts
     Notional  
Amount*
              
l  

Options Written (0.3)%

          
 

Calls - Over-the-Counter

          
 

Currency Options (0.2)%

          
 

AUD/JPY, Counterparty CITI, November Strike Price 79.77 JPY, Expires 11/06/19

     1        28,411,000       AUD        (46,248
 

AUD/JPY, Counterparty CITI, November Strike Price 80.15 JPY, Expires 11/06/19

     1        11,838,000       AUD        (16,121
 

AUD/JPY, Counterparty CITI, November Strike Price 80.60 JPY, Expires 11/08/19

     1        23,676,000       AUD        (26,674
 

AUD/JPY, Counterparty CITI, February Strike Price 77.28 JPY, Expires 2/12/20

     1        8,878,000       AUD        (67,467

 

     
  Semiannual Report                 TGB-13  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Templeton Global Bond VIP Fund (continued)

 

           Number of
Contracts
    

Notional  

Amount*

             Value  
l    Options Written (continued)            
  Calls - Over-the-Counter (continued)            
  Currency Options (continued)            
 

AUD/JPY, Counterparty CITI, February Strike Price 78.18 JPY, Expires 2/12/20

     1        5,327,000        AUD      $ (30,535
 

AUD/JPY, Counterparty CITI, February Strike Price 79.45 JPY, Expires 2/12/20

     1        7,991,000        AUD        (30,161
 

AUD/JPY, Counterparty CITI, February Strike Price 80.32 JPY, Expires 2/12/20

     1        8,879,000        AUD        (24,999
 

AUD/JPY, Counterparty CITI, May Strike Price 78.60 JPY, Expires 5/06/20

     1        18,941,000        AUD        (127,133
 

AUD/JPY, Counterparty CITI, May Strike Price 79.10 JPY, Expires 5/06/20

     1        11,838,000        AUD        (69,436
 

AUD/JPY, Counterparty CITI, May Strike Price 77.35 JPY, Expires 5/07/20

     1        47,352,000        AUD        (441,776
 

AUD/USD, Counterparty HSBK, April Strike Price $0.71, Expires 4/30/20

     1        14,798,000        AUD        (200,467
 

AUD/USD, Counterparty HSBK, May Strike Price $0.71, Expires 5/04/20

     1        18,644,000        AUD        (278,024
 

AUD/USD, Counterparty HSBK, November Strike Price $0.71, Expires 11/05/20

     1        11,838,000        AUD        (211,515
 

AUD/USD, Counterparty HSBK, November Strike Price $0.80, Expires 11/05/20

     1        23,676,000        AUD        (68,472
 

AUD/USD, Counterparty HSBK, April Strike Price $0.81, Expires 4/29/21

     1        29,594,000        AUD        (120,943
 

AUD/USD, Counterparty HSBK, May Strike Price $0.80, Expires 5/04/21

     1        37,290,000        AUD        (174,147
 

AUD/USD, Counterparty HSBK, May Strike Price $0.78, Expires 5/05/21

     1        19,730,000        AUD        (147,552
 

AUD/USD, Counterparty MSCO, November Strike Price $0.72, Expires 11/14/19

     1        43,000        AUD        (224
 

USD/MXN, Counterparty CITI, December Strike Price 21.90 MXN, Expires 12/05/19

     1        36,196,000           (209,901
 

USD/MXN, Counterparty CITI, May Strike Price 19.55 MXN, Expires 5/11/20

     1        21,843,000           (1,266,260
 

USD/MXN, Counterparty CITI, May Strike Price 22.55 MXN, Expires 5/11/20

     1        21,843,000           (321,682
 

USD/MXN, Counterparty CITI, May Strike Price 19.82 MXN, Expires 5/12/20

     1        15,602,000           (796,794
 

USD/MXN, Counterparty CITI, May Strike Price 23.85 MXN, Expires 5/12/20

     1        15,602,000           (141,760
 

USD/MXN, Counterparty CITI, May Strike Price 22.85 MXN, Expires 5/14/20

     1        21,999,000           (292,829
 

USD/MXN, Counterparty JPHQ, November Strike Price 21.00 MXN, Expires 11/14/19

     1        43,999,000           (379,051
 

USD/MXN, Counterparty JPHQ, May Strike Price 23.76 MXN, Expires 5/13/20

     1        12,571,000           (118,482
             

 

 

 
                (5,608,653
             

 

 

 
 

Puts - Over-the-Counter

           
 

Currency Options (0.1)%

           
 

USD/MXN, Counterparty CITI, October Strike Price 18.66 MXN, Expires 10/08/19

     1        18,098,000           (98,109
 

USD/MXN, Counterparty CITI, October Strike Price 19.60 MXN, Expires 10/08/19

     1        13,574,000           (149,124
 

USD/MXN, Counterparty CITI, November Strike Price 18.74 MXN, Expires 11/07/19

     1        23,403,000           (172,597
 

USD/MXN, Counterparty CITI, May Strike Price 19.55 MXN, Expires 5/11/20

     1        21,843,000           (567,590
 

USD/MXN, Counterparty CITI, May Strike Price 19.69 MXN, Expires 5/12/20

     1        7,801,000           (226,627
 

USD/MXN, Counterparty CITI, May Strike Price 19.24 MXN, Expires 5/14/20

     1        32,999,000           (661,069
 

USD/MXN, Counterparty JPHQ, November Strike Price 19.44 MXN, Expires 11/13/19

     1        12,571,000           (255,933
 

USD/MXN, Counterparty JPHQ, November Strike Price 19.36 MXN, Expires 11/14/19

     1        21,999,000           (400,624
             

 

 

 
                (2,531,673
             

 

 

 
 

Total Options Written (Premiums received $11,159,153)

              (8,140,326
             

 

 

 

 

     
TGB-14        Semiannual Report  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Templeton Global Bond VIP Fund (continued)

 

*The principal/notional amount is stated in U.S. dollars unless otherwise indicated.

aThe coupon rate shown represents the rate at period end.

bRedemption price at maturity and coupon payment are adjusted for inflation. See Note 1(e).

cPrincipal amount is stated in 1,000 Brazilian Real Units.

dPrincipal amount is stated in 100 Mexican Peso Units.

ePrincipal amount of security is adjusted for inflation. See Note 1(e).

fPrincipal amount is stated in 100 Unidad de Inversion Units.

gA supranational organization is an entity formed by two or more central governments through international treaties.

hThe security was issued on a discount basis with no stated coupon rate.

iPrincipal amount is stated in 10 Mexican Peso Units.

jSee Note 3(e) regarding investments in affiliated management investment companies.

kThe rate shown is the annualized seven-day effective yield at period end.

lSee Note 1(c) regarding written options.

At June 30, 2019, the Fund had the following forward exchange contracts outstanding. See Note 1(c).

 

Forward Exchange Contracts  
Currency    Counterpartya      Type      Quantity     

Contract  

Amount*

     Settlement
Date
     Unrealized
Appreciation
     Unrealized
Depreciation
 
OTC Forward Exchange Contracts

 

Indian Rupee

     BNDP        Sell        845,797,600        12,077,733        7/05/19      $        $(177,687)  

Indian Rupee

     HSBK        Buy        721,903,000        10,474,507        7/05/19               (14,292

Indian Rupee

     HSBK        Sell        721,903,000        10,357,288        7/05/19               (102,926

South Korean Won

     HSBK        Sell        42,561,000,000        37,554,265        7/10/19        754,109         

Indian Rupee

     HSBK        Sell        1,015,502,619        14,411,235        7/11/19               (291,456

Japanese Yen

     DBAB        Buy        770,370,000        7,001,670        7/11/19        150,713         

Japanese Yen

     DBAB        Sell        770,370,000        6,983,144        7/11/19               (169,239

Australian Dollar

     JPHQ        Sell        30,315,000        21,688,564        7/15/19        395,900         

Indian Rupee

     CITI        Sell        677,015,000        9,586,120        7/15/19               (210,665

Japanese Yen

     CITI        Buy        893,794,665        8,138,457        7/16/19        163,159         

Japanese Yen

     CITI        Sell        893,794,665        8,077,975        7/16/19               (223,641

Japanese Yen

     DBAB        Buy        1,825,131,000        16,595,660        7/17/19        357,616         

Japanese Yen

     DBAB        Sell        1,825,131,000        16,407,147        7/17/19               (546,129

Japanese Yen

     GSCO        Buy        568,759,434        5,169,177        7/17/19        113,915         

Japanese Yen

     GSCO        Sell        568,759,434        5,112,444        7/17/19               (170,648

Japanese Yen

     HSBK        Buy        536,380,000        4,869,886        7/17/19        112,440         

Japanese Yen

     HSBK        Sell        536,380,000        4,823,583        7/17/19               (158,743

Japanese Yen

     MSCO        Buy        300,000,000        2,732,415        7/17/19        54,225         

Japanese Yen

     MSCO        Sell        300,000,000        2,697,890        7/17/19               (88,750

Japanese Yen

     CITI        Buy        1,372,892,008        12,488,114        7/18/19        265,424         

Japanese Yen

     CITI        Sell        1,372,892,008        12,346,162        7/18/19               (407,376

Japanese Yen

     HSBK        Buy        1,245,390,000        11,307,983        7/18/19        261,120         

Japanese Yen

     HSBK        Sell        1,245,390,000        11,199,581        7/18/19               (369,522

Japanese Yen

     JPHQ        Buy        1,886,055,000        17,143,219        7/18/19        377,368         

Japanese Yen

     JPHQ        Sell        1,886,055,000        16,962,787        7/18/19               (557,800

South Korean Won

     HSBK        Sell        13,984,825,441        12,358,890        7/19/19        263,874         

Indian Rupee

     HSBK        Sell        833,252,000        11,585,538        7/22/19               (460,898

Indian Rupee

     JPHQ        Sell        1,087,029,000        15,329,700        7/22/19               (385,625

Japanese Yen

     HSBK        Buy        471,730,400        4,284,563        7/22/19        98,998         

Japanese Yen

     HSBK        Sell        471,730,400        4,242,180        7/22/19               (141,381

Euro

     DBAB        Sell        8,405,717        9,574,279        7/23/19               (2,307

 

     
  Semiannual Report                 TGB-15  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Templeton Global Bond VIP Fund (continued)

 

Forward Exchange Contracts (continued)  
Currency    Counterpartya      Type      Quantity     

Contract  

Amount*

          Settlement
Date
     Unrealized
Appreciation
     Unrealized
Depreciation
 

OTC Forward Exchange Contracts (continued)

 

          

South Korean Won

     HSBK        Sell        4,497,174,559        4,034,426          7/24/19      $ 144,412      $  

South Korean Won

     HSBK        Sell        35,277,000,000        29,624,622          7/29/19               (893,794

South Korean Won

     HSBK        Sell        24,029,880,977        20,944,723          7/30/19        155,831         

Euro

     BZWS        Sell        22,495,166        25,267,020          7/31/19               (378,723

Japanese Yen

     BZWS        Buy        2,063,184,840        18,810,434          7/31/19        375,119         

Japanese Yen

     BZWS        Sell        2,063,184,840        18,587,921          7/31/19               (597,632

Japanese Yen

     CITI        Buy        1,866,452,000        16,994,566          7/31/19        361,569         

Japanese Yen

     CITI        Sell        1,866,452,000        16,814,353          7/31/19               (541,782

Japanese Yen

     DBAB        Buy        1,148,260,758        10,535,005          7/31/19        142,670         

Japanese Yen

     DBAB        Sell        1,148,260,758        10,345,717          7/31/19               (331,959

Japanese Yen

     GSCO        Buy        944,420,000        8,592,667          7/31/19        189,494         

Japanese Yen

     GSCO        Sell        944,420,000        8,509,285          7/31/19               (272,875

Euro

     JPHQ        Sell        32,859,900        36,939,917          8/02/19               (528,145

Euro

     JPHQ        Sell        6,147,005        6,963,266          8/13/19               (51,896

Indian Rupee

     HSBK        Sell        640,177,000        9,164,369          8/14/19               (61,501

South Korean Won

     DBAB        Sell        13,920,000,000        11,761,724          8/16/19               (285,270

South Korean Won

     HSBK        Sell        75,818,000,000        67,858,230          8/19/19        2,237,665         

Indian Rupee

     JPHQ        Sell        451,390,000        6,336,321          8/20/19               (163,425

Euro

     JPHQ        Sell        26,361,295        29,644,727          8/21/19               (458,762

Euro

     SCNY        Sell        4,975,000        5,600,507          8/21/19               (80,734

Indian Rupee

     SCNY        Sell        945,558,000        13,262,334          8/28/19               (338,120

Indian Rupee

     JPHQ        Sell        1,986,473,600        28,132,836          9/03/19               (417,476

Indian Rupee

     SCNY        Sell        1,135,539,000        16,082,186          9/03/19               (238,189

Indian Rupee

     BNDP        Sell        852,858,400        12,054,025          9/06/19               (198,808

Indian Rupee

     HSBK        Sell        718,737,000        10,188,348          9/06/19               (137,591

Indian Rupee

     SCNY        Sell        2,362,358,000        33,444,581          9/06/19               (494,906

Japanese Yen

     HSBK        Buy        1,385,935,670        12,894,032          9/06/19        28,184         

Japanese Yen

     JPHQ        Buy        1,190,714,470        11,089,521          9/06/19        12,487         

South Korean Won

     DBAB        Sell        13,919,000,000        11,813,784          9/10/19               (240,812

Indian Rupee

     HSBK        Sell        639,544,904        9,046,537          9/11/19               (135,731

Australian Dollar

     JPHQ        Sell        25,330,000        1,905,801,173     JPY      9/12/19               (45,258

Indian Rupee

     BNDP        Sell        237,955,000        3,398,435          9/12/19               (17,563

Indian Rupee

     CITI        Sell        516,565,000        7,360,048          9/16/19               (51,746

Indian Rupee

     HSBK        Sell        320,909,148        4,570,053          9/16/19               (34,425

Indian Rupee

     JPHQ        Sell        842,066,000        11,956,070          9/18/19               (122,968

South Korean Won

     CITI        Sell        4,215,000,000        3,745,102          9/20/19        93,475         

South Korean Won

     HSBK        Sell        7,007,000,000        6,209,402          9/20/19        138,951         

Euro

     GSCO        Sell        1,230,811        1,419,334          9/23/19        10,359         

Euro

     JPHQ        Sell        14,818,028        16,825,426          9/25/19               (140,044

Euro

     BZWS        Sell        11,247,583        12,905,420          9/30/19        22,902         

Euro

     SCNY        Sell        12,544,218        14,327,128          9/30/19               (40,503

Brazilian Real

     CITI        Buy        206,375,000        45,101,403     EUR      10/02/19        1,548,473         

Indian Rupee

     HSBK        Sell        721,903,000        10,344,673          10/03/19        9,100         

Euro

     GSCO        Sell        17,044,025        19,389,965          10/04/19               (137,601

Euro

     BOFA        Sell        17,079,724        19,447,486          10/08/19               (127,039

Euro

     DBAB        Sell        8,136,104        9,264,988          10/08/19               (59,540

 

     
TGB-16        Semiannual Report  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Templeton Global Bond VIP Fund (continued)

 

Forward Exchange Contracts (continued)  
Currency    Counterpartya      Type      Quantity     

Contract  

Amount*

     Settlement
Date
     Unrealized
Appreciation
     Unrealized
Depreciation
 

OTC Forward Exchange Contracts (continued)

 

     

Euro

     GSCO        Sell        2,045,000        2,328,437        10/08/19      $        $ (15,272)  

Euro

     UBSW        Sell        8,311,299        9,466,611        10/09/19               (59,440

Australian Dollar

     JPHQ        Sell        5,243,250        3,763,028        10/11/19        71,406         

Euro

     BZWS        Sell        7,003,000        8,019,030        10/11/19               (8,748

Euro

     HSBK        Sell        33,800,018        38,700,683        10/11/19               (45,433

Euro

     JPHQ        Sell        14,342,996        16,427,177        10/11/19               (14,690

Australian Dollar

     CITI        Sell        19,379,733        13,888,680        10/15/19        242,729         

Australian Dollar

     JPHQ        Sell        30,315,000        21,728,731        10/15/19        382,876         

Euro

     BOFA        Sell        17,769,000        20,333,067        10/15/19               (42,455

Euro

     DBAB        Sell        50,881,000        58,164,615        10/15/19               (180,081

Euro

     GSCO        Sell        1,789,884        2,046,356        10/15/19               (6,084

Euro

     BOFA        Sell        5,251,819        6,036,441        10/16/19        13,770         

Euro

     HSBK        Sell        8,692,000        9,979,546        10/16/19        11,751         

Euro

     SCNY        Sell        657,000        754,624        10/17/19        1,132         

Japanese Yen

     HSBK        Buy        3,480,722,080        32,447,384        10/21/19        115,972         

Japanese Yen

     JPHQ        Buy        2,192,959,130        20,427,169        10/21/19        88,721         

Euro

     GSCO        Sell        1,231,111        1,412,515        10/23/19               (62

Euro

     JPHQ        Sell        28,236,000        32,407,869        10/23/19        9,880         

Euro

     UBSW        Sell        1,922,305        2,208,306        10/23/19        2,653         

Euro

     DBAB        Sell        14,940,282        17,055,826        10/24/19               (87,984

Euro

     UBSW        Sell        11,641,500        13,369,040        10/24/19        10,547         

Euro

     DBAB        Sell        4,518,681        5,143,886        10/25/19               (41,653

Euro

     HSBK        Sell        19,488,000        22,175,005        10/25/19               (188,994

Euro

     BOFA        Sell        33,910,663        38,371,610        10/29/19               (555,586

Euro

     CITI        Sell        77,832,770        88,114,479        10/29/19               (1,232,390

Euro

     GSCO        Sell        2,855,793        3,231,615        10/29/19               (46,646

Euro

     JPHQ        Sell        11,263,000        12,741,607        10/29/19               (187,572

Euro

     SCNY        Sell        12,300,264        13,918,989        10/29/19               (200,900

Euro

     DBAB        Sell        14,776,110        16,726,556        10/30/19               (236,755

Euro

     BOFA        Sell        33,910,663        38,343,803        10/31/19               (589,429

Euro

     GSCO        Sell        13,037,050        14,736,625        10/31/19               (231,366

