LOGO

 

Semi-Annual Report   September 30, 2022

Franklin Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETFs

Franklin International Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF

Franklin U.S. Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF

 

 

INVESTMENT PRODUCTS: NOT FDIC INSURED • NO BANK GUARANTEE • MAY LOSE VALUE


What’s inside      
Letter from the president     III  
Performance review     IV  
Funds at a glance     1  
Funds expenses     3  
Schedules of investments     5  
Statements of assets and liabilities     16  
Statements of operations     17  
Statements of changes in net assets     18  
Financial highlights     20  
Notes to financial statements     22  
Board approval of management and subadvisory agreements     32  
Statement regarding liquidity risk management program     36  

 

II    Franklin Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETFs


Letter from the president

 

LOGO

Dear Shareholder,

We are pleased to provide the semi-annual reports of Franklin International Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF and Franklin U.S. Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF for the six-month reporting period ended September 30, 2022. Please read on for each Fund’s performance information during the Funds’ reporting period.

Special shareholder notice

Effective June 29, 2022, Vaneet Chadha, CFA, Christopher W. Floyd, CFA, and Jose Maldonado, CFA, joined the management team. Effective June 29, 2022, Russell Shtern is no longer a portfolio manager for the Funds.

As always, we remain committed to providing you with excellent service and a full spectrum of investment choices. We also remain committed to supplementing the support you receive from your financial advisor. One way we accomplish this is through our website, www.franklintempleton.com. Here you can gain immediate access to market and investment information, including:

 

 

Fund net asset value and market price,

 

Market insights and commentaries from our portfolio managers, and

 

A host of educational resources.

We look forward to helping you meet your financial goals.

Sincerely,

 

LOGO

 

Patrick O’Connor
President and Chief Executive Officer - Investment Management President
October 31, 2022

 

Franklin Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETFs   III


Performance review

 

Franklin International Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF

Franklin International Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of public traded equity securities of developed markets outside of the United States with relatively high yield and low price and earnings volatility while mitigating exposure to fluctuations between the values of the U.S. dollar and other international currencies.

Performance review

For the six months ended September 30, 2022, Franklin International Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF generated a -8.10% return on a net asset value (“NAV”)i basis and -7.64% based on its market priceii per share.

The performance table shows the Fund’s total return for the six months ended September 30, 2022 based on its NAV and market price as of September 30, 2022. The Fund seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of publicly traded equity securities of developed markets outside of the United States with relatively high yield and low price and earnings volatility, QS International Low Volatility High Dividend Hedged Index (NR)iii, which returned -8.00% for the same period. The Fund’s broad-based market index, the MSCI World ex-US IMI Local Index (NR)iv returned -11.97% over the same time frame. The Lipper International Large-Cap Value Funds Category Averagev returned -21.44% for the period. Please note that Lipper performance returns are based on each fund’s NAV.

 

Performance Snapshot as of September 30, 2022 (unaudited)      
     6 months  
Franklin International Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF:  

$24.09 (NAV)

    -8.10 %*† 

$24.12 (Market Price)

    -7.64 %*‡ 
QS International Low Volatility High Dividend Hedged Index (NR)     -8.00
MSCI World ex-US IMI Local Index (NR)     -11.97
Lipper International Large-Cap Value Funds Category Average     -21.44

The performance shown represents past performance. Past performance is no guarantee of future results and current performance may be higher or lower than the performance shown above. Principal value and investment returns will fluctuate so shares, when sold, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Performance data current to the most recent month-end is available at www.franklintempleton.com.

Investors buy and sell shares of an exchange-traded fund (“ETF”) at market price (not NAV) in the secondary market throughout the trading day. These shares are not individually available for direct purchase from or direct redemption to the ETF. Market price returns shown are typically based upon the official closing price of the Fund’s shares. These returns do not represent investors’ returns had they traded shares at other times. Performance figures for periods shorter than one year represent cumulative figures and are not annualized.

Information showing the Fund’s net asset value, market price, premiums and discounts, and bid-ask spreads for various time periods is available by visiting the Fund’s website at www.franklintempleton.com.

As of the Fund’s current prospectus dated July 29, 2022, the gross total annual fund operating expense ratio for the Fund was 0.40%.

* Total returns are based on changes in NAV or market price, respectively. Returns reflect the deduction of all Fund expenses. Returns do not reflect the deduction of brokerage commissions or taxes that investors pay on distributions or the sale of shares.

† Total return assumes the reinvestment of all distributions, including returns of capital, if any, at NAV.

‡ Total return assumes the reinvestment of all distributions, including returns of capital, if any, at market price, which typically is based upon the official closing price of the Fund’s shares.

Looking for additional information?

The Fund’s daily NAV is available online at www.franklintempleton.com. The Fund is traded under the symbol “LVHI” and its closing market price is available on most financial websites. In a continuing effort to provide information concerning the Fund, shareholders may call 1-877-721-1926 (toll free), Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Eastern time, for the Fund’s current NAV, market price and other information.

RISKS: Equity securities are subject to market and price fluctuations. Dividends are not guaranteed, and a company may reduce or eliminate its dividend at any time. International investments are subject to special risks including currency fluctuations, social, economic, and political uncertainties, which could increase volatility. Currency investing contains heightened risks that include market, political, regulatory, and national conditions, and may not be suitable for all investors. In rising markets, the value of large-cap stocks may not rise as much as smaller-cap stocks. Small- and mid-cap stocks involve greater risks and volatility than large-cap stocks. The Fund may focus its investments in certain industries, increasing its vulnerability to market volatility. There is no guarantee that the Fund will achieve a high degree of correlation to the index it seeks to track. The Fund does not seek to outperform the index it tracks and does not seek temporary defensive positions when markets decline or appear overvalued. Derivatives, such as options and futures, can be illiquid, may disproportionately increase losses and have a potentially large impact on Fund performance. Distributions are not guaranteed and are subject to change. Please see the Fund’s prospectus for a more complete discussion of these and other risks and the Fund’s investment strategies.

 

IV    Franklin Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETFs


    

 

Franklin U.S. Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF

Franklin U.S. Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of equity securities of U.S. companies with relatively high yield and low price and earnings volatility.

Performance review

For the six months ended September 30, 2022, Franklin U.S. Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF generated a -12.68% return on a NAV basis and -12.67% based on its market price per share.

The performance table shows the Fund’s total return for the six months ended September 30, 2022 based on its NAV and market price as of September 30, 2022. The Fund seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of equity securities of U.S. companies with relatively high yield and low price and earnings volatility, the QS Low Volatility High Dividend Index (NR)vi, which returned -12.60% for the same period. The Fund’s broad-based market index, the Russell 3000 Indexvii returned -20.42% over the same time frame. The Lipper Multi-Cap Value Funds Category Averageviii returned -16.83% for the period. Please note that Lipper performance returns are based on each fund’s NAV.

 

Performance Snapshot as of September 30, 2022 (unaudited)      
     6 months  
Franklin U.S. Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF:  

$34.12 (NAV)

    -12.68 %*† 

$34.16 (Market Price)

    -12.67 %*‡ 
QS Low Volatility High Dividend Index (NR)     -12.60
Russell 3000 Index     -20.42
Lipper Multi-Cap Value Funds Category Average     -16.83

The performance shown represents past performance. Past performance is no guarantee of future results and current performance may be higher or lower than the performance shown above. Principal value and investment returns will fluctuate so shares, when sold, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Performance data current to the most recent month-end is available at www.franklintempleton.com.

