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Saba Capital Prevails Following Franklin Templeton’s Withdrawal of its Meritless, Self-Serving Litigation

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Templeton Global Income Fund (NYSE: GIM) has experienced a significant shift in its governance as Saba Capital Management now constitutes a majority on the Board of Trustees. This follows the Fund's withdrawal of litigation that had delayed the election of Saba's four nominated trustees, after a court denied the Fund's request for a preliminary injunction. Saba's Founder, Boaz Weinstein, criticized the previous asset manager, Franklin Templeton, for wasting resources and called for refunds of excess fees incurred during the litigation. This transition is expected to enhance the Fund's performance and shareholder value.

Positive
  • Saba Capital Management now holds a majority on the Templeton Global Income Fund’s Board of Trustees.
  • The withdrawal of litigation allows for the timely election of four Saba-nominated trustees.
  • Shareholders expect improved performance and long-term value following the Board's reform.
Negative
  • Franklin Templeton wasted significant resources, estimated in millions, on litigation that was ultimately unsuccessful.

Saba-Nominated Trustees Now Constitute a Majority of the Templeton Global Income Fund’s Board

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Saba Capital Management, L.P. (“Saba” or “we”), a significant shareholder of the Templeton Global Income Fund (NYSE: GIM) (“GIM” or the “Fund”), today reacted to the Fund’s withdrawal of its self-serving litigation that delayed the rightful election of four Saba-nominated trustees to the Fund’s Board of Trustees (the “Board”).

The Fund’s decision to abandon its litigation comes after the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York (the “Court”) denied the Fund’s motion for a preliminary injunction to invalidate the election of Saba’s nominees to the Board.

Saba’s candidates will now be able to take their rightful seats on the Board.

Boaz Weinstein, Founder and Chief Investment Officer at Saba, said:

“Franklin Templeton’s abandoned litigation is a black eye for one of the world’s largest asset managers. It comes as no surprise that Franklin Templeton has thrown in the towel after wasting more than seven months and millions of dollars on its attempt to deny the seating of duly elected Board members, while GIM shareholders continued to suffer from years of poor performance.

While all signs pointed to a Saba victory from the start, we were particularly surprised that Franklin Templeton chose to continue this litigation after it became public that it set the record date for the shareholder vote only after securing a secret agreement with First Trust Portfolios, the Fund’s second largest investor. It’s shocking that Franklin Templeton backdated critical information in its proxy and filed a false proxy statement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in order to disguise the actual ownership of the Fund.

On behalf of all shareholders, we call upon Franklin Templeton and Charles B. Johnson—personally—to immediately refund the many millions of dollars it squandered on proxy and legal fees paid by the Fund’s shareholders and Franklin Resources Inc.’s (NYSE: BEN) shareholders respectively. In addition, the Fund’s shareholders should be refunded all advisory fees taken after the June 6, 2022 election.

We believe shareholders finally have a Board that is equipped to improve the Fund’s performance and ultimately create long-term value.”

About Saba Capital

Saba Capital Management, L.P. is a global alternative asset management firm that seeks to deliver superior risk-adjusted returns for a diverse group of clients. Founded in 2009 by Boaz Weinstein, Saba is a pioneer of credit relative value strategies and capital structure arbitrage. Saba is headquartered in New York City. Learn more at www.sabacapital.com.

Longacre Square Partners

Greg Marose / Kate Sylvester, 646-386-0091

gmarose@longacresquare.com / ksylvester@longacresquare.com

Source: Saba Capital Management, L.P.

FAQ

What recent governance change occurred at Templeton Global Income Fund (GIM)?

Saba Capital Management now holds a majority on the Board of Trustees after a successful election.

Why did Templeton Global Income Fund withdraw its litigation?

The Fund withdrew its litigation after a court denied its motion for a preliminary injunction against Saba's nominated trustees.

What are the implications of Saba's majority on the Board for GIM shareholders?

Shareholders expect significant improvements in the Fund's performance and long-term value creation.

What actions did Boaz Weinstein suggest Franklin Templeton should take?

He urged Franklin Templeton to refund the millions spent on litigation costs and advisory fees after the June 6, 2022, election.

How long did the litigation delay the election of Saba's trustees?

The litigation delayed the election for over seven months.

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