Embler and Langerman manage approximately 25% of the Value Fund’s assets and one-third of the Focused Opportunities Fund’s assets. Embler works closely with the Franklin Mutual team of research analysts who employ a value approach to investing which seeks to invest in securities selling at a substantial discount to their intrinsic value, taking into consideration, among other factors, the ratios of price-to-cash flow, price-to-free cash flow, price-to-earnings, and price-to-book value. The firm considers companies of all sizes, although most of its investments are in mid-sized and larger companies. Franklin Mutual determines what a company would be worth if it were put up for auction and sold – and then seeks to buy at significant discounts. Consistent with this value approach, Franklin Mutual generally invests in three areas: (1) cheap stocks based on asset values, (2) arbitrage, and (3) bankruptcy situations. Investments in the latter two categories do not necessarily track broader market moves and, therefore, may tend to mitigate volatility in overall performance.

Franklin Mutual’s research process is bottom-up, with new ideas often coming from news about a company such as corporate restructurings, spinoffs, tender offers, 13d filings, and proxy fights. Franklin Mutual also analyzes companies whose share prices have suffered significant declines for such reasons as earnings disappointments and adverse legal judgments. After identifying a new investment possibility, Embler and the analysts engage in intensive fundamental research of the company, which often includes meetings with company management, visits to facilities, and discussions with competitors and others knowledgeable about the business. In addition, Franklin Mutual sometimes takes an activist approach in its investments to try to influence management to create value for all shareholders.

References to other mutual funds should not be deemed an offer to sell or solicitation of an offer to buy shares of such funds.