497K 1 filing223910280.htm

SUMMARY PROSPECTUS

 

Franklin Small Cap Value Fund

Franklin
Value Investors Trust

March 1, 2021  as amended April 27, 2021

Franklin Templeton


Class A Class C Class R Class R6 Advisor Class
FRVLX FRVFX FVFRX FRCSX FVADX
 


Before you invest, you may want to review the Fund's prospectus, which contains more information about the Fund and its risks. You can find the Fund’s prospectus, statement of additional information, reports to shareholders and other information about the Fund online at www.franklintempleton.com/prospectus. You can also get this information at no cost by calling (800) DIAL BEN/342-5236 or by sending an e-mail request to prospectus@franklintempleton.com. The Fund's prospectus and statement of additional information, both dated March 1, 2021, as may be supplemented, are all incorporated by reference into this Summary Prospectus.





Franklin Small Cap Value Fund

Effective at the close of market (1:00 p.m. Pacific time or the close of the New York Stock Exchange, whichever is earlier) on May 27, 2021, the Fund will be closed to new investors. Existing investors who had an open and funded account on May 27, 2021 can continue to invest through exchanges and additional purchases. The following categories of investors can continue to open new accounts in the Fund: (1) trustees and officers of the Trust; (2) members of the Fund’s portfolio management team; (3) employee sponsored retirement plans or benefit plans and their participants where the Fund was available to participants prior to the Fund’s closure; (4) employee sponsored retirement plans or benefit plans that approved the Fund as an investment option prior to May 27, 2021, but have not opened an account as of that date, provided that the initial account is opened with the Fund on or prior to the Fund’s closure; (5) clients of discretionary investment allocation programs where such programs had investments in the Fund prior to the Fund’s closure; and (6) other Franklin Templeton funds and funds for which Franklin Templeton investment managers provide advisory or sub-advisory services upon prior approval by the Fund’s investment manager. The Fund may restrict, reject or cancel any purchase order, including an exchange request, and reserves the right to modify this policy at any time.

Investment Goal

Long-term total return.

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

These tables describe the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. You may qualify for sales charge discounts in Class A if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000 in Franklin Templeton funds. More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial professional and under “Your Account” on page 71 in the Fund's Prospectus and under “Buying and Selling Shares” on page 56 of the Fund’s Statement of Additional Information. In addition, more information about sales charge discounts and waivers for purchases of shares through specific financial intermediaries is set forth in Appendix A - "Intermediary Sales Charge Discounts and Waivers" to the Fund's prospectus.

Please note that the tables and examples below do not reflect any transaction fees that may be charged by financial intermediaries, or commissions that a shareholder may be required to pay directly to its financial intermediary when buying or selling Class R6 or Advisor Class shares.


Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)

    Class A  Class C  Class R  Class R6  Advisor Class 
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases (as percentage of offering price)  5.50%  None  None  None  None 
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) (as percentage of the lower of original purchase price or sale proceeds)  None1  1.00%  None  None  None 

1. There is a 1% contingent deferred sales charge that applies to investments of $1 million or more (see "Investments of $1 Million or More" under "Choosing a Share Class") and purchases by certain retirement plans without an initial sales charge on shares sold within 18 months of purchase.


Annual Fund Operating Expenses

(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

    Class A  Class C  Class R  Class R6  Advisor Class 
Management fees  0.58%  0.58%  0.58%  0.58%  0.58% 
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees  0.25%  1.00%  0.50%  None  None 
Other expenses  0.25%  0.25%  0.25%  0.10%  0.25% 
Acquired fund fees and expenses1  0.01%  0.01%  0.01%  0.01%  0.01% 
Total annual Fund operating expenses1  1.09%  1.84%  1.34%  0.69%  0.84% 
Fee waiver and/or expense reimbursement2  -0.01%  -0.01%  -0.01%  -0.04%  -0.01% 
Total annual Fund operating expenses after fee waiver and/or expense reimbursement1, 2  1.08%  1.83%  1.33%  0.65%  0.83% 

1. Total annual Fund operating expenses differ from the ratio of expenses to average net assets shown in the Financial Highlights, which reflect the operating expenses of the Fund and do not include acquired fund fees and expenses.

2. The investment manager has contractually agreed in advance to reduce its fee as a result of the Fund's investment in Franklin Templeton affiliated funds (acquired fund) for at least one year following the date of this prospectus. In addition, the transfer agent has contractually agreed to cap transfer agency fees on Class R6 to 0.03% until February 28, 2022. During its term, this fee waiver and expense reimbursement agreement may not be terminated or amended without approval of the board of trustees except to add series or classes, to reflect the extension of termination dates or to lower the fee waiver and expense limitation.