Investors buy and sell shares of an ETF at market price (not NAV) in the secondary market throughout the trading day. These shares are not individually available for direct purchase from or direct redemption to the ETF. Market price returns are typically based upon the official closing price of the Fund’s shares. These returns do not represent investors’ returns had they traded shares at other times. Performance figures for periods shorter than one year represent cumulative figures and are not annualized.

Information showing the Fund’s net asset value, market price, premiums and discounts, and bid-ask spreads for various time periods is available by visiting the Fund’s website at www.franklintempleton.com.

As of the Fund’s current prospectus dated July 29, 2022, the gross total annual fund operating expense ratio for the Fund was 0.27%.

* Total returns are based on changes in NAV or market price, respectively. Returns reflect the deduction of all Fund expenses. Returns do not reflect the deduction of brokerage commissions or taxes that investors pay on distributions or the sale of shares.

† Total return assumes the reinvestment of all distributions, including returns of capital, if any, at NAV.

‡ Total return assumes the reinvestment of all distributions, including returns of capital, if any, at market price, which typically is based upon the official closing price of the Fund’s shares.

Looking for additional information?

The Fund’s daily NAV is available online at www.franklintempleton.com. The Fund is traded under the symbol “LVHD” and its closing market price is available on most financial websites. In a continuing effort to provide information concerning the Fund, shareholders may call 1-877-721-1926 (toll free), Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Eastern time, for the Fund’s current NAV, market price and other information.

RISKS: Equity securities are subject to market and price fluctuations. Dividends are not guaranteed, and a company may reduce or eliminate its dividend at any time. In rising markets, the value of large-cap stocks may not rise as much as smaller-cap stocks. Small- and mid-cap stocks involve greater risks and volatility than large-cap stocks. The Fund may focus its investments in certain industries, increasing its vulnerability to market volatility. There is no guarantee that the Fund will achieve a high degree of correlation to the index it seeks to track. The Fund does not seek to outperform the index it tracks and does not seek temporary defensive positions when markets decline or appear overvalued. Derivatives, such as options and futures, can be illiquid, may disproportionately increase losses and have a potentially large impact on Fund performance. Please see the Fund’s prospectus for a more complete discussion of these and other risks and the Fund’s investment strategies.

 

Franklin Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETFs   V


Performance review (cont’d)

 

As always, thank you for your confidence in our stewardship of your assets.

 

Sincerely,

 

LOGO

 

Patrick O’Connor
President and Chief Executive Officer - Investment Management President
October 31, 2022

All investments are subject to risk including the possible loss of principal. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. An index is a statistical composite that tracks a specified financial market, sector or rules-based investment process. Unlike a fund, an index does not actually hold a portfolio of securities and therefore does not incur the expenses incurred by a fund. These expenses negatively impact fund performance. All index performance reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes. Please note that an investor cannot invest directly in an index.

 

 

i 

Net Asset Value (“NAV”) is calculated by subtracting total liabilities from total assets and dividing the results by the number of shares outstanding.

 

ii 

Market price is determined by supply and demand. It is the price at which an investor purchases or sells shares of the Fund. The Market price may differ from the Fund’s NAV.

 

iii 

The QS International Low Volatility High Dividend Hedged Index (NR) (the “Underlying Index”) is composed of equity securities in developed markets outside of the United States across a range of market capitalizations that are included in the MSCI World ex-US IMI Local Index. The Underlying Index is based on a proprietary methodology created and sponsored by Franklin Advisers, Inc. (“Franklin Advisers”), the Fund’s subadviser. Franklin Adviser is affiliated with both Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC (“LMPFA”), the Fund’s investment manager, and the Fund. Only stocks that have paid or are anticipated to pay a dividend are included in the Underlying Index. Franklin Advisers anticipates that the number of component securities in the Underlying Index will range from 50 to 200, but this number may vary due to market conditions. The Underlying Index’s components are reconstituted annually and rebalanced quarterly. The components of the Underlying Index, and the degree to which these components represent certain sectors and industries, may change over time.

 

iv 

The MSCI World ex-US IMI Index captures large, mid and small cap representation across 22 of 23 Developed Markets (DM) countries — excluding the United States. With 3,491 constituents, the index covers approximately 99% of the free float-adjusted market capitalization in each country. The index calculates performance utilizing local currencies taking out the effect of the converting to the U.S. dollar. Net Returns (NR) include income net of tax withholding when dividends are paid.

 

v 

Lipper, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Refinitiv, provides independent insight on global collective investments. Returns are based on the six-month period ended September 30, 2022, including the reinvestment of all distributions, including returns of capital, if any, calculated among the 77 funds in the Fund’s Lipper category.

 

vi 

The QS Low Volatility High Dividend Index (the “Underlying Index”) seeks to provide more stable income through investments in stocks of profitable U.S. companies with relatively high dividend yields and lower price and earnings volatility. The Underlying Index is based on a proprietary methodology created and sponsored by Franklin Advisers, Inc. (“Franklin Advisers”), the Fund’s subadviser. Franklin Advisers is affiliated with both Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC (“LMPFA”), the Fund’s investment manager, and the Fund. The Underlying Index is composed of stocks of U.S. companies across a wide range of market capitalizations, including the largest 3,000 U.S. stocks as determined by the Solactive US Broad Market Index. Stocks in the Underlying Index must have demonstrated profitability over the last four fiscal quarters as a whole. Stocks whose yields are not supported by earnings are excluded from the Underlying Index. Franklin Advisers anticipates that the number of component securities in the Underlying Index will range from 50 to 100, but this number may vary due to market movements. The Underlying Index’s components are reconstituted annually and rebalanced quarterly. The Underlying Index may include large-, mid- or small-capitalization companies. The Fund’s portfolio is rebalanced when the Underlying Index is rebalanced or reconstituted. The components of the Underlying Index, and the degree to which these components represent certain sectors and industries, may change over time.

 

vii 

The Russell 3000 Index measures the performance of the 3,000 largest U.S. companies based on total market capitalization, which represents approximately 98% of the U.S. equity market.

 

viii 

Lipper, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Refinitiv, provides independent insight on global collective investments. Returns are based on the six-month period ended September 30, 2022, including the reinvestment of all distributions, including returns of capital, if any, calculated among the 680 funds in the Fund’s Lipper category.

 

VI    Franklin Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETFs


Funds at a glance (unaudited)

 

Franklin International Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF Investment Breakdown (%) as a percent of total investments

 

LOGO

 

The bar graph above represents the composition of the Fund’s investments as of September 30, 2022 and March 31, 2022 and does not include derivatives, such as futures contracts and forward foreign currency contracts. The composition of the Fund’s investments is subject to change at any time.

 

Franklin Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETFs 2022 Semi-Annual Report       1  


Funds at a glance (unaudited) (cont’d)

 

Franklin U.S. Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF Investment Breakdown (%) as a percent of total investments

 

LOGO

 

The bar graph above represents the composition of the Fund’s investments as of September 30, 2022 and March 31, 2022 and does not include derivatives, such as futures contracts. The composition of the Fund’s investments is subject to change at any time.

 

2     Franklin Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETFs 2022 Semi-Annual Report


Funds expenses (unaudited)

 

Franklin International Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF

Example

As a shareholder of the Fund, you may incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, such as brokerage commissions paid on purchases and sales of Fund shares; and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees; and other Fund expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other funds.

This example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested on April 1, 2022 and held for the six months ended September 30, 2022.

