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Franklin Limited Duration Income Trust (“FTF” or the “Fund”) Announces Distribution

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FRANKLIN LIMITED DURATION INCOME TRUST [NYSE American: FTF] announces a monthly distribution of $0.0615 per share from net investment income. The managed distribution plan aims to provide consistent monthly distributions and narrow the discount between market price and net asset value.
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The announcement of Franklin Limited Duration Income Trust's monthly distribution aligns with their managed distribution plan, which is a common strategy for closed-end funds. The aim is to provide a predictable income stream to shareholders. The fixed distribution rate of $0.0615 per share reflects the fund's commitment to consistent payouts, which could be attractive to income-focused investors.

However, the critical aspect to evaluate here is the source of the distribution. Distributions that are derived from net ordinary income and short-term capital gains are sustainable and indicative of the fund's operational performance. Conversely, distributions that include a return of capital component can be a red flag. It implies that the fund is paying out more than it earns, which could erode the fund's capital base over time and potentially lead to a reduction in future income.

Investors should monitor the fund's NAV closely, as the distribution plan aims to narrow the discount between the market price and the NAV. A persistent discount may suggest market skepticism about the fund's ability to maintain its distribution rate without eroding capital.

The managed distribution plan could be a double-edged sword for market perception. On one hand, it may enhance the attractiveness of Franklin Limited Duration Income Trust's shares by offering consistent monthly income, potentially leading to a narrowed NAV discount. On the other hand, should the fund fail to generate sufficient income and resort to paying distributions from capital, it could raise concerns about the sustainability of the fund's investment strategy and its future growth prospects.

From a market dynamics perspective, the Board's ability to amend or terminate the plan at any time introduces uncertainty. Such changes could lead to volatility in the fund's share price, as investors may react to the perceived stability or instability of future distributions. Market participants would benefit from closely observing the fund's performance, particularly the yearly review of the fixed rate, which could signal adjustments in response to the fund's earnings and payout capacity.

From an economic standpoint, Franklin Limited Duration Income Trust's strategy of maintaining a managed distribution plan must be assessed in the context of broader economic conditions, including interest rate trends and market volatility. In a rising interest rate environment, the yield on fixed-income investments may increase, which could put pressure on the fund's ability to maintain an attractive distribution yield without increasing its payout ratio or taking on additional risk.

Long-term capital gains distributions are often seen as a positive economic indicator of a fund's investment acumen. However, the mention of capital loss carryovers indicates that the fund has previously realized losses that may offset current gains. This historical context is essential for understanding the fund's distribution sustainability and for assessing the economic efficiency of the fund's investment strategy.

SAN MATEO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- FRANKLIN LIMITED DURATION INCOME TRUST [NYSE American: FTF] today announced a monthly distribution from net investment income of $0.0615 per share, payable on March 28, 2024, to shareholders of record on March 19, 2024 (Ex-Dividend Date: March 18, 2024).

The Fund’s Board of Trustees (the “Board”) has authorized a managed distribution plan (the “Plan”) pursuant to which the Fund makes monthly distributions to shareholders at the fixed rate of $0.0615 per share. The Plan is intended to provide shareholders with consistent distributions each month and is intended to narrow the discount between the market price and the net asset value (“NAV”) of the Fund’s common shares, but there can be no assurance that the Plan will be successful in doing so. The Fund is managed with a goal of generating as much of the distribution as possible from net ordinary income and short-term capital gains, that is consistent with the Fund’s investment strategy and risk profile. To the extent that sufficient distributable income is not available on a monthly basis, the Fund will distribute long-term capital gains and/or return of capital in order to maintain its managed distribution rate. A return of capital may occur, for example, when some or all of the money that was invested in the Fund is paid back to shareholders. A return of capital distribution does not necessarily reflect the Fund’s investment performance and should not be confused with “yield” or “income”. Even though the Fund may realize current year capital gains, such gains may be offset, in whole or in part, by the Fund’s capital loss carryovers from prior years.

The Board may amend the terms of the Plan or terminate the Plan at any time without prior notice to the Fund’s shareholders. The amendment or termination of the Plan could have an adverse effect on the market price of the Fund’s common shares. The Plan will be subject to the periodic review by the Board, including a yearly review of the fixed rate to determine if an adjustment should be made.

Shareholders should not draw any conclusions about the Fund’s investment performance from the amount of the current distribution or from the terms of the Plan. The amounts and sources of distributions reported herein are only estimates and are not being provided for tax reporting purposes. The actual amounts and sources of the amounts for tax reporting purposes will depend upon the Fund’s investment experience during the remainder of its fiscal year and may be subject to changes based on tax regulations. The Fund will send a Form 1099-DIV to shareholders for the calendar year that will describe how to report the Fund’s distributions for federal income tax purposes.

For further information on Franklin Limited Duration Income Trust, please visit our web site at: www.franklintempleton.com

Franklin Resources, Inc. is a global investment management organization with subsidiaries operating as Franklin Templeton and serving clients in over 150 countries. Franklin Templeton’s mission is to help clients achieve better outcomes through investment management expertise, wealth management and technology solutions. Through its specialist investment managers, the company offers specialization on a global scale, bringing extensive capabilities in fixed income, equity, alternatives and multi-asset solutions. With more than 1,400 investment professionals, and offices in major financial markets around the world, the California-based company has over 75 years of investment experience and approximately $1.6 trillion in assets under management as of January 31, 2024. For more information, please visit franklintempleton.com.

Franklin Templeton

1-800-342-5236

Source: Franklin Templeton

FAQ

What is the monthly distribution amount announced by FRANKLIN LIMITED DURATION INCOME TRUST (FTF)?

FRANKLIN LIMITED DURATION INCOME TRUST (FTF) announced a monthly distribution of $0.0615 per share from net investment income.

When is the payment date for the announced distribution by FRANKLIN LIMITED DURATION INCOME TRUST (FTF)?

The payment date for the announced distribution by FRANKLIN LIMITED DURATION INCOME TRUST (FTF) is March 28, 2024.

What is the purpose of the managed distribution plan introduced by FRANKLIN LIMITED DURATION INCOME TRUST (FTF)?

The managed distribution plan introduced by FRANKLIN LIMITED DURATION INCOME TRUST (FTF) aims to provide consistent monthly distributions to shareholders and narrow the discount between market price and net asset value.

What happens if sufficient distributable income is not available on a monthly basis for FRANKLIN LIMITED DURATION INCOME TRUST (FTF)?

If sufficient distributable income is not available on a monthly basis, FRANKLIN LIMITED DURATION INCOME TRUST (FTF) will distribute long-term capital gains and/or return of capital to maintain its managed distribution rate.

Can the Board of Trustees amend or terminate the managed distribution plan of FRANKLIN LIMITED DURATION INCOME TRUST (FTF)?

Yes, the Board of Trustees can amend or terminate the managed distribution plan of FRANKLIN LIMITED DURATION INCOME TRUST (FTF) at any time without prior notice to the Fund's shareholders.

Franklin Limited Duration Income Trust Common Shrs. of Beneficial Interest

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40.41M
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Asset Management
Financial Services
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United States of America
San Mateo