Euro

     HSBK        Sell        25,974,891        29,415,785        10/31/19               (406,295

Euro

     JPHQ        Sell        9,220,500        10,470,708        11/08/19               (122,028

Australian Dollar

     CITI        Sell        19,311,633        13,514,281        11/13/19               (92,661

Australian Dollar

     JPHQ        Sell        5,243,250        3,674,338        11/13/19               (20,046

Euro

     HSBK        Sell        1,800,000        2,052,882        11/14/19               (15,965

Australian Dollar

     CITI        Sell        19,311,633        13,527,799        11/15/19               (79,760

Australian Dollar

     JPHQ        Sell        50,143,500        35,128,029        11/15/19               (204,594

Euro

     CITI        Sell        37,063,039        42,359,347        11/15/19               (242,715

Euro

     JPHQ        Sell        6,894,178        7,880,597        11/15/19               (43,907

Euro

     BOFA        Sell        10,878,191        12,345,223        11/20/19               (163,554

Euro

     GSCO        Sell        1,898,500        2,153,563        11/20/19               (29,512

Euro

     JPHQ        Sell        30,863,836        35,046,657        11/20/19               (443,514

Australian Dollar

     CITI        Sell        13,307,000        9,202,456        11/21/19               (175,334

Euro

     BOFA        Sell        7,066,000        8,015,176        11/21/19               (110,613

Euro

     GSCO        Sell        1,230,811        1,395,924        11/21/19               (19,489

 

     
  Semiannual Report                 TGB-17  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Templeton Global Bond VIP Fund (continued)

 

Forward Exchange Contracts (continued)         
Currency    Counterpartya      Type      Quantity     

Contract 

Amount*

          Settlement
Date
     Unrealized
Appreciation
     Unrealized
Depreciation
 
OTC Forward Exchange Contracts (continued)

 

          

Euro

     JPHQ        Sell        26,361,295        29,864,448          11/21/19      $        $(450,628)  

Euro

     UBSW        Sell        2,600,555        2,947,313          11/21/19               (43,284

Euro

     BZWS        Sell        11,247,583        12,717,642          11/29/19               (224,943

Euro

     DBAB        Sell        14,781,916        16,715,021          11/29/19               (294,519

Euro

     GSCO        Sell        6,309,207        7,137,448          11/29/19               (122,552

Euro

     MSCO        Sell        30,744,500        34,772,644          11/29/19               (605,029

Australian Dollar

     GSCO        Sell        127,700,540        89,008,553          12/04/19               (1,011,891

Euro

     BOFA        Sell        27,627,938        31,296,237          12/04/19               (507,568

Euro

     GSCO        Sell        17,044,025        19,323,152          12/04/19               (297,019

Euro

     GSCO        Sell        8,105,300        9,213,457          12/05/19               (117,657

Euro

     JPHQ        Sell        6,775,311        7,694,213          12/05/19               (105,770

Euro

     SCNY        Sell        17,972,751        20,409,497          12/05/19               (281,382

Euro

     UBSW        Sell        6,231,299        7,068,599          12/05/19               (105,097

Japanese Yen

     JPHQ        Buy        1,151,402,090        10,790,503          12/05/19        19,623         

Japanese Yen

     HSBK        Buy        3,536,432,420        33,156,398          12/06/19        48,602         

Japanese Yen

     JPHQ        Buy        1,197,791,130        11,228,053          12/06/19        18,495         

Euro

     BOFA        Sell        17,090,572        19,557,254          12/09/19               (124,149

Euro

     DBAB        Sell        8,136,104        9,302,170          12/09/19               (67,320

South Korean Won

     GSCO        Sell        44,346,000,000        37,444,904          12/09/19               (1,076,192

Euro

     DBAB        Sell        13,483,000        15,477,810          12/11/19               (51,550

Australian Dollar

     HSBK        Sell        10,030,000        750,855,830     JPY      12/12/19               (18,331

Australian Dollar

     HSBK        Sell        28,650,000        2,151,328,500     JPY      12/12/19        9,270         

Australian Dollar

     JPHQ        Sell        17,540,000        1,314,694,914     JPY      12/12/19               (16,717

Euro

     BOFA        Sell        5,439,095        6,200,569          12/18/19               (67,449

Euro

     DBAB        Sell        5,008,730        5,707,949          12/18/19               (64,116

Euro

     GSCO        Sell        1,789,884        2,038,319          12/18/19               (24,344

Japanese Yen

     HSBK        Buy        3,616,471,000        33,750,629          12/19/19        240,860         

Japanese Yen

     JPHQ        Buy        1,776,469,130        16,587,881          12/20/19        110,612         

Japanese Yen

     HSBK        Buy        1,385,935,670        13,063,576          3/06/20        25,770         

Japanese Yen

     JPHQ        Buy        1,316,291,430        12,420,546          3/06/20        11,051         

Australian Dollar

     JPHQ        Sell        22,880,000        1,707,432,812     JPY      3/12/20               (28,888

Australian Dollar

     HSBK        Sell        9,830,000        730,865,415     JPY      3/13/20               (37,671

Japanese Yen

     HSBK        Buy        5,242,851,400        49,342,826          3/23/20        223,673         

Japanese Yen

     JPHQ        Buy        3,549,117,130        33,375,614          3/23/20        178,133         

Japanese Yen

     JPHQ        Buy        921,145,640        8,744,741          3/24/20               (35,601

Japanese Yen

     HSBK        Buy        1,385,935,690        13,139,372          6/08/20        24,791         

Japanese Yen

     JPHQ        Buy        1,316,291,430        12,493,638          6/08/20        9,016         

Australian Dollar

     HSBK        Sell        10,030,000        743,659,305     JPY      6/12/20               (29,809

Australian Dollar

     JPHQ        Sell        27,360,000        2,029,372,749     JPY      6/12/20               (73,650

Euro

     JPHQ        Sell        6,775,311        7,873,725          6/15/20               (29,216

Japanese Yen

     JPHQ        Buy        1,776,469,130        16,798,461          6/22/20        89,525         

 

     
TGB-18        Semiannual Report  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Templeton Global Bond VIP Fund (continued)

 

Forward Exchange Contracts (continued)         
Currency    Counterpartya      Type      Quantity     

Contract  

Amount*

     Settlement
Date
     Unrealized
Appreciation
     Unrealized
Depreciation
 
OTC Forward Exchange Contracts (continued)

 

        

Japanese Yen

     BNDP        Buy        4,489,315,360        42,878,248        6/24/20      $      $ (195,420
                 

 

 

 

Total Forward Exchange Contracts

 

               $ 10,800,410      $ (24,353,192
                 

 

 

 

Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

 

                  $ (13,552,782
                    

 

 

 

*In U.S. dollars unless otherwise indicated.

aMay be comprised of multiple contracts with the same counterparty, currency and settlement date.

At June 30, 2019, the Fund had the following interest rate swap contracts outstanding. See Note 1(c).

 

Interest Rate Swap Contracts                                   
Description    Payment
Frequency
     Counter-
party
     Maturity
Date
     Notional
Amount
     Value/
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
Centrally Cleared Swap Contracts               

Receive Floating 3-month USD LIBOR

     Quarterly              

Pay Fixed 3.558%

     Semi-Annual           3/04/21      $ 3,240,000      $ (122,000

Receive Floating 3-month USD LIBOR

     Quarterly              

Pay Fixed 2.775%

     Semi-Annual           10/04/23        13,090,000        (560,798

Receive Floating 3-month USD LIBOR

     Quarterly              

Pay Fixed 2.795%

     Semi-Annual           10/04/23        13,090,000        (572,186

Receive Floating 3-month USD LIBOR

     Quarterly              

Pay Fixed 2.765%

     Semi-Annual           10/07/23        13,090,000        (556,489

Receive Floating 3-month USD LIBOR

     Quarterly              

Pay Fixed 2.731%

     Semi-Annual           7/07/24        34,000,000        (1,830,406

Receive Floating 3-month USD LIBOR

     Quarterly              

Pay Fixed 1.914%

     Semi-Annual           1/22/25        114,670,000        (1,182,108

Receive Floating 3-month USD LIBOR

     Quarterly              

Pay Fixed 1.97%

     Semi-Annual           1/23/25        143,340,000        (1,935,166

Receive Floating 3-month USD LIBOR

     Quarterly              

Pay Fixed 1.973%

     Semi-Annual           1/27/25        84,590,000        (1,169,130

Receive Floating 3-month USD LIBOR

     Quarterly              

Pay Fixed 1.937%

     Semi-Annual           1/29/25        21,150,000        (247,845

Receive Floating 3-month USD LIBOR

     Quarterly              

Pay Fixed 1.942%

     Semi-Annual           1/30/25        17,910,000        (214,037

Receive Floating 3-month USD LIBOR

     Quarterly              

Pay Fixed 1.817%

     Semi-Annual           2/03/25        28,210,000        (132,951

Receive Floating 3-month USD LIBOR

     Quarterly              

Pay Fixed 4.349%

     Semi-Annual           2/25/41        7,460,000        (2,957,633

Receive Floating 3-month USD LIBOR

     Quarterly              

Pay Fixed 4.32%

     Semi-Annual           2/28/41        5,600,000        (2,187,593

Receive Floating 3-month USD LIBOR

     Quarterly              

Pay Fixed 4.299%

     Semi-Annual           3/01/41        1,870,000        (724,297

Receive Floating 3-month USD LIBOR

     Quarterly              

Pay Fixed 3.668%

     Semi-Annual           10/04/43        6,370,000        (1,827,825

Receive Floating 3-month USD LIBOR

     Quarterly              

 

     
  Semiannual Report                 TGB-19  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Templeton Global Bond VIP Fund (continued)

 

Interest Rate Swap Contracts (continued)                                   
Description    Payment
Frequency
     Counter-
party
     Maturity
Date
     Notional
Amount
     Value/
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
Centrally Cleared Swap Contracts (continued)               

Pay Fixed 3.687%

     Semi-Annual           10/04/43      $ 6,370,000      $ (1,851,049

Receive Floating 3-month USD LIBOR

     Quarterly              

Pay Fixed 3.675%

     Semi-Annual           10/07/43        6,370,000        (1,836,145

Receive Floating 3-month USD LIBOR

     Quarterly              

Pay Fixed 2.378%

     Semi-Annual           11/18/46        122,400,000        (4,266,750

Receive Floating 3-month USD LIBOR

     Quarterly              

Pay Fixed 2.537%

     Semi-Annual           4/13/47        72,700,000        (5,051,107

Receive Floating 3-month USD LIBOR

     Quarterly              

Pay Fixed 2.587%

     Semi-Annual           7/27/47        36,700,000        (3,208,437

Receive Floating 3-month USD LIBOR

     Quarterly              

Pay Fixed 2.98%

     Semi-Annual           2/20/48        15,638,000        (2,751,703

Receive Floating 3-month USD LIBOR

     Quarterly              

Pay Fixed 3.002%

     Semi-Annual           2/22/48        15,638,000        (2,829,404

Receive Floating 3-month USD LIBOR

     Quarterly              

Pay Fixed 3.019%

     Semi-Annual           2/23/48        15,638,000        (2,885,783
              

 

 

 

Total Centrally Cleared Swap Contracts

                 $(40,900,842)  
              

 

 

 
OTC Swap Contracts               

Receive Floating 3-month USD LIBOR

     Quarterly              

Pay Fixed 3.523%

     Semi-Annual        DBAB        3/28/21      $ 14,630,000      $ (555,316

Receive Floating 3-month USD LIBOR

     Quarterly              

Pay Fixed 4.347%

     Semi-Annual        CITI        2/25/41        7,460,000        (2,954,052
              

 

 

 

Total OTC Swap Contracts

               $ (3,509,368
              

 

 

 

Total Interest Rate Swap Contracts

               $ (44,410,210
              

 

 

 

See Note 9 regarding other derivative information.

See Abbreviations on page TGB-36.

 

     
TGB-20        Semiannual Report   |    The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

June 30, 2019 (unaudited)

 

    

Templeton

Global Bond

VIP Fund

 

Assets:

 

Investments in securities:

 

Cost - Unaffiliated issuers

        $ 1,868,329,961  

Cost - Non-controlled affiliates (Note 3e)

    840,987,190  
 

 

 

 

Value - Unaffiliated issuers

        $ 1,715,941,371  

Value - Non-controlled affiliates (Note 3e)

    840,987,190  

Foreign currency, at value (cost $3,139,800)

    3,143,810  

Receivables:

 

Investment securities sold

    306,105,949  

Capital shares sold

    432,766  

Interest

    28,017,671  

Deposits with brokers for:

 

OTC derivative contracts

    13,111,000  

Centrally cleared swap contracts

    43,812,453  

Variation margin on centrally cleared swap contracts

    1,750,564  

Unrealized appreciation on OTC forward exchange contracts

    10,800,410  

Other assets

    2,077  
 

 

 

 

Total assets

    2,964,105,261  
 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

Payables:

 

Capital shares redeemed

    1,873,996  

Management fees

    871,727  

Distribution fees

    1,104,022  

Trustees’ fees and expenses

    2,943  

Options written, at value (premiums received $11,159,153)

    8,140,326  

Unrealized depreciation on OTC forward exchange contracts

    24,353,192  

Unrealized depreciation on OTC swap contracts

    3,509,368  

Deferred tax

    1,069,598  

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

    1,470,573  
 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    42,395,745  
 

 

 

 

Net assets, at value

        $ 2,921,709,516  
 

 

 

 

Net assets consist of:

 

Paid-in capital

        $ 3,013,559,830  

Total distributable earnings (loss)

    (91,850,314
 

 

 

 

Net assets, at value

        $ 2,921,709,516  
 

 

 

 

 

     
  The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.    |   Semiannual Report                 TGB-21  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Statement of Assets and Liabilities (continued)

June 30, 2019 (unaudited)

 

    

Templeton

Global Bond

VIP Fund

 
Class 1:  

Net assets, at value

        $ 322,894,936  
 

 

 

 

Shares outstanding

    19,159,539  
 

 

 

 

Net asset value and maximum offering price per share

          $16.85  
 

 

 

 
Class 2:  

Net assets, at value

        $ 2,506,398,779  
 

 

 

 

Shares outstanding

    155,279,892  
 

 

 

 

Net asset value and maximum offering price per share

          $16.14  
 

 

 

 
Class 4:  

Net assets, at value

        $ 92,415,801  
 

 

 

 

Shares outstanding

    5,594,502  
 

 

 

 

Net asset value and maximum offering price per share

          $16.52  
 

 

 

 

 

     
TGB-22        Semiannual Report   |    The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Statement of Operations

for the six months ended June 30, 2019 (unaudited)

 

     Templeton
Global Bond
VIP Fund
 

Investment income:

 

Dividends:

 

Non-controlled affiliates (Note 3e)

        $ 7,272,536  

Interest: (net of foreign taxes)~

 

Unaffiliated issuers

    83,677,638  
 

 

 

 

Total investment income

    90,950,174  
 

 

 

 

Expenses:

 

Management fees (Note 3a)

    6,664,374  

Distribution fees: (Note 3c)

 

Class 2

    3,151,919  

Class 4

    162,031  

Custodian fees (Note 4)

    622,636  

Reports to shareholders

    200,875  

Professional fees

    52,053  

Trustees’ fees and expenses

    11,670  

Other

    258,393  
 

 

 

 

Total expenses

    11,123,951  

Expense reductions (Note 4)

    (99,819

Expenses waived/paid by affiliates (Note 3e)

    (1,224,809
 

 

 

 

Net expenses

    9,799,323  
 

 

 

 

Net investment income

    81,150,851  
 

 

 

 

Realized and unrealized gains (losses):

 

Net realized gain (loss) from:

 

Investments:#

 

Unaffiliated issuers

    (3,116,265

Written options

    (270,237

Foreign currency transactions

    59,956  

Forward exchange contracts

    73,887,062  

Swap contracts

    1,230,638  
 

 

 

 

Net realized gain (loss)

    71,791,154  
 

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:

 

Investments:

 

Unaffiliated issuers

    14,559,126  

Translation of other assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies

    230,753  

Forward exchange contracts

    (18,328,568

Written options

    3,018,827  

Swap contracts

    (63,106,879

Change in deferred taxes on unrealized appreciation

    808,513  
 

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

    (62,818,228
 

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    8,972,926  
 

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

        $ 90,123,777  
 

 

 

 

~Foreign taxes withheld on interest

        $ 1,721,531  

#Net of foreign taxes

        $ 356,048  

 

     
  The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.    |   Semiannual Report                 TGB-23  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

    Templeton Global
Bond VIP Fund
 
     Six Months Ended
June 30, 2019
(unaudited)
     Year Ended
December 31, 2018
 

Increase (decrease) in net assets:

    

Operations:

    

Net investment income

            $ 81,150,851                $ 148,925,933  

Net realized gain (loss)

    71,791,154        29,395,004  

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

    (62,818,228      (118,382,692
 

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

    90,123,777        59,938,245  
 

 

 

 

Distributions to shareholders:

    

Class 1

    (22,427,340       

Class 2

    (175,601,316       

Class 4

    (6,224,019       
 

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

    (204,252,675       
 

 

 

 

Capital share transactions: (Note 2)

    

Class 1

    51,298,106        (7,760,972

Class 2

    58,771,690        (237,044,140

Class 4

    1,510,796        (6,392,585
 

 

 

 

Total capital share transactions

    111,580,592        (251,197,697
 

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets

    (2,548,306      (191,259,452

Net assets:

    

Beginning of period

    2,924,257,822        3,115,517,274  
 

 

 

 

End of period

            $ 2,921,709,516                $ 2,924,257,822  
 

 

 

 

 

     
TGB-24        Semiannual Report   |    The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

 

Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited)

 

Templeton Global Bond VIP Fund

 

1.  Organization and Significant Accounting Policies

Franklin Templeton Variable Insurance Products Trust (Trust) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (1940 Act) as an open-end management investment company, consisting of eighteen separate funds and applies the specialized accounting and reporting guidance in U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (U.S. GAAP). Templeton Global Bond VIP Fund (Fund) is included in this report. Shares of the Fund are generally sold only to insurance company separate accounts to fund the benefits of variable life insurance policies or variable annuity contracts. The Fund offers three classes of shares: Class 1, Class 2, and Class 4. Each class of shares may differ by its distribution fees, voting rights on matters affecting a single class and its exchange privilege.

