UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM N-CSRS

 

 

CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF REGISTERED

MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES

Investment Company Act file number 811-22801

 

 

Franklin ETF Trust

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

 

 

One Franklin Parkway

San Mateo, CA 94403-1906

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

 

 

Alison Baur

One Franklin Parkway

San Mateo, CA 94403-1096

(Name and address of agent for service)

 

 

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

Date of fiscal year end: 03/31

Date of reporting period: 09/30/2023

 

 

 


Item 1.

Reports to Stockholders.

 

  (a)

The following is a copy of the report transmitted to shareholders pursuant to Rule30e-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”) (17 CFR 270.30e-1.)


SEMIANNUAL REPORT

FRANKLIN SHORT

DURATION U.S.

GOVERNMENT ETF

A Series of Franklin ETF Trust

September 30, 2023

 

LOGO

 

LOGO

The Securities and Exchange Commission has adopted new regulations that will result in changes to the design and delivery of annual and semiannual shareholder reports beginning in July 2024.

If you have previously elected to receive shareholder reports electronically, you will continue to do so and need not take any action.

Otherwise, paper copies of the Fund’s shareholder reports will be mailed to you beginning in July 2024. If you would like to receive shareholder reports and other communications from the Fund electronically instead of by mail, you may make that request at any time by contacting your financial intermediary (such as a broker-dealer or bank).


Contents        
Fund Overview      2  
Performance Summary      3  
Your Fund’s Expenses      5  
Financial Highlights and Schedule of Investments      6  
Financial Statements      15  
Notes to Financial Statements      18  
Shareholder Information      25  

 

 

Visit franklintempleton.com for fund updates and documents, or to find helpful financial planning tools.

 

 

 

 

 

Not FDIC Insured   |   May Lose Value   |   No Bank Guarantee

 

           
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Semiannual Report

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SEMIANNUAL REPORT

Franklin Short Duration U.S. Government ETF

 

This semiannual report for Franklin Short Duration U.S. Government ETF covers the period ended September 30, 2023.

Fund Overview

Your Fund’s Goal and Main Investments

The Fund seeks to provide a high level of current income as is consistent with prudent investing, while seeking preservation of capital, by normally investing at least 80% of its net assets in securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities.1 The Fund currently targets an estimated portfolio duration of three years or less.

Performance Overview

For the six months under review, the Fund posted cumulative total returns of +0.86% based on market price and +0.79% based on net asset value. In comparison, the Bloomberg U.S. Government Index: 1-3 Year Component, which includes U.S. dollar-denominated, fixed-rate, nominal U.S. Treasuries and U.S. agency debentures with at least one year up to, but not including, three years to final maturity, posted a +0.13% cumulative total return for the same period.2 You can find more of the Fund’s performance data in the Performance Summary beginning on page 3.

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

 

Portfolio Composition*       
9/30/23       
      % of Total
Net Assets
 

MBS ARMs    

     45.6%  

MBS Fixed Rate    

     24.3%  

U.S. Agencies    

     3.1%  

U.S. Treasuries    

     29.6%  

Short-Term Investments & Other Net Assets    

     -2.6%  

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

 

Thank you for your participation in Franklin Short Duration U.S. Government ETF. We look forward to serving your future investment needs.

Patrick Klein, Ph.D.

Paul Varunok

Neil Dhruv

Portfolio Management Team

 

1. Some securities owned by the Fund, but not shares of the Fund, are guaranteed by the U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities as to timely payment of principal and interest. The Fund’s net asset value, trading price and yield are not guaranteed and will fluctuate with market conditions. Please see the Fund’s prospectus for the level of credit support offered by government agency or instrumentality issues.

2. Source: Morningstar. Treasuries, if held to maturity, offer a fixed rate of return and a fixed principal value; their interest payments and principal are guaranteed.

The index is unmanaged and includes reinvestment of any income or distributions. It does not reflect any fees, expenses or sales charges. One cannot invest directly in an index, and an index is not representative of the Fund’s portfolio.

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

The dollar value, number of shares or principal amount, and names of all portfolio holdings are listed in the Fund’s Schedule of Investments (SOI). The SOI begins on page 7.

 

           
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FRANKLIN SHORT DURATION U.S. GOVERNMENT ETF

 

Performance Summary as of September 30, 2023

Total return reflects reinvestment of the Fund’s dividends and capital gain distributions, if any, and any unrealized gains or losses. Total returns do not include brokerage commissions that may be payable on secondary market transactions. The performance tables do not reflect any taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund dividends, capital gain distributions, if any, or any realized gains on the sale of Fund shares.

Net asset value or “NAV” is the value of one share of a fund as calculated in accordance with the standard formula for valuing fund shares. The price used to calculate market return (Market Price) is determined by using the midpoint between the highest bid and the lowest offer on the primary stock exchange on which shares of a fund are listed for trading, as of the time that such fund’s NAV is calculated. Since shares of the Fund did not trade in the secondary market until after the Fund’s inception, for the period from inception to the first day of secondary trading (11/6/13), the NAV of the Fund is used as a proxy for the Market Price to calculate market returns. Market and NAV returns assume that dividends and capital gain distributions have been reinvested at Market Price and NAV.

Your dividend income will vary depending on dividends or interest paid by securities in the Fund’s portfolio, adjusted for operating expenses. Capital gain distributions are net profits realized from the sale of portfolio securities.

Performance as of 9/30/231

 

     Cumulative Total Return2      Average Annual Total Return2  
      Based on
NAV3
     Based on
market price4
     Based on
NAV3
     Based on
market price4
 

6-Month

     +0.79%        +0.86%        +0.79%        +0.86%  

1-Year

     +3.12%        +3.07%        +3.12%        +3.07%  

5-Year

     +4.96%        +4.88%        +0.97%        +0.96%  

Since Inception (11/4/13)

     +9.28%        +8.93%        +0.90%        +0.87%  

 

Distribution Rate5    30-Day Standardized Yield6  

4.61%

     4.87%  

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

 

See page 4 for Performance Summary footnotes.

 

           
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Semiannual Report

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FRANKLIN SHORT DURATION U.S. GOVERNMENT ETF

PERFORMANCE SUMMARY

 

Distributions (4/1/23–9/30/23)

Net Investment
Income

$1.85725

Total Annual Operating Expenses7

 

  0.25%

Events such as the spread of deadly diseases, disasters, and financial, political or social disruptions, may heighten risks and adversely affect performance. The Fund is actively managed but there is no guarantee that the manager’s investment decisions will produce the desired results.

All investments involve risks, including possible loss of principal. Fixed income securities involve interest rate, credit, inflation and reinvestment risks, and possible loss of principal. As interest rates rise, the value of fixed income securities falls. Asset-backed, mortgage-backed or mortgage-related securities are subject to prepayment and extension risks. Changes in the credit rating of a bond, or in the credit rating or financial strength of a bond’s issuer, insurer or guarantor, may affect the bond’s value. These and other risks are discussed in the Fund’s prospectus.

ETFs trade like stocks, fluctuate in market value and may trade at prices above or below their net asset value. Brokerage commissions and ETF expenses will reduce returns.

1. The total annual operating expenses are as of the Fund’s prospectus available at the time of publication. Actual expenses may be higher and may impact portfolio returns.

2. Total return calculations represent the cumulative and average annual changes in value of an investment over the periods indicated. Return for less than one year, if any, has not been annualized.

3. Assumes reinvestment of distributions based on net asset value.

4. Assumes reinvestment of distributions based on market price.

5. Distribution rate is based on an annualization of the 34.3230 cent per share September dividend and the NAV of $89.30 per share on 9/30/23.

6. The Fund’s 30-day standardized yield is calculated over a trailing 30-day period using the yield to maturity on bonds and/or the dividends accrued on stocks. It may not equal the Fund’s actual income distribution rate, which reflects the Fund’s past dividends paid to shareholders.

7. Figures are as stated in the Fund’s current prospectus and may differ from the expense ratios disclosed in the Your Fund’s Expenses and Financial Highlights sections in this report. In periods of market volatility, assets may decline significantly, causing total annual Fund operating expenses to become higher than the figures shown.

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

 

           
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FRANKLIN SHORT DURATION U.S. GOVERNMENT ETF

 

Your Fund’s Expenses

 

As a Fund shareholder, you can incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including brokerage commissions on purchases and sales of Fund shares; and (2) ongoing Fund costs, including management fees and other Fund expenses. All funds have ongoing costs, sometimes referred to as operating expenses. The table below shows ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and can help you understand these costs and compare them with those of other funds. The table assumes a $1,000 investment held for the six months indicated.

Actual Fund Expenses

The table below provides information about 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 Fund expenses, is used to calculate the “Ending Account Value.” You can estimate the expenses you paid during the period by following these steps (of course, your account value and expenses will differ from those in this illustration): 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 in the row under the headings “Actual” and “Expenses Paid During Period” (if Actual Expenses Paid During Period were $7.50, then 8.6 x $7.50 = $64.50). In this illustration, the actual expenses paid this period are $64.50.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison with Other 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 funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds.

Please note that expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight ongoing costs and do not reflect any transactional costs. Therefore, information under the heading “Hypothetical” is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you compare total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if transactional costs were included, your total costs would have been higher.

 

      Actual
(actual return after expenses)
    Hypothetical
(5% annual return before expenses)
       
Beginning
Account
Value 4/1/23
    Ending
Account
Value 9/30/23
   

Expenses
Paid During
Period

4/1/23–9/30/231,2

    Ending
Account
Value 9/30/23
   

Expenses
Paid During
Period

4/1/23–9/30/231,2

    Net Annualized
Expense Ratio2
 
$ 1,000     $ 1,007.90     $ 1.20     $ 1,023.80     $ 1.21       0.24

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 183/366 to reflect the one-half year period.

2. Reflects expenses after fee waivers and expense reimbursements. Does not include acquired fund fees and expenses.

 

           
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Semiannual Report

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FRANKLIN ETF TRUST

 

Financial Highlights

 

Franklin Short Duration U.S. Government ETF

 

    Six Months Ended
September 30, 2023
(unaudited)
     Year Ended March 31,  
      2023      2022      2021      2020      2019  
Per share operating performance
(for a share outstanding throughout the period)
                

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 90.45      $ 92.17      $ 95.24      $ 94.84      $ 94.40      $ 95.18  
 

 

 

 
Income from investment operationsa:                 

Net investment incomeb

    1.04        1.65        0.41        0.79        2.11        1.95  

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)

    (0.33      (1.46      (2.72      0.89        0.85        (0.03
 

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    0.71        0.19        (2.31      1.68        2.96        1.92  
 

 

 

 
Less distributions from:                 

Net investment income

    (1.86      (1.91      (0.76      (1.28      (2.52      (2.70
 

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 89.30      $ 90.45      $ 92.17      $ 95.24      $ 94.84      $ 94.40  
 

 

 

 

Total returnc

    0.79%        0.24%        (2.45)%        1.77%        3.18%        2.04%  
Ratios to average net assetsd                 

Expenses before waiver and payments by affiliates

    0.25%        0.25%        0.30%        0.37%        0.43%        0.44%  

Expenses net of waiver and payments by affiliates

    0.24%        0.24%        0.25% e       0.24%        0.23%        0.25% e 

Net investment income

    3.92%        1.82%        0.43%        0.82%        2.23%        2.06%  
Supplemental data                 

Net assets, end of period (000’s)

    $169,761        $203,612        $359,566        $435,827        $187,395        $125,177  

Portfolio turnover ratef

    56.89%        196.59%        156.78%        210.16%        169.35%        104.49%  

Portfolio turnover rate excluding mortgage dollar rollsf,g

    44.32%        107.64%        84.03%        189.55%        105.08%        64.69%  

 

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 creation unit Fund shares in relation to income earned, adjustments to interest income for the inflation index bonds, and/or fluctuating market value of the investments of the Fund.

bBased on average daily shares outstanding.

cTotal return is not annualized for periods less than one year. Total return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at net asset value during the period, and redemption at net asset value on the last day of the period.

dRatios are annualized for periods less than one year, except for non-recurring expenses, if any.

eBenefit of expense reduction rounds to less than 0.01%.

fPortfolio turnover rate includes portfolio transactions that are executed as a result of the Fund offering and redeeming Creation Units solely for cash (“Cash creations”).

gSee Note 1(d) regarding mortgage dollar rolls.