Actual expenses

The table below titled “Based on actual total return” provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information provided in this table, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. To estimate the expenses you paid on your account, divide your ending account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 ending account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During the Period”.

Hypothetical example for comparison purposes

The table below titled “Based on hypothetical total return” provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5.00% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use the information provided in this table to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds. To do so, compare the 5.00% hypothetical example relating to the Fund with the 5.00% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.

Please note that the expenses shown in the table below are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as brokerage commissions paid on purchases and sales of Fund shares. Therefore, the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transaction costs were included, your costs would have been higher.

 

Based on actual total return1       Based on hypothetical total return1
Actual
Total
Return2
  Beginning
Account
Value
  Ending
Account
Value
  Annualized
Expense
Ratio
  Expenses
Paid During
the Period3
      Hypothetical
Annualized
Total Return
  Beginning
Account
Value
  Ending
Account
Value
  Annualized
Expense
Ratio
  Expenses
Paid During
the Period3
    -8.10%       $ 1,000.00     $ 919.00       0.40 %     $ 1.92         5.00 %       $1,000.00       $ 1,023.06       0.40 %     $ 2.03

 

1 

For the six months ended September 30, 2022.

 

2 

Assumes the reinvestment of all distributions, including returns of capital, if any, at net asset value. Total return is not annualized, as it may not be representative of the total return for the year. Performance figures may reflect fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements. In the absence of fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements, the total return would have been lower. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

 

3 

Expenses (net of fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements) are equal to the Fund’s annualized expense ratio multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the number of days in the most recent fiscal half-year (183), then divided by 365.

 

Franklin Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETFs 2022 Semi-Annual Report       3  


Funds expenses (unaudited) (cont’d)

 

Franklin U.S. Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF

Example

As a shareholder of the Fund, you may incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, such as brokerage commissions paid on purchases and sales of Fund shares; and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees; and other Fund expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other funds.

This example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested on April 1, 2022 and held for the six months ended September 30, 2022.

Actual expenses

The table below titled “Based on actual total return” provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information provided in this table, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. To estimate the expenses you paid on your account, divide your ending account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 ending account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During the Period”.

Hypothetical example for comparison purposes

The table below titled “Based on hypothetical total return” provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5.00% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use the information provided in this table to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds. To do so, compare the 5.00% hypothetical example relating to the Fund with the 5.00% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.

Please note that the expenses shown in the table below are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as brokerage commissions paid on purchases and sales of Fund shares. Therefore, the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transaction costs were included, your costs would have been higher.

 

Based on actual total return1       Based on hypothetical total return1
Actual
Total
Return2
  Beginning
Account
Value
  Ending
Account
Value
  Annualized
Expense
Ratio
  Expenses
Paid During
the Period3
      Hypothetical
Annualized
Total Return
  Beginning
Account
Value
  Ending
Account
Value
  Annualized
Expense
Ratio
  Expenses
Paid During
the Period3
    -12.68%       $ 1,000.00     $ 873.20       0.27 %     $ 1.27         5.00 %       $1,000.00       $ 1,023.71       0.27 %     $ 1.37

 

1 

For the six months ended September 30, 2022.

 

2 

Assumes the reinvestment of all distributions, including returns of capital, if any, at net asset value. Total return is not annualized, as it may not be representative of the total return for the year. Performance figures may reflect fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements. In the absence of fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements, the total return would have been lower. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

 

3 

Expenses (net of fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements) are equal to the Fund’s annualized expense ratio multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the number of days in the most recent fiscal half-year (183), then divided by 365.

 

4     Franklin Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETFs 2022 Semi-Annual Report


Schedules of investments (unaudited)

September 30, 2022

 

Franklin International Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF

(Percentages shown based on Fund net assets)

 

Security                    Shares      Value  
Common Stocks — 96.3%                                    
Communication Services — 12.9%                                    

Diversified Telecommunication Services — 8.3%

                                   

HKT Trust & HKT Ltd.

                       381,488        $ 447,100  

Koninklijke KPN NV

                       592,600        1,609,259  

Nippon Telegraph & Telephone Corp.

                       138,900        3,748,270  

Orange SA

                       359,196        3,254,246  

Proximus SADP

                       58,352        605,658  

Swisscom AG, Registered Shares

                       4,410        2,076,744  

Total Diversified Telecommunication Services

                                11,741,277  

Media — 0.9%

                                   

Eutelsat Communications SA

                       35,916        278,666  

ProSiebenSat.1 Media SE

                       121,113        866,845  

Telenet Group Holding NV

                       9,831        135,893  

Total Media

                                1,281,404  

Wireless Telecommunication Services — 3.7%

                                   

Freenet AG

                       87,450        1,666,289  

SoftBank Corp.

                       362,300        3,620,622  

Total Wireless Telecommunication Services

                                5,286,911  

Total Communication Services

                                18,309,592  
Consumer Discretionary — 5.0%                                    

Automobiles — 2.5%

                                   

Bayerische Motoren Werke AG

                       51,989        3,564,663  

Household Durables — 1.5%

                                   

Barratt Developments PLC

                       70,460        269,156  

JM AB

                       15,571        217,061  

Persimmon PLC

                       117,588        1,624,385  

Total Household Durables

                                2,110,602  

Multiline Retail — 0.9%

                                   

Harvey Norman Holdings Ltd.

                       487,907        1,267,348  

Specialty Retail — 0.1%

                                   

T-Gaia Corp.

                       9,600        108,704  

Total Consumer Discretionary

                                7,051,317  
Consumer Staples — 12.1%                                    

Food & Staples Retailing — 1.9%

                                   

Olam Group Ltd.

                       74,600        68,107  

Tesco PLC

                       1,110,109        2,562,696  

Total Food & Staples Retailing

                                2,630,803  

Food Products — 0.1%

                                   

Rogers Sugar Inc.

                       27,282        122,705  

Personal Products — 2.4%

                                   

Unilever PLC

                       76,057        3,369,309  

Tobacco — 7.7%

                                   

British American Tobacco PLC

                       96,916        3,490,664  

Imperial Brands PLC

                       179,111        3,708,917  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

Franklin Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETFs 2022 Semi-Annual Report       5  


Schedules of investments (unaudited) (cont’d)

September 30, 2022

 

Franklin International Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF

(Percentages shown based on Fund net assets)

 

Security                 Shares     Value  

Tobacco — continued

                               

Japan Tobacco Inc.

                    224,700       $3,685,362  

Scandinavian Tobacco Group A/S

                    5,407       78,720  

Total Tobacco

                            10,963,663  

Total Consumer Staples

                            17,086,480  
Energy — 0.4%                                

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — 0.4%

                               

Itochu Enex Co. Ltd.

                    14,700       103,792  

Woodside Energy Group Ltd.

                    23,556       479,501  

Total Energy

                            583,293  
Financials — 22.7%                                

Banks — 12.5%

                               

Bank of Nova Scotia

                    61,580       2,944,439  

Banque Cantonale Vaudoise, Registered Shares

                    3,673       349,667  

BOC Hong Kong Holdings Ltd.

                    576,051       1,918,972  

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce

                    70,334       3,094,788  

DBS Group Holdings Ltd.

                    165,300       3,846,517  

Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp. Ltd.

                    259,600       2,140,266  

Seven Bank Ltd.

                    565,900       1,012,595  

United Overseas Bank Ltd.

                    131,100       2,390,115  

Total Banks

                            17,697,359  

Capital Markets — 0.3%

                               

IGM Financial Inc.