The following summarizes the Fund’s significant accounting policies.

a.    Financial Instrument Valuation

The Fund’s investments in financial instruments are carried at fair value daily. Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. The Fund calculates the net asset value (NAV) per share each business day as of 4 p.m. Eastern time or the regularly scheduled close of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), whichever is earlier. Under compliance policies and procedures approved by the Trust’s Board of Trustees (the Board), the Fund’s administrator has responsibility for oversight of valuation, including leading the cross-functional Valuation Committee (VC). The Fund may utilize independent pricing services, quotations from securities and financial instrument dealers, and other market sources to determine fair value.

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. Securities denominated in a foreign currency are converted into their U.S. dollar equivalent at the foreign exchange rate in effect at 4 p.m. Eastern time on the date that the values of the foreign debt securities are determined.

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

Certain derivative financial instruments are centrally cleared or trade in the OTC market. The Fund’s pricing services use various techniques including industry standard option pricing models and proprietary discounted cash flow models to determine the fair value of those instruments. The Fund’s net benefit or obligation under the derivative contract, as measured by the fair value of the contract, is included in net assets.

The Fund has procedures to determine the fair value of financial instruments for which market prices are not reliable or readily available. Under these procedures, the Fund primarily employs a market-based approach which may use related or comparable assets or liabilities, recent transactions, market multiples, book values, and other relevant information for the investment to determine the fair value of the investment. An income-based valuation approach may also be used in which the anticipated future cash flows of the investment are discounted to calculate fair value. Discounts may also be applied due to the nature or duration of any restrictions on 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.

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,

 

 

     
  Semiannual Report                 TGB-25  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Templeton Global Bond VIP Fund (continued)

 

1.  Organization and Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

b.  Foreign Currency Translation (continued)

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.  Derivative Financial Instruments

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

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

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

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

 

 

     
TGB-26            Semiannual Report  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Templeton Global Bond VIP Fund (continued)

 

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

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

The Fund purchased or wrote OTC option contracts primarily to manage and/or gain exposure to 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.

The Fund invested in value recovery instruments (VRI) primarily to gain exposure to economic growth. Periodic payments from VRI are dependent on established benchmarks for underlying variables. VRI has a notional amount, which is used to calculate amounts of payments to holders. Payments are recorded upon receipt as realized

gains in the Statement of Operations. The risks of investing in VRI include growth risk, liquidity, and the potential loss of investment.

See Note 9 regarding other derivative information.

d.  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 if applicable, 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 June 30, 2019, the Fund has determined that no tax liability is required in its financial statements related to uncertain tax positions for any open tax years (or expected to be taken in future tax years). Open tax years are those that remain subject to examination and are based on the statute of limitations in each jurisdiction in which the Fund invests.

e.  Security Transactions, Investment Income, Expenses and Distributions

Security transactions are accounted for on trade date. Realized gains and losses on security transactions are determined on a specific identification basis. Interest income and estimated expenses are accrued daily. Amortization of premium and accretion of discount on debt securities are included in interest income. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date. Distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Distributable earnings are determined according to income tax regulations (tax basis)

 

 

     
  Semiannual Report                 TGB-27  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Templeton Global Bond VIP Fund (continued)

 

1.  Organization and Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

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

and may differ from earnings recorded in accordance with U.S. GAAP. These differences may be permanent or temporary. Permanent differences are reclassified among capital accounts to reflect their tax character. These reclassifications have no impact on net assets or the results of operations. Temporary differences are not reclassified, as they may reverse in subsequent periods.

Common expenses incurred by the Trust are allocated among the Funds based on the ratio of net assets of each Fund to the combined net assets of the Trust or based on the ratio of number of shareholders of each Fund to the combined number of shareholders of the Trust. Fund specific expenses are charged directly to the Fund that incurred the expense.

Realized and unrealized gains and losses and net investment income, excluding class specific expenses, are allocated daily to each class of shares based upon the relative proportion of net assets of each class. Differences in per share distributions by class are generally due to differences in class specific expenses.

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 in the Statement of Operations.

f.  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.

g.  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 June 30, 2019, there were an unlimited number of shares authorized (without par value). Transactions in the Fund’s shares were as follows:

 

    

Six Months Ended

June 30, 2019

   

Year Ended

December 31, 2018

 
      Shares      Amount     Shares     Amount  
Class 1 Shares:          

Shares sold

     3,257,781      $     58,874,081       3,298,930     $     57,215,991  

Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

     1,330,210        22,427,340              

Shares redeemed

     (1,676,435      (30,003,315     (3,741,198     (64,976,963)  

Net increase (decrease)

     2,911,556      $ 51,298,106       (442,268   $ (7,760,972)  

 

     
TGB-28            Semiannual Report  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Templeton Global Bond VIP Fund (continued)

 

 

     Six Months Ended
June 30, 2019
    Year Ended
December 31, 2018
 
      Shares      Amount     Shares     Amount  
Class 2 Shares:          

Shares sold

     3,326,780      $ 57,259,173       10,132,393     $ 169,096,447  

Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

     10,873,146        175,601,316              

Shares redeemed

     (10,136,099      (174,088,799     (24,289,543     (406,140,587)  

Net increase (decrease)

     4,063,827      $ 58,771,690       (14,157,150   $ (237,044,140)  
        
Class 4 Shares:          

Shares sold

     338,125      $ 5,942,275       816,409     $ 13,930,984  

Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

     376,529        6,224,019              

Shares redeemed

     (607,785      (10,655,498     (1,191,456     (20,323,569)  

Net increase (decrease)

     106,869      $ 1,510,796       (375,047   $ (6,392,585)  
        

3.  Transactions with Affiliates

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

 

Subsidiary    Affiliation

Franklin Advisers, Inc. (Advisers)

   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 Advisers based on the average daily net assets of the Fund as follows:

 

Annualized Fee Rate    Net Assets

0.625%

  

Up to and including $100 million

0.500%

  

Over $100 million, up to and including $250 million

0.450%

  

Over $250 million, up to and including $7.5 billion

0.440%

  

Over $7.5 billion, up to and including $10 billion

0.430%

  

Over $10 billion, up to and including $12.5 billion

0.420%

  

Over $12.5 billion, up to and including $15 billion

0.400%

  

In excess of $15 billion

For the period ended June 30, 2019, the annualized gross effective investment management fee rate was 0.459% of the Fund’s average daily net assets.

b.  Administrative Fees

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

 

     
  Semiannual Report                 TGB-29  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Templeton Global Bond VIP Fund (continued)

 

3.  Transactions with Affiliates (continued)

c.  Distribution Fees

The Board has adopted distribution plans for Class 2 and Class 4 shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. Under the Fund’s 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 0.25% and 0.35% per year of its average daily net assets of Class 2 and Class 4, respectively. The plan year, for purposes of monitoring compliance with the maximum annual plan rates, is February 1 through January 31.

d.  Transfer Agent Fees

Investor Services, under terms of an agreement, performs shareholder servicing for the Fund and is not paid by the Fund for the services.

e.  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 Statement of Operations, in an amount not to exceed the management and administrative fees paid directly or indirectly by each affiliate. During the period ended June 30, 2019, the Fund held investments in affiliated management investment companies as follows:

 

      Value at
Beginning
of Period
     Purchases      Sales     Realized
Gain (Loss)
     Net Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
     Value at
End of
Period
     Number of
Shares
Held at End
of Period
     Dividend
Income
 

Non-Controlled Affiliates

                      

Institutional Fiduciary Trust Money Market Portfolio, 2.05%

   $ 663,563,266      $ 364,241,589      $ (186,817,665   $       —      $       —      $ 840,987,190          840,987,190        $ 7,272,536  
  

 

 

       

 

 

 

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 June 30, 2019, 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.

At December 31, 2018, the capital loss carryforwards were as follows:

 

Capital loss carryforwards not subject to expiration:

  

Short term

     $ 1,830,066   

Long term

     23,760,579   
  

 

 

 

Total capital loss carryforwards

     $ 25,590,645   
  

 

 

 

 

     
TGB-30            Semiannual Report  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Templeton Global Bond VIP Fund (continued)

 

At June 30, 2019, the cost of investments and net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) for income tax purposes were as follows:

 

Cost of investments

       $ 2,712,504,045    
  

 

 

 

Unrealized appreciation

       $ 71,578,938    

Unrealized depreciation

     (290,382,662)   
  

 

 

 

Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

       $ (218,803,724)   
  

 

 

 

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

6.  Investment Transactions

Purchases and sales of investments (excluding short term securities) for the period ended June 30, 2019, aggregated $210,959,199 and $431,222,785, respectively.

7.  Credit Risk

At June 30, 2019, the Fund had 15.2% of its portfolio invested in high yield or other securities rated below investment grade and unrated securities, if any. 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.  Concentration of Risk

Investing in foreign securities may include certain risks and considerations not typically associated with investing in U.S. securities, such as fluctuating currency values and changing local and regional economic, political and social conditions, which may result in greater market volatility. Current political and financial uncertainty surrounding the European Union may increase market volatility and the economic risk of investing in securities in Europe. In addition, certain foreign securities may not be as liquid as U.S. securities.

9.  Other Derivative Information

At June 30, 2019, investments in derivative contracts are reflected in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities as follows:

 

    

Asset Derivatives

    

Liability Derivatives

 
Derivative Contracts
Not Accounted for as
Hedging Instruments
   Statement of
Assets and Liabilities
Location
   Fair Value      Statement of
Assets and Liabilities
Location
   Fair Value  

Interest rate contracts

  

Variation margin on centrally
cleared swap contracts

       $   —     

Variation margin on centrally
cleared swap contracts

   $
 
40,900,842

 
  

Unrealized appreciation on OTC
swap contracts

         

Unrealized depreciation on OTC
swap contracts

     3,509,368  

 

     
  Semiannual Report                 TGB-31  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Templeton Global Bond VIP Fund (continued)

 

9.  Other Derivative Information (continued)

 

    

Asset Derivatives

   

Liability Derivatives

 
Derivative Contracts
Not Accounted for as
Hedging Instruments
   Statement of
Assets and Liabilities
Location
   Fair Value     Statement of
Assets and Liabilities
Location
   Fair Value  

Foreign exchange contracts

  

Investments in securities, at value

   $
 
10,749,140

 
 

Options written, at value

   $ 8,140,326  
  

Unrealized appreciation on OTC forward exchange contracts

     10,800,410    

Unrealized depreciation on OTC forward exchange contracts

     24,353,192  
     

 

 

      

 

 

 

Totals

      $ 21,549,550        $ 76,903,728  
     

 

 

      

 

 

 

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

bPurchased option contracts are included in investments in securities, at value in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

For the period ended June 30, 2019, the effect of derivative contracts in the Statement of Operations was as follows:

 

Derivative Contracts
Not Accounted for as
Hedging Instruments
   Statement of
Operations Location
   Net Realized
Gain (Loss) for
the Period
    Statement of
Operations Location
   Net Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
for the Period
 
   Net realized gain (loss) from:      Net change in unrealized
appreciation (depreciation) on:
  

Interest rate contracts

   Swap contracts          $ 1,230,638      Swap contracts      $ (63,106,879)  

Foreign exchange contracts

   Investments      433,153   a     Investments      (4,014,018) a  
   Written options      (270,237)      Written options      3,018,827   
   Forward exchange contracts      73,887,062      Forward exchange contracts      (18,328,568)  

Value recovery instruments

   Investments      4,142,988   a     Investments      (3,416,727) a  
     

 

 

      

 

 

 

Totals

            $ 79,423,604           $ (85,847,365)  
     

 

 

      

 

 

 

aPurchased option contracts and VRI are included in net realized gain (loss) from investments and net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments in the Statement of Operations.

For the period ended June 30, 2019, the average month end notional amount of options and swap contracts, the average month end contract value for forward exchange contracts and average month end fair value of VRI, were as follows:

 

Options

   $ 343,333,182  

Swap contracts

   $ 821,224,000  

Forward exchange contracts

     2,993,537,783  

VRI

     7,181,264  

See Note 1(c) regarding derivative financial instruments.

 

     
TGB-32            Semiannual Report  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Templeton Global Bond VIP Fund (continued)

 

At June 30, 2019, OTC derivative assets and liabilities are as follows:

 

     Gross Amounts of
Assets and Liabilities Presented
in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities
 
              Assetsa              Liabilitiesa  
Derivatives            

Forward exchange contracts

              $ 10,800,410                 $ 24,353,192  

Options purchased

        10,749,140            

Options written

                  8,140,326  

Swap contracts

                  3,509,368  
  

 

 

 

Total

              $ 21,549,550                 $ 36,002,886  
  

 

 

 

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 June 30, 2019, OTC derivative assets, which may be offset against OTC derivative liabilities and collateral received from the counterparty, are as follows:

 

            Amounts Not Offset in the
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
        
      Gross
Amounts of
Assets Presented in
the Statement of
Assets and Liabilities
     Financial
Instruments
Available for
Offset
    Financial
Instruments
Collateral
Receiveda,b
    Cash
Collateral
Received
     Net Amount
(Not less
than zero)
 
Counterparty             

BNDP

                     $              $             $             $   —              $   —    

BOFA

     13,770        (13,770                  —    

BZWS

     398,021        (398,021                  —    

CITI

     10,798,389        (10,798,389                  —    

DBAB

     650,999        (650,999                  —    

GSCO

     313,768        (313,768                  —    

HSBK

     5,932,067        (4,745,878     (1,186,189            —    

JPHQ

     3,373,857        (3,373,857                  —    

MSCO

     54,347        (54,347                  —    

SCNY

     1,132        (1,132                  —    

UBSW

     13,200        (13,200                  —    
  

 

 

 

Total

                     $ 21,549,550              $ (20,363,361           $ (1,186,189           $   —              $   —    
  

 

 

 

 

     
  Semiannual Report                 TGB-33  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Templeton Global Bond VIP Fund (continued)

 

9.  Other Derivative Information (continued)

At June 30, 2019, OTC derivative liabilities, which may be offset against OTC derivative assets and collateral pledged to the counterparty, are as follows:

 

            Amounts Not Offset in the
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
       
      Gross
Amounts of
Liabilities Presented in
the Statement of
Assets and Liabilities
     Financial
Instruments
Available for
Offset
    Financial
Instruments
Collateral
Pledged
     Cash
Collateral
Pledgedb
   

Net Amount  

(Not less  

than zero)  

 
Counterparty             

BNDP

                       $ 589,478              $             $   —              $ (520,000           $ 69,478    

BOFA

     2,287,842        (13,770            (2,274,072     —    

BZWS

     1,210,046        (398,021            (812,025     —    

CITI

     11,997,014        (10,798,389            (494,000     704,625    

DBAB

     3,214,550        (650,999            (2,542,000     21,551    

GSCO

     3,579,210        (313,768            (2,860,000     405,442    

HSBK

     4,745,878        (4,745,878                  —    

JPHQ

     5,802,310        (3,373,857            (1,260,000     1,168,453    

MSCO

     694,003        (54,347            (620,000     19,656    

SCNY

     1,674,734        (1,132            (1,405,000     268,602    

UBSW

     207,821        (13,200            (194,621     —    
  

 

 

 

Total

                       $ 36,002,886              $ (20,363,361           $   —              $ (12,981,718           $ 2,657,807    
  

 

 

 

aAt June 30, 2019, the Fund received U.K. Treasury Bonds as collateral for derivatives.

bIn 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 overcollateralization. Actual collateral received and/or pledged may be more than the amounts disclosed herein.

See Abbreviations on page TGB-36.

10.  Credit Facility

The Fund, together with other U.S. registered and foreign investment funds (collectively, Borrowers), managed by Franklin Templeton, are borrowers in a joint syndicated senior unsecured credit facility totaling $2 billion (Global Credit Facility) which matures on February 7, 2020. This Global Credit Facility provides a source of funds to the Borrowers for temporary and emergency purposes, including the ability to meet future unanticipated or unusually large redemption requests.

Under the terms of the Global Credit Facility, the Fund shall, in addition to interest charged on any borrowings made by the Fund and other costs incurred by the Fund, pay its share of fees and expenses incurred in connection with the implementation and maintenance of the Global Credit Facility, based upon its relative share of the aggregate net assets of all of the Borrowers, including an annual commitment fee of 0.15% based upon the unused portion of the Global Credit Facility. These fees are reflected in other expenses in the Statement of Operations. During the period ended June 30, 2019, the Fund did not use the Global Credit Facility.

 

     
TGB-34            Semiannual Report  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Templeton Global Bond VIP Fund (continued)

 

11.  Fair Value Measurements

The Fund follows a fair value hierarchy that distinguishes between market data obtained from independent sources (observable inputs) and the Fund’s own market assumptions (unobservable inputs). These inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund’s financial instruments and are summarized in the following fair value hierarchy:

 

   

Level 1 – quoted prices in active markets for identical financial instruments

 

   

Level 2 – other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar financial instruments, interest rates, prepayment speed, credit risk, etc.)

 

   

Level 3 – significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of financial instruments)

The input levels are not necessarily an indication of the risk or liquidity associated with financial instruments at that level.

A summary of inputs used as of June 30, 2019, 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

           

Foreign Government and Agency Securities

       $      $ 1,382,946,845      $                 —      $ 1,382,946,845  

Options Purchased

            10,749,140               10,749,140  

Short Term Investments

     892,766,792        270,465,784               1,163,232,576  
  

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities

       $     892,766,792      $     1,664,161,769      $      $     2,556,928,561  
  

 

 

 

Other Financial Instruments:

           

Forward Exchange Contracts

       $      $ 10,800,410      $      $ 10,800,410  
  

 

 

 
Liabilities:            

Other Financial Instruments:

           

Options Written

       $      $ 8,140,326      $      $ 8,140,326  

Forward Exchange Contracts

            24,353,192               24,353,192  

Swap Contracts

            44,410,210               44,410,210  
  

 

 

 

Total Other Financial Instruments

       $      $ 76,903,728      $      $ 76,903,728  
  

 

 

 

aFor detailed categories, see the accompanying Statement of Investments.

12.  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.