 

           
6             

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

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FRANKLIN ETF TRUST

 

Schedule of Investments, September 30, 2023 (unaudited)

 

Franklin Short Duration U.S. Government ETF

 

           Principal Amount        Value  
    U.S. Government and Agency Securities 32.7%                
 

Dragon 2012 LLC, secured bond, 1.972%, 3/12/24

   $ 4,763        $ 4,699  
 

Export-Import Bank of the U.S.,
senior secured note, 1.90%, 7/12/24

     553,754          544,279  
 

secured note, 2.628%, 11/12/26

     905,260          866,394  
a  

KE Export Leasing LLC, 2013-A, secured note, FRN, 5.896%, (3-Month SOFR + 0.49%), 2/28/25

     267,722          267,539  
 

MSN 41079 and 41084 Ltd., 1.631%, 12/14/24

     571,622          555,049  
 

Petroleos Mexicanos, 2.378%, 4/15/25

     280,000          272,456  
 

Reliance Industries Ltd.,
2.512%, 1/15/26

     468,750          447,953  
 

senior secured note, 2.06%, 1/15/26

     625,000          593,882  
 

U.S. International Development Finance Corp., 4.01%, 5/15/30

     1,222,500          1,165,297  
 

U.S. Treasury Note,
2.75%, 5/15/25

     4,500,000          4,329,668  
 

3.00%, 6/30/24

     23,000,000          22,582,144  
 

3.125%, 8/15/25

     15,000,000          14,473,242  
 

4.50%, 11/15/25

     9,000,000          8,906,133  
 

Ulani MSN 37894, senior bond, 2.184%, 12/20/24

     434,783          423,447  
         

 

 

 
 

Total U.S. Government and Agency Securities (Cost $56,518,024)

          55,432,182  
         

 

 

 
    Mortgage-Backed Securities 69.9%                
b   Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. (FHLMC) Adjustable Rate 34.8%                
 

FHLMC, 3.785%, (12-Month USD LIBOR +/- MBS Margin), 3/01/35

     76,004          75,690  
 

FHLMC, 3.942%, (12-Month USD LIBOR +/- MBS Margin), 1/01/37

     6,251          6,295  
 

FHLMC, 3.958%, (12-Month USD LIBOR +/- MBS Margin), 1/01/38

     18,054          17,813  
 

FHLMC, 3.966%, (12-Month USD LIBOR +/- MBS Margin), 4/01/36

     43,032          43,108  
 

FHLMC, 4.054%, (12-Month USD LIBOR +/- MBS Margin), 1/01/37

     1,627          1,607  
 

FHLMC, 4.129%, (12-Month USD LIBOR +/- MBS Margin), 3/01/36

     4,607          4,563  
 

FHLMC, 4.193%, (12-Month USD LIBOR +/- MBS Margin), 6/01/37

     32,789          32,494  
 

FHLMC, 4.344%, (US 1 Year CMT T-Note +/- MBS Margin), 10/01/33

     56,093          57,202  
 

FHLMC, 4.35%, (US 1 Year CMT T-Note +/- MBS Margin), 11/01/33

     73,024          74,380  
 

FHLMC, 4.37%, (US 1 Year CMT T-Note +/- MBS Margin), 1/01/36

     6,820          6,954  
 

FHLMC, 4.375%, (US 1 Year CMT T-Note +/- MBS Margin), 4/01/29

     1          1  
 

FHLMC, 4.375%, (US 1 Year CMT T-Note +/- MBS Margin), 11/01/33

     9,122          9,129  
 

FHLMC, 4.375%, (US 1 Year CMT T-Note +/- MBS Margin), 11/01/33

     11,773          11,650  
 

FHLMC, 4.375%, (US 1 Year CMT T-Note +/- MBS Margin), 11/01/34

     20,833          21,237  
 

FHLMC, 4.375%, (US 1 Year CMT T-Note +/- MBS Margin), 11/01/34

     19,174          19,539  
 

FHLMC, 4.419%, (12-Month USD LIBOR +/- MBS Margin), 9/01/37

     334,026          338,411  
 

FHLMC, 4.421%, (12-Month USD LIBOR +/- MBS Margin), 3/01/35

     97,167          95,537  
 

FHLMC, 4.439%, (12-Month USD LIBOR +/- MBS Margin), 3/01/35

     22,860          23,074  
 

FHLMC, 4.439%, (US 1 Year CMT T-Note +/- MBS Margin), 10/01/38

     44,606          43,451  
 

FHLMC, 4.457%, (12-Month USD LIBOR +/- MBS Margin), 12/01/36

     23,948          24,176  
 

FHLMC, 4.458%, (US 1 Year CMT T-Note +/- MBS Margin), 10/01/33

     9,745          9,889  
 

FHLMC, 4.481%, (US 1 Year CMT T-Note +/- MBS Margin), 2/01/36

     22,027          22,335  
 

FHLMC, 4.483%, (US 1 Year CMT T-Note +/- MBS Margin), 2/01/35

     15,432          15,615  
 

FHLMC, 4.534%, (US 1 Year CMT T-Note +/- MBS Margin), 11/01/33

     24,218          24,020  
 

FHLMC, 4.71%, (12-Month USD LIBOR +/- MBS Margin), 11/01/42

     256,873          259,618  
 

FHLMC, 4.719%, (US 1 Year CMT T-Note +/- MBS Margin), 7/01/29

     14,132          13,900  
 

FHLMC, 4.734%, (12-Month USD LIBOR +/- MBS Margin), 9/01/35

     63,825          62,973  
 

FHLMC, 4.764%, (12-Month USD LIBOR +/- MBS Margin), 12/01/35

     71,340          70,340  
 

FHLMC, 4.775%, (US 1 Year CMT T-Note +/- MBS Margin), 6/01/37

     51,216          49,957  
 

FHLMC, 4.799%, (12-Month USD LIBOR +/- MBS Margin), 4/01/34

     2,931          2,853  
 

FHLMC, 4.809%, (12-Month USD LIBOR +/- MBS Margin), 1/01/36

     4,228          4,188  
 

FHLMC, 4.828%, (US 1 Year CMT T-Note +/- MBS Margin), 9/01/27

     17          17  
 

FHLMC, 4.846%, (US 1 Year CMT T-Note +/- MBS Margin), 11/01/36

     7,395          7,501  
 

FHLMC, 4.854%, (US 1 Year CMT T-Note +/- MBS Margin), 10/01/35

     52,575          53,670  
 

FHLMC, 4.863%, (US 1 Year CMT T-Note +/- MBS Margin), 1/01/38

     366,024          370,359  

 

           
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Semiannual Report

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FRANKLIN ETF TRUST

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin Short Duration U.S. Government ETF (continued)

 

           Principal Amount        Value  
    Mortgage-Backed Securities (continued)                
b   Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. (FHLMC) Adjustable Rate (continued)                
 