                    13,675       342,560  

Jupiter Fund Management PLC

                    64,144       65,768  

Total Capital Markets

                            408,328  

Insurance — 9.9%

                               

Assicurazioni Generali SpA

                    109,219       1,500,090  

Direct Line Insurance Group PLC

                    331,904       687,286  

Gjensidige Forsikring ASA

                    13,790       236,640  

Great-West Lifeco Inc.

                    116,505       2,528,422  

Japan Post Holdings Co. Ltd.

                    551,200       3,646,995  

Legal & General Group PLC

                    179,525       433,874  

Poste Italiane SpA

                    163,444       1,247,319  

Zurich Insurance Group AG

                    9,349       3,751,948  

Total Insurance

                            14,032,574  

Total Financials

                            32,138,261  
Health Care — 4.8%                                

Pharmaceuticals — 4.8%

                               

Novartis AG, Registered Shares

                    47,081       3,612,932  

Sanofi

                    42,137       3,236,314  

Total Health Care

                            6,849,246  
Industrials — 10.3%                                

Air Freight & Logistics — 0.3%

                               

Cia de Distribucion Integral Logista Holdings SA

                    15,309       279,703  

Oesterreichische Post AG

                    3,306       88,417  

Total Air Freight & Logistics

                            368,120  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

6     Franklin Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETFs 2022 Semi-Annual Report


 

 

Franklin International Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF

(Percentages shown based on Fund net assets)

 

Security                 Shares     Value  

Commercial Services & Supplies — 0.5%

                               

Securitas AB, Class B Shares

                    108,285     $ 757,190  

Construction & Engineering — 2.6%

                               

ACS Actividades de Construccion y Servicios SA

                    38,953       882,648  

Bouygues SA

                    55,527       1,460,561  

Chudenko Corp.

                    7,900       114,124  

NCC AB, Class B Shares

                    17,919       129,659  

Nishimatsu Construction Co. Ltd.

                    27,500       721,009  

Okumura Corp

                    10,500       206,453  

Peab AB, Class B Shares

                    13,403       64,554  

Sanki Engineering Co. Ltd.

                    9,800       107,313  

Total Construction & Engineering

                            3,686,321  

Industrial Conglomerates — 1.6%

                               

CK Hutchison Holdings Ltd.

                    275,700       1,524,272  

Keppel Corp. Ltd.

                    151,900       735,734  

Total Industrial Conglomerates

                            2,260,006  

Machinery — 1.1%

                               

Kone oyj, Class B Shares

                    37,839       1,468,302  

Professional Services — 0.3%

                               

Adecco Group AG, Registered Shares

                    16,522       460,115  

Road & Rail — 1.3%

                               

Aurizon Holdings Ltd.

                    841,562       1,866,734  

Trading Companies & Distributors — 2.6%

                               

Mitsubishi Corp.

                    131,000       3,591,199  

Nippon Steel Trading Corp.

                    2,900       100,777  

Total Trading Companies & Distributors

                            3,691,976  

Total Industrials

                            14,558,764  
Information Technology — 0.1%                                

Communications Equipment — 0.1%

                               

VTech Holdings Ltd.

                    13,661       78,400  
Materials — 10.3%                                

Chemicals — 0.0%††

                               

Kemira oyj

                    8,475       94,234  

Construction Materials — 3.1%

                               

CSR Ltd.

                    282,259       807,579  

Holcim AG

                    85,668       3,566,853  

Total Construction Materials

                            4,374,432  

Metals & Mining — 7.2%

                               

BHP Group Ltd.

                    130,550       3,233,259  

Rio Tinto Ltd.

                    57,034       3,424,613  

Rio Tinto PLC

                    64,707       3,536,499  

Total Metals & Mining

                            10,194,371  

Total Materials

                            14,663,037  
Real Estate — 6.2%                                

Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) — 3.5%

                               

AEON REIT Investment Corp.

                    481       518,401  

CapLand Ascendas REIT

                    606,200       1,136,440  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

Franklin Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETFs 2022 Semi-Annual Report       7  


Schedules of investments (unaudited) (cont’d)

September 30, 2022

 

Franklin International Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF

(Percentages shown based on Fund net assets)

 

Security                 Shares     Value  

Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) — continued

                               

Charter Hall Long Wale REIT

                    84,481       $ 215,639  

Cofinimmo SA

                    1,983       164,736  

Cromwell Property Group

                    359,075       154,681  

CT Real Estate Investment Trust

                    24,052       262,742  

Frontier Real Estate Investment Corp.

                    98       360,869  

Mapletree Industrial Trust

                    343,000       568,918  

Sasseur Real Estate Investment Trust

                    177,200       87,063  

SmartCentres Real Estate Investment Trust

                    52,121       984,346  

Waypoint REIT Ltd.

                    299,172       455,876  

Total Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs)

                            4,909,711  

Real Estate Management & Development — 2.7%

                               

Allreal Holding AG, Registered Shares

                    1,093       153,248  

Cibus Nordic Real Estate AB

                    7,227       94,428  

Daiwa House Industry Co. Ltd.

                    35,500       721,920  

Henderson Land Development Co. Ltd.

                    110,637       310,069  

Kerry Properties Ltd.

                    46,694       88,630  

LEG Immobilien SE

                    8,093       486,481  

Samhallsbyggnadsbolaget i Norden AB, Class D Shares

                    42,628       64,264  

Sun Hung Kai Properties Ltd.

                    171,902       1,901,895  

Total Real Estate Management & Development

                            3,820,935  

Total Real Estate

                            8,730,646  
Utilities — 11.5%                                

Electric Utilities — 4.8%

                               

CK Infrastructure Holdings Ltd.

                    86,932       443,525  

Iberdrola SA

                    364,682       3,423,273  

Power Assets Holdings Ltd.

                    141,688       711,157  

Red Electrica Corp. SA

                    70,765       1,089,095  

Terna Rete Elettrica Nazionale SpA

                    188,940       1,156,844  

Total Electric Utilities

                            6,823,894  

Gas Utilities — 2.2%

                               

Italgas SpA

                    67,487       315,759  

Naturgy Energy Group SA

                    35,516       825,644  

Rubis SCA

                    15,503       324,861  

Snam SpA

                    394,079       1,600,603  

Total Gas Utilities

                            3,066,867  

Multi-Utilities — 4.5%

                               

A2A SpA

                    558,831       547,349  

ACEA SpA

                    6,557       71,559  

E.ON SE

                    328,213       2,538,832  

Engie SA

                    262,718       3,047,796  

National Grid PLC

                    22,385       232,642  

Total Multi-Utilities

                            6,438,178  

Total Utilities

                            16,328,939  

Total Common Stocks (Cost — $161,322,135)

                            136,377,975  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

8     Franklin Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETFs 2022 Semi-Annual Report


 

 

Franklin International Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF

(Percentages shown based on Fund net assets)

 

Security

         Rate     Shares     Value  
Preferred Stocks — 0.6%                                
Consumer Discretionary — 0.6%                                

Automobiles — 0.6%

                               

Bayerische Motoren Werke AG (Cost — $924,648)

            8.700%       13,283     $ 870,549  (a)  

Total Investments before Short-Term Investments (Cost — $162,246,783)

 

    137,248,524  
Short-Term Investments — 0.5%                                

Invesco Treasury Portfolio, Institutional Class (Cost — $711,244)

            2.846%       711,244       711,244  

Total Investments — 97.4% (Cost — $162,958,027)

                            137,959,768  

Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities — 2.6%

                            3,674,051  

Total Net Assets — 100.0%

                          $ 141,633,819  

 

 

Represents less than 0.1%.