 

     
  Semiannual Report                 TGB-35  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Templeton Global Bond VIP Fund (continued)

 

Abbreviations

 

Counterparty   Currency   Selected Portfolio
BNDP   BNP Paribas SA   ARS   Argentine Peso   ARPP7DRR   Argentina Central Bank 7 Day Repo Rate
BOFA   Bank of America Corp.   AUD   Australian Dollar   BADLAR   Argentina Deposit Rates Badlar Private
BZWS   Barclays Bank PLC   BRL   Brazilian Real     Banks ARS
CITI   Citigroup, Inc.   COP   Colombian Peso   FRN   Floating Rate Note
DBAB   Deutsche Bank AG   EUR   Euro   LIBOR   London InterBank Offered Rate
GSCO   The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.   GHS   Ghanaian Cedi    
HSBK   HSBC Bank PLC   IDR   Indonesian Rupiah    
JPHQ   JP Morgan Chase & Co.   INR   Indian Rupee    
MSCO   Morgan Stanley   JPY   Japanese Yen    
SCNY   Standard Chartered Bank   KRW   South Korean Won    
UBSW   UBS AG   MXN   Mexican Peso    
    PHP   Philippine Peso    
    USD   United States Dollar    

 

     
TGB-36            Semiannual Report  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

 

Tax Information (unaudited)

Templeton Global Bond VIP Fund

At December 31, 2018, more than 50% of the Fund’s total assets were invested in securities of foreign issuers. In most instances, foreign taxes were withheld from income paid to the Fund on these investments. As shown in the table below, the Fund hereby reports to shareholders the foreign source income and foreign taxes paid, pursuant to Section 853 of the Internal Revenue Code. This written statement will allow shareholders of record on June 13, 2019, to treat their proportionate share of foreign taxes paid by the Fund as having been paid directly by them. The shareholder shall consider these amounts as foreign taxes paid in the tax year in which they receive the Fund distribution.

The following table provides a detailed analysis of foreign tax paid and foreign source income as reported by the Fund to shareholders of record.

 

Class    Foreign Tax Paid
Per Share
     Foreign Source
Income Per Share
 

Class 1

     $0.0282        $0.8543  

Class 2

     $0.0282        $0.8235  

Class 4

     $0.0282        $0.8111  

Foreign Tax Paid Per Share is the amount per share available to you, as a tax credit (assuming you held your shares in the Fund for a minimum of 16 days during the 31-day period beginning 15 days before the ex-dividend date of the Fund’s distribution to which the foreign taxes relate), or, as a tax deduction.

Foreign Source Income Per Share is the amount per share of income dividends attributable to foreign securities held by the Fund, plus any foreign taxes withheld on these dividends.

 

     
  Semiannual Report                 TGB-37  


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Templeton Growth VIP Fund

This semiannual report for Templeton Growth VIP Fund covers the period ended June 30, 2019.

Class 4 Performance Summary as of June 30, 2019

The Fund’s Class 4 Shares posted a +7.18% total return* for the six-month period ended June 30, 2019.

*The Fund has a fee waiver associated with any investments it makes in a Franklin Templeton money fund and/or other Franklin Templeton fund, contractually guaranteed through 4/30/20. Fund investment results reflect the expense reduction and fee waiver; without these reductions, the results would have been lower.

Performance reflects the Fund’s Class 4 operating expenses, but does not include any contract fees, expenses or sales charges. If they had been included, performance would be lower. These charges and deductions, particularly for variable life policies, can have a significant effect on contract values and insurance benefits. See the contract prospectus for a complete description of these expenses, including sales charges.

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.

 

     
  Semiannual Report                 TG-1  


TEMPLETON GROWTH VIP FUND

 

Fund Goal and Main Investments

The Fund seeks long-term capital growth. Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests predominantly in equity securities (primarily common stocks) of companies located anywhere in the world, including developing markets.

Fund Risks

All investments involve risks, including possible loss of principal. Special risks are associated with foreign investing,

including currency fluctuations, economic instability and political developments; investments in emerging markets involve heightened risks related to the same factors. Because the Fund may invest its assets in companies in a specific region, including Europe, it is subject to greater risks of adverse developments in that region and/or the surrounding regions than a fund that is more broadly diversified geographically. Political, social or economic disruptions in the region, even in countries in which the Fund is not invested, may adversely affect the value of securities held by the Fund. Current political and financial uncertainty surrounding the European Union (EU) and the financial instability of some countries in the EU may increase market volatility and the economic risk of investing in companies in Europe. In addition, smaller company stocks have historically experienced more price volatility than larger company stocks, especially over the short term. 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.

Performance Overview

You can find the Fund’s six-month total return in the Performance Summary. For comparison, the Fund’s benchmark, the MSCI All Country World Index (ACWI), posted a +16.60% total return for the period under review.1

Economic and Market Overview

The global economy expanded during the six months ended June 30, 2019, despite weakness in certain regions. Global developed and emerging market stocks were aided by upbeat economic data in some regions, encouraging corporate earnings reports and periods of optimism about a

Geographic Composition

Based on Total Net Assets as of 6/30/19

 

 

LOGO

potential U.S.-China trade deal. Further supporting markets were the U.S. Federal Reserve’s (Fed’s) patient approach to its monetary policy in 2019 and recent indication it will act as appropriate to sustain U.S. economic expansion.

However, markets reflected concerns about political uncertainties in the U.S. and the European Union, geopolitical risks in certain regions, and the impact of U.S. trade disputes with China and other trading partners on global growth and corporate earnings. In this environment, global developed and emerging market stocks, as measured by the MSCI ACWI, posted a +16.60% total return for the six-month period.1

The U.S. economy grew during the six months ended June 30, 2019. After moderating for two consecutive quarters, the economy grew significantly faster in 2019’s first quarter, driven by growth in consumer spending, inventory investment, exports, business investment, and state and local government spending. However, the economy moderated again in the second quarter, due to weakness in inventory investment, exports, business investment and housing investment. The unemployment rate decreased from 3.9% in December 2018 to 3.7% at period-end.2 The annual inflation rate, as measured by the Consumer Price Index, decreased from 1.9% in December 2018 to 1.6% at period-end.2

The Fed held its target range for the federal funds rate unchanged, at 2.25%–2.50%, during the reporting period. In March, the Fed mentioned it would end its balance sheet

 

 

1. Source: Morningstar. One cannot invest directly in an index, and an index is not representative of the Fund’s portfolio. Please see Index Descriptions following the Fund Summaries.

2. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

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).

 

     
TG-2        Semiannual Report  


TEMPLETON GROWTH VIP FUND

 

normalization program by the end of September 2019. In June, the Fed indicated increased uncertainties around its views on economic activity and the labor market. With market-based inflation measures remaining low recently, the market has interpreted the Fed’s recent statements to mean it will likely cut rates in 2019’s second half to foster continued economic growth while attempting to achieve its inflation objective.

In Europe, the U.K.’s quarterly gross domestic product (GDP) growth accelerated in 2019’s first quarter. The Bank of England left its key policy rate unchanged during the period. The eurozone’s quarterly GDP accelerated in 2019’s first quarter. However, the bloc’s annual inflation rate decreased during the period. The European Central Bank (ECB) kept its benchmark interest rate unchanged during the period. In June, the ECB mentioned it would leave interest rates unchanged through the first half of 2020, provided details of its new stimulus, and indicated its openness to cut rates or increase stimulus.

In Asia, Japan’s quarterly GDP growth accelerated in 2019’s first quarter. In June, the Bank of Japan also left its benchmark interest rate unchanged, while continuing its stimulus measures, and expressed its openness to cut interest rates or increase stimulus.

In larger emerging markets, Brazil’s quarterly GDP growth contracted in 2019’s first quarter. The Central Bank of Brazil left its benchmark interest rate unchanged during the period. Russia’s annual GDP growth moderated in 2019’s first quarter. The Bank of Russia cut its key rate once during the period. China’s annual GDP growth rate stabilized in 2019’s first quarter. The People’s Bank of China left its benchmark interest rate unchanged, but it took measures to improve financial liquidity to mitigate the effects of the U.S.-China trade dispute and support economic growth. Overall, global emerging market stocks, as measured by the MSCI Emerging Markets Index, posted a +10.78% total return during the six-month period.1

Investment Strategy

Our investment philosophy is bottom up, value oriented and long term. When choosing equity investments for the Fund, we focus on the market price of a company’s securities relative to our evaluation of the company’s potential long-term earnings, asset value and cash flow. This includes an assessment by the investment manager of the potential

impacts of material environmental, social and governance factors on the long-term risk and return profile of a company. We also consider a company’s price/earnings ratio, price/cash flow ratio, profit margins and liquidation value.

Manager’s Discussion

Stock selection in the utilities sector, particularly in multi-utilities, contributed to relative results.3 French transnational company Veolia Environnement was the sector’s top relative contributor. Veolia’s share price continues to rally due to better-than-expected earnings, boosted by strong growth in new hazardous waste treatment and plastics recycling, favorable water tax rulings and new water contracts. The company has also increased its dividend and earnings outlook for 2019.

In other sectors, key relative contributors included multiple American companies: global beauty firm Coty, banking firm Citigroup, pharmaceutical company Allergan, computer technology firm Oracle, truckmaker Navistar International (not part of the index) and pharmaceutical company Perrigo. Swedish health care equipment and supplies firm Getinge (not part of the index, not held at period-end) and Canadian precious metals firm Wheaton Precious Metals also contributed to relative results. Wheaton benefited from a favorable settlement related to a Canadian tax audit that had depressed its share price for years. Shares also rallied in May after the firm’s reported earnings and gold production beat consensus expectations. The stock remains an attractive holding, trading at what we view as reasonable valuations on a variety of metrics and providing a capital-light, low-cost streaming model that offers gold exposure with superior economics compared to traditional mining companies.

In contrast, stock selection in the communication services sector, especially in media, detracted from relative results.4 Notable detractors included Luxembourg-based media firm SES, Chinese internet services company Baidu and British telecommunications company Vodafone. Baidu’s stock price fell amid a cyclical slowdown in China’s economy. We believe Baidu’s core search business remains undervalued, and the company has enjoyed strong growth in active daily users and a high cash position.

Stock selection in the consumer staples sector, particularly in food and staples retailing, also detracted from relative

 

 

3. The utilities sector comprises gas utilities and multi-utilities in the SOI.

4. The communication services sector comprises diversified telecommunication services, interactive media and services, media and wireless telecommunication services in the SOI.

 

     
  Semiannual Report                 TG-3  


TEMPLETON GROWTH VIP FUND

 

performance.5 Key detractors included American companies such as drugstore Walgreens Boots Alliance, supermarket chain The Kroger Co. and food manufacturer Kellogg. Japanese food retailer Seven & i Holdings also hurt relative performance.

In other sectors, key relative detractors included Israeli pharmaceuticals firm Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, Chinese natural gas distributor Kunlun Energy and Japanese household durables firm Panasonic. Teva’s share price declined due to weakness in the U.S. generic drug market and slumping sales of one of its aging flagship drugs. A surprising settlement of a U.S. opioid lawsuit, which added to the existing litigation risk surrounding an industry-wide price-fixing scandal, also hurt its share price. While these situations are unlikely to materially impact near-term cash flow—which we believe should improve amid ongoing cost-cutting—they do raise the risk profile of the investment, particularly in light of Teva’s high financial and operating leverage in the competitive, commodity-like generic drug industry.

From a geographic perspective, no regions contributed to relative performance, but stock selection in Sweden and Singapore did help the Fund’s results. In contrast, stock selection in Europe, particularly in the U.K., detracted from relative performance. An overweighting in Luxembourg also hurt results. Other relative detractors included stock selection in Asia, particularly in China and Japan, and North America, notably in the U.S.

Thank you for your participation in Templeton Growth VIP Fund. We look forward to serving your future investment needs.

 

 

The foregoing information reflects our analysis, opinions and portfolio holdings as of June 30, 2019, 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.

Top 10 Holdings       
6/30/19       
Company
Sector/Industry, Country
   % of Total
Net Assets
 
Allergan PLC
Pharmaceuticals, U.S.
     2.7%  
Singapore Telecommunications Ltd.
Diversified Telecommunication Services, Singapore
     2.6%  
Citigroup Inc.
Banks, U.S.
     2.6%  
BP PLC
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels, U.K.
     2.4%  
SES SA
Media, Luxembourg
     2.3%  
Royal Dutch Shell PLC
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels, U.K.
     2.3%  
BNP Paribas SA
Banks, France
     2.2%  
Kellogg Co.
Food Products, U.S.
     2.1%  
Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.
Pharmaceuticals, Japan
     2.0%  
Standard Chartered PLC
Banks, U.K.
     2.0%  
 

 

5. The consumer staples sector comprises beverages, food and staples retailing, food products and personal products in the SOI.

 

     
TG-4            Semiannual Report  


TEMPLETON GROWTH VIP FUND

 

Class 4 Fund Expenses

As an investor in a variable insurance contract (Contract) that indirectly provides for investment in an underlying mutual fund, you can incur transaction and/or ongoing expenses at both the Fund level and the Contract Level: (1) transaction expenses can include sales charges (loads) on purchases, surrender fees, transfer fees and premium taxes; and (2) ongoing expenses can include management fees, distribution and service (12b-1) fees, contract fees, annual maintenance fees, mortality and expense risk fees and other fees and expenses. All mutual funds and Contracts have some types of ongoing expenses. The table below shows Fund-level ongoing expenses and can help you understand these costs and compare them with those of other mutual funds offered through the Contract. The table assumes a $1,000 investment held for the six months indicated. Please refer to the Fund prospectus for additional information on operating expenses.

Actual Fund Expenses

The table below provides information about the actual account values and actual expenses in the columns under the heading “Actual.” In these columns the Fund’s actual return, which includes the effect of ongoing Fund expenses but does not include the effect of ongoing Contract expenses, is used to calculate the “Ending Account Value.” You can estimate the Fund-level expenses you paid during the period by following these steps (of course, your account value and expenses will differ from those in this illustration): Divide your account value by $1,000 (if your account had an $8,600 value, then $8,600 ÷ $1,000 = 8.6). Then multiply the result by the number under the headings “Actual” and “Fund-Level Expenses Paid During Period” (if Fund-Level Expenses Paid During Period were $ 7.50, then 8.6 x $ 7.50 = $64.50). In this illustration, the estimated expenses paid this period at the Fund level are $64.50.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison with Other Mutual Funds

Under the heading “Hypothetical” in the table, information is provided about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. This information may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period, but it can help you compare ongoing costs of investing in the Fund with those of other mutual funds offered through the Contract. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds offered through the Contract.

Please note that expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight ongoing costs at the Fund level only and do not reflect any ongoing expenses at the Contract level, or transaction expenses at either the Fund or Contract levels. In addition, while the Fund does not have transaction expenses, if the transaction and ongoing expenses at the Contract level were included, the expenses shown below would be higher. You should consult your Contract prospectus or disclosure document for more information.

 

              

Actual

(actual return after expenses)

        Hypothetical
(5% annual return before expenses)
         

  Share

  Class

   Beginning
Account
Value 1/1/19
        Ending
Account
Value 6/30/19
   Fund-Level
Expenses
Paid  During
Period
1/1/19–6/30/191, 2
        Ending
Account
Value 6/30/19
  

Fund-Level
Expenses

Paid During

Period

1/1/19–6/30/191, 2

        Net
Annualized
Expense
Ratio2

Class 4

   $1,000       $1,071.80    $6.16       $1,018.84    $6.01       1.20%

1. Expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio for the six-month period as indicated above—in the far right column—multiplied by the simple average account value over the period indicated, and then multiplied by 181/365 to reflect the one-half year period.

2. Reflects expenses after fee waivers and expense reimbursements. Does not include any ongoing expenses of the Contract for which the Fund is an investment option or acquired fund fees and expenses.

 

     
  Semiannual Report                  TG-5  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

 

Financial Highlights

Templeton Growth VIP Fund

   

Six Months Ended
June 30, 2019

(unaudited)

            Year Ended December 31,  
      2018     2017     2016     2015     2014  

Class 1

              
Per share operating performance
(for a share outstanding throughout the period)
              

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $12.44          $16.24       $13.93       $13.54       $14.85       $15.47  
       
Income from investment operationsa:               

Net investment incomeb

    0.18          0.28       0.29       0.26       0.28       0.38 c  

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)

    0.65          (2.42     2.30       0.96       (1.17     (0.75
       

Total from investment operations

    0.83          (2.14     2.59       1.22       (0.89     (0.37
       
Less distributions from:               

Net investment income

    (0.40        (0.35     (0.28     (0.31     (0.42     (0.25

Net realized gains

    (2.49        (1.31           (0.52            
       

Total distributions

    (2.89        (1.66     (0.28     (0.83     (0.42     (0.25
       

Net asset value, end of period

    $10.38          $12.44       $16.24       $13.93       $13.54       $14.85  
       

Total returnd

    7.46%          (14.61)%       18.77%       9.90%       (6.24)%       (2.53)%  
Ratios to average net assetse               

Expenses.

    0.85% f          0.83% f       0.82% f,g       0.82% f       0.80% f       0.78%  

Net investment income

    3.24%          1.90%       1.94%       2.01%       1.96%       2.46% c  
Supplemental data               

Net assets, end of period (000’s)

    $95,901          $354,164       $466,207       $453,997       $468,548       $572,860  

Portfolio turnover rate

    11.43%          29.25%       26.46%       22.88%       20.92%       17.46%  

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

bBased on average daily shares outstanding.

cNet investment income per share includes approximately $0.09 per share related to income received in the form of special dividends in connection with certain Fund holdings. Excluding this amount, the ratio of net investment income to average net assets would have been 1.88%.

dTotal return does not include fees, charges or expenses imposed by the variable annuity and life insurance contracts for which Franklin Templeton Variable Insurance

Products Trust serves as an underlying investment vehicle. Total return is not annualized for periods less than one year.

eRatios are annualized for periods less than one year.

fBenefit of waiver and payments by affiliates rounds to less than 0.01%.

gBenefit of expense reduction rounds to less than 0.01%.