FHLMC, 4.895%, (12-Month USD LIBOR +/- MBS Margin), 5/01/42

   $ 310,885        $ 314,863  
 

FHLMC, 4.95%, (12-Month USD LIBOR +/- MBS Margin), 5/01/35

     125,265          127,042  
 

FHLMC, 4.977%, (US 1 Year CMT T-Note +/- MBS Margin), 5/01/36

     649,814          660,346  
 

FHLMC, 5.041%, (US 1 Year CMT T-Note +/- MBS Margin), 6/01/34

     14,425          14,362  
 

FHLMC, 5.057%, (US 1 Year CMT T-Note +/- MBS Margin), 9/01/29

     67,666          66,172  
 

FHLMC, 5.065%, (6-Month USD LIBOR +/- MBS Margin), 1/01/26

     36          36  
 

FHLMC, 5.068%, (US 1 Year CMT T-Note +/- MBS Margin), 7/01/37

     23,422          23,537  
 

FHLMC, 5.112%, (US 1 Year CMT T-Note +/- MBS Margin), 1/01/28

     322          317  
 

FHLMC, 5.112%, (12-Month USD LIBOR +/- MBS Margin), 7/01/35

     4,467          4,437  
 

FHLMC, 5.157%, (12-Month USD LIBOR +/- MBS Margin), 9/01/36

     3,094          3,063  
 

FHLMC, 5.184%, (12-Month USD LIBOR +/- MBS Margin), 7/01/43

     886,528          898,972  
 

FHLMC, 5.192%, (US 1 Year CMT T-Note +/- MBS Margin), 3/01/35

     7,254          7,371  
 

FHLMC, 5.197%, (12-Month USD LIBOR +/- MBS Margin), 5/01/36

     8,146          7,969  
 

FHLMC, 5.212%, (12-Month USD LIBOR +/- MBS Margin), 4/01/37

     21,606          21,098  
 

FHLMC, 5.216%, (US 1 Year CMT T-Note +/- MBS Margin), 1/01/35

     5,007          5,077  
 

FHLMC, 5.218%, (US 1 Year CMT T-Note +/- MBS Margin), 10/01/29

     2,703          2,657  
 

FHLMC, 5.221%, (12-Month USD LIBOR +/- MBS Margin), 1/01/36

     5,698          5,750  
 

FHLMC, 5.248%, (US 1 Year CMT T-Note +/- MBS Margin), 1/01/29

     1,588          1,557  
 

FHLMC, 5.254%, (12-Month USD LIBOR +/- MBS Margin), 8/01/34

     70,631          70,820  
 

FHLMC, 5.256%, (12-Month USD LIBOR +/- MBS Margin), 2/01/36

     20,415          20,023  
 

FHLMC, 5.264%, (US 1 Year CMT T-Note +/- MBS Margin), 12/01/35

     119,727          122,270  
 

FHLMC, 5.278%, (US 1 Year CMT T-Note +/- MBS Margin), 7/01/35

     176,648          178,950  
 

FHLMC, 5.291%, (12-Month USD LIBOR +/- MBS Margin), 9/01/36

     10,903          10,711  
 

FHLMC, 5.292%, (US 1 Year CMT T-Note +/- MBS Margin), 9/01/36

     824,891          837,033  
 

FHLMC, 5.341%, (12-Month USD LIBOR +/- MBS Margin), 5/01/35

     1,810          1,772  
 

FHLMC, 5.36%, (6-Month USD LIBOR +/- MBS Margin), 9/01/30

     369          363  
 

FHLMC, 5.36%, (12-Month USD LIBOR +/- MBS Margin), 3/01/36

     150,211          152,684  
 

FHLMC, 5.367%, (US 1 Year CMT T-Note +/- MBS Margin), 1/01/37

     15,953          15,634  
 

FHLMC, 5.37%, (US 1 Year CMT T-Note +/- MBS Margin), 9/01/33

     1,757          1,777  
 

FHLMC, 5.416%, (12-Month USD LIBOR +/- MBS Margin), 1/01/36

     10,622          10,522  
 

FHLMC, 5.418%, (12-Month USD LIBOR +/- MBS Margin), 8/01/36

     1,138          1,129  
 

FHLMC, 5.487%, (12-Month USD LIBOR +/- MBS Margin), 6/01/37

     571          559  
 

FHLMC, 5.511%, (SOFR +/- MBS Margin), 12/25/30

     1,421,727          1,385,814  
 

FHLMC, 5.541%, (SOFR +/- MBS Margin), 4/25/31

     1,022,859          998,500  
 

FHLMC, 5.561%, (SOFR +/- MBS Margin), 1/25/29

     808,220          794,752  
 

FHLMC, 5.59%, (12-Month USD LIBOR +/- MBS Margin), 1/01/42

     44,916          45,586  
 

FHLMC, 5.593%, (12-Month USD LIBOR +/- MBS Margin), 10/01/36

     7,913          7,880  
 

FHLMC, 5.596%, (SOFR +/- MBS Margin), 12/25/30

     612,097          596,917  
 

FHLMC, 5.601%, (SOFR +/- MBS Margin), 1/25/29

     2,646,174          2,605,685  
 

FHLMC, 5.616%, (SOFR +/- MBS Margin), 2/25/25

     140,284          139,458  
 

FHLMC, 5.636%, (SOFR +/- MBS Margin), 3/25/25

     300,213          298,403  
 

FHLMC, 5.646%, (SOFR +/- MBS Margin), 3/25/28

     79,913          79,127  
 

FHLMC, 5.656%, (SOFR +/- MBS Margin), 5/25/25

     95,173          94,582  
 

FHLMC, 5.666%, (SOFR +/- MBS Margin), 1/25/28

     386,396          380,511  
 

FHLMC, 5.667%, (US 1 Year CMT T-Note +/- MBS Margin), 7/01/33

     19,935          20,149  
 

FHLMC, 5.676%, (SOFR +/- MBS Margin), 12/25/24

     161,401          161,189  
 

FHLMC, 5.681%, (SOFR +/- MBS Margin), 5/25/29

     2,801,609          2,772,540  
 

FHLMC, 5.686%, (SOFR +/- MBS Margin), 12/25/30

     1,101,770          1,084,312  
 

FHLMC, 5.701%, (SOFR +/- MBS Margin), 2/25/32

     1,730,878          1,704,595  
 

FHLMC, 5.716%, (SOFR +/- MBS Margin), 8/25/27

     677,814          670,018  
 

FHLMC, 5.716%, (SOFR +/- MBS Margin), 6/25/28

     276,003          272,252  
 

FHLMC, 5.721%, (12-Month USD LIBOR +/- MBS Margin), 9/01/36

     627          624  
 

FHLMC, 5.726%, (SOFR +/- MBS Margin), 11/25/24

     11,601          11,558  
 

FHLMC, 5.726%, (SOFR +/- MBS Margin), 7/25/30

     1,555,982          1,525,729  
 

FHLMC, 5.726%, (SOFR +/- MBS Margin), 8/25/30

     352,236          347,100  
 

FHLMC, 5.726%, (SOFR +/- MBS Margin), 11/25/30

     618,487          606,207  
 

FHLMC, 5.746%, (SOFR +/- MBS Margin), 9/25/30

     1,266,055          1,249,772  

 

           
8           

Semiannual Report

  franklintempleton.com


FRANKLIN ETF TRUST

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin Short Duration U.S. Government ETF (continued)

 

           Principal Amount        Value  
    Mortgage-Backed Securities (continued)                
b   Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. (FHLMC) Adjustable Rate (continued)                
 

FHLMC, 5.756%, (SOFR +/- MBS Margin), 9/25/24

   $ 165,187        $ 164,699  
 

FHLMC, 5.756%, (SOFR +/- MBS Margin), 9/25/30

     773,805          765,138  
 

FHLMC, 5.761%, (SOFR +/- MBS Margin), 4/25/32

     2,471,414          2,441,513  
 

FHLMC, 5.766%, (SOFR +/- MBS Margin), 8/25/24

     2,660          2,656  
 

FHLMC, 5.766%, (SOFR +/- MBS Margin), 11/25/27

     136,054          134,832  
 

FHLMC, 5.776%, (SOFR +/- MBS Margin), 8/25/24

     60,705          60,590  
 

FHLMC, 5.776%, (SOFR +/- MBS Margin), 8/25/30

     1,236,423          1,221,314  
 

FHLMC, 5.786%, (SOFR +/- MBS Margin), 8/25/24

     1,049,854          1,048,256  
 

FHLMC, 5.786%, (SOFR +/- MBS Margin), 6/25/27

     503,413          503,705  
 

FHLMC, 5.786%, (SOFR +/- MBS Margin), 6/25/30

     503,284          497,308  
 

FHLMC, 5.791%, (SOFR +/- MBS Margin), 6/25/32

     3,000,000          2,969,310  
 

FHLMC, 5.796%, (SOFR +/- MBS Margin), 5/25/24

     343,923          343,547  
 

FHLMC, 5.796%, (SOFR +/- MBS Margin), 3/25/27

     16,846          16,750  
 

FHLMC, 5.796%, (SOFR +/- MBS Margin), 6/25/30

     941,331          933,366  
 

FHLMC, 5.826%, (SOFR +/- MBS Margin), 8/25/25

     116,528          116,228  
 

FHLMC, 5.851%, (SOFR +/- MBS Margin), 6/25/32

     2,671,565          2,654,323  
 

FHLMC, 5.866%, (SOFR +/- MBS Margin), 6/25/26

     503,573          501,070  
 

FHLMC, 5.866%, (SOFR +/- MBS Margin), 5/25/29

     1,046,579          1,035,978  
 

FHLMC, 5.866%, (SOFR +/- MBS Margin), 6/25/30

     1,814,776          1,799,382  
 

FHLMC, 5.878%, (SOFR +/- MBS Margin), 10/15/40

     1,128,847          1,098,519  
 

FHLMC, 5.896%, (SOFR +/- MBS Margin), 5/25/30

     1,290,476          1,284,468  
 

FHLMC, 5.906%, (SOFR +/- MBS Margin), 4/25/26

     850,159          850,566  
 

FHLMC, 5.916%, (SOFR +/- MBS Margin), 2/25/26

     1,494,481          1,494,132  
 

FHLMC, 5.916%, (SOFR +/- MBS Margin), 7/25/26

     1,363,498          1,363,249  
 

FHLMC, 5.926%, (SOFR +/- MBS Margin), 1/25/26

     532,179          530,997  
 

FHLMC, 5.926%, (SOFR +/- MBS Margin), 10/25/26

     1,548,783          1,542,636  
 

FHLMC, 5.936%, (SOFR +/- MBS Margin), 12/25/29

     1,616,459          1,597,784  
 

FHLMC, 5.937%, (12-Month USD LIBOR +/- MBS Margin), 9/01/36

     25,389          25,966  
 

FHLMC, 5.946%, (SOFR +/- MBS Margin), 7/25/29

     899,277          895,137  
 

FHLMC, 5.946%, (SOFR +/- MBS Margin), 8/25/29

     1,298,934          1,292,274  
 

FHLMC, 5.946%, (SOFR +/- MBS Margin), 9/25/29

     614,560          610,771  
 

FHLMC, 5.956%, (SOFR +/- MBS Margin), 3/25/29

     1,843,377          1,832,771  
 

FHLMC, 5.966%, (SOFR +/- MBS Margin), 12/25/28

     1,326,258          1,320,056  
 

FHLMC, 5.966%, (SOFR +/- MBS Margin), 2/25/29

     504,352          502,615  
 

FHLMC, 5.966%, (US 1 Year CMT T-Note +/- MBS Margin), 7/01/36

     21,502          21,955  
 

FHLMC, 5.975%, (US 1 Year CMT T-Note +/- MBS Margin), 8/01/33

     9,734          9,557  
 

FHLMC, 5.986%, (SOFR +/- MBS Margin), 11/25/28

     522,601          521,307  
 

FHLMC, 6.126%, (SOFR +/- MBS Margin), 2/25/27

     625,122          625,848  
 

FHLMC, 6.169%, (US 1 Year CMT T-Note +/- MBS Margin), 7/01/34

     70,044          71,402  
 

FHLMC, 6.226%, (SOFR +/- MBS Margin), 3/25/30

     1,118,000          1,116,152  
 

FHLMC, 6.25%, (US 1 Year CMT T-Note +/- MBS Margin), 7/01/34

     5,012          4,953  
 

FHLMC, 6.35%, (US 1 Year CMT T-Note +/- MBS Margin), 9/01/30

     2          2  
 

FHLMC, 7.379%, (US 1 Year CMT T-Note +/- MBS Margin), 8/01/24

     85          84  
         

 

 

 
                  59,138,845  
         

 

 

 
    Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. (FHLMC) Fixed Rate 4.3%                
 

FHLMC, 0.75%, 5/25/44

     1,658,270          1,259,202  
 

FHLMC, 2.00%, 2/25/50

     924,659          737,503  
 

FHLMC, 2.995%, 12/25/25

     1,500,000          1,427,987  
 

FHLMC, 3.062%, 12/25/24

     1,500,000          1,454,184  
 

FHLMC, 3.49%, 1/25/24

     1,599,304          1,588,096  
 

FHLMC, 3.50%, 6/01/26

     106,183          103,520  
 

FHLMC, 4.00%, 3/01/49

     824,232          747,242  
         

 

 

 
                  7,317,734  
         

 

 

 
b   Federal National Mortgage Association (FNMA) Adjustable Rate 8.5%                
 

FNMA, 3.426%, (6-Month USD LIBOR +/- MBS Margin), 9/01/33

     507          495  
 

FNMA, 3.695%, (12-Month USD LIBOR +/- MBS Margin), 1/01/35

     30,381          29,754  

 

           
franklintempleton.com  

Semiannual Report

           9


FRANKLIN ETF TRUST

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin Short Duration U.S. Government ETF (continued)

 

           Principal Amount        Value  
    Mortgage-Backed Securities (continued)                
b   Federal National Mortgage Association (FNMA) Adjustable Rate (continued)                
 