Example

This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of the period. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund's operating expenses remain the same. The Example reflects adjustments made to the Fund's operating expenses due to the fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements by management for the 1 Year numbers only. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

    1 Year  3 Years  5 Years  10 Years 
Class A    $ 654  $ 877  $ 1,117  $ 1,805 
Class C    $ 286  $ 578  $ 995  $ 2,159 
Class R    $ 135  $ 424  $ 733  $ 1,612 
Class R6    $ 66  $ 217  $ 380  $ 855 
Advisor Class    $ 85  $ 267  $ 465  $ 1,037 
If you do not sell your shares: 
Class C    $ 186  $ 578  $ 995  $ 2,159 

Portfolio Turnover

The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or "turns over" its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual Fund operating expenses or in the Example, affect the Fund's performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund's portfolio turnover rate was 67.46% of the average value of its portfolio.

Principal Investment Strategies

Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets in investments of small-capitalization (small-cap) companies. Small-cap companies are companies with market capitalizations (the total market value of a company’s outstanding stock) not exceeding either: 1) the highest market capitalization in the Russell 2000 Index; or 2) the 12-month average of the highest market capitalization in the Russell 2000 Index, whichever is greater, at the time of purchase. As of the most recent reconstitution, the highest market capitalization in the Russell 2000 Index was $4.4 billion.

The Fund generally invests in equity securities of companies that the Fund’s investment manager believes are undervalued at the time of purchase and have the potential for capital appreciation. The Fund invests predominantly in common stocks. A stock price is undervalued 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 real estate investment trusts (REITs).

The types of companies the Fund may invest in include, among other things, those that may be considered out of favor due to actual or perceived cyclical or secular challenges, or are experiencing temporary setbacks, diminished expectations, mismanagement or undermanagement, or are financially stressed.

The Fund, from time to time, may have significant positions in particular sectors, such as financial services companies and industrials.

The Fund may invest up to 25% of its total assets in foreign securities.

Principal Risks

You could lose money by investing in the Fund. Mutual fund shares are not deposits or obligations of, or guaranteed or endorsed by, any bank, and are not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Federal Reserve Board, or any other agency of the U.S. government.

Market   The market values of securities or other investments owned by the Fund will go up or down, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably. The market value of a security or other investment may be reduced by market activity or other results of supply and demand unrelated to the issuer. This is a basic risk associated with all investments. When there are more sellers than buyers, prices tend to fall. Likewise, when there are more buyers than sellers, prices tend to rise.

The current global outbreak of the novel strain of coronavirus, COVID-19, has resulted in market closures and dislocations, extreme volatility, liquidity constraints and increased trading costs. Efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19 have resulted in global travel restrictions and disruptions of healthcare systems, business operations and supply chains, layoffs, reduced consumer demand, defaults and credit ratings downgrades, and other significant economic impacts. The effects of COVID-19 have impacted global economic activity across many industries and may heighten other pre-existing political, social and economic risks, locally or globally. The full impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is unpredictable and may adversely affect the Fund’s performance.

Stock prices tend to go up and down more dramatically than those of debt securities. A slower-growth or recessionary economic environment could have an adverse effect on the prices of the various stocks held by the Fund.

Small Capitalization Companies   Securities issued by small capitalization companies may be more volatile in price than those of larger companies and may involve substantial risks. Such risks may include greater sensitivity to economic conditions, less certain growth prospects, lack of depth of management and funds for growth and development and limited or less developed product lines and markets. In addition, small capitalization companies may be particularly affected by interest rate increases, as they may find it more difficult to borrow money to continue or expand operations, or may have difficulty in repaying any loans.

Value Style Investing   A value stock may not increase in price as anticipated by the investment manager if other investors fail to recognize the company's value and bid up the price, the markets favor faster-growing companies, or the factors that the investment manager believes will increase the price of the security do not occur or do not have the anticipated effect.

Cyclical stocks in which the Fund may invest tend to lose value more quickly in periods of anticipated economic downturns than non-cyclical stocks. Companies that may be considered out of favor, particularly companies emerging from bankruptcy, may tend to lose value more quickly in periods of anticipated economic downturns, may have difficulty retaining customers and suppliers and, during economic downturns, may have difficulty paying their debt obligations or finding additional financing.

Foreign Securities (non-U.S.)   Investing in foreign securities typically involves more risks than investing in U.S. securities, including risks related to currency exchange rates and policies, country or government specific issues, less favorable trading practices or regulation and greater price volatility. Certain of these risks also may apply to securities of U.S. companies with significant foreign operations.

Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs)   A REIT's performance depends on the types, values and locations of the properties it owns and how well those properties are managed. A decline in rental income may occur because of extended vacancies, increased competition from other properties, tenants' failure to pay rent or poor management. Because a REIT may be invested in a limited number of projects or in a particular market segment, it may be more susceptible to adverse developments affecting a single project or market segment than more broadly diversified investments. Loss of status as a qualified REIT under the U.S. federal tax laws could adversely affect the value of a particular REIT or the market for REITs as a whole.