 

     
TG-6        Semiannual Report   |    The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

 

Templeton Growth VIP Fund (continued)

   

Six Months Ended
June 30, 2019

(unaudited)

            Year Ended December 31,  
      2018     2017     2016     2015     2014  

Class 2

              
Per share operating performance
(for a share outstanding throughout the period)
              

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $12.21          $15.97       $13.70       $13.32       $14.61       $15.23  
       
Income from investment operationsa:               

Net investment incomeb

    0.20          0.24       0.25       0.23       0.25       0.34 c  

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)

    0.60          (2.38     2.26       0.94       (1.16     (0.75
       

Total from investment operations

    0.80          (2.14     2.51       1.17       (0.91     (0.41
       
Less distributions from:               

Net investment income

    (0.36        (0.31     (0.24     (0.27     (0.38     (0.21

Net realized gains

    (2.49        (1.31           (0.52            
       

Total distributions

    (2.85        (1.62     (0.24     (0.79     (0.38     (0.21
       

Net asset value, end of period

    $10.16          $12.21       $15.97       $13.70       $13.32       $14.61  
       

Total returnd

    7.34%          (14.85)%       18.50%       9.62%       (6.49)%       (2.81)%  
Ratios to average net assetse               

Expenses

    1.10% f          1.08% f       1.07% f,g       1.07% f       1.05% f       1.03%  

Net investment income

    2.99%          1.65%       1.69%       1.76%       1.71%       2.21% c  
Supplemental data               

Net assets, end of period (000’s)

    $641,016          $625,311       $879,521       $876,128       $921,895       $1,171,896  

Portfolio turnover rate

    11.43%          29.25%       26.46%       22.88%       20.92%       17.46%  

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

bBased on average daily shares outstanding.

cNet investment income per share includes approximately $0.09 per share related to income received in the form of special dividends in connection with certain Fund holdings. Excluding this amount, the ratio of net investment income to average net assets would have been 1.63%.

dTotal return does not include fees, charges or expenses imposed by the variable annuity and life insurance contracts for which Franklin Templeton Variable Insurance Products Trust serves as an underlying investment vehicle. Total return is not annualized for periods less than one year.

eRatios are annualized for periods less than one year.

fBenefit of waiver and payments by affiliates rounds to less than 0.01%.

gBenefit of expense reduction rounds to less than 0.01%.

 

     
  The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.    |   Semiannual Report                 TG-7  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

 

Templeton Growth VIP Fund (continued)

   

Six Months Ended
June 30, 2019

(unaudited)

            Year Ended December 31,  
      2018      2017      2016      2015      2014  

Class 4

                  
Per share operating performance
(for a share outstanding throughout the period)
                  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $12.36          $16.13        $13.83        $13.44        $14.73        $15.35  
       
Income from investment operationsa:                   

Net investment incomeb

    0.20          0.23        0.24        0.22        0.23        0.33 c  

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)

    0.60          (2.40      2.28        0.94        (1.16      (0.76
       

Total from investment operations

    0.80          (2.17      2.52        1.16        (0.93      (0.43
       
Less distributions from:                   

Net investment income

    (0.35        (0.29      (0.22      (0.25      (0.36      (0.19

Net realized gains

    (2.49        (1.31             (0.52              
       

Total distributions

    (2.84        (1.60      (0.22      (0.77      (0.36      (0.19
       

Net asset value, end of period

    $10.32          $12.36        $16.13        $13.83        $13.44        $14.73  
       

Total returnd

    7.18%          (14.88)%        18.38%        9.47%        (6.54)%        (2.88)%  
Ratios to average net assetse                   

Expenses

    1.20% f          1.18% f        1.17% f,g       1.17%f        1.15% f        1.13%  

Net investment income

    2.89%          1.55%        1.59%        1.66%        1.61%        2.11%c  
Supplemental data                   

Net assets, end of period (000’s)

    $27,768          $28,238        $38,798        $43,286        $47,777        $59,989  

Portfolio turnover rate

    11.43%          29.25%        26.46%        22.88%        20.92%        17.46%  

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

bBased on average daily shares outstanding.

cNet investment income per share includes approximately $0.09 per share related to income received in the form of special dividends in connection with certain Fund holdings. Excluding this amount, the ratio of net investment income to average net assets would have been 1.53%.

dTotal return does not include fees, charges or expenses imposed by the variable annuity and life insurance contracts for which Franklin Templeton Variable Insurance Products Trust serves as an underlying investment vehicle. Total return is not annualized for periods less than one year.

eRatios are annualized for periods less than one year.

fBenefit of waiver and payments by affiliates rounds to less than 0.01%.

gBenefit of expense reduction rounds to less than 0.01%.

 

     
TG-8        Semiannual Report   |    The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

 

Statement of Investments, June 30, 2019 (unaudited)

Templeton Growth VIP Fund

 

                    
           Country      Shares      Value  
 

Common Stocks 96.7%

        
 

Air Freight & Logistics 1.5%

        
 

United Parcel Service Inc., B

     United States        108,330      $ 11,187,239  
          

 

 

 
 

Automobiles 0.7%

        
 

Hero Motocorp Ltd.

     India        141,930        5,313,884  
          

 

 

 
 

Banks 16.9%

        
 

Bangkok Bank PCL, fgn.

     Thailand        1,250,380        8,107,710  
 

Bank of Ireland Group PLC

     Ireland        581,690        3,039,308  
 

BNP Paribas SA

     France        349,237        16,581,962  
 

Citigroup Inc.

     United States        282,490        19,782,775  
 

Credit Agricole SA

     France        745,066        8,931,913  
 

HSBC Holdings PLC

     United Kingdom        1,495,704        12,406,523  
 

ING Groep NV

     Netherlands        1,228,286        14,237,460  
 

KB Financial Group Inc.

     South Korea        280,494        11,116,091  
 

Standard Chartered PLC

     United Kingdom        1,703,223        15,448,203  
 

Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group Inc.

     Japan        271,960        9,600,072  
 

Wells Fargo & Co.

     United States        203,257        9,618,121  
          

 

 

 
             128,870,138  
          

 

 

 
 

Beverages 1.2%

        
 

Kirin Holdings Co. Ltd.

     Japan        102,600        2,211,010  
 

Suntory Beverage & Food Ltd.

     Japan        165,960        7,211,302  
          

 

 

 
             9,422,312  
          

 

 

 
 

Biotechnology 1.8%

        
 

Gilead Sciences Inc.

     United States        207,830        14,040,995  
          

 

 

 
 

Building Products 0.7%

        
 

Compagnie de Saint-Gobain

     France        137,620        5,362,437  
          

 

 

 
 

Capital Markets 1.1%

        
 

UBS Group AG

     Switzerland        641,450        7,620,278  
 

Value Partners Group Ltd.

     Hong Kong        1,525,640        1,017,464  
          

 

 

 
             8,637,742  
          

 

 

 
 

Chemicals 0.2%

        
 

Akzo Nobel NV

     Netherlands        19,702        1,850,989  
          

 

 

 
 

Communications Equipment 0.6%

        
a  

CommScope Holding Co. Inc.

     United States        298,730        4,699,023  
          

 

 

 
 

Construction Materials 0.5%

        
 

Taiheiyo Cement Corp.

     Japan        136,800        4,136,227  
          

 

 

 
 

Consumer Finance 1.6%

        
 

Capital One Financial Corp.

     United States        137,560        12,482,194  
          

 

 

 
 

Diversified Telecommunication Services 4.7%

        
 

China Telecom Corp. Ltd., ADR

     China        98,965        4,951,219  
 

Singapore Telecommunications Ltd.

     Singapore        7,759,230        20,068,210  
 

Telefonica SA

     Spain        901,225        7,398,331  
 

Verizon Communications Inc.

     United States        63,530        3,629,469  
          

 

 

 
             36,047,229  
          

 

 

 

 

     
  Semiannual Report                 TG-9  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Templeton Growth VIP Fund (continued)

 

 

           Country      Shares      Value  
  Common Stocks (continued)         
 

Electrical Equipment 0.6%

        
 

Vestas Wind Systems AS

     Denmark        49,100      $       4,240,108  
          

 

 

 
 

Food & Staples Retailing 4.4%

        
 

The Kroger Co.

     United States        555,660        12,063,379  
 

Seven & i Holdings Co. Ltd.

     Japan        215,860        7,303,443  
 

Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc.

     United States        257,879        14,098,245  
          

 

 

 
             33,465,067  
          

 

 

 
 

Food Products 2.1%

        
 

Kellogg Co.

     United States        300,330        16,088,678  
          

 

 

 
 

Gas Utilities 1.2%

        
 

Kunlun Energy Co. Ltd.

     China        10,599,870        9,240,109  
          

 

 

 
 

Health Care Providers & Services 2.3%

        
 

AmerisourceBergen Corp.

     United States        123,640        10,541,546  
 

Cardinal Health Inc.

     United States        151,930        7,155,903  
          

 

 

 
             17,697,449  
          

 

 

 
 

Household Durables 1.3%

        
 

Panasonic Corp.

     Japan        1,181,830        9,838,718  
          

 

 

 
 

Industrial Conglomerates 3.2%

        
 

CK Hutchison Holdings Ltd.

     Hong Kong        1,127,940        11,117,475  
 

Siemens AG

     Germany        110,732        13,167,642  
          

 

 

 
             24,285,117  
          

 

 

 
 

Insurance 2.8%

        
 

Aegon NV

     Netherlands        1,605,016        7,988,372  
 

China Life Insurance Co. Ltd., H

     China        5,473,120        13,479,366  
          

 

 

 
             21,467,738  
          

 

 

 
 

Interactive Media & Services 1.4%

        
a  

Alphabet Inc., A

     United States        3,553        3,847,188  
a  

Baidu Inc., ADR

     China        55,840        6,553,383  
          

 

 

 
             10,400,571  
          

 

 

 
 

Leisure Products 1.2%

        
a  

Mattel Inc.

     United States        831,780        9,324,254  
          

 

 

 
 

Machinery 0.9%

        
a  

Navistar International Corp.

     United States        210,030        7,235,533  
          

 

 

 
 

Marine 1.0%

        
 

A.P. Moeller-Maersk AS, B

     Denmark        6,240        7,737,988  
          

 

 

 
 

Media 3.9%

        
 

Comcast Corp., A

     United States        278,447        11,772,739  
 

SES SA, IDR

     Luxembourg        1,140,870        17,833,701  
          

 

 

 
             29,606,440  
          

 

 

 
 

Metals & Mining 1.6%

        
 

Wheaton Precious Metals Corp.

     Canada        496,476        12,004,883  
          

 

 

 

 

     
TG-10            Semiannual Report  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Templeton Growth VIP Fund (continued)

 

           Country      Shares      Value  
  Common Stocks (continued)         
 

Multi-Utilities 3.2%

        
 

E.ON SE

     Germany        843,290      $       9,156,489  
 

Veolia Environnement SA

     France        616,570        15,014,298  
          

 

 

 
             24,170,787  
          

 

 

 
 

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels 9.7%

        
 

Apache Corp.

     United States        369,080        10,692,248  
 

BP PLC

     United Kingdom        2,586,571        18,020,499  
 

Eni SpA

     Italy        674,349        11,197,452  
 

Exxon Mobil Corp.

     United States        157,870        12,097,578  
b  

Husky Energy Inc.

     Canada        527,660        4,999,626  
 

Royal Dutch Shell PLC, B

     United Kingdom        529,239        17,347,083  
          

 

 

 
             74,354,486  
          

 

 

 
 

Personal Products 1.1%

        
 

Coty Inc., A

     United States        617,051        8,268,483  
          

 

 

 
 

Pharmaceuticals 12.7%

        
 

Allergan PLC

     United States        122,834        20,566,097  
 

Bayer AG

     Germany        207,926        14,405,039  
 

Merck KGaA

     Germany        72,694        7,599,774  
 

Novartis AG

     Switzerland        30,740        2,808,140  
 

Perrigo Co. PLC

     United States        34,630        1,649,081  
 

Roche Holding AG

     Switzerland        42,833        12,047,809  
 

Sanofi

     France        177,087        15,282,304  
 

Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.

     Japan        440,170        15,607,215  
a  

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., ADR

     Israel        741,550        6,844,506  
          

 

 

 
             96,809,965  
          

 

 

 
 

Real Estate Management & Development 1.2%

        
 

CK Asset Holdings Ltd.

     Hong Kong        59,500        465,739  
 

Mitsui Fudosan Co. Ltd.

     Japan        365,950        8,867,041  
          

 

 

 
             9,332,780  
          

 

 

 
 

Software 2.0%

        
 

Oracle Corp.

     United States        268,058        15,271,264  
          

 

 

 
 

Specialty Retail 1.1%

        
 

Kingfisher PLC

     United Kingdom        3,149,137        8,594,381  
          

 

 

 
 

Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals 2.0%

        
 

Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.

     South Korea        373,630        15,178,497  
          

 

 

 
 

Wireless Telecommunication Services 4.3%

        
 

Bharti Airtel Ltd.

     India        2,608,534        13,114,551  
 

China Mobile Ltd.

     China        1,020,100        9,290,671  
 

Vodafone Group PLC

     United Kingdom        6,514,102        10,698,105  
          

 

 

 
             33,103,327  
          

 

 

 
 

Total Common Stocks (Cost $706,560,370)

           739,767,032  
          

 

 

 

 

     
  Semiannual Report                 TG-11  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Templeton Growth VIP Fund (continued)

 

           Country     

Principal  

Amount*

     Value  
 

Short Term Investments 2.3%

        
 

U.S. Government and Agency Securities (Cost $199,988) 0.0%

        
c  

FFCB, 7/01/19

     United States      $ 200,000      $ 200,000  
          

 

 

 
 

Time Deposits (Cost $12,000,000) 1.6%

        
 

Royal Bank of Canada, 2.35%, 7/01/19

     Canada        12,000,000        12,000,000  
          

 

 

 
                Shares         
d  

Investments from Cash Collateral Received for Loaned Securities 0.7%

        
 

Money Market Funds (Cost $5,037,834) 0.7%

        
e,f  

Institutional Fiduciary Trust Money Market Portfolio, 2.05%

     United States        5,037,834        5,037,834  
          

 

 

 
 

Total Investments (Cost $723,798,192) 99.0%

           757,004,866  
 

Other Assets, less Liabilities 1.0%

           7,680,655  
          

 

 

 
 

Net Assets 100.0%

         $ 764,685,521  
          

 

 

 

 

See Abbreviations on page TG-23.

Rounds to less than 0.1% of net assets.

*The principal amount is stated in U.S. dollars unless otherwise indicated.

aNon-income producing.

bA portion or all of the security is on loan at June 30, 2019. See Note 1(c).

cThe security was issued on a discount basis with no stated coupon rate.

dSee Note 1(c) regarding securities on loan.

eSee Note 3(e) regarding investments in affiliated management investment companies.

fThe rate shown is the annualized seven-day effective yield at period end.

 

     
TG-12        Semiannual Report   |    The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

June 30, 2019 (unaudited)

 

     Templeton Growth
VIP Fund

Assets:

 

Investments in securities:

 

Cost - Unaffiliated issuers

              $ 718,760,358  

Cost - Non-controlled affiliates (Note 3e)

    5,037,834  
 

 

 

 

Value - Unaffiliated issuers+

              $ 751,967,032  

Value - Non-controlled affiliates (Note 3e)

    5,037,834  

Cash

    1,128,814  

Receivables:

 

Investment securities sold

    10,048,278  

Capital shares sold

    647,726  

Dividends and interest

    2,689,165  

European Union tax reclaims

    790,686  

Other assets

    763  
 

 

 

 

Total assets

    772,310,298  
 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

Payables:

 

Investment securities purchased

    374,802  

Capital shares redeemed

    1,040,037  

Management fees

    497,399  

Distribution fees

    279,435  

Payable upon return of securities loaned

    5,037,834  

Deferred tax

    122,628  

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

    272,642  
 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    7,624,777  
 

 

 

 

Net assets, at value

              $ 764,685,521  
 

 

 

 

Net assets consist of:

 

Paid-in capital

              $ 741,775,453  

Total distributable earnings (loss)

    22,910,068  
 

 

 

 

Net assets, at value

              $ 764,685,521  
 

 

 

 
Class 1:  

Net assets, at value

              $ 95,901,005  
 

 

 

 

Shares outstanding

    9,240,966  
 

 

 

 

Net asset value and maximum offering price per share

    $10.38  
 

 

 

 
Class 2:  

Net assets, at value

              $ 641,016,439  
 

 

 

 

Shares outstanding

    63,106,979  
 

 

 

 

Net asset value and maximum offering price per share

        $10.16  
 

 

 

 
Class 4:  

Net assets, at value

              $ 27,768,077  
 

 

 

 

Shares outstanding

    2,690,735  
 

 

 

 

Net asset value and maximum offering price per share

        $10.32  
 

 

 

 

+Includes securities loaned

              $ 4,749,645  

 

     
  The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.    |   Semiannual Report                 TG-13  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Statement of Operations    

for the six months ended June 30, 2019 (unaudited)    

 

     Templeton Growth
VIP Fund
 

Investment income:

 

Dividends: (net of foreign taxes)*

 

Unaffiliated issuers

              $ 19,280,114  

Interest:

 

Unaffiliated issuers

    165,380  

Income from securities loaned:

 

Unaffiliated issuers (net of fees and rebates)

    58,874  

Non-controlled affiliates (Note 3e)

    71,351  
 

 

 

 

Total investment income.

    19,575,719  
 

 

 

 

Expenses:

 

Management fees (Note 3a)

    3,877,982  

Distribution fees: (Note 3c)

 

Class 2

    812,598  

Class 4

    50,354  

Custodian fees (Note 4)

    34,573  

Reports to shareholders

    92,511  

Professional fees

    45,603  

Trustees’ fees and expenses

    4,783  

Other

    20,753  
 

 

 

 

Total expenses

    4,939,157  

Expenses waived/paid by affiliates (Note 3e)

    (12,320
 

 

 

 

Net expenses

    4,926,837  
 

 

 

 

Net investment income

    14,648,882  
 

 

 

 

Realized and unrealized gains (losses):

 

Net realized gain (loss) from:

 

Investments:

 

Unaffiliated issuers

    (19,850,282

Foreign currency transactions

    87,001  
 

 

 

 

Net realized gain (loss)

    (19,763,281
 

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:

 

Investments:

 

Unaffiliated issuers

    85,919,624  

Translation of other assets and liabilities
denominated in foreign currencies

    (48,147

Change in deferred taxes on unrealized appreciation

    (122,628
 

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

    85,748,849  
 

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    65,985,568  
 

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

              $  80,634,450  
 

 

 

 

*Foreign taxes withheld on dividends.