FNMA, 3.749%, (12-Month USD LIBOR +/- MBS Margin), 12/01/33

   $ 817        $ 800  
 

FNMA, 3.83%, (12-Month USD LIBOR +/- MBS Margin), 2/01/35

     24,588          24,067  
 

FNMA, 3.845%, (6-Month USD LIBOR +/- MBS Margin), 11/01/33

     246          242  
 

FNMA, 3.867%, (12-Month USD LIBOR +/- MBS Margin), 12/01/34

     4,060          4,098  
 

FNMA, 3.878%, (12-Month USD LIBOR +/- MBS Margin), 1/01/35

     17,053          17,133  
 

FNMA, 3.896%, (12-Month USD LIBOR +/- MBS Margin), 1/01/35

     4,883          4,801  
 

FNMA, 3.90%, (12-Month USD LIBOR +/- MBS Margin), 11/01/34

     3,594          3,597  
 

FNMA, 3.93%, (12-Month USD LIBOR +/- MBS Margin), 12/01/34

     9,769          9,661  
 

FNMA, 3.931%, (12-Month USD LIBOR +/- MBS Margin), 1/01/35

     13,062          13,156  
 

FNMA, 3.94%, (12-Month USD LIBOR +/- MBS Margin), 12/01/39

     14,540          14,753  
 

FNMA, 3.952%, (12-Month USD LIBOR +/- MBS Margin), 7/01/35

     4,126          4,073  
 

FNMA, 3.963%, (12-Month USD LIBOR +/- MBS Margin), 2/01/35

     7,603          7,672  
 

FNMA, 3.97%, (12-Month USD LIBOR +/- MBS Margin), 1/01/33

     10,755          10,569  
 

FNMA, 3.985%, (11th District COF +/- MBS Margin), 10/01/27

     42          41  
 

FNMA, 4.00%, (12-Month USD LIBOR +/- MBS Margin), 10/01/33

     17,253          16,996  
 

FNMA, 4.018%, (12-Month USD LIBOR +/- MBS Margin), 12/01/32

     1,190          1,171  
 

FNMA, 4.025%, (12-Month USD LIBOR +/- MBS Margin), 1/01/37

     19,310          18,985  
 

FNMA, 4.04%, (12-Month USD LIBOR +/- MBS Margin), 1/01/35

     26,580          26,387  
 

FNMA, 4.124%, (US 1 Year CMT T-Note +/- MBS Margin), 12/01/34

     3,375          3,362  
 

FNMA, 4.127%, (US 1 Year CMT T-Note +/- MBS Margin), 9/01/34

     8,000          7,897  
 

FNMA, 4.171%, (US 1 Year CMT T-Note +/- MBS Margin), 12/01/33

     46,729          45,979  
 

FNMA, 4.188%, (12-Month USD LIBOR +/- MBS Margin), 12/01/34

     79,715          78,946  
 

FNMA, 4.19%, (12-Month USD LIBOR +/- MBS Margin), 4/01/33

     4,821          4,730  
 

FNMA, 4.195%, (12-Month USD LIBOR +/- MBS Margin), 12/01/35

     15,537          15,819  
 

FNMA, 4.234%, (12-Month USD LIBOR +/- MBS Margin), 3/01/35

     24,277          23,939  
 

FNMA, 4.268%, (6-Month USD LIBOR +/- MBS Margin), 11/01/33

     3,780          3,707  
 

FNMA, 4.28%, (US 1 Year CMT T-Note +/- MBS Margin), 1/01/33

     7,352          7,193  
 

FNMA, 4.288%, (12-Month USD LIBOR +/- MBS Margin), 3/01/35

     3,047          3,005  
 

FNMA, 4.29%, (12-Month USD LIBOR +/- MBS Margin), 3/01/35

     1,328          1,303  
 

FNMA, 4.317%, (US 1 Year CMT T-Note +/- MBS Margin), 12/01/34

     31,809          32,478  
 

FNMA, 4.32%, (6-Month USD LIBOR +/- MBS Margin), 11/01/35

     4,797          4,785  
 

FNMA, 4.32%, (12-Month USD LIBOR +/- MBS Margin), 1/01/41

     104,003          105,917  
 

FNMA, 4.335%, (6-Month USD LIBOR +/- MBS Margin), 5/01/32

     903          883  
 

FNMA, 4.353%, (11th District COF +/- MBS Margin), 8/01/28

     11,121          10,959  
 

FNMA, 4.366%, (12-Month USD LIBOR +/- MBS Margin), 5/01/35

     60,372          61,206  
 

FNMA, 4.374%, (US 1 Year CMT T-Note +/- MBS Margin), 2/01/25

     591          587  
 

FNMA, 4.387%, (6-Month USD LIBOR +/- MBS Margin), 11/01/35

     3,173          3,155  
 

FNMA, 4.419%, (6-Month USD LIBOR +/- MBS Margin), 1/01/25

     219          217  
 

FNMA, 4.423%, (US 1 Year CMT T-Note +/- MBS Margin), 2/01/35

     18,800          18,482  
 

FNMA, 4.424%, (12-Month USD LIBOR +/- MBS Margin), 3/01/36

     9,401          9,333  
 

FNMA, 4.435%, (US 1 Year CMT T-Note +/- MBS Margin), 9/01/39

     256          251  
 

FNMA, 4.438%, (US 1 Year CMT T-Note +/- MBS Margin), 9/01/33

     2,114          2,082  
 

FNMA, 4.457%, (12-Month USD LIBOR +/- MBS Margin), 9/01/37

     82,943          84,091  
 

FNMA, 4.474%, (US 1 Year CMT T-Note +/- MBS Margin), 10/01/33

     1,208          1,235  
 

FNMA, 4.51%, (11th District COF +/- MBS Margin), 8/01/29

     3,960          3,912  
 

FNMA, 4.52%, (6-Month USD LIBOR +/- MBS Margin), 11/01/34

     13,696          13,460  
 

FNMA, 4.527%, (12-Month USD LIBOR +/- MBS Margin), 10/01/35

     2,989          2,943  
 

FNMA, 4.541%, (12-Month USD LIBOR +/- MBS Margin), 3/01/34

     55,109          54,467  
 

FNMA, 4.568%, (US 1 Year CMT T-Note +/- MBS Margin), 10/01/34

     37,705          38,440  
 

FNMA, 4.586%, (12-Month USD LIBOR +/- MBS Margin), 5/01/35

     14,737          14,893  
 

FNMA, 4.611%, (US 1 Year CMT T-Note +/- MBS Margin), 5/01/35

     7,995          8,035  
 

FNMA, 4.626%, (6-Month USD LIBOR +/- MBS Margin), 4/01/36

     3,524          3,491  
 

FNMA, 4.627%, (US 1 Year CMT T-Note +/- MBS Margin), 8/01/28

     57          56  
 

FNMA, 4.641%, (6-Month USD LIBOR +/- MBS Margin), 11/01/35

     232,791          234,171  
 

FNMA, 4.643%, (6-Month USD LIBOR +/- MBS Margin), 4/01/36

     1,467          1,455  
 

FNMA, 4.661%, (12-Month USD LIBOR +/- MBS Margin), 1/01/38

     50,640          51,353  
 

FNMA, 4.683%, (US 1 Year CMT T-Note +/- MBS Margin), 7/01/33

     318          316  

 

           
10           

Semiannual Report

  franklintempleton.com


FRANKLIN ETF TRUST

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin Short Duration U.S. Government ETF (continued)

 

           Principal Amount        Value  
    Mortgage-Backed Securities (continued)                
b   Federal National Mortgage Association (FNMA) Adjustable Rate (continued)                
 