 

(a) 

The rate shown represents the yield as of September 30, 2022.

 

Abbreviation(s) used in this schedule:

REIT     Real Estate Investment Trust

At September 30, 2022, the Fund had the following open futures contracts:

 

     

Number of

Contracts

    

Expiration

Date

    

Notional

Amount

    

Market

Value

    

Unrealized

Depreciation

 
Contracts to Buy:                                             
MSCI EAFE Index      6        12/22      $ 555,232      $ 498,180      $ (57,052)  

At September 30, 2022, the Fund had the following open forward foreign currency contracts:

 

Currency

Purchased

   

Currency

Sold

    Counterparty  

Settlement

Date

   

Unrealized

Appreciation

(Depreciation)

 
USD     153,725     CHF     150,735     Bank of New York     10/11/22     $ 425  
USD     157,768     CHF     151,379     Bank of New York     10/11/22       3,813  
USD     158,618     CHF     152,787     Bank of New York     10/11/22       3,230  
USD     307,519     CHF     301,506     Bank of New York     10/11/22       882  
USD     307,521     CHF     304,396     Bank of New York     10/11/22       (2,055)  
USD     312,126     CHF     300,704     Bank of New York     10/11/22       6,305  
USD     321,415     CHF     305,182     Bank of New York     10/11/22       11,039  
USD     13,417,147     CHF     13,031,994     Bank of New York     10/11/22       163,359  
USD     674     DKK     5,200     Bank of New York     10/11/22       (12)  
USD     706     DKK     5,222     Bank of New York     10/11/22       18  
USD     710     DKK     5,270     Bank of New York     10/11/22       16  
USD     1,360     DKK     10,407     Bank of New York     10/11/22       (13)  
USD     1,364     DKK     10,500     Bank of New York     10/11/22       (21)  
USD     1,396     DKK     10,373     Bank of New York     10/11/22       28  
USD     1,437     DKK     10,527     Bank of New York     10/11/22       48  
USD     60,703     DKK     452,546     Bank of New York     10/11/22       1,031  
USD     423,157     EUR     439,068     Bank of New York     10/11/22       (7,312)  
USD     443,574     EUR     440,899     Bank of New York     10/11/22       11,310  
USD     446,195     EUR     445,000     Bank of New York     10/11/22       9,910  
USD     853,602     EUR     878,604     Bank of New York     10/11/22       (7,794)  
USD     856,221     EUR     886,570     Bank of New York     10/11/22       (12,985)  
USD     876,553     EUR     875,817     Bank of New York     10/11/22       17,889  
USD     902,069     EUR     888,865     Bank of New York     10/11/22       30,613  
USD     38,114,795     EUR     38,210,129     Bank of New York     10/11/22       653,034  
USD     208,424     GBP     193,932     Bank of New York     10/11/22       (8,116)  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

Franklin Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETFs 2022 Semi-Annual Report       9  


Schedules of investments (unaudited) (cont’d)

September 30, 2022

 

Franklin International Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF

 

Currency

Purchased

   

Currency

Sold

    Counterparty  

Settlement

Date

   

Unrealized

Appreciation

(Depreciation)

 
USD     225,197     GBP     197,330     Bank of New York     10/11/22     $ 4,863  
USD     226,569     GBP     195,511     Bank of New York     10/11/22       8,267  
USD     424,116     GBP     393,138     Bank of New York     10/11/22       (14,851)  
USD     424,391     GBP     389,150     Bank of New York     10/11/22       (10,123)  
USD     443,466     GBP     388,370     Bank of New York     10/11/22       9,823  
USD     461,914     GBP     394,397     Bank of New York     10/11/22       21,541  
USD     19,477,930     GBP     16,945,420     Bank of New York     10/11/22       557,112  
USD     82,221     HKD     645,309     Bank of New York     10/11/22       (7)  
USD     82,610     HKD     647,993     Bank of New York     10/11/22       39  
USD     83,350     HKD     654,020     Bank of New York     10/11/22       12  
USD     164,037     HKD     1,287,193     Bank of New York     10/11/22       16  
USD     164,431     HKD     1,290,363     Bank of New York     10/11/22       7  
USD     166,035     HKD     1,302,998     Bank of New York     10/11/22       0 (a)  
USD     166,561     HKD     1,306,482     Bank of New York     10/11/22       83  
USD     7,167,005     HKD     56,216,227     Bank of New York     10/11/22       3,647  
USD     233,895     JPY     33,784,730     Bank of New York     10/11/22       241  
USD     238,757     JPY     33,928,026     Bank of New York     10/11/22       4,111  
USD     239,443     JPY     34,243,598     Bank of New York     10/11/22       2,615  
USD     469,743     JPY     67,395,721     Bank of New York     10/11/22       3,635  
USD     472,428     JPY     67,604,249     Bank of New York     10/11/22       4,878  
USD     473,172     JPY     68,223,224     Bank of New York     10/11/22       1,341  
USD     481,639     JPY     68,411,336     Bank of New York     10/11/22       8,507  
USD     20,460,544     JPY     2,938,453,262     Bank of New York     10/11/22       138,254  
USD     2,648     NOK     28,606     Bank of New York     10/11/22       23  
USD     2,823     NOK     28,954     Bank of New York     10/11/22       166  
USD     2,892     NOK     28,687     Bank of New York     10/11/22       260  
USD     5,379     NOK     57,685     Bank of New York     10/11/22       86  
USD     5,388     NOK     57,156     Bank of New York     10/11/22       142  
USD     5,528     NOK     56,986     Bank of New York     10/11/22       298  
USD     5,883     NOK     57,831     Bank of New York     10/11/22       576  
USD     247,997     NOK     2,499,685     Bank of New York     10/11/22       18,592  
USD     12,142     SEK     137,303     Bank of New York     10/11/22       (237)  
USD     12,912     SEK     139,394     Bank of New York     10/11/22       345  
USD     13,032     SEK     138,109     Bank of New York     10/11/22       581  
USD     24,454     SEK     275,211     Bank of New York     10/11/22       (358)  
USD     24,634     SEK     277,713     Bank of New York     10/11/22       (403)  
USD     25,267     SEK     274,344     Bank of New York     10/11/22       533  
USD     26,607     SEK     278,493     Bank of New York     10/11/22       1,499  
USD     1,116,487     SEK     11,984,393     Bank of New York     10/11/22       36,025  
USD     121,416     AUD     187,466     UBS Securities LLC     10/11/22       868  
USD     127,278     AUD     189,851     UBS Securities LLC     10/11/22       5,197  
USD     128,710     AUD     188,102     UBS Securities LLC     10/11/22       7,754  
USD     245,009     AUD     374,686     UBS Securities LLC     10/11/22       4,072  
USD     245,591     AUD     378,239     UBS Securities LLC     10/11/22       2,369  
USD     250,344     AUD     373,652     UBS Securities LLC     10/11/22       10,072  
USD     261,384     AUD     379,421     UBS Securities LLC     10/11/22       17,402  
USD     10,999,686     AUD     16,317,660     UBS Securities LLC     10/11/22       506,837  
USD     110,919     CAD     151,804     UBS Securities LLC     10/11/22       443  
USD     115,815     CAD     153,855     UBS Securities LLC     10/11/22       3,847  
USD     116,824     CAD     152,437     UBS Securities LLC     10/11/22       5,888  
USD     223,527     CAD     303,687     UBS Securities LLC     10/11/22       2,519  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