              $ 1,666,230  

 

     
TG-14            Semiannual Report   |    The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

    Templeton Growth
VIP Fund
 
     Six Months Ended
June 30, 2019
(unaudited)
     Year Ended
December 31, 2018
 

Increase (decrease) in net assets:

    

Operations:

    

Net investment income

          $ 14,648,882        $     21,598,649  

Net realized gain (loss)

    (19,763,281      145,036,204  

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

    85,748,849        (344,182,476
 

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

    80,634,450        (177,547,623
 

 

 

 

Distributions to shareholders:

    

Class 1

    (20,901,613      (44,508,681

Class 2

    (139,418,589      (82,384,314

Class 4

    (6,044,047      (3,542,055
 

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

    (166,364,249      (130,435,050
 

 

 

 

Capital share transactions: (Note 2)

    

Class 1

    (270,325,446      (7,474,527

Class 2

    109,479,958        (59,234,414

Class 4

    3,547,382        (2,120,747
 

 

 

 

Total capital share transactions

    (157,298,106      (68,829,688
 

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets

    (243,027,905      (376,812,361

Net assets:

    

Beginning of period

    1,007,713,426        1,384,525,787  
 

 

 

 

End of period

          $ 764,685,521              $1,007,713,426  
 

 

 

 

 

     
  The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.    |   Semiannual Report                 TG-15  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

 

Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited)

 

Templeton Growth VIP Fund

 

1.  Organization and Significant Accounting Policies

Franklin Templeton Variable Insurance Products Trust (Trust) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (1940 Act) as an open-end management investment company, consisting of eighteen separate funds and applies the specialized accounting and reporting guidance in U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (U.S. GAAP). Templeton Growth VIP Fund (Fund) is included in this report. Shares of the Fund are generally sold only to insurance company separate accounts to fund the benefits of variable life insurance policies or variable annuity contracts. The Fund offers three classes of shares: Class 1, Class 2, and Class 4. Each class of shares may differ by its distribution fees, voting rights on matters affecting a single class and its exchange privilege.

The following summarizes the Fund’s significant accounting policies.

a.  Financial Instrument Valuation

The Fund’s investments in financial instruments are carried at fair value daily. Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. The Fund calculates the net asset value (NAV) per share each business day as of 4 p.m. Eastern time or the regularly scheduled close of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), whichever is earlier. Under compliance policies and procedures approved by the Trust’s Board of Trustees (the Board), the Fund’s administrator has responsibility for oversight of valuation, including leading the cross-functional Valuation Committee (VC). The Fund may utilize independent pricing services, quotations from securities and financial instrument dealers, and other market sources to determine fair value.

Equity securities listed on an exchange or on the NASDAQ National Market System are valued at the last quoted sale price or the official closing price of the day, respectively. Foreign equity securities are valued as of the close of trading on the foreign stock exchange on which the security is primarily traded, or as of 4 p.m. Eastern time. The value is then converted into its U.S. dollar equivalent at the foreign exchange rate in effect at 4 p.m. Eastern time on the day that the value of the security is determined. Over-the-counter (OTC) securities are valued within the range of the most recent quoted bid and ask prices. Securities that trade in multiple markets or on multiple exchanges are valued

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

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

Investments in open-end mutual funds are valued at the closing NAV. Investments in time deposits are valued at cost, which approximates fair value.

The Fund has procedures to determine the fair value of financial instruments for which market prices are not reliable or readily available. Under these procedures, the Fund primarily employs a market-based approach which may use related or comparable assets or liabilities, recent transactions, market multiples, book values, and other relevant information for the investment to determine the fair value of the investment. An income-based valuation approach may also be used in which the anticipated future cash flows of the investment are discounted to calculate fair value. Discounts may also be applied due to the nature or duration of any restrictions on the disposition of the investments. Due to the inherent uncertainty of valuations of such investments, the fair values may differ significantly from the values that would have been used had an active market existed.

Trading in securities on foreign securities stock exchanges and OTC markets may be completed before 4 p.m. Eastern time. In addition, trading in certain foreign markets may not take place on every Fund’s business day. Occasionally, events occur between the time at which trading in a foreign security is completed and 4 p.m. Eastern time that might call into question the reliability of the value of a portfolio security held by the Fund. As a result, differences may arise between the value of the Fund’s portfolio securities as determined at

 

 

     
TG-16            Semiannual Report  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Templeton Growth VIP Fund (continued)

 

the foreign market close and the latest indications of value at 4 p.m. Eastern time. In order to minimize the potential for these differences, 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 Fund’s NAV is not calculated, which could result in differences between the value of the Fund’s portfolio securities on the last business day and the last calendar day of the reporting period. Any significant security valuation changes due to an open foreign market are adjusted and reflected by the Fund for financial reporting purposes.

b.  Foreign Currency Translation

Portfolio securities and other assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars based on the exchange rate of such currencies against U.S. dollars on the date of valuation. The Fund may enter into foreign currency exchange contracts to facilitate transactions denominated in a foreign currency. Purchases and sales of securities, income and expense items denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rate in effect on the transaction date. Portfolio securities and assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies contain risks that those currencies will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar. Occasionally, events may impact the availability or reliability of foreign exchange rates used to convert the U.S. dollar equivalent value. If such an event occurs, the foreign exchange rate will be valued at fair value using procedures established and approved by the Board.

The Fund does not separately report the effect of changes in foreign exchange rates from changes in market prices on securities held. Such changes are included in net realized

and unrealized gain or loss from investments in the Statement of Operations.

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

c.  Securities Lending

The Fund participates in an agency based securities lending program to earn additional income. The Fund receives cash collateral against the loaned securities in an amount equal to at least 102% of the fair value of the loaned securities. Collateral is maintained over the life of the loan in an amount not less than 100% of the fair value of loaned securities, as determined at the close of Fund business each day; any additional collateral required due to changes in security values is delivered to the Fund on the next business day. The collateral is deposited into a joint cash account with other funds and is used to invest in a money market fund managed by Franklin Advisers, Inc., an affiliate of the Fund. The Fund may receive income from the investment of cash collateral, in addition to lending fees and rebates paid by the borrower. Income from securities loaned, net of fees paid to the securities lending agent and/or third-party vendor, is reported separately in the Statement of Operations. The Fund bears the market risk with respect to the collateral investment, securities loaned, and the risk that the agent may default on its obligations to the Fund. If the borrower defaults on its obligation to return the securities loaned, the Fund has the right to repurchase the securities in the open market using the collateral received. The securities lending agent has agreed to indemnify the Fund in the event of default by a third party borrower.

d.  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 if applicable, excise taxes. As a result, no provision for U.S. federal income taxes is required.

 

 

     
  Semiannual Report                 TG-17  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Templeton Growth VIP Fund (continued)

 

1.  Organization and Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

d.  Income and Deferred Taxes (continued)

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.

As a result of several court cases, in certain countries across the European Union, the Fund filed additional tax reclaims for previously withheld taxes on dividends earned in those countries (EU reclaims). These additional filings are subject to various administrative proceedings by the local jurisdictions’ tax authorities within the European Union, as well as a number of related judicial proceedings. Income recognized, if any, for EU reclaims is reflected as other income in the Statement of Operations and any related receivable, if any, is reflected as European Union tax reclaims in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. When uncertainty exists as to the ultimate resolution of these proceedings, the likelihood of receipt of these EU reclaims, and the potential timing of payment, no amounts are reflected in the financial statements. For U.S. income tax purposes, when EU reclaims are received by the Fund and the Fund previously passed foreign tax credit on to its shareholders, the Fund must either amend historic tax reporting to shareholders or enter into a closing agreement with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in order to pay the associated tax liability on behalf of the Fund’s shareholders.

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 June 30, 2019, the Fund has determined that no tax liability is required in its financial statements related to uncertain tax positions for any open tax years (or expected to be taken in future tax years). Open tax years are those that remain subject to examination and are based on the statute of limitations in each jurisdiction in which the Fund invests.

 

e.  Security Transactions, Investment Income, Expenses and Distributions

Security transactions are accounted for on trade date. Realized gains and losses on security transactions are determined on a specific identification basis. Interest income and estimated expenses are accrued daily. Dividend income and capital gain distributions are recorded on the ex-dividend date except for certain dividends from securities where the dividend rate is not available. In such cases, the dividend is recorded as soon as the information is received by the Fund. Distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Distributable earnings are determined according to income tax regulations (tax basis) and may differ from earnings recorded in accordance with U.S. GAAP. These differences may be permanent or temporary. Permanent differences are reclassified among capital accounts to reflect their tax character. These reclassifications have no impact on net assets or the results of operations. Temporary differences are not reclassified, as they may reverse in subsequent periods.

Common expenses incurred by the Trust are allocated among the Funds based on the ratio of net assets of each Fund to the combined net assets of the Trust or based on the ratio of number of shareholders of each Fund to the combined number of shareholders of the Trust. Fund specific expenses are charged directly to the Fund that incurred the expense.

Realized and unrealized gains and losses and net investment income, excluding class specific expenses, are allocated daily to each class of shares based upon the relative proportion of net assets of each class. Differences in per share distributions by class are generally due to differences in class specific expenses.

f.  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.

g.  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

 

 

 

     
TG-18            Semiannual Report  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Templeton Growth VIP Fund (continued)

 

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 June 30, 2019, there were an unlimited number of shares authorized (without par value). Transactions in the Fund’s shares were as follows:

 

     Six Months Ended
June 30, 2019
    Year Ended
December 31, 2018
 
      Shares      Amount     Shares     Amount  
Class 1 Shares:          

Shares sold

     34,315      $ 434,886       751,581     $ 10,285,009  

Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

     2,083,910        20,901,613       3,065,336       44,508,681  

Shares redeemed

     (21,347,643      (291,661,945     (4,049,692     (62,268,217
        

Net increase (decrease)

     (19,229,418    $ (270,325,446     (232,775   $ (7,474,527
        
Class 2 Shares:          

Shares sold

     1,225,694      $ 15,071,351       2,342,753     $ 33,884,634  

Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

     14,197,412        139,418,589       5,773,252       82,384,314  

Shares redeemed

     (3,511,422      (45,009,982     (11,984,334     (175,503,362
        

Net increase (decrease)

     11,911,684      $ 109,479,958       (3,868,329   $ (59,234,414
        
Class 4 Shares:          

Shares sold

     69,674      $ 885,651       154,144     $ 2,180,515  

Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

     605,616        6,044,047       245,125       3,542,055  

Shares redeemed

     (270,028      (3,382,316     (518,871     (7,843,317
        

Net increase (decrease)

     405,262      $ 3,547,382       (119,602   $ (2,120,747
        

3.  Transactions with Affiliates

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

 

Subsidiary    Affiliation

Templeton Global Advisors Limited (TGAL)

   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

 

     
  Semiannual Report                 TG-19  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Templeton Growth VIP Fund (continued)

 

3.  Transactions with Affiliates (continued)

a.  Management Fees

The Fund pays an investment management fee to TGAL based on the average daily net assets of the Fund as follows:

 

Annualized Fee Rate    Net Assets

1.000%

  

Up to and including $100 million

0.900%

  

Over $100 million, up to and including $250 million

0.800%

  

Over $250 million, up to and including $500 million      

0.750%

  

Over $500 million, up to and including $1 billion

0.700%

  

Over $1 billion, up to and including $5 billion

0.675%

  

Over $5 billion, up to and including $10 billion

0.655%

  

Over $10 billion, up to and including $15 billion

0.635%

  

Over $15 billion, up to and including $20 billion

0.615%

  

In excess of $20 billion

For the period ended June 30, 2019, the annualized gross effective investment management fee rate was 0.811% of the Fund’s average daily net assets.

b.  Administrative Fees

Under an agreement with TGAL, FT Services provides administrative services to the Fund. The fee is paid by TGAL 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 Class 2 and Class 4 shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. Under the Fund’s 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 0.35% per year of its average daily net assets of each class. The Board has agreed to limit the current rate to 0.25% per year for Class 2. The plan year, for purposes of monitoring compliance with the maximum annual plan rates, is February 1 through January 31.

d.  Transfer Agent Fees

Investor Services, under terms of an agreement, performs shareholder servicing for the Fund and is not paid by the Fund for the services.

 

     
TG-20            Semiannual Report  


FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Templeton Growth VIP Fund (continued)

 

e.  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 Statement of Operations, in an amount not to exceed the management and administrative fees paid directly or indirectly by each affiliate. During the period ended June 30, 2019, the Fund held investments in affiliated management investment companies as follows:

 

      Value at
Beginning
of Period
     Purchases      Sales     Realized
Gain (Loss)
     Net Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
     Value at
End of
Period
     Number of
Shares
Held at End
of Period
     Income from
securities loaned
 
Non-Controlled Affiliates                       

Institutional Fiduciary Trust Money Market Portfolio, 2.05%

         $12,394,593        $116,707,362        $ (124,064,121)      $      —        $      —        $5,037,834        5,037,834        $71,351  
  

 

 

       

 

 

 

f.  Interfund Transactions

The Fund engaged in purchases and sales of investments with funds or other accounts that have common investment managers (or affiliated investment managers), directors, trustees or officers. During the period ended June 30, 2019, these purchase and sale transactions aggregated $0 and $7,221,547, respectively.

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 June 30, 2019, there were no credits earned.

5.  Income Taxes

At June 30, 2019, the cost of investments and net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) for income tax purposes were as follows:

 

Cost of investments

       $ 729,534,511   
  

 

 

 

Unrealized appreciation

       $ 112,120,064   

Unrealized depreciation

     (84,649,709)  
  

 

 

 

Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

       $ 27,470,355   
  

 

 

 

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

6.  Investment Transactions

Purchases and sales of investments (excluding short term securities) for the period ended June 30, 2019, aggregated $104,839,302 and $432,628,546, respectively.

At June 30, 2019, in connection with securities lending transactions, the Fund loaned equity investments and received $5,037,834 of cash collateral. The gross amount of recognized liability for such transactions is included in payable upon return of securities loaned in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. The agreements can be terminated at any time.

 

     
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FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Templeton Growth VIP Fund (continued)

 

7.  Concentration of Risk

Investing in foreign securities may include certain risks and considerations not typically associated with investing in U.S. securities, such as fluctuating currency values and changing local and regional economic, political and social conditions, which may result in greater market volatility. Current political and financial uncertainty surrounding the European Union may increase market volatility and the economic risk of investing in securities in Europe. In addition, certain foreign securities may not be as liquid as U.S. securities.

8.  Credit Facility

The Fund, together with other U.S. registered and foreign investment funds (collectively, Borrowers), managed by Franklin Templeton, are borrowers in a joint syndicated senior unsecured credit facility totaling $2 billion (Global Credit Facility) which matures on February 7, 2020. This Global Credit Facility provides a source of funds to the Borrowers for temporary and emergency purposes, including the ability to meet future unanticipated or unusually large redemption requests.

Under the terms of the Global Credit Facility, the Fund shall, in addition to interest charged on any borrowings made by the Fund and other costs incurred by the Fund, pay its share of fees and expenses incurred in connection with the implementation and maintenance of the Global Credit Facility, based upon its relative share of the aggregate net assets of all of the Borrowers, including an annual commitment fee of 0.15% based upon the unused portion of the Global Credit Facility. These fees are reflected in other expenses in the Statement of Operations. During the period ended June 30, 2019, 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.

A summary of inputs used as of June 30, 2019, in valuing the Fund’s assets carried at fair value, is as follows:

 

      Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  
Assets:            

Investments in Securities:a

           

Equity Investments

       $   739,767,032      $      $                     —      $ 739,767,032  

Short Term Investments

     5,037,834        12,200,000               17,237,834  
  

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities

       $   744,804,866      $         12,200,000      $      $       757,004,866  
  

 

 

 

aFor detailed categories, see the accompanying Statement of Investments.

 

     
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FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Templeton Growth VIP Fund (continued)

 

10.  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

 

Selected Portfolio
ADR   American Depositary Receipt
FFCB   Federal Farm Credit Bank
IDR   International Depositary Receipt

 

     
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FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

 

Tax Information (unaudited)

 

Templeton Growth VIP Fund

At December 31, 2018, more than 50% of the Fund’s total assets were invested in securities of foreign issuers. In most instances, foreign taxes were withheld from income paid to the Fund on these investments. As shown in the table below, the Fund hereby reports to shareholders the foreign source income and foreign taxes paid, pursuant to Section 853 of the Internal Revenue Code. This written statement will allow shareholders of record on June 13, 2019, to treat their proportionate share of foreign taxes paid by the Fund as having been paid directly by them. The shareholder shall consider these amounts as foreign taxes paid in the tax year in which they receive the Fund distribution.

The following table provides a detailed analysis of foreign tax paid, and foreign source income as reported by the Fund to shareholders of record.

 

Class    Foreign Tax Paid
Per Share
     Foreign Source
Income Per Share
 

Class 1

     $0.0380        $0.3897  

Class 2

     $0.0380        $0.3670  

Class 4

     $0.0380        $0.3571  

Foreign Tax Paid Per Share (Column 1) is the amount per share available to you, as a tax credit (assuming you held your shares in the Fund for a minimum of 16 days during the 31-day period beginning 15 days before the ex-dividend date of the Fund’s distribution to which the foreign taxes relate), or, as a tax deduction.

Foreign Source Income Per Share (Column 2) is the amount per share of income dividends attributable to foreign securities held by the Fund, plus any foreign taxes withheld on these dividends.

 

     
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Index Descriptions

 

The indexes are unmanaged and include reinvestment of any income or distributions. They do not reflect any fees, expenses or sales charges.

For Russell Indexes: Frank Russell Company is the source and owner of the trademarks, service marks and copyrights related to the Russell Indexes. Russell® is a trademark of Frank Russell Company.

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

Bloomberg Barclays 1-3 Month U.S. Treasury Bill Index measures the performance of U.S. Treasury bills that have a remaining maturity of greater than or equal to 1 month and less than 3 months.

Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond is a market capitalization-weighted index representing the U.S. investment-grade, fixed-rate, taxable bond market with index components for government and corporate, mortgage pass-through and asset-backed securities. All issues included are SEC registered, taxable, dollar denominated and nonconvertible, must have at least one year to final maturity and must be rated investment grade (Baa3/ BBB-/BBB- or higher) using the middle rating of Moody’s, Standard & Poor’s and Fitch, respectively.

Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Corporate Index: Investment- Grade Component measures the investment grade, fixed-rate, taxable corporate bond market. It includes U.S. dollar-denominated securities publicly issued by U.S. and non-U.S. industrial, utility and financial issuers.

Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Government Index: Intermediate Component is the intermediate component of the Barclays U.S. Government Index, which includes public obligations of the U.S. Treasury with at least one year to final maturity and publicly issued debt of U.S. government agencies, quasi-federal corporations, and corporate or foreign debt guaranteed by the U.S. government.

Bloomberg Barclays U.S. High Yield Very Liquid Index is a component of the U.S. Corporate High Yield Index that is designed to track a more liquid component of the U.S. dollar-denominated, high-yield fixed-rate corporate bond market.

Consumer Price Index (CPI) is a commonly used measure of the inflation rate.

FTSE® EPRA®/NAREIT® Developed Index is a free float-adjusted index designed to measure the performance of publicly traded real estate securities in the North American, European and Asian real estate markets.

FTSE World Government Bond Index is a market capitalization-weighted index consisting of investment-grade world government bond markets.

J.P. Morgan (JPM) Global Government Bond Index (GGBI) tracks total returns for liquid, fixed-rate, domestic government bonds with maturities greater than one year issued by developed countries globally.

Lipper Multi-Sector Income Funds Classification Average is calculated by averaging the total returns of all funds within the Lipper Multi-Sector Income Funds Classification in the Lipper Open-End underlying funds universe. Lipper Multi-Sector Income Funds are defined as funds that seek current income by allocation of assets among different fixed income securities sectors (not primarily in one sector except for defensive purposes), including U.S. and foreign governments, with a significant portion rated below investment grade. For the six-month period ended 6/30/19, there were 37 funds in this category. Lipper calculations do not include contract fees, expenses or sales charges, and may have been different if such charges had been considered.

Lipper VIP General U.S. Government Funds Classification Average is an equally weighted average calculation of performance figures for all funds within the Lipper General U.S. Government Funds classification in the Lipper VIP underlying funds universe. Lipper General U.S. Government Funds invest primarily in U.S. government and agency issues. For the six-month period ended 6/30/19, there were 26 funds in this category. Lipper calculations do not include contract fees, expenses or sales charges, and may have been different if such charges had been considered.

MSCI All Country World Index (ACWI) is a free float-adjusted, market capitalization-weighted index designed to measure equity market performance in global developed and emerging markets.

MSCI All Country World Index (ACWI) ex USA Index captures large- and mid-capitalization representation across 22 of 23 developed markets countries (excluding the U.S.) and 23 emerging markets countries. The index covers approximately 85% of the global equity opportunity set outside the U.S.

 

 

 

     
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FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

INDEX DESCRIPTIONS

 

MSCI EAFE Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization-weighted index that is designed to measure the equity market performance of developed markets, excluding the U.S. and Canada.

MSCI Emerging Markets (EM) Index is a free float-adjusted, market capitalization-weighted index designed to measure equity market performance in global emerging markets.

MSCI USA High Dividend Yield Index is based on the MSCI USA Index, its parent index, and includes large- and mid-capitalization stocks. The index is designed to reflect the performance of equities in the parent index (excluding real estate investment trusts) with higher dividend income and quality characteristics than average dividend yields that are both sustainable and persistent.

MSCI World Index is a free float-adjusted, market capitalization-weighted index designed to measure equity market performance in global developed markets.

Russell 1000® Growth Index is market capitalization weighted and measures performance of those Russell 1000® Index companies with higher price-to-book ratios and higher forecasted growth values.

Russell 1000® Index is market capitalization weighted and measures performance of the largest companies in the Russell 3000® Index, which represents the majority of the U.S. market’s total capitalization.

Russell 2000® Index is market capitalization weighted and measures performance of the 2,000 smallest companies in the Russell 3000® Index, which represent a small amount of the total market capitalization of the Russell 3000® Index.

Russell 2000® Value Index is market capitalization weighted and measures performance of those Russell 2000® Index companies with lower price-to-book ratios and lower forecasted growth values.

Russell 3000® Growth Index is market capitalization weighted and measures performance of those Russell 3000® Index companies with higher price-to-book ratios and higher forecasted growth values.

Russell Midcap® Growth Index is market capitalization weighted and measures performance of those Russell Midcap® Index companies with higher price-to-book ratios and higher forecasted growth values.

Russell Midcap® Index is market capitalization weighted and measures performance of the smallest companies in the Russell 1000® Index, which represents a modest amount of the Russell 1000® Index’s total market capitalization.

Standard & Poor’s® 500 Index (S&P 500®) is a market capitalization-weighted index of 500 stocks designed to measure total U.S. equity market performance.

Standard & Poor’s®/International Finance Corporation Investable (S&P/IFCI) Composite Index is a free float-adjusted, market capitalization-weighted index designed to measure equity performance in global emerging markets.

 

 

     
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FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

 

Shareholder Information

 

Board Approval of Investment

Management Agreements

FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

Franklin Flex Cap Growth VIP Fund

Franklin Global Real Estate VIP Fund

Franklin Growth and Income VIP Fund

Franklin Income VIP Fund

Franklin Large Cap Growth VIP Fund

Franklin Mutual Global Discovery VIP Fund

Franklin Mutual Shares VIP Fund

Franklin Rising Dividends VIP Fund

Franklin Small Cap Value VIP Fund

Franklin Small-Mid Cap Growth VIP Fund

Franklin Strategic Income VIP Fund

Franklin U.S. Government Securities VIP Fund

Franklin VolSmart Allocation VIP Fund

Templeton Developing Markets VIP Fund

Templeton Foreign VIP Fund

Templeton Global Bond VIP Fund

Templeton Growth VIP Fund

(each a Fund)

At an in-person meeting held on April 16, 2019 (Meeting), the Board of Trustees (Board) of Franklin Templeton Variable Insurance Products Trust (Trust), including a majority of the trustees who are not “interested persons” as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940 (Independent Trustees), reviewed and approved the continuance of the (i) investment management agreement between Franklin Advisers, Inc. (FAI) and the Trust, on behalf of each of Franklin Flex Cap Growth VIP Fund, Franklin Growth and Income VIP Fund, Franklin Income VIP Fund, Franklin Large Cap Growth VIP Fund, Franklin Rising Dividends VIP Fund, Franklin Small Mid-Cap Growth VIP Fund, Franklin Strategic Income VIP Fund, Franklin U.S. Government Securities VIP Fund, Franklin VolSmart Allocation VIP Fund, and Templeton Global Bond VIP Fund; (ii) the investment sub-advisory agreement between FAI and K2/D&S Management Co., LLC (Sub-Adviser), an affiliate of FAI, on behalf of Franklin VolSmart Allocation VIP Fund; (iii) the investment management agreement between Franklin Templeton Institutional, LLC (FTIL) and the Trust, on behalf of Franklin Global Real Estate VIP Fund; (iv) the investment management agreement between Franklin Mutual Advisers, LLC (FMA) and the Trust, on behalf of each of Franklin Mutual Global Discovery VIP Fund, Franklin Mutual Shares VIP Fund and Franklin Small Cap Value VIP Fund; (v) the

investment management agreement between Templeton Asset Management Ltd. (TAML) and the Trust, on behalf of Templeton Developing Markets VIP Fund; (vi) the investment management agreement between Templeton Investment Counsel, LLC (TICL) and the Trust, on behalf of Templeton Foreign VIP Fund; and (vii) the investment management agreement between Templeton Global Advisors Limited (TGAL) and the Trust, on behalf of Templeton Growth VIP Fund (each a Management Agreement) for an additional one-year period. The Independent Trustees received advice from and met separately with Independent Trustee counsel in considering whether to approve the continuation of each Management Agreement. Although the Management Agreements for the Funds were considered at the same Board meeting, the Board considered the information provided to it about the Funds together and with respect to each Fund separately as the Board deemed appropriate. FAI, FTIL, FMA, TAML, TICL, TGAL and the Sub-Adviser are each referred to herein as a Manager.

In considering the continuation of each Management Agreement, the Board reviewed and considered information provided by each Manager at the Meeting and throughout the year at meetings of the Board and its committees. The Board also reviewed and considered information provided in response to a detailed set of requests for information submitted to each Manager by Independent Trustee counsel on behalf of the Independent Trustees in connection with the annual contract renewal process. In addition, prior to the Meeting, the Independent Trustees held a telephonic contract renewal meeting at which the Independent Trustees conferred amongst themselves and Independent Trustee counsel about contract renewal matters. The Board reviewed and considered all of the factors it deemed relevant in approving the continuance of each Management Agreement, including, but not limited to: (i) the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by each Manager; (ii) the investment performance of each Fund; (iii) the costs of the services provided and profits realized by each Manager and its affiliates from the relationship with each Fund; (iv) the extent to which economies of scale are realized as each Fund grows; and (v) whether fee levels reflect these economies of scale for the benefit of Fund investors.

In approving the continuance of each Management Agreement, the Board, including a majority of the Independent Trustees, determined that the terms of each Management Agreement are fair and reasonable and that the continuance of such Management Agreement is in the interests of the applicable Fund and its shareholders. While

 

 

     
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SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION

 

attention was given to all information furnished, the following discusses some primary factors relevant to the Board’s determination.

Nature, Extent and Quality of Services

The Board reviewed and considered information regarding the nature, extent and quality of investment management services provided by each Manager and its affiliates to the Funds and their shareholders. This information included, among other things, the qualifications, background and experience of the senior management and investment personnel of each Manager; the structure of investment personnel compensation; oversight of third-party service providers; investment performance reports and related financial information for each Fund; reports on expenses, shareholder services, marketing support payments made to financial intermediaries and third party servicing arrangements; legal and compliance matters; risk controls; pricing and other services provided by each Manager and its affiliates; and management fees charged by each Manager and its affiliates to US funds and other accounts, including management’s explanation of differences among accounts where relevant. The Board also reviewed and considered an annual report on payments made by Franklin Templeton Investments (FTI) or the Funds to financial intermediaries, as well as a memorandum relating to third-party servicing arrangements in response to a guidance update in 2016 from the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) relating to mutual fund distribution and sub-accounting fees. The Board noted management’s continuing efforts and expenditures in establishing effective business continuity plans and developing strategies to address areas of heightened concern in the mutual fund industry, such as cybersecurity and liquidity risk management. The Board also recognized management’s commitment to facilitating Board oversight of liquidity through the designation of a liquidity/risk administrator and the development of reports that highlight the amount of illiquid investments for each Fund.

The Board also reviewed and considered the benefits provided to Fund shareholders of investing in a fund that is part of the Franklin Templeton family of funds. The Board noted the financial position of Franklin Resources, Inc. (FRI), the Managers’ parent, and its commitment to the mutual fund business as evidenced by its continued introduction of new funds, reassessment of the fund offerings in response to the market environment and project initiatives and capital investments relating to the services provided to the Funds by the FTI organization.

Following consideration of such information, the Board was satisfied with the nature, extent and quality of services provided by each Manager and its affiliates to the Funds and their shareholders.

Fund Performance

The Board reviewed and considered the performance results of each Fund over various time periods ended January 31, 2019. The Board considered the performance returns for each Fund in comparison to the performance returns of mutual funds deemed comparable to the Fund included in a universe (Performance Universe) selected by Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. (Broadridge), an independent provider of investment company data. The Board received a description of the methodology used by Broadridge to select the mutual funds included in a Performance Universe. The Board also considered the performance returns for the Franklin Income VIP Fund and Franklin VolSmart Allocation VIP Fund in comparison to the performance returns of a customized peer group (Performance Customized Peer Group) selected by the Manager. The Board also reviewed and considered Fund performance reports provided and discussions that occurred with portfolio managers at Board meetings throughout the year. A summary of each Fund’s performance results is below.

Franklin Flex Cap Growth VIP Fund - The Performance Universe for this Fund included the Fund and all large-cap growth funds underlying variable insurance products (VIPs). The Board noted that the Fund’s annualized total return for the one-year period was above the median of its Performance Universe, but for the three-, five- and 10-year periods was below the median of its Performance Universe. The Board concluded that the Fund’s performance was satisfactory, noting the Fund’s one-year first quintile (best) performance. The Board also noted the actions management has taken in an effort to address the Fund’s performance over the past few years, including changes to the Fund’s portfolio management team and enhancements to the team’s security selection process.

Franklin Growth and Income VIP Fund - The Performance Universe for this Fund included the Fund and all equity income funds underlying VIPs. The Board noted that the Fund’s annualized income return and annualized total return for the one-, three-, five- and 10-year periods were above the medians of its Performance Universe. The Board concluded that the Fund’s performance was satisfactory.

Franklin Income VIP Fund - The Performance Universe for this Fund included the Fund and all mixed-asset target

 

 

     
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FRANKLIN TEMPLETON VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION

 

allocation moderate funds underlying VIPs. The Performance Customized Peer Group for this Fund consisted of funds sorted by trailing 12-month yield and set to be top quartile (highest yield). The Board noted that the Fund’s annualized income return for the one-, three-, five- and 10-year periods was above the medians of its Performance Universe and Performance Customized Peer Group. The Board also noted that the Fund’s annualized total return for the one-, three- and 10-year periods was above the median of its Performance Universe, and for the five-year period was equal to the median of its Performance Universe. The Board noted that the Fund’s annualized total return for the one-, three-, five- and 10-year periods was above the median of its Performance Customized Peer Group. The Board concluded that the Fund’s performance was satisfactory.

Franklin Strategic Income VIP Fund - The Performance Universe for this Fund included the Fund and all general bond funds underlying VIPs. The Board noted that the Fund’s annualized income return for the one- and three-year periods was below the median of its Performance Universe, but for the five- and 10-year periods was above the median of its Performance Universe. The Board also noted that the Fund’s annualized total return for the five- and ten-year periods was below the median of its Performance Universe, but for the three-year period was above the median of its Performance Universe and for the one-year period was equal to the median of its Performance Universe. The Board discussed this performance with management and management explained that the Fund’s relative underperformance for the five-year period was impacted by, among other things, energy related credit investments that were affected by declining oil prices and global non-dollar long positions that were affected by broad US Dollar strength. Management then explained to the Board that it is continuing to enhance the Fund’s investment team and process, emphasizing bottom-up fundamental research, top-down macroeconomic analysis and quantitative modeling. Based on management’s explanation and the Fund’s shorter-term performance, the Board concluded that the Fund’s performance was satisfactory.

Franklin Large Cap Growth VIP Fund - The Performance Universe for this Fund included the Fund and all large-cap growth funds underlying VIPs. The Board noted that the Fund’s annualized total return for the one-year period was above the median of its Performance Universe, but for the three-, five- and 10-year periods was below the median of its Performance Universe. The Board discussed this performance with management and management explained that the Fund has historically maintained a higher allocation to smaller and mid-cap companies than the average fund in its Performance Universe. Management further explained

that over the three- and five-year periods larger cap companies had outperformed smaller and mid-cap companies, contributing to the Fund’s below median performance. Management also explained that the Fund’s performance was impacted over the three- and five-year periods by security selection in the health care sector and general market rotation out of traditional secular growth sectors into cyclical sectors following the US presidential election in 2016. Based on management’s explanation, management’s recent actions taken to reposition certain portfolio holdings and the Fund’s above median one-year performance, the Board concluded that the Fund’s performance was satisfactory. In doing so, the Board noted and that the Fund’s annualized total return for the three-, five- and 10-year periods, while below the median, exceeded 14.7%, 11.1% and 13.8%, respectively.

Franklin Mutual Global Discovery VIP Fund - The Performance Universe for this Fund included the Fund and all global multi-cap value funds underlying VIPs. The Board noted that the Fund’s annualized total return for the three- and 10-year periods was below the median of its Performance Universe, but for the one- and five-year periods was above the median and in the first quintile (the best) of its Performance Universe. The Board concluded that the Fund’s performance was satisfactory. In doing so, the Board noted that the Fund’s annualized total return for the three- and 10-year periods, while below the median, exceeded 7.5% and 9.0%, respectively.

Franklin Mutual Shares VIP Fund - The Performance Universe for this Fund included the Fund and all multi-cap value funds underlying VIPs. The Board noted that the Fund’s annualized total return for the one-year period was above the median of its Performance Universe, but for the three-, five- and 10-year periods was below the median of its Performance Universe. The Board discussed this performance with management and management explained that the Fund’s underperformance in 2017 was material and continues to adversely impact the Fund’s ranking over longer-term periods. Management reminded the Board of the primary factors that impacted the 2017 performance, including, among factors, exposure to non-US equities and stock selection. Management then explained to the Board the actions it has taken in an effort to address the sources of the Fund’s underperformance, including changes to the Fund’s portfolio management team and enhancements to

 

 

     
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the Fund’s investment process. Based on management’s explanation and the Fund’s above median one-year performance, the Board concluded that the Fund’s performance was satisfactory. In doing so, the Board noted that the Fund’s annualized total return for the three-, five- and 10-year periods, while below the median, were equal to or exceeded 9.0%, 5.5% and 10.7%, respectively.

Franklin Small-Mid Cap Growth VIP Fund - The Performance Universe for this Fund included the Fund and all mid-cap growth funds underlying VIPs. The Board noted that the Fund’s annualized total return for the one-year period was above the median of its Performance Universe, but for the three-, five- and 10-year periods was below the median of its Performance Universe. The Board discussed this performance with management and management explained that the Fund’s positioning in the healthcare, consumer, financial and industrial sectors was a primary detractor from relative performance over the three- and five-year periods. Management further explained that overweight exposure to the pharmaceutical industry was the largest detractor from performance, especially in 2016. Management then explained to the Board the actions it has taken in an effort to address the sources of the Fund’s relative underperformance, including changes to the Fund’s portfolio management team and enhancements to the Fund’s investment process. Based on management’s explanation and the Fund’s above median one-year performance, the Board concluded that the Fund’s performance was satisfactory. In doing so, the Board noted that the Fund’s annualized total return for the three-, five- and 10-year periods, while below the median, were equal to or exceeded 13.8%, 7.4% and 14.7%, respectively.