FNMA, 4.694%, (6-Month USD LIBOR +/- MBS Margin), 8/01/33

   $ 2,543        $ 2,542  
 

FNMA, 4.764%, (US 1 Year CMT T-Note +/- MBS Margin), 8/01/29

     182          180  
 

FNMA, 4.775%, (6-Month USD LIBOR +/- MBS Margin), 6/01/34

     60,233          60,083  
 

FNMA, 4.781%, (12-Month USD LIBOR +/- MBS Margin), 8/01/44

     1,081,508          1,099,942  
 

FNMA, 4.796%, (12-Month USD LIBOR +/- MBS Margin), 7/01/36

     24,913          24,520  
 

FNMA, 4.803%, (US 1 Year CMT T-Note +/- MBS Margin), 9/01/39

     28,276          28,751  
 

FNMA, 4.813%, (US 1 Year CMT T-Note +/- MBS Margin), 10/01/34

     8,427          8,642  
 

FNMA, 4.813%, (12-Month USD LIBOR +/- MBS Margin), 7/01/42

     1,017,394          1,039,151  
 

FNMA, 4.834%, (US 1 Year CMT T-Note +/- MBS Margin), 7/01/38

     94,595          93,077  
 

FNMA, 4.843%, (12-Month USD LIBOR +/- MBS Margin), 10/01/34

     16,768          16,498  
 

FNMA, 4.861%, (12-Month USD LIBOR +/- MBS Margin), 8/01/37

     29,308          30,000  
 

FNMA, 4.864%, (US 1 Year CMT T-Note +/- MBS Margin), 2/01/37

     18,020          17,655  
 

FNMA, 4.888%, (12-Month USD LIBOR +/- MBS Margin), 10/01/40

     241,712          247,461  
 

FNMA, 4.902%, (12-Month USD LIBOR +/- MBS Margin), 4/01/40

     152,900          151,414  
 

FNMA, 4.911%, (12-Month USD LIBOR +/- MBS Margin), 11/01/36

     16,631          16,896  
 

FNMA, 4.979%, (12-Month USD LIBOR +/- MBS Margin), 9/01/37

     259,856          264,898  
 

FNMA, 4.981%, (12-Month USD LIBOR +/- MBS Margin), 9/01/42

     509,470          519,870  
 

FNMA, 4.997%, (US 1 Year CMT T-Note +/- MBS Margin), 12/01/37

     18,769          19,096  
 

FNMA, 5.001%, (US 1 Year CMT T-Note +/- MBS Margin), 12/01/40

     30,600          30,991  
 

FNMA, 5.005%, (US 1 Year CMT T-Note +/- MBS Margin), 5/01/33

     6,063          5,951  
 

FNMA, 5.007%, (US 1 Year CMT T-Note +/- MBS Margin), 6/01/32

     165          163  
 

FNMA, 5.019%, (12-Month USD LIBOR +/- MBS Margin), 3/01/42

     165,949          167,653  
 

FNMA, 5.055%, (12-Month USD LIBOR +/- MBS Margin), 5/01/38

     653,393          665,571  
 

FNMA, 5.063%, (6-Month USD LIBOR +/- MBS Margin), 2/01/35

     8,895          8,703  
 

FNMA, 5.08%, (US 1 Year CMT T-Note +/- MBS Margin), 5/01/36

     8,543          8,423  
 

FNMA, 5.104%, (US 1 Year CMT T-Note +/- MBS Margin), 4/01/40

     23,605          23,871  
 

FNMA, 5.105%, (US 1 Year CMT T-Note +/- MBS Margin), 8/01/36

     66,663          67,909  
 

FNMA, 5.112%, (US 1 Year CMT T-Note +/- MBS Margin), 12/01/30

     1,000          981  
 

FNMA, 5.126%, (12-Month USD LIBOR +/- MBS Margin), 7/01/35

     29,073          28,647  
 

FNMA, 5.129%, (US 1 Year CMT T-Note +/- MBS Margin), 9/01/35

     51,741          51,264  
 

FNMA, 5.14%, (12-Month USD LIBOR +/- MBS Margin), 5/01/35

     51,466          52,401  
 

FNMA, 5.182%, (12-Month USD LIBOR +/- MBS Margin), 8/01/38

     162,815          164,576  
 

FNMA, 5.194%, (12-Month USD LIBOR +/- MBS Margin), 10/01/34

     2,647          2,583  
 

FNMA, 5.197%, (12-Month USD LIBOR +/- MBS Margin), 8/01/37

     46,071          45,244  
 

FNMA, 5.253%, (US 1 Year CMT T-Note +/- MBS Margin), 12/01/40

     442,018          449,374  
 

FNMA, 5.255%, (US 1 Year CMT T-Note +/- MBS Margin), 1/01/32

     4,120          4,100  
 

FNMA, 5.283%, (12-Month USD LIBOR +/- MBS Margin), 3/01/36

     12,610          12,990  
 

FNMA, 5.288%, (US 1 Year CMT T-Note +/- MBS Margin), 12/01/40

     149,312          152,084  
 

FNMA, 5.30%, (6-Month USD LIBOR +/- MBS Margin), 12/01/24

     30          30  
 

FNMA, 5.334%, (12-Month USD LIBOR +/- MBS Margin), 9/01/35

     66,128          65,652  
 

FNMA, 5.348%, (US 1 Year CMT T-Note +/- MBS Margin), 6/01/35

     17,439          17,393  
 

FNMA, 5.351%, (12-Month USD LIBOR +/- MBS Margin), 2/01/36

     14,639          14,789  
 

FNMA, 5.361%, (12-Month USD LIBOR +/- MBS Margin), 11/01/35

     103,689          104,971  
 

FNMA, 5.364%, (US 1 Year CMT T-Note +/- MBS Margin), 7/01/28

     460          454  
 

FNMA, 5.382%, (12-Month USD LIBOR +/- MBS Margin), 11/01/36

     70,157          69,678  
 

FNMA, 5.398%, (12-Month USD LIBOR +/- MBS Margin), 6/01/36

     13,821          14,019  
 

FNMA, 5.415%, (US 1 Year CMT T-Note +/- MBS Margin), 5/01/33

     19,201          19,524  
 

FNMA, 5.497%, (12-Month USD LIBOR +/- MBS Margin), 6/01/35

     30,787          30,431  
 

FNMA, 5.498%, (US 1 Year CMT T-Note +/- MBS Margin), 8/01/39

     2,423          2,412  
 

FNMA, 5.533%, (US 1 Year CMT T-Note +/- MBS Margin), 5/01/36

     15,702          15,499  
 

FNMA, 5.604%, (US 1 Year CMT T-Note +/- MBS Margin), 3/01/38

     2,967          2,941  
 

FNMA, 5.636%, (US 1 Year CMT T-Note +/- MBS Margin), 9/01/35

     49,155          49,815  
 

FNMA, 5.664%, (12-Month USD LIBOR +/- MBS Margin), 5/01/37

     86,745          86,243  
 

FNMA, 5.701%, (US 1 Year CMT T-Note +/- MBS Margin), 4/01/34

     24,397          24,135  
 

FNMA, 5.718%, (12-Month USD LIBOR +/- MBS Margin), 7/01/35

     4,260          4,322  
 

FNMA, 5.779%, (SOFR +/- MBS Margin), 10/25/58

     1,300,257          1,247,534  
 

FNMA, 5.794%, (US 1 Year CMT T-Note +/- MBS Margin), 1/01/28

     452          448  

 

           
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Semiannual Report

           11


FRANKLIN ETF TRUST

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin Short Duration U.S. Government ETF (continued)

 

           Principal Amount        Value  
    Mortgage-Backed Securities (continued)                
b   Federal National Mortgage Association (FNMA) Adjustable Rate (continued)                
 

FNMA, 5.825%, (1 Year CMT +/- MBS Margin), 1/01/31

   $ 14,136        $ 13,850  
 

FNMA, 5.829%, (SOFR +/- MBS Margin), 5/25/40

     394,434          384,043  
 

FNMA, 5.829%, (SOFR +/- MBS Margin), 9/25/46

     806,239          787,297  
 

FNMA, 5.829%, (SOFR +/- MBS Margin), 10/25/46

     702,423          686,360  
 

FNMA, 5.83%, (1 Year CMT +/- MBS Margin), 6/01/40

     23,319          23,461  
 

FNMA, 5.83%, (1 Year CMT +/- MBS Margin), 11/01/40

     6,069          5,916  
 

FNMA, 5.846%, (12-Month USD LIBOR +/- MBS Margin), 6/01/35

     6,253          6,230  
 

FNMA, 5.873%, (12-Month USD LIBOR +/- MBS Margin), 7/01/34

     87          86  
 

FNMA, 5.879%, (SOFR +/- MBS Margin), 10/25/41

     1,478,891          1,460,202  
 

FNMA, 5.879%, (SOFR +/- MBS Margin), 7/25/49

     1,594,886          1,535,198  
 

FNMA, 5.89%, (12-Month USD LIBOR +/- MBS Margin), 9/01/40

     36,949          37,972  
 

FNMA, 6.078%, (US 1 Year CMT T-Note +/- MBS Margin), 8/01/32

     3,838          3,797  
 

FNMA, 6.094%, (1 Year CMT +/- MBS Margin), 11/01/35

     10,358          10,048  
 

FNMA, 6.094%, (12-Month USD LIBOR +/- MBS Margin), 9/01/37

     271          268  
 

FNMA, 6.119%, (12-Month USD LIBOR +/- MBS Margin), 8/01/36

     36,714          36,274  
 

FNMA, 6.139%, (1 Year CMT +/- MBS Margin), 11/01/35

     14,442          14,022  
 

FNMA, 6.216%, (US 1 Year CMT T-Note +/- MBS Margin), 7/01/35

     15,932          15,767  
 

FNMA, 6.221%, (1 Year CMT +/- MBS Margin), 10/01/35

     62,754          61,739  
 

FNMA, 6.23%, (12-Month USD LIBOR +/- MBS Margin), 8/01/35

     2,869          2,832  
 

FNMA, 6.237%, (1 Year CMT +/- MBS Margin), 11/01/35

     10,303          10,032  
 

FNMA, 6.272%, (1 Year CMT +/- MBS Margin), 11/01/35

     8,314          8,084  
 

FNMA, 6.273%, (US 1 Year CMT T-Note +/- MBS Margin), 11/01/34

     8,923          8,812  
 

FNMA, 6.30%, (1 Year CMT +/- MBS Margin), 11/01/35

     86,140          84,871  
 

FNMA, 6.341%, (1 Year CMT +/- MBS Margin), 11/01/35

     32,457          32,069  
 

FNMA, 6.358%, (1 Year CMT +/- MBS Margin), 11/01/35

     16,726          16,532  
 

FNMA, 6.38%, (1 Year CMT +/- MBS Margin), 11/01/35

     22,978          22,726  
 

FNMA, 6.382%, (6-Month USD LIBOR +/- MBS Margin), 4/01/36

     2,076          2,113  
 

FNMA, 6.386%, (6-Month USD LIBOR +/- MBS Margin), 3/01/28

     907          904  
 

FNMA, 6.39%, (1 Year CMT +/- MBS Margin), 11/01/35

     16,050          15,881  
 

FNMA, 6.445%, (6-Month USD LIBOR +/- MBS Margin), 11/01/33

     408          406  
 

FNMA, 6.464%, (1 Year CMT +/- MBS Margin), 11/01/35

     70,730          69,788  
 

FNMA, 6.475%, (1 Year CMT +/- MBS Margin), 10/01/35

     164,593          163,261  
 

FNMA, 6.543%, (6-Month USD LIBOR +/- MBS Margin), 3/01/36

     1,603          1,623  
 

FNMA, 6.621%, (1 Year CMT +/- MBS Margin), 10/01/36

     24,700          24,135  
 

FNMA, 6.653%, (1 Year CMT +/- MBS Margin), 9/01/36

     17,435          17,304  
 

FNMA, 6.67%, (6-Month USD LIBOR +/- MBS Margin), 1/01/35

     1,546          1,567  
 

FNMA, 6.675%, (1 Year CMT +/- MBS Margin), 5/01/36

     29,754          29,807  
 

FNMA, 6.706%, (6-Month USD LIBOR +/- MBS Margin), 5/01/36

     8,919          9,084  
 

FNMA, 6.736%, (6-Month USD LIBOR +/- MBS Margin), 2/01/36

     178,436          179,760  
 

FNMA, 6.743%, (US 1 Year CMT T-Note +/- MBS Margin), 3/01/33

     19,005          18,959  
 

FNMA, 6.791%, (6-Month USD LIBOR +/- MBS Margin), 9/01/27

     888          885  
 

FNMA, 6.861%, (6-Month USD LIBOR +/- MBS Margin), 3/01/34

     3,755          3,824  
 

FNMA, 6.862%, (6-Month USD LIBOR +/- MBS Margin), 3/01/35

     37,756          38,421  
 

FNMA, 6.865%, (6-Month USD LIBOR +/- MBS Margin), 6/01/35

     5,609          5,700  
 

FNMA, 6.925%, (6-Month USD LIBOR +/- MBS Margin), 5/01/33

     5,387          5,394  
 

FNMA, 6.925%, (6-Month USD LIBOR +/- MBS Margin), 5/01/35

     895          902  
 

FNMA, 6.988%, (6-Month USD LIBOR +/- MBS Margin), 7/01/35

     3,979          4,024  
 

FNMA, 7.091%, (6-Month USD LIBOR +/- MBS Margin), 2/01/33

     48,473          49,153  
         

 

 

 
            14,432,812  
         

 

 

 
    Federal National Mortgage Association (FNMA) Fixed Rate 19.9%                
 

FNMA, 0.785%, 7/25/30

     2,609,318          2,333,630  
 

FNMA, 1.75%, 1/25/43

     980,366          808,393  
 

FNMA, 3.00%, 10/25/45

     990,177          908,080  
 

FNMA, 3.50%, 9/01/25

     11,189          10,961  
 

FNMA, 3.50%, 10/01/25

     109,494          107,261  
 

FNMA, 3.50%, 3/01/26

     101,931          99,595  
 

FNMA, 3.50%, 8/01/26

     23,077          22,454  

 

           
12           

Semiannual Report

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FRANKLIN ETF TRUST

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin Short Duration U.S. Government ETF (continued)

 

           Principal Amount        Value  
    Mortgage-Backed Securities (continued)                
    Federal National Mortgage Association (FNMA) Fixed Rate (continued)                
 

FNMA, 3.50%, 8/01/26

   $ 11,213        $ 10,909  
 

FNMA, 3.50%, 10/01/26

     1,138          1,107  
 

FNMA, 3.50%, 10/01/26

     710          690  
 

FNMA, 3.50%, 10/01/26

     3,517          3,424  
 

FNMA, 3.50%, 1/01/27

     2,709          2,628  
 

FNMA, 3.50%, 1/01/27

     5,693          5,530  
 

FNMA, 3.50%, 1/01/27

     130,927          127,850  
 

FNMA, 3.50%, 4/01/27

     40,313          39,146  
 

FNMA, 3.50%, 7/01/27

     148,114          144,336  
 

FNMA, 3.50%, 5/01/31

     40,848          39,779  
 

FNMA, 5.50%, 3/01/53

     9,529,452          9,217,214  
c  

FNMA, 5.50%, 10/15/53

     5,957,000          5,757,115  
 

FNMA, 6.00%, 7/01/53

     1,855,673          1,832,822  
 

FNMA, 6.00%, 8/01/53

     1,720,061          1,698,880  
 

FNMA, 6.00%, 9/01/53

     8,837,416          8,728,590  
c  

FNMA, 6.00%, 10/15/53

     2,000,000          1,973,906  
         

 