10     Franklin Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETFs 2022 Semi-Annual Report


 

 

Franklin International Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF

 

Currency

Purchased

   

Currency

Sold

    Counterparty   Settlement
Date
    Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
USD     223,985     CAD     306,524     UBS Securities LLC     10/11/22     $ 912  
USD     226,968     CAD     302,807     UBS Securities LLC     10/11/22       6,600  
USD     236,819     CAD     307,443     UBS Securities LLC     10/11/22       13,078  
USD     10,043,742     CAD     13,190,688     UBS Securities LLC     10/11/22       444,224  
USD     113,491     SGD     163,349     UBS Securities LLC     10/11/22       (361)  
USD     117,229     SGD     164,030     UBS Securities LLC     10/11/22       2,902  
USD     117,564     SGD     165,556     UBS Securities LLC     10/11/22       2,174  
USD     228,691     SGD     326,729     UBS Securities LLC     10/11/22       966  
USD     229,951     SGD     329,836     UBS Securities LLC     10/11/22       61  
USD     231,092     SGD     325,835     UBS Securities LLC     10/11/22       3,990  
USD     237,065     SGD     330,722     UBS Securities LLC     10/11/22       6,557  
USD     10,114,374     SGD     14,224,471     UBS Securities LLC     10/11/22       200,133  
Total

 

                          $ 2,925,285  

 

(a) 

Amount represents less than $1.

 

Abbreviation(s) used in this table:

AUD     Australian Dollar
CAD     Canadian Dollar
CHF     Swiss Franc
DKK     Danish Krone
EUR     Euro
GBP     British Pound
HKD     Hong Kong Dollar
JPY     Japanese Yen
NOK     Norwegian Krone
SEK     Swedish Krona
SGD     Singapore Dollar
USD     United States Dollar

 

 

Summary of Investments by Country*       
Japan      16.2
United Kingdom      13.0  
Australia      11.2  
Switzerland      10.1  
France      8.4  
Singapore      7.9  
Canada      7.4  
Germany      7.2  
Spain      4.7  
Italy      4.7  
Hong Kong      2.9  
China      1.4  
Netherlands      1.2  
Finland      1.1  
Sweden      1.0  
Belgium      0.7  
Norway      0.2  
Austria      0.1  
Denmark      0.1  
Short-Term Investments      0.5  
       100.0

 

*

As a percentage of total investments. Please note that the Fund holdings are as of September 30, 2022 and are subject to change.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

Franklin Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETFs 2022 Semi-Annual Report       11  


Schedules of investments (unaudited) (cont’d)

September 30, 2022

 

Franklin U.S. Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF

(Percentages shown based on Fund net assets)

 

Security                 Shares     Value  
Common Stocks — 99.1%                                
Communication Services — 6.3%                                

Diversified Telecommunication Services — 4.2%

                               

AT&T Inc.

                    970,732       $14,891,029  

Verizon Communications Inc.

                    405,143       15,383,280  

Total Diversified Telecommunication Services

                            30,274,309  

Media — 2.1%

                               

Interpublic Group of Cos. Inc.

                    282,485       7,231,616  

Omnicom Group Inc.

                    133,080       8,396,017  

Total Media

                            15,627,633  

Total Communication Services

                            45,901,942  
Consumer Staples — 22.4%                                

Beverages — 5.3%

                               

Coca-Cola Co.

                    325,575       18,238,711  

PepsiCo Inc.

                    122,365       19,977,310  

Total Beverages

                            38,216,021  

Food Products — 9.5%

                               

Campbell Soup Co.

                    167,823       7,907,820  

Conagra Brands Inc.

                    350,720       11,443,994  

Flowers Foods Inc.

                    88,501       2,185,090  

General Mills Inc.

                    276,050       21,148,190  

JM Smucker Co.

                    74,279       10,206,677  

Kellogg Co.

                    229,492       15,986,413  

Total Food Products

                            68,878,184  

Household Products — 5.0%

                               

Colgate-Palmolive Co.

                    260,358       18,290,149  

Kimberly-Clark Corp.

                    155,268       17,473,861  

Reynolds Consumer Products Inc.

                    33,606       874,092  

Total Household Products

                            36,638,102  

Tobacco — 2.6%

                               

Philip Morris International Inc.

                    221,328       18,372,438  

Universal Corp.

                    11,007       506,762  

Total Tobacco

                            18,879,200  

Total Consumer Staples

                            162,611,507  
Energy — 0.3%                                

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — 0.3%

                               

DT Midstream Inc.

                    43,708       2,268,008  
Financials — 8.2%                                

Banks — 5.7%

                               

Bank of Hawaii Corp.

                    17,021       1,295,639  

Citigroup Inc.

                    404,395       16,851,140  

First Financial Bancorp

                    27,503       579,763  

First Hawaiian Inc.

                    47,227       1,163,201  

Northwest Bancshares Inc.

                    80,677       1,089,946  

Old National Bancorp

                    329,687       5,429,945  

United Bankshares Inc.

                    56,240       2,010,580  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

12     Franklin Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETFs 2022 Semi-Annual Report


 

 

Franklin U.S. Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF

(Percentages shown based on Fund net assets)

 

Security                 Shares     Value  

Banks — continued

                               

US Bancorp

                    297,860       $12,009,715  

WesBanco Inc.

                    18,979       633,329  

Total Banks

                            41,063,258  

Capital Markets — 0.1%

                               

Cohen & Steers Inc.

                    7,592       475,487  

Insurance — 1.6%

                               

CNA Financial Corp.

                    13,331       491,914  

Fidelity National Financial Inc.

                    210,155       7,607,611  

First American Financial Corp.

                    73,101       3,369,956  

Safety Insurance Group Inc.

                    5,513       449,640  

Total Insurance

                            11,919,121  

Thrifts & Mortgage Finance — 0.8%

                               

New York Community Bancorp Inc.

                    609,697       5,200,715  

Provident Financial Services Inc.

                    30,075       586,463  

Total Thrifts & Mortgage Finance

                            5,787,178  

Total Financials

                            59,245,044  
Health Care — 8.1%                                

Biotechnology — 3.2%

                               

AbbVie Inc.

                    16,631       2,232,047  

Gilead Sciences Inc.

                    337,647       20,829,443  

Total Biotechnology

                            23,061,490  

Pharmaceuticals — 4.9%

                               

Johnson & Johnson

                    116,770       19,075,547  

Pfizer Inc.

                    387,997       16,978,749  

Total Pharmaceuticals

                            36,054,296  

Total Health Care

                            59,115,786  
Industrials — 10.2%                                

Aerospace & Defense — 2.5%

                               

Lockheed Martin Corp.

                    47,290       18,267,654  

Industrial Conglomerates — 2.3%

                               

3M Co.

                    149,470       16,516,435  

Machinery — 3.5%

                               

Cummins Inc.

                    99,864       20,323,323  

PACCAR Inc.

                    61,783       5,170,619  

Total Machinery

                            25,493,942  

Trading Companies & Distributors — 1.9%

                               

Fastenal Co.

                    243,479       11,209,773  

MSC Industrial Direct Co. Inc., Class A Shares

                    33,892       2,467,677  

Total Trading Companies & Distributors

                            13,677,450  

Total Industrials

                            73,955,481  
Information Technology — 3.6%                                

Communications Equipment — 2.2%

                               

Cisco Systems Inc.