Focus   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.

Financial services companies.   Financial services companies are subject to extensive government regulation that may affect their profitability in many ways, including by limiting the amount and types of loans and other commitments they can make, and the interest rates and fees they can charge. A financial services company's profitability, and therefore its stock prices, is especially sensitive to interest rate changes as well as the ability of borrowers to repay their loans.

Industrials.   The stock prices of companies in the industrials sector are affected by supply and demand both for their specific product or service and for industrials sector products in general. Companies in the industrials sector may be adversely affected by changes in government regulation, world events and economic conditions. In addition, these companies are at risk for environmental damage and product liability claims. Companies in this sector could be adversely affected by commodity price volatility, changes in exchange rates, imposition of export or import controls, increased competition, depletion of resources, technological developments and labor relations.

Management   The Fund is subject to management risk because it is an actively managed investment portfolio. The Fund's investment manager applies investment techniques and risk analyses in making investment decisions for the Fund, but there can be no guarantee that these decisions will produce the desired results.

Performance

The following bar chart and table provide some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund. The bar chart shows changes in the Fund's performance from year to year for Class A shares. The table shows how the Fund's average annual returns for 1 year, 5 years, 10 years or since inception, as applicable, compared with those of a broad measure of market performance. The Fund's past performance (before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future. You can obtain updated performance information at franklintempleton.com or by calling (800) DIAL BEN/342-5236.

Sales charges are not reflected in the bar chart, and if those charges were included, returns would be less than those shown.

Class A Annual Total Returns


Best Quarter:  Q4'20  27.17% 
Worst Quarter:  Q1'20  -33.46% 


Average Annual Total Returns
(figures reflect sales charges)

For the periods ended December 31, 2020

    1 Year  5 Years  10 Years 
Franklin Small Cap Value Fund - Class A         
         Return Before Taxes  -0.41%  9.46%  8.32% 
         Return After Taxes on Distributions  -1.00%  7.49%  6.56% 
         Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares  0.04%  7.17%  6.41% 
Franklin Small Cap Value Fund - Class C    3.57%  9.88%  8.15% 
Franklin Small Cap Value Fund - Class R    5.11%  10.43%  8.69% 
Franklin Small Cap Value Fund - Class R6    5.83%  11.19%  9.58%1 
Franklin Small Cap Value Fund - Advisor Class    5.66%  10.98%  9.24% 
Russell 2000 Value Index (index reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)  4.63%  9.65%  8.66% 

1. Since inception May 1, 2013.

The figures in the average annual total returns table above reflect the Class A maximum front-end sales charge of 5.50%. Prior to September 10, 2018, Class A shares were subject to a maximum front-end sales charge of 5.75%. If the prior maximum front-end sales charge of 5.75% was reflected, performance for Class A in the average annual total returns table would be lower.

The after-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor's tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts. After-tax returns are shown only for Class A and after-tax returns for other classes will vary.

Investment Manager

Franklin Mutual Advisers, LLC (Franklin Mutual)

Portfolio Managers

Steven Raineri   Portfolio Manager of Franklin Mutual and portfolio manager of the Fund since 2012.

Nicholas Karzon, CFA   Portfolio Manager of Franklin Mutual and portfolio manager of the Fund since 2019.

Christopher Meeker, CFA   Portfolio Manager of Franklin Mutual and portfolio manager of the Fund since 2015.

Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares

You may purchase or redeem shares of the Fund on any business day online through our website at franklintempleton.com, by mail (Franklin Templeton Investor Services, P.O. Box 997151, Sacramento, CA 95899-7151), or by telephone at (800) 632-2301. For Class A, C and R, the minimum initial purchase for most accounts is $1,000 (or $25 under an automatic investment plan). Class R6 and Advisor Class are only available to certain qualified investors and the minimum initial investment will vary depending on the type of qualified investor, as described under "Your Account — Choosing a Share Class — Qualified Investors — Class R6" and "— Advisor Class" in the Fund's prospectus. There is no minimum investment for subsequent purchases.

Taxes

The Fund’s distributions are generally taxable to you as ordinary income, capital gains, or some combination of both, unless you are investing through a tax-deferred arrangement, such as a 401(k) plan or an individual retirement account, in which case your distributions would generally be taxed when withdrawn from the tax-deferred account.

Payments to Broker-Dealers and
Other Financial Intermediaries

If you purchase shares of the Fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the Fund and its related companies may pay the intermediary for the sale of Fund shares and related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the broker-dealer or other intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the Fund over another investment. Ask your financial advisor or visit your financial intermediary's website for more information.


Franklin Templeton

Franklin Templeton Distributors, Inc.
One Franklin Parkway
San Mateo, CA 94403-1906
franklintempleton.com

Franklin Small Cap Value Fund

Investment Company Act file #811-05878

© 2021 Franklin Templeton. All rights reserved.

482 PSUM 04/21

00070375