 

 
            33,874,300  
         

 

 

 
b   Government National Mortgage Association (GNMA) Adjustable Rate 2.3%                
 

GNMA, 5.739%, (SOFR +/- MBS Margin), 4/20/37

     1,258,227          1,229,639  
 

GNMA, 5.769%, (SOFR +/- MBS Margin), 6/20/41

     1,709,601          1,675,013  
 

GNMA, 6.045%, (SOFR +/- MBS Margin), 1/16/40

     963,807          955,773  
         

 

 

 
            3,860,425  
         

 

 

 
    Government National Mortgage Association (GNMA) Fixed Rate 0.1%                
 

GNMA, 2.50%, 9/20/27

     116,901          115,835  
         

 

 

 
 

Total Mortgage-Backed Securities (Cost $122,543,372)

          118,739,951  
         

 

 

 
 

Total Investments before Short Term Investments (Cost $179,061,396)

          174,172,133  
         

 

 

 
         Shares           
    Short Term Investments (Cost $2,286,349) 1.3%                
 

Money Market Funds 1.3%

       
d,e  

Institutional Fiduciary Trust Money Market Portfolio, 5.02%

     2,286,349          2,286,349  
         

 

 

 
 

Total Investments (Cost $181,347,745) 103.9%

          176,458,482  
 

Other Assets, less Liabilities (3.9)%

          (6,697,884
         

 

 

 
 

Net Assets 100.0%

        $ 169,760,598  
         

 

 

 

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

bAdjustable 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 pool 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).

cSecurity purchased on a to-be-announced (TBA) basis. See Note 1(b).

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

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

 

           
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Semiannual Report

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FRANKLIN ETF TRUST

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin Short Duration U.S. Government ETF (continued)

 

At September 30, 2023, the Fund had the following futures contracts outstanding. See Note 1(c).

 

Futures Contracts                                   
Description    Type      Number of
Contracts
     Notional
Value*
     Expiration
Date
     Value/Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
Interest Rate Contracts                                   

U.S. Treasury 2 Yr. Note

     Long        189      $ 38,312,367        12/29/23      $ (91,236

U.S. Treasury 5 Yr. Note

     Long        7        737,516        12/29/23        (5,119

U.S. Treasury 10 Yr. Note

     Short        84        9,077,250        12/19/23        168,537  

U.S. Treasury 10 Yr. Ultra

     Short        10        1,115,625        12/19/23        33,423  

U.S. Treasury Long Bond

     Short        19        2,161,844        12/19/23        120,058  
              

 

 

 

Total Futures Contracts

 

   $ 225,663  
              

 

 

 

*As of period end.

See Note 7 regarding other derivative information.

See abbreviations on page 24.

 

           
14           

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

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FRANKLIN ETF TRUST

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

September 30, 2023 (unaudited)

Franklin Short Duration U.S. Government ETF

 

Assets:

  

Investments in securities:

  

Cost – Unaffiliated issuers

   $ 179,061,396  

Cost – Non-controlled affiliates (Note 3c)

     2,286,349  
  

 

 

 

Value – Unaffiliated issuers

   $ 174,172,133  

Value – Non-controlled affiliates (Note 3c)

     2,286,349  

Receivables:

  

Investment securities sold

     144,293  

Interest

     768,676  

Deposits with broker for:

  

Futures contracts

     293,030  
  

 

 

 

Total assets

     177,664,481  
  

 

 

 

Liabilities:

  

Payables:

  

Investment securities purchased

     7,857,330  

Management fees

     42,092  

Variation margin on futures contracts

     4,461  
  

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     7,903,883  
  

 

 

 

Net assets, at value

   $ 169,760,598  
  

 

 

 

Net assets consist of:

  

Paid-in capital

   $ 200,473,390  

Total distributable earnings (loss)

     (30,712,792
  

 

 

 

Net assets, at value

   $ 169,760,598  
  

 

 

 

Shares outstanding

     1,901,000  
  

 

 

 

Net asset value per share

   $ 89.30  
  

 

 

 

 

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

             15


FRANKLIN ETF TRUST

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Statement of Operations

for the six months ended September 30, 2023 (unaudited)

Franklin Short Duration U.S. Government ETF

 

Investment income:

  

Dividends:

  

Non-controlled affiliates (Note 3c)

   $ 118,300  

Interest:

  

Unaffiliated issuers:

  

Paydown gain (loss)

     (231,502

Paid in casha

     3,894,534  
  

 

 

 

Total investment income

     3,781,332  
  

 

 

 

Expenses:

  

Management fees (Note 3a)

     227,340  
  

 

 

 

Total expenses

     227,340  
  

 

 

 

Expense reductions (Note 4)

     (9,161
  

 

 

 

Net expenses

     218,179  
  

 

 

 

Net investment income

     3,563,153  
  

 

 

 

Realized and unrealized gains (losses):

  

Net realized gain (loss) from:

  

Investments:

  

Unaffiliated issuers

     (1,522,977

Futures contracts

     (299,241
  

 

 

 

Net realized gain (loss)

     (1,822,218
  

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:

  

Investments:

  

Unaffiliated issuers

     (648,118

Futures contracts

     358,222  
  

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

     (289,896
  

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

     (2,112,114
  

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

   $ 1,451,039  
  

 

 

 

aIncludes amortization of premium and accretion.

 

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

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FRANKLIN ETF TRUST

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

Franklin Short Duration U.S. Government ETF

 

      Six Months Ended
September 30, 2023
(unaudited)
     Year Ended
March 31, 2023
 

Increase (decrease) in net assets:

     

Operations:

     

Net investment income

   $ 3,563,153      $ 4,789,707  

Net realized gain (loss)

     (1,822,218      (9,115,868

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

     (289,896      3,055,037  
  

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

     1,451,039        (1,271,124
  

 

 

 

Distributions to shareholders (Note 1f)

     (3,822,477      (5,203,276
  

 

 

 

Capital share transactions (Note 2)

     (31,479,937      (149,479,794
  

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets

     (33,851,375      (155,954,194

Net assets:

     

Beginning of period

     203,611,973        359,566,167  
  

 

 

 

End of period

   $ 169,760,598      $ 203,611,973  
  

 

 

 

 

           
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           17


FRANKLIN ETF TRUST

FRANKLIN SHORT DURATION U.S. GOVERNMENT ETF

 

Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited)

 

1. Organization and Significant Accounting Policies

Franklin ETF Trust (Trust) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (1940 Act) as an open-end management investment company, consisting of one fund, Franklin Short Duration U.S. Government ETF (Fund) and follows the accounting and reporting guidance in Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946, Financial Services – Investment Companies (ASC 946) and applies the specialized accounting and reporting guidance in U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (U.S. GAAP), including, but not limited to, ASC 946. The Fund is an exchange traded fund (ETF) and is actively managed, thus it is not designed to track an index.

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 Fund’s Board of Trustees (the Board), the Board has designated the Fund’s investment manager as the valuation designee and has responsibility for oversight of valuation. The investment manager is assisted by the Fund’s administrator in performing this responsibility, 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 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. Derivative financial instruments listed on an exchange are valued at the official closing price of the day.

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, 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. Securities Purchased on a TBA Basis

The Fund purchases securities on a 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.

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.

 

 

           
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FRANKLIN ETF TRUST

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin Short Duration U.S. Government ETF (continued)

 

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 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 variation margin payable or receivable in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

See Note 7 regarding other derivative information.

d. 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.

e. Income Taxes

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

The Fund may recognize an income tax liability related to its uncertain tax positions under U.S. GAAP when the uncertain

tax position has a less than 50% probability that it will be sustained upon examination by the tax authorities based on its technical merits. As of September 30, 2023, 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.

f. Security Transactions, Investment Income, Expenses and Distributions

Security transactions are accounted for on trade date. Realized gains and losses on security transactions are determined on a specific identification basis. Interest income and estimated expenses are accrued daily. Amortization of premium and accretion of discount on debt securities are included in interest income. Paydown gains and losses are recorded separately in the Statement of Operations. Dividend income is recorded on ex-dividend date. Distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date and are determined according to income tax regulations (tax basis). Distributable earnings determined on a tax basis may differ from earnings recorded in accordance with U.S. GAAP. These differences may be permanent or temporary. Permanent differences are reclassified among capital accounts to reflect their tax character. These reclassifications have no impact on net assets or the results of operations. Temporary differences are not reclassified, as they may reverse in subsequent periods.

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 inflation principal adjustments in the Statement of Operations.

g. Accounting Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the amounts of income and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

 

           
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FRANKLIN ETF TRUST

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin Short Duration U.S. Government ETF (continued)

 

1. Organization and Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

 

h. Guarantees and Indemnifications

Under the Fund’s organizational documents, its officers and trustees are indemnified by the Fund against certain liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties to the Fund.

Additionally, in the normal course of business, the Fund enters into contracts with service providers that contain general indemnification clauses. The Fund’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 Fund expects the risk of loss to be remote.

 

2. Shares of Beneficial Interest

Shares of the Fund are issued and redeemed at their respective NAV only in aggregations of a specified number of shares or multiples thereof (Creation Units). Only certain large institutional investors (Authorized Participants) may engage in creation or redemption transactions directly with the Fund. Once created, shares of the Fund generally trade in the secondary market in amounts less than one Creation Unit. The market price of the Fund’s shares will be based on the price in the secondary market which may be at, above or below the most recent NAV. Creation Units may be issued and redeemed for cash and/or in-kind. For the period ended September 30, 2023 and the year ended March 31, 2023, all Creations Unit transactions were made in cash.

Authorized participants pay a standard transaction fee to the shareholder servicing agent when purchasing or redeeming Creation Units of the Fund regardless of the number of Creation Units that are being created or redeemed on the same day by the Authorized Participant. The standard transaction fee is imposed to offset transfer and other transaction costs associated with the issuance and redemption of Creation Units and is not charged to or paid by the Fund.

In addition, for cash Creation Unit transactions, a variable fee for creation transactions and redemption transactions may be charged to the Authorized Participant to cover certain brokerage, tax, foreign exchange, execution, market impact and other costs and expenses related to the execution of trades. Variable fees, if any, are included in capital share transactions in the Statements of Changes in Net Assets.