                    405,035       16,201,400  

Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals — 1.4%

                               

Seagate Technology Holdings PLC

                    190,424       10,136,269  

Total Information Technology

                            26,337,669  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

Franklin Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETFs 2022 Semi-Annual Report       13  


Schedules of investments (unaudited) (cont’d)

September 30, 2022

 

Franklin U.S. Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF

(Percentages shown based on Fund net assets)

 

Security                 Shares     Value  
Materials — 4.5%                                

Chemicals — 2.7%

                               

Air Products & Chemicals Inc.

                    86,304       $20,085,530  

Containers & Packaging — 1.8%

                               

International Paper Co.

                    248,707       7,884,012  

Packaging Corp. of America

                    44,938       5,046,088  

Total Containers & Packaging

                            12,930,100  

Total Materials

                            33,015,630  
Real Estate — 11.6%                                

Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) — 11.6%

                               

Agree Realty Corp.

                    58,303       3,940,117  

Armada Hoffler Properties Inc.

                    42,132       437,330  

Broadstone Net Lease Inc.

                    46,793       726,695  

CareTrust REIT Inc.

                    68,360       1,238,000  

Corporate Office Properties Trust

                    64,117       1,489,438  

CubeSmart

                    130,081       5,211,045  

Easterly Government Properties Inc.

                    57,023       899,253  

Four Corners Property Trust Inc.

                    39,834       963,584  

Gaming and Leisure Properties Inc.

                    110,620       4,893,829  

Getty Realty Corp.

                    22,635       608,655  

Healthcare Realty Trust Inc.

                    192,005       4,003,304  

Highwoods Properties Inc.

                    61,988       1,671,196  

Industrial Logistics Properties Trust

                    82,832       455,576  

Kimco Realty Corp.

                    326,601       6,012,724  

LXP Industrial Trust

                    111,287       1,019,389  

Medical Properties Trust Inc.

                    551,422       6,539,865  

National Health Investors Inc.

                    21,622       1,222,292  

National Retail Properties Inc.

                    75,828       3,022,504  

Physicians Realty Trust

                    211,140       3,175,546  

Spirit Realty Capital Inc.

                    67,141       2,427,818  

STAG Industrial Inc.

                    115,953       3,296,544  

STORE Capital Corp.

                    220,392       6,904,881  

VICI Properties Inc.

                    602,456       17,983,312  

WP Carey Inc.

                    84,785       5,917,993  

Total Real Estate

                            84,060,890  
Utilities — 23.9%                                

Electric Utilities — 15.3%

                               

ALLETE Inc.

                    26,653       1,333,983  

Alliant Energy Corp.

                    141,994       7,524,262  

American Electric Power Co. Inc.

                    214,434       18,537,819  

Avangrid Inc.

                    63,517       2,648,659  

Duke Energy Corp.

                    193,052       17,957,697  

Evergy Inc.

                    107,775       6,401,835  

Eversource Energy

                    148,984       11,614,793  

Exelon Corp.

                    461,242       17,278,125  

Hawaiian Electric Industries Inc.

                    28,802       998,277  

OGE Energy Corp.

                    97,290       3,547,193  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

14     Franklin Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETFs 2022 Semi-Annual Report


 

 

Franklin U.S. Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF

(Percentages shown based on Fund net assets)

 

Security                 Shares     Value  

Electric Utilities — continued

                               

Pinnacle West Capital Corp.

                    60,176     $ 3,881,954  

Portland General Electric Co.

                    87,630       3,808,400  

Xcel Energy Inc.

                    241,920       15,482,880  

Total Electric Utilities

                            111,015,877  

Gas Utilities — 1.1%

                               

Northwest Natural Holding Co.

                    20,971       909,722  

Spire Inc.

                    28,394       1,769,798  

UGI Corp.

                    156,468       5,058,610  

Total Gas Utilities

                            7,738,130  

Multi-Utilities — 7.5%

                               

Avista Corp.

                    34,726       1,286,598  

Black Hills Corp.

                    25,521       1,728,537  

Consolidated Edison Inc.

                    144,673       12,407,157  

Dominion Energy Inc.

                    262,383       18,133,289  

DTE Energy Co.

                    79,256       9,118,403  

NorthWestern Corp.

                    30,743       1,515,015  

WEC Energy Group Inc.

                    118,873       10,630,813  

Total Multi-Utilities

                            54,819,812  

Total Utilities

                            173,573,819  

Total Investments before Short-Term Investments (Cost — $792,603,422)

                            720,085,776  
     Rate                       
Short-Term Investments — 0.6%                                

Invesco Treasury Portfolio, Institutional Class (Cost — $4,507,018)

    2.846             4,507,018       4,507,018  

Total Investments — 99.7% (Cost — $797,110,440)

                            724,592,794  

Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities — 0.3%

                            2,255,238  

Total Net Assets — 100.0%

                          $ 726,848,032  

 

 

Abbreviation(s) used in this schedule:

REIT     Real Estate Investment Trust

At September 30, 2022, the Fund had the following open futures contracts:

 

      Number of
Contracts
     Expiration
Date
     Notional
Amount
     Market
Value
     Unrealized
Depreciation
 
Contracts to Buy:                                             
E-mini S&P 500 Index      20        12/22      $ 3,890,266      $ 3,601,500      $ (288,766)  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

Franklin Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETFs 2022 Semi-Annual Report       15  


Statements of assets and liabilities (unaudited)

September 30, 2022

 

     

Franklin International

Low Volatility High

Dividend Index ETF

    

Franklin U.S.

Low Volatility High

Dividend Index ETF

 
Assets:                  

Investments, at value (Cost — $162,958,027 and $797,110,440, respectively)

   $ 137,959,768      $ 724,592,794  

Foreign currency, at value (Cost — $95,467 and $0, respectively)

     95,979         

Unrealized appreciation on forward foreign currency contracts

     2,989,933         

Dividends receivable

     678,798        2,269,807  

Receivable for securities sold

     94,379         

Deposits with brokers for open futures contracts

     80,002        435,945  

Receivable for Fund shares sold

            1,356  

Total Assets

     141,898,859        727,299,902  
Liabilities:                  

Payable for securities purchased

     94,715         

Unrealized depreciation on forward foreign currency contracts

     64,648         

Payable to brokers — net variation margin on open futures contracts

     57,052        288,766  

Investment management fee payable

     44,804        163,104  

Payable for Fund shares repurchased

     3,821         

Total Liabilities

     265,040        451,870  
Total Net Assets    $ 141,633,819      $ 726,848,032  
Net Assets:                  

Par value (Note 5)

   $ 59        $213  

Paid-in capital in excess of par value

     157,147,915        849,410,371  

Total distributable earnings (loss)

     (15,514,155)        (122,562,552)  
Total Net Assets    $ 141,633,819      $ 726,848,032  
Shares Outstanding      5,880,000        21,300,000  
Net Asset Value    $ 24.09      $ 34.12  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

16     Franklin Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETFs 2022 Semi-Annual Report


Statements of operations (unaudited)

For the Six Months Ended September 30, 2022

 

     

Franklin International

Low Volatility High

Dividend Index ETF

    

Franklin U.S.