Franklin Global Real Estate VIP Fund, Franklin Rising Dividends VIP Fund and Templeton Developing Markets VIP Fund - The Performance Universe for the Franklin Global Real Estate VIP Fund included the Fund and all global real estate funds underlying VIPs. The Performance Universe for the Franklin Rising Dividends VIP Fund included the Fund and all multi-cap core funds underlying VIPs. The Performance Universe for the Templeton Developing Markets VIP Fund included the Fund and all emerging markets funds underlying VIPs. The Board noted that the Funds’ annualized total returns for the one-, three- and five-year periods were above the medians of their respective Performance Universes, but for the ten-year period were below the medians of their respective Performance Universes. The Board concluded that the Funds’ performance was satisfactory.

Franklin Small Cap Value VIP Fund - The Performance Universe for this Fund included the Fund and a representative class/fund from each portfolio in the small-cap value funds underlying VIPs. The Board noted that the Fund’s annualized total return for the one-, three-, five- and 10-year periods was above the median of its Performance Universe. The Board concluded that the Fund’s performance was satisfactory.

Franklin U.S. Government Securities VIP Fund - The Performance Universe for this Fund included the Fund and all general U.S. government funds underlying VIPs. The Board noted that the Fund’s annualized income return for the one-, three-, five- and 10-year periods was above the median and in the first quintile (the best) of its Performance Universe. The Board also noted that the Fund’s annualized total return for the five- and 10-year periods was below the median of its Performance Universe, but for the one- and three-year periods was above the median and in the second quintile of its Performance Universe. The Board concluded that the Fund’s performance was satisfactory.

Franklin VolSmart Allocation VIP Fund - The Performance Universe for this Fund included the Fund and all flexible portfolio funds underlying VIPs. The Performance Customized Peer Group for this Fund consisted of the Fund and all retail and institutional mixed-asset target allocation moderate funds. The Fund has been in operation for less than ten years. The Board noted that the Fund’s annualized total return for the one-, three- and five-year periods was below the medians of its Performance Universe and Performance Customized Peer Group. The Board discussed this performance with management and management explained that it is not aware of another fund in the Performance Universe that is a pure comparison to the Fund, noting the Fund’s strategy to seek to achieve its investment goal while attempting to minimize the expected volatility of the Fund’s returns so that volatility does not exceed a target of 10% per year. Management then explained to the Board the actions it has taken in an effort to address the sources of the Fund’s relative underperformance, including changes to the Fund’s equity index short positions, and noted that the portfolio management team continues to monitor the security selection and weightings of the exchange-traded funds and active funds that comprise the Fund’s equity and fixed income sub-strategies in anticipation of future allocation shifts that may be necessary in the coming year due to ongoing market concerns. In light of this explanation, the Board concluded that the Fund’s Management Agreement should be continued for an

 

 

     
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SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION

 

additional one-year period, and the Fund’s performance should continue to be monitored.

Templeton Foreign VIP Fund - The Performance Universe for this Fund included the Fund and all international multi-cap value funds underlying VIPs. The Board noted that the Fund’s annualized total return for the five- and ten-year periods was below the median of its Performance Universe, but for the one- and three-year periods was above the median of its Performance Universe. The Board concluded that the Fund’s performance was satisfactory.

Templeton Global Bond VIP Fund - The Performance Universe for this Fund included the Fund and all global income funds underlying VIPs. The Board noted that the Fund’s annualized income return for the one- and three-year periods was below the median of its Performance Universe, but for the five- and 10-year periods was above the median of its Performance Universe. The Board also noted that the Fund’s annualized total return for the one-, three-, five- and 10-year periods was above the median and in the first (best) and second quintiles of its Performance Universe. The Board concluded that the Fund’s performance was satisfactory.

Templeton Growth VIP Fund - The Performance Universe for this Fund included the Fund and all global multi-cap value funds underlying VIPs. The Board noted that the Fund’s annualized total return for the one- and five-year periods was below the median of its Performance Universe, but for the three- and 10-year periods was above the median of its Performance Universe. The Board discussed this performance with management and management explained that the Fund’s underweight position in US stocks, overweight position in European holdings and overall stock selection (including in the health care sector) were primary themes that impacted the Fund’s relative performance over the past five years, noting that the Fund’s peers have a larger exposure to US investments and smaller exposure to emerging market investments as compared to the Fund. The Board also noted a number of changes implemented/being implemented by management to address the Fund’s below median annualized total return, in particular, changes to the Fund’s portfolio management team, macroeconomic analysis and portfolio construction. In light of this explanation and the Fund’s above median three- and 10-year performance, the Board concluded that the Fund’s performance was acceptable and that the changes management is implementing will continue to be monitored.

Comparative Fees and Expenses

The Board reviewed and considered information regarding

each Fund’s actual total expense ratio and its various components, including, as applicable, management fees; transfer agent expenses; underlying fund expenses; Rule 12b-1 and non-Rule 12b-1 service fees; and other non-management fees. The Board also noted the quarterly and annual reports it receives on all marketing support payments made by FTI to financial intermediaries. The Board considered the actual total expense ratio and, separately, the contractual management fee rate, without the effect of fee waivers, if any (Management Rate) of each Fund in comparison to the median expense ratio and median Management Rate, respectively, of other mutual funds deemed comparable to and with a similar expense structure to the Fund selected by Broadridge (Expense Group). Broadridge fee and expense data is based upon information taken from each 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 and Management Rates 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 fees and expenses. The Broadridge Management Rate includes administrative charges. The Board received a description of the methodology used by Broadridge to select the mutual funds included in an Expense Group.

Franklin Flex Cap Growth VIP Fund, Franklin Mutual Shares VIP Fund and Franklin Strategic Income VIP Fund - The Expense Group for the Franklin Flex Cap Growth VIP Fund included the Fund and twelve other large-cap growth funds underlying VIPs. The Expense Group for the Franklin Mutual Shares VIP Fund included the Fund and eight other multi-cap value funds underlying VIPs. The Expense Group for the Franklin Strategic Income VIP Fund included the Fund and seven other general bond funds underlying VIPs. The Board noted that the Management Rates for these Funds were above (only slightly for Franklin Mutual Shares VIP Fund and the Franklin Strategic Income VIP Fund) the medians of their respective Expense Groups, but their actual total expense ratios were below the medians of their respective Expense Groups. The Board concluded that the Management Rates charged to these Funds are reasonable. In doing so, the Board noted that the Franklin Flex Cap Growth Fund’s actual total expense ratio reflected a fee waiver from management. With respect to the Franklin Mutual Shares VIP Fund, the Board further noted management’s explanation that the portfolio management

 

 

     
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team makes investments in distressed securities and merger arbitrage that are specialist in nature and therefore require additional resources that raise management costs, whereas the Fund’s Expense Group generally does not make such investments.

Templeton Growth VIP Fund - The Expense Group for this Fund included the Fund, three other global multi-cap value fund underlying VIPs, two global multi-cap core funds underlying VIPs and three global multi-cap growth funds underlying VIPs. The Board noted that the Management Rate for the Fund was slightly above the median of its Expense Group and its actual total expense ratio was equal to the median of its Expense Group. The Board concluded that the Management Rate charged to the Fund is reasonable.

Franklin Small-Mid Cap Growth VIP Fund - The Expense Group for the Fund included this Fund and twelve other mid-cap growth funds underlying VIPs. The Board noted that the Management Rate for the Fund was below the median of its Expense Group, and the actual total expense ratio for the Fund was equal to the median of its Expense Group. The Board concluded that the Management Rate charged to the Fund is reasonable.

Franklin Global Real Estate VIP Fund, Franklin Large Cap Growth VIP Fund, Franklin Mutual Global Discovery VIP Fund and Templeton Developing Markets VIP Fund - The Expense Group for the Franklin Global Real Estate VIP Fund included the Fund and eight other global real estate funds underlying VIPs. The Expense Group for the Franklin Large Cap Growth VIP Fund included the Fund and ten other large-cap growth funds underlying VIPs. The Expense Group for the Franklin Mutual Global Discovery VIP Fund included the Fund, three other global multi-cap value funds underlying VIPs, two global multi-cap core funds underlying VIPs and five global multi-cap growth funds underlying VIPs. The Expense Group for the Templeton Developing Markets VIP Fund included the Fund and 12 other emerging markets funds underlying VIPs. The Board noted that the Management Rates and actual total expense ratios for these Funds were above the medians of their respective Expense Groups. With respect to the Franklin Mutual Global Discovery VIP Fund, the Board noted management’s explanation that the portfolio management team makes investments in distressed securities and merger arbitrage that are specialist in nature and therefore require additional resources that raise management costs, whereas the Fund’s Expense Group generally does not make such investments.

With respect to the Franklin Global Real Estate VIP Fund, the Board noted management’s explanation that the portfolio managers’ rigorous fundamental analysis and active risk controls elevate management costs. With respect to the Franklin Large Cap Growth VIP Fund and the Templeton Developing Markets VIP Fund, the Board noted that the Funds’ Management Rates and actual total expense ratios were only slightly above (approximately 5 basis points or less) the medians of each Fund’s respective Expense Group. The Board concluded that the Management Rates charged to these Funds are reasonable.

Franklin Growth and Income VIP Fund, Franklin Income VIP Fund, Franklin Small Cap Value VIP Fund, Franklin U.S. Government Securities VIP Fund, Templeton Foreign VIP Fund and Templeton Global Bond VIP Fund – The Expense Group for the Franklin Growth and Income VIP Fund included the Fund and seven other equity income funds underlying VIPs. The Expense Group for the Franklin Income VIP Fund included the Fund and seven other mixed-asset target allocation moderate funds underlying VIPs. The Expense Group for the Franklin Small Cap Value VIP Fund included the Fund and seven other small-cap value funds underlying VIPs. The Expense Group for the Franklin U.S. Government Securities VIP Fund included the Fund and ten other general U.S. government funds underlying VIPs. The Expense Group for the Templeton Foreign VIP Fund included the Fund, eight other international multi-cap value funds underlying VIPs and three international multi-cap core funds underlying VIPs. The Expense Group for the Templeton Global Bond VIP Fund included the Fund and eight other global income funds underlying VIPs. The Board noted that the Management Rates and actual total expense ratios for these Funds were below the medians of their respective Expense Groups. The Board concluded that the Management Rates charged to these Funds are reasonable. The Board also noted that the Franklin Growth and Income VIP Fund’s actual total expense ratio reflected a fee waiver from management.

Franklin Rising Dividends VIP Fund - The Expense Group for this Fund included the Fund and 12 other multi-cap core funds underlying VIPs. The Board noted that the Management Rate for the Fund was equal to the median of its Expense Group, but its actual total expense ratio was below the median of its Expense Group. The Board concluded that the Management Rate charged to the Fund is reasonable.

 

 

     
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SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION

 

Franklin VolSmart Allocation VIP Fund – The Expense Group for this Fund included the Fund and four other flexible portfolio funds underlying VIPs. The Board noted the small size of the Expense Group. The Board also noted that the Management Rate for the Fund was below the median of its Expense Group and its actual total expense ratio was slightly above the median of its Expense Group. The Board concluded that the Management Rate charged to the Fund is reasonable. In doing so, the Board noted that the Fund’s actual total expense ratio reflected a fee waiver from management and that the Sub-Adviser was paid by FAI out of the management fee FAI received from the Fund.

Profitability

The Board reviewed and considered information regarding the profits realized by each Manager and its affiliates in connection with the operation of each Fund. In this respect, the Board considered the Fund profitability analysis provided by each Manager that addresses the overall profitability of FTI’s US fund business, as well as its profits in providing investment management and other services to each of the individual funds during the 12-month period ended September 30, 2018, being the most recent fiscal year-end for FRI. The Board noted that although management continually makes refinements to its methodologies used in calculating profitability in response to organizational and product related changes, the overall methodology has remained consistent with that used in the Funds’ profitability report presentations from prior years. Additionally, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, auditor to FRI and certain Franklin Templeton funds, has been engaged by each Manager to periodically review and assess the allocation methodologies to be used solely by the Funds’ Board with respect to the profitability analysis.

The Board noted management’s belief that costs incurred in establishing the infrastructure necessary for the type of mutual fund operations conducted by each Manager and its affiliates may not be fully reflected in the expenses allocated to each Fund in determining its profitability, as well as the fact that the level of profits, to a certain extent, reflected operational cost savings and efficiencies initiated by management. The Board also noted management’s expenditures in improving shareholder services provided to the Funds, as well as the need to implement systems and meet additional regulatory and compliance requirements resulting from recent SEC and other regulatory requirements.

The Board also considered the extent to which each Manager and its affiliates might derive ancillary benefits from fund operations, including revenues generated from transfer agent services, potential benefits resulting from personnel and systems enhancements necessitated by fund growth, as well as increased leverage with service providers and counterparties. Based upon its consideration of all these factors, the Board concluded that the level of profits realized by each Manager and its affiliates from providing services to each Fund was not excessive in view of the nature, extent and quality of services provided to each Fund.

Economies of Scale

The Board reviewed and considered the extent to which each Manager may realize economies of scale, if any, as each Fund grows larger and whether each Fund’s management fee structure reflects any economies of scale for the benefit of shareholders. With respect to possible economies of scale, the Board noted the existence of management fee breakpoints for each Fund (except for the Franklin VolSmart Allocation VIP Fund), which operate generally to share any economies of scale with a Fund’s shareholders by reducing the Fund’s effective management fees as the Fund grows in size. The Board considered management’s view that any analyses of potential economies of scale in managing a particular fund are inherently limited in light of the joint and common costs and investments each Manager incurs across the Franklin Templeton family of funds as a whole. The Board concluded that to the extent economies of scale may be realized by each Manager and its affiliates, each Fund’s management fee structure (except that of the Franklin VolSmart Allocation VIP Fund) provided a sharing of benefits with the Fund and its shareholders as the Fund grows. The Board recognized that there would not likely be any economies of scale for the Franklin Flex Cap Growth VIP Fund, Franklin Global Real Estate VIP Fund, Franklin Growth and Income VIP Fund, Franklin Large Cap Growth VIP Fund and Franklin VolSmart Allocation VIP Fund until each Fund’s assets grow. The Board also recognized that given the decline in assets over the past three calendar years for each of the Franklin Small-Mid Cap Growth VIP Fund, Franklin Strategic Income VIP Fund, Franklin U.S. Government Securities VIP Fund and Templeton Foreign VIP Fund, these Funds are not expected to experience additional economies of scale in the foreseeable future.

Conclusion

Based on its review, consideration and evaluation of all factors it believed relevant, including the above-described

 

 

     
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factors and conclusions, the Board unanimously approved the continuation of each Management Agreement for an additional one-year period.

Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures

The Trust’s investment manager has established Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures (Policies) that the Trust uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities. Shareholders may view the Trust’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 Trust’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 files a complete statement of investments with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for the first and third quarters for each fiscal year as an exhibit to its report on Form N-PORT. Shareholders may view the filed Form N-PORT by visiting the Commission’s website at sec.gov. The filed form may also be viewed and copied at the Commission’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC. Information regarding the operations of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling (800) SEC-0330.

 

 

     
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Franklin Templeton Variable Insurance Products Trust (FTVIP) shares are not offered to the public; they are offered and sold only to: (1) insurance company separate accounts (Separate Account) to serve as the underlying investment vehicle for variable contracts; (2) certain qualified plans; and (3) other mutual funds (funds of funds).

Authorized for distribution to investors in Separate Accounts only when accompanied or preceded by the current prospectus for the applicable contract, which includes the Separate Account and the FTVIP prospectuses. Investors should carefully consider a fund’s investment goals, risks, charges and expenses before investing. The 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.

 

 

 

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Semiannual Report

Franklin Templeton Variable Insurance Products Trust

 

 

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Distributor

 

Franklin Advisers, Inc.

Franklin Mutual Advisers, LLC

Templeton Asset

Management Ltd.

Templeton Global Advisors Limited

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Counsel, LLC

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© 2019 Franklin Templeton Investments. All rights reserved.   VIP4 S 08/19

 


Item 2.

Code of Ethics.

 

(a)

The Registrant has adopted a code of ethics that applies to its principal executive officers and principal financial and accounting officer.

 

(c)

N/A

 

(d)

N/A

 

(f)

Pursuant to Item 13(a)(1), the Registrant is attaching as an exhibit a copy of its code of ethics that applies to its principal executive officers and principal financial and accounting officer.

 

Item 3.

Audit Committee Financial Expert.

 

(a) (1)   

The Registrant has an audit committee financial expert serving on its audit committee.

(2)   

The audit committee financial expert is Mary C. Choksi and he is “independent” as defined under the relevant Securities and Exchange Commission Rules and Releases.

 

Item 4.

Principal Accountant Fees and Services. N/A

 

Item 5.

Audit Committee of Listed Registrants. N/A

 

Item 6.

Schedule of Investments. N/A

 

Item 7.

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

 

Item 8.

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

 

Item 9.

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

 

Item 10.

Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.

There have been no changes to the procedures by which shareholders may recommend nominees to the Registrant’s Board of Trustees that would require disclosure herein.

 

Item 11.

Controls and Procedures.

(a) Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures. The Registrant maintains disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to


provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed in the Registrant’s filings under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, 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-CSRS, 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 control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect the internal control over financial reporting.

 

Item 12.

Disclosure of Securities Lending Activities for Closed-End Management Investment Company. N/A

 

Item 13.

Exhibits.

(a)(1) Code of Ethics

(a)(2) Certifications pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 of Matthew T. Hinkle, Chief Executive Officer—Finance and Administration, and Gaston Gardey, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer

(b) Certifications pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 of Matthew T. Hinkle, Chief Executive Officer—Finance and Administration, and Gaston Gardey, 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 Templeton Variable Insurance Products Trust

 

By  

S\ MATTHEW T. HINKLE

  Matthew T. Hinkle
  Chief Executive Officer –
  Finance and Administration
Date August 30, 2019

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\ MATTHEW T. HINKLE

  Matthew T. Hinkle
  Chief Executive Officer –
  Finance and Administration
Date August 30, 2019
By  

S\ GASTON GARDEY

  Gaston Gardey
  Chief Financial Officer and
  Chief Accounting Officer
Date August 30, 2019