At September 30, 2023, there were an unlimited number of shares authorized (without par value). Transactions in the Fund’s shares were as follows:

 

     Six Months Ended
September 30, 2023
    Year Ended
March 31, 2023
 
      Shares     Amount     Shares     Amount  

Shares sold

     50,000     $ 4,461,406       325,000     $ 29,461,533  

Shares redeemed

     (400,000     (35,941,343     (1,975,000     (178,941,327
  

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease)

     (350,000   $ (31,479,937     (1,650,000   $ (149,479,794
  

 

 

 

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 Distributors, LLC (Distributors)

  

Principal underwriter

 

           
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FRANKLIN ETF TRUST

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin Short Duration U.S. Government ETF (continued)

 

a. Management Fees

The Fund pays Advisers a unified management fee for managing the Fund’s assets, as approved by the Board. Pursuant to the investment management agreement with the Trust on behalf of the Fund effective October 1, 2021, Advisers reimburses the Fund for all acquired fund fees and expenses (such as those associated with the Fund’s investment in a Franklin Templeton money fund) and pays all of the ordinary operating expenses of the Fund, except for (i) the Fund’s management fee, (ii) payments under the Fund’s Rule 12b-1 plan (if any), (iii) brokerage expenses (including any costs incidental to transactions in portfolio securities or instruments), (iv) taxes, (v) interest (including borrowing costs and dividend expenses on securities sold short and overdraft charges), (vi) litigation expenses (including litigation to which the Trust or the Fund may be a party and indemnification of the Trustees and officers with respect thereto), and (vii) other non-routine or extraordinary expenses. The Fund pays 0.25% per year of the average daily net assets of the Fund.

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. Investments in Affiliated Management Investment Companies

The Fund invests in one or more affiliated management investment companies. As defined in the 1940 Act, an investment is deemed to be a “Controlled Affiliate” of a fund when a fund owns, either directly or indirectly, 25% or more of the affiliated fund’s outstanding shares or has the power to exercise control over management or policies of such fund. The Fund does not invest for purposes of 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 September 30, 2023, 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, 5.02%

  $ 8,118,307     $ 58,452,872     $ (64,284,830   $  —     $  —     $ 2,286,349       2,286,349     $ 118,300  

d. Other Affiliated Transactions

At September 30, 2023, Franklin Resources Inc. owned 0.1% of the Fund’s outstanding shares.

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 September, 2023, the custodian fees were reduced as noted in the Statement of Operations.

 

           
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FRANKLIN ETF TRUST

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin Short Duration U.S. Government ETF (continued)

 

5. Income Taxes

For tax purposes, capital losses may be carried over to offset future capital gains, if any. At March 31, 2023, the capital loss carryforwards were as follows:

 

Capital loss carryforwards:       

Short term

   $ 14,565,669  

Long term

     9,919,716  
  

 

 

 

Total capital loss carryforwards

   $ 24,485,385  
  

 

 

 

At September 30, 2023, the cost of investments and net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) for income tax purposes were as follows:

 

Cost of investments

   $ 181,599,241  
  

 

 

 

Unrealized appreciation

   $ 1,035  

Unrealized depreciation

     (4,915,720
  

 

 

 

Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

   $ (4,914,685
  

 

 

 

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

6. Investment Transactions

Purchases and sales of investments (excluding short term securities) for the period ended September 30, 2023, aggregated $108,741,020 and $143,624,450, respectively.

7. Other Derivative Information

At September 30, 2023, the Fund’s investments in derivative contracts are reflected in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities as follows:

 

   

Asset Derivatives

   

Liability Derivatives

 
Derivative Contracts
Not Accounted for as
Hedging Instruments
  Statement of Assets and
Liabilities Location
  Fair Value     Statement of Assets and
Liabilities Location
  Fair Value  

Interest rate contracts

 

Variation margin

  $ 322,018 a   

Variation margin

  $ 96,355 a 

aThis amount reflects the cumulative appreciation (depreciation) of futures contracts as reported in the Schedule 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 September 30, 2023, the effect of derivative contracts in the Fund’s Statement of Operations was as follows:

 

Derivative Contracts
Not Accounted for as
Hedging Instruments
 

Statement of

Operations Locations

 

Net Realized
Gain (Loss)

for the Period

    Statement of
Operations Locations
 

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

  $ (299,241  

Futures contracts

  $ 358,222  

 

           
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FRANKLIN ETF TRUST

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin Short Duration U.S. Government ETF (continued)

 

For the period ended September 30, 2023, the average month end notional amount of futures contracts represented $51,855,602.

See Note 1(c) regarding derivative financial instruments.

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 inputs 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 September 30, 2023, in valuing the Fund’s assets carried at fair value, is as follows:

 

      Level 1     Level 2     Level 3     Total  
Assets:         

Investments in Securities:

        

U.S. Government and Agency Securities

   $     $ 55,432,182     $  —     $ 55,432,182  

Mortgage-Backed Securities

           118,739,951             118,739,951  

Short Term Investments

     2,286,349                   2,286,349  
  

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities

   $ 2,286,349     $ 174,172,133     $     $ 176,458,482  
  

 

 

 

Other Financial Instruments:

        

Futures Contracts

   $ 322,018     $     $     $ 322,018  
  

 

 

 
Liabilities:         

Other Financial Instruments:

        

Futures Contracts

   $ 96,355     $     $     $ 96,355  
  

 

 

 

9. New Accounting Pronouncement

In March 2020, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848) – Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting. In January 2021 and December 2022, the FASB issued ASU No. 2021-01 and ASU No. 2022-06, with further amendments to Topic 848. The amendments in the ASUs provide optional temporary accounting recognition and financial reporting relief from the effect of certain types of contract modifications due to the planned discontinuation of the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) and other interbank-offered based reference rates as of the end of 2021 for certain LIBOR settings and 2023 for the remainder. The ASUs are effective for certain reference rate-related contract modifications that occur during the period March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2024. Management has reviewed the requirements and believes the adoption of these ASUs will not have a material impact on the financial statements.

 

           
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FRANKLIN ETF TRUST

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin Short Duration U.S. Government ETF (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
CMT   Constant Maturity Treasury Index
COF   Cost of Funds
FRN   Floating Rate Note
LIBOR   London Interbank Offered Rate
MBS   Mortgage-Backed Security
SOFR   Secured Overnight Financing Rate
USD   United States Dollar

 

           
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FRANKLIN ETF TRUST

FRANKLIN SHORT DURATION U.S. GOVERNMENT ETF

 

Shareholder Information

 

Board Approval of Investment Management Agreements

FRANKLIN ETF TRUST

Franklin Short Duration U.S. Government ETF

(Fund)

At a meeting held on May 11, 2023 (Meeting), the Board of Trustees (Board) of Franklin ETF 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 investment management agreement between Franklin Advisers, Inc. (Manager) and the Trust, on behalf of the Fund (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 the Management Agreement.

In considering the continuation of the Management Agreement, the Board reviewed and considered information provided by the 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 the 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 virtual contract renewal meeting at which the Independent Trustees conferred amongst themselves and Independent Trustee counsel about contract renewal matters and, subsequently, requested additional information from management that the Independent Trustees reviewed and considered prior to and at the Meeting. The Board reviewed and considered all of the factors it deemed relevant in approving the continuance of the Management Agreement, including, but not limited to: (i) the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by the Manager; (ii) the investment performance of the Fund; (iii) the costs of the services provided and profits realized by the Manager and its affiliates from the relationship with the Fund; (iv) the extent to which economies of scale are realized as the Fund grows; and (v) whether fee levels reflect these economies of scale for the benefit of Fund investors.

In approving the continuance of the Management Agreement, the Board, including a majority of the Independent Trustees, determined that the terms of the Management Agreement are fair and reasonable and that the continuance of the Management Agreement is in the best interests of the Fund and its shareholders. While 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 the Manager and its affiliates to the Fund and its shareholders. This information included, among other things, the qualifications, background and experience of the senior management and investment personnel of the Manager; the structure of investment personnel compensation; oversight of third-party service providers; investment performance reports and related financial information for the Fund; reports on expenses; legal and compliance matters; risk controls; pricing and other services provided by the Manager and its affiliates; and management fees charged by the Manager and its affiliates to US funds and other accounts, including management’s explanation of differences among accounts where relevant. The Board acknowledged management’s continued development of strategies to address areas of heightened concern in the registered fund industry, including various regulatory initiatives and continuing geopolitical concerns.

The Board also reviewed and considered the benefits provided to Fund shareholders of investing in a fund that is part of the Franklin Templeton (FT) family of funds. The Board noted the financial position of Franklin Resources, Inc. (FRI), the Manager’s parent, and its commitment to the registered 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 Fund by the FT organization. The Board specifically noted FT’s commitment to technological innovation and advancement and investments to promote alternative investing.

Following consideration of such information, the Board was satisfied with the nature, extent and quality of services provided by the Manager and its affiliates to the Fund and its shareholders.

Fund Performance

The Board reviewed and considered the performance results of the Fund for various time periods ended February 28, 2023. The Board considered the performance returns for the Fund in comparison to the performance returns of registered 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

 

 

           
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FRANKLIN SHORT DURATION U.S. GOVERNMENT ETF

SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION

 

of the methodology used by Broadridge to select the registered funds included in a Performance Universe. The Board also reviewed and considered Fund performance reports provided and discussions that occurred with portfolio managers at Board meetings throughout the year. The Board noted its ongoing discussions with management about the performance of the Fund to date, particularly as compared to peers, the importance of performance to asset growth and growth of market share, and the performance of the Fund in periods of volatility. In addition, the Board acknowledged information provided regarding management’s strategy behind the overall product line up, the sources of asset growth, the nature of management’s research, potential use of innovative data and technology, and investments in marketing and distribution. Finally, the Board noted management’s high level of client engagement and the strength of its compliance program. A summary of the Fund’s performance results is below.

The Performance Universe for the Fund included the Fund and all retail and institutional short US government funds and exchange-traded funds. The Fund commenced operations on November 4, 2013, and thus has been in operation for less than ten years. The Board noted that the Fund’s annualized total return for the one- and three-year periods were above the median of its Performance Universe and for the five-year period was below the median of its Performance Universe. The Board discussed with management the small size of the Fund’s Performance Group, which included only the Fund and one other short US government fund, and that therefore no quintile information was provided for the Fund. The Board concluded that the Fund’s performance was satisfactory.

Comparative Fees and Expenses

The Board reviewed and considered information regarding the Fund’s actual total expense ratio, noting that the Fund pays a Unified Fee (as defined below). 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 the Fund in comparison to the median expense ratio and median Management Rate, respectively, of other exchange-traded 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 or semi-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 exchange-traded funds included in an Expense Group.

The Expense Group for the Fund was comprised of actively managed exchange-traded funds, which included the Fund, six ultra-short obligation funds, eight short investment-grade debt funds, and one short-intermediate investment-grade debt fund. The Board noted that the Management Rate and the actual total expense ratio for the Fund were below the medians of its Expense Group. The Board further noted that the Fund has implemented a unified management fee (Unified Fee) and that pursuant to the Unified Fee arrangement the Manager reimburses the Fund for all of its acquired fund fees and expenses (if any) and pays all of the ordinary operating expenses of the Fund, except for (i) the Fund’s Unified Fee, (ii) future Rule 12b-1 fees (if any), (iii) brokerage expenses, (iv) taxes, (v) interest (including borrowing costs and dividend expenses on securities sold short and overdraft charges), (vi) litigation expenses (including litigation to which the Trust or the Fund may be a party and indemnification of the Trustees and officers with respect thereto), and (vii) other non-routine or extraordinary expenses. The Board concluded that the Management Rate charged to the Fund is reasonable.

Profitability

The Board reviewed and considered information regarding the profits realized by the Manager and its affiliates in connection with the operation of the Fund. In this respect, the Board considered the Fund profitability analysis that addresses the overall profitability of FT’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, 2022, 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 Fund’s profitability report presentations from prior years. The Board also noted that PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, auditor to FRI and certain FT funds, has been engaged to periodically review and assess the allocation methodologies to be used solely by the Fund’s 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 fund operations conducted by the Manager and its affiliates may

 

 

           
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FRANKLIN SHORT DURATION U.S. GOVERNMENT ETF

SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION

 

not be fully reflected in the expenses allocated to the 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. As part of this evaluation, the Board considered management’s outsourcing of certain operations, which effort has required considerable up-front expenditures but, over the long run, is expected to result in greater efficiencies. The Board also noted management’s expenditures in improving shareholder services provided to the Fund, as well as the need to implement systems and meet additional regulatory and compliance requirements resulting from recent US Securities and Exchange Commission and other regulatory requirements.

The Board also considered the extent to which the Manager and its affiliates might derive ancillary benefits from fund operations, including 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 the Manager and its affiliates from providing services to the Fund was not excessive in view of the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the Fund.

Economies of Scale

The Board reviewed and considered the extent to which the Manager may realize economies of scale, if any, as the Fund grows larger and whether the Fund’s management fee structure reflects any economies of scale for the benefit of shareholders. The Board considered that the Fund would likely experience benefits from the Unified Fee at the Fund’s projected asset levels because of the Manager’s contractual requirement to bear most of the Fund’s ordinary operating expenses. The Board noted that, under the Unified Fee, it is not anticipated that the Fund will generate significant, if any, profit for the Manager and/or its affiliates for some time. The Board also 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 the Manager incurs across the FT family of funds as a whole. The Board noted that, as of December 31, 2022, the Fund’s net assets were approximately $206 million. The Board recognized that there would not likely be any economies of scale until the Fund’s assets grow.

Conclusion

Based on its review, consideration and evaluation of all factors it believed relevant, including the above-described

factors and conclusions, the Board unanimously approved the continuation of the Management Agreement for an additional one-year period.

Liquidity Risk Management Program

Each of the Franklin Templeton and Legg Mason Funds has adopted and implemented a written Liquidity Risk Management Program (the “LRMP”) as required by Rule 22e-4 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “Liquidity Rule”). The LRMP is designed to assess and manage each Fund’s liquidity risk, which is defined as the risk that the Fund could not meet requests to redeem shares issued by the Fund without significant dilution of remaining investors’ interests in the Fund. In accordance with the Liquidity Rule, the LRMP includes policies and procedures that provide for: (1) assessment, management, and review (no less frequently than annually) of each Fund’s liquidity risk; (2) classification of each Fund’s portfolio holdings into one of four liquidity categories (Highly Liquid, Moderately Liquid, Less Liquid, and Illiquid); (3) for Funds that do not primarily hold assets that are Highly Liquid, establishing and maintaining a minimum percentage of the Fund’s net assets in Highly Liquid investments (called a “Highly Liquid Investment Minimum” or “HLIM”); and (4) prohibiting the Fund’s acquisition of Illiquid investments that would result in the Fund holding more than 15% of its net assets in Illiquid assets. The LRMP also requires reporting to the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) (on a non-public basis) and to the Board if the Fund’s holdings of Illiquid assets exceed 15% of the Fund’s net assets. Funds with HLIMs must have procedures for addressing HLIM shortfalls, including reporting to the Board and, with respect to HLIM shortfalls lasting more than seven consecutive calendar days, reporting to the SEC (on a non-public basis).

The Director of Liquidity Risk within the Investment Risk Management Group (the “IRMG”) is the appointed Administrator of the LRMP. The IRMG maintains the Investment Liquidity Committee (the “ILC”) to provide oversight and administration of policies and procedures governing liquidity risk management for Franklin Templeton and Legg Mason products and portfolios. The ILC includes representatives from Franklin Templeton’s Risk, Trading, Global Compliance, Legal, Investment Compliance, Investment Operations, Valuation Committee, Product Management and Global Product Strategy.

In assessing and managing each Fund’s liquidity risk, the ILC considers, as relevant, a variety of factors, including the Fund’s investment strategy and the liquidity of its portfolio

 

 

           
franklintempleton.com  

Semiannual Report

             27


FRANKLIN ETF TRUST

FRANKLIN SHORT DURATION U.S. GOVERNMENT ETF

SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION

 

investments during both normal and reasonably foreseeable stressed conditions; its short and long-term cash flow projections; and its cash holdings and access to other funding sources including the Funds’ interfund lending facility and line of credit. Classification of the Fund’s portfolio holdings in the four liquidity categories is based on the number of days it is reasonably expected to take to convert the investment to cash (for Highly Liquid and Moderately Liquid holdings) or sell or dispose of the investment (for Less Liquid and Illiquid investments), in current market conditions without significantly changing the investment’s market value.

Each Fund primarily holds liquid assets that are defined under the Liquidity Rule as “Highly Liquid Investments,” and therefore is not required to establish an HLIM. Highly Liquid Investments are defined as cash and any investment reasonably expected to be convertible to cash in current market conditions in three business days or less without the conversion to cash significantly changing the market value of the investment.

At meetings of the Funds’ Board of Trustees held in May 2023, the Program Administrator provided a written report to the Board addressing the adequacy and effectiveness of the program for the year ended December 31, 2022. The Program Administrator report concluded that (i.) the LRMP, as adopted and implemented, remains reasonably designed to assess and manage each Fund’s liquidity risk; (ii.) the LRMP, including the Highly Liquid Investment Minimum (“HLIM”) where applicable, was implemented and operated effectively to achieve the goal of assessing and managing each Fund’s liquidity risk; and (iii.) each Fund was able to meet requests for redemption without significant dilution of remaining investors’ interests in the Fund.

Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures

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

Quarterly Schedule of Investments

The Trust, on behalf of the Fund, files a complete schedule 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.

Premium/Discount Information

Information about the differences between the daily market price on the secondary market for the shares of the Fund and the Fund’s net asset value may be found on the Fund’s website at franklintempleton.com.

 

 

           
28             

Semiannual Report

  franklintempleton.com


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

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

 

 

 

LOGO  

Semiannual Report

Franklin Short Duration U.S. Government ETF

 
  Investment Manager   Distributor   Investor Services
  Franklin Advisers, Inc.  

Franklin Distributors, LLC

(800) DIAL BEN®/342-5236

franklintempleton.com

 

Transfer Agent

BNY Mellon

(855) 231-1706

111 Sanders Creek Parkway

East Syracuse, NY 13057

© 2023 Franklin Templeton Investments. All rights reserved.     FTSD S 11/23


  (b)

Not applicable.

 

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 Rohit Baghat and Deborah D. McWhinney. They are “independent” as defined under the relevant Securities and Exchange Commission Rules and Releases.

 

Item 4.

Principal Accountant Fees and Services.

Not Applicable.

 

Item 5.

Audit Committee of Listed Registrants.

a) The independent board members are acting as the registrant’s audit committee as specified in Section 3(a)(58)(B) of the Exchange Act. The Audit Committee consists of the following Board members:

Rohit Bhagat

Deborah D. McWhinney

Anantha K. Pradeep

b) Not applicable.

 

Item 6.

Investments.

Not applicable.


Item 7.

Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed-End Management Investment Companies.

Not applicable.

 

Item 8.

Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Management Investment Companies.

Not applicable.

 

Item 9.

Purchases of Equity Securities by Closed-End Management Investment Company and Affiliated Purchasers.

Not applicable.

 

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-CSR, the Registrant had carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the Registrant’s management, including the Registrant’s principal executive officer and the Registrant’s principal financial officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures. Based on such evaluation, the Registrant’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that the Registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective.

(b) Changes in Internal Controls. There have been no changes in the Registrant’s internal 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 Companies.

Not applicable.

 

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 Vivek Pai, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer

(a)(2)(1) There were no written solicitations to purchase securities under Rule 23c-1 under the Act sent or given during the period covered by the report by or on behalf of the Registrant to 10 or more persons.

(a)(2)(2) There was no change in the Registrant’s independent public accountant during the period covered by the report.

(b) Certifications pursuant to Section  906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 of Matthew T. Hinkle, Chief Executive Officer - Finance and Administration, and Vivek Pai, 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 TRUST
By  

/s/ Matthew T. Hinkle

Matthew T. Hinkle
Chief Executive Officer - Finance and Administration
Date: 11/28/2023

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: 11/28/2023
By  

/s/ Vivek Pai

Vivek Pai
Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer
Date: 11/28/2023

Certification Pursuant to Rule 30a-2(a) under the 1940 Act and Section 302 of the

Sarbanes-Oxley Act

I, Matthew T. Hinkle, certify that:

 

1.

I have reviewed this report on Form N-CSR of Franklin ETF Trust;

 

2.

Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

3.

Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations, changes in net assets, and cash flows (if the financial statements are required to include a statement of cash flows) of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

4.

The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) for the registrant and have:

 

  (a)

Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

  (b)

Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

 

  (c)

Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this report based on such evaluation; and

 

  (d)

Disclosed in this report any change 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 registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and


5.

The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

  (a)

All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize, and report financial information; and

 

  (b)

Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Date: 11/28/2023

/s/ Matthew T. Hinkle

Matthew T. Hinkle,

Chief Executive Officer – Finance and Administration


Certification Pursuant to Rule 30a-2(a) under the 1940 Act and Section 302 of the

Sarbanes-Oxley Act

I, Vivek Pai, certify that:

 

1.

I have reviewed this report on Form N-CSR of Franklin ETF Trust;

 

2.

Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

3.

Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations, changes in net assets, and cash flows (if the financial statements are required to include a statement of cash flows) of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

4.

The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) for the registrant and have:

 

  (a)

Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

  (b)

Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

 

  (c)

Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this report based on such evaluation; and


  (d)

Disclosed in this report any change 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 registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 

5.

The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

  (a)

All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize, and report financial information; and

 

  (b)

Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Date: 11/28/2023

/s/ Vivek Pai

Vivek Pai
Chief Financial Officer, Chief Accounting Officer and Treasurer

Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the

Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

I, Matthew T. Hinkle, Chief Executive Officer of the Franklin ETF Trust (the “Registrant”), certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that, to my knowledge:

 

  1.

The periodic report on Form N-CSR of the Registrant for the period ended 9/30/2023 (the “Form N-CSR”) fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

 

  2.

The information contained in the Form N-CSR fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Registrant.

 

Dated: 11/28/2023

/s/ Matthew T. Hinkle

Matthew T. Hinkle,

Chief Executive Officer – Finance and Administration

I, Vivek Pai, Chief Financial Officer of the Franklin ETF Trust (the “Registrant”), certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that, to my knowledge:

 

  1.

The periodic report on Form N-CSR of the Registrant for the period ended 9/30/2023 (the “Form N-CSR”) fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

 

  2.

The information contained in the Form N-CSR fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Registrant.

 

Dated: 11/28/2023

/s/ Vivek Pai

Vivek Pai

Chief Financial Officer, Chief Accounting Officer and Treasurer


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