Low Volatility High

Dividend Index ETF

 
Investment Income:                  

Dividends

   $ 4,215,482      $ 13,303,939  

Less: Foreign taxes withheld

     (229,392)         

Total Investment Income

     3,986,090      $ 13,303,939  
Expenses:                  

Investment management fee (Note 2)

     228,811        891,442  

Total Expenses

     228,811        891,442  
Net Investment Income      3,757,279        12,412,497  
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments, Futures Contracts, Forward Foreign Currency Contracts and Foreign Currency Transactions (Notes 1, 3 and 4):

 

Net Realized Gain (Loss) From:

                 

Investment transactions

     713,470        69,412,739  

Futures contracts

     471,575        49,329  

Forward foreign currency contracts

     11,584,533         

Foreign currency transactions

     (235,659)         

Net Realized Gain

     12,533,919        69,462,068  

Change in Net Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) From:

                 

Investments

     (29,459,268)        (179,434,159)  

Futures contracts

     (85,846)        (445,161)  

Forward foreign currency contracts

     2,556,517         

Foreign currencies

     (28,689)         

Change in Net Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

     (27,017,286)        (179,879,320)  
Net Loss on Investments, Futures Contracts, Forward Foreign Currency Contracts and Foreign Currency Transactions      (14,483,367)        (110,417,252)  
Decrease in Net Assets From Operations    $ (10,726,088)      $ (98,004,755)  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

Franklin Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETFs 2022 Semi-Annual Report       17  


Statements of changes in net assets

Franklin International Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF

 

For the Six Months Ended September 30, 2022 (unaudited), the Period Ended March  31, 2022

and the Year Ended October 31, 2021

   2022      2022      2021  
Operations:                           

Net investment income

   $ 3,757,279        $ 1,362,130      $ 2,953,235  

Net realized gain

     12,533,919        1,442,589        2,706,473  

Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

     (27,017,286)        1,892,546        8,966,631  

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets From Operations

     (10,726,088)        4,697,265        14,626,339  
Distributions to Shareholders From (Note 1):                           

Total distributable earnings

     (3,355,005)        (996,904)        (3,400,710)  

Decrease in Net Assets From Distributions to Shareholders

     (3,355,005)        (996,904)        (3,400,710)  
Fund Share Transactions (Note 5):                           

Net proceeds from sale of shares (2,820,000, 660,000 and 780,000 shares issued, respectively)

     73,314,487        18,014,305        20,032,871  

Cost of shares repurchased (720,000, 0 and 180,000 shares repurchased, respectively)

     (19,890,389)               (4,234,783)  

Increase in Net Assets From Fund Share Transactions

     53,424,098        18,014,305        15,798,088  

Increase in Net Assets

     39,343,005        21,714,666        27,023,717  
Net Assets:                           

Beginning of period

     102,290,814        80,576,148        53,552,431  

End of period

   $ 141,633,819      $ 102,290,814      $ 80,576,148  

 

For the period November 1, 2021 through March 31, 2022.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

18     Franklin Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETFs 2022 Semi-Annual Report


    

Franklin U.S. Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF

 

For the Six Months Ended September 30, 2022 (unaudited), the Period Ended March  31, 2022

and the Year Ended October 31, 2021

   2022      2022      2021  
Operations:                           

Net investment income

   $ 12,412,497        $8,350,472      $ 20,565,556  

Net realized gain

     69,462,068        32,474,944        71,720,894  

Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

     (179,879,320)        14,718,658        98,709,612  

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets From Operations

     (98,004,755)        55,544,074        190,996,062  
Distributions to Shareholders From (Note 1):                           

Total distributable earnings

     (9,650,000)        (10,500,011)        (22,234,998)  

Decrease in Net Assets From Distributions to Shareholders

     (9,650,000)        (10,500,011)        (22,234,998)  
Fund Share Transactions (Note 5):                           

Net proceeds from sale of shares (13,300,000, 2,450,000 and 7,350,000 shares issued, respectively)

     509,214,302        96,197,933        259,815,707  

Cost of shares repurchased (10,350,000, 4,000,000 and 10,300,000 shares repurchased, respectively)

     (402,347,452)        (156,109,527)        (357,062,815)  

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets From Fund Share Transactions

     106,866,850        (59,911,594)        (97,247,108)  

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets

     (787,905)        (14,867,531)        71,513,956  
Net Assets:                           

Beginning of period

     727,635,937        742,503,468        670,989,512  

End of period

   $ 726,848,032      $ 727,635,937      $ 742,503,468  

 

For the period November 1, 2021 through March 31, 2022.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

Franklin Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETFs 2022 Semi-Annual Report       19  


Financial highlights

Franklin International Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF

 

For a share of beneficial interest outstanding throughout each year ended March 31, unless otherwise noted:  
      20221,2     20221,3     20211,4     20201,4     20191,4     20181,4     20171,4  
Net asset value, beginning of period      $27.06       $25.83       $21.25       $27.15       $26.42       $28.19       $25.25  
Income (loss) from operations:               

Net investment income

     0.86       0.41       1.13       1.00       1.18       1.22       0.85  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

     (2.98)       1.12       4.78       (5.47)       1.85       (1.65)       3.21  

Total income (loss) from operations

     (2.12)       1.53       5.91       (4.47)       3.03       (0.43)       4.06  
Less distributions from:               

Net investment income

     (0.85)       (0.30)       (1.33)       (1.13)       (1.16)       (1.34)       (0.90)  

Net realized gains

                       (0.30)       (1.14)             (0.22)  

Total distributions

     (0.85)       (0.30)       (1.33)       (1.43)       (2.30)       (1.34)       (1.12)  
Net asset value, end of period      $24.09       $27.06       $25.83       $21.25       $27.15       $26.42       $28.19  
Total return, based on NAV5      (8.10)     5.98     28.28     (17.20)     12.65     (1.49)     16.35
Net assets, end of period (000s)      $141,634       $102,291       $80,576       $53,552       $53,751       $49,144       $60,898  
Ratios to average net assets:               

Gross expenses

     0.40 %6       0.40 %6       0.40     0.40     0.40     0.40     0.40

Net expenses

     0.40 6       0.406       0.40       0.40       0.40       0.40       0.40  

Net investment income

     6.57 6       3.756       4.51       4.28       4.54       4.46       3.13  
Portfolio turnover rate7      21     24     54     96     41     41     31

 

1 

Per share amounts have been calculated using the average shares method.

 

2 

For the six months ended September 30, 2022 (unaudited).

 

3 

For the period November 1, 2021 through March 31, 2022.

 

4 

For the year ended October 31.

 

5 

Performance figures may reflect fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements. In the absence of fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements, the total return would have been lower. The total return calculation assumes that distributions are reinvested at NAV. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Total returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.

 

6 

Annualized.

 

7 

Portfolio turnover excludes the value of portfolio securities received or delivered as a result of in-kind fund share transactions.

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

20     Franklin Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETFs 2022 Semi-Annual Report


    

Franklin U.S. Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF

 

For a share of beneficial interest outstanding throughout each year ended March 31, unless otherwise noted:  
      20221,2     20221,3     20211,4     20201,4     20191,4     20181,4     20171,4  
Net asset value, beginning of period      $39.65       $37.31       $29.36       $33.77       $30.19       $30.60       $27.55  
Income (loss) from operations:               

Net investment income

     0.72       0.43       0.99       1.13       1.11       1.09       1.03  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

     (5.68)       2.45       8.01       (4.45)       3.36       (0.41)       3.03  

Total income (loss) from operations

     (4.96)       2.88       9.00       (3.32)       4.47       0.68       4.06  
Less distributions from:               

Net investment income

     (0.57)       (0.54)       (1.05)       (1.09)       (0.89)       (1.09)       (1.01)  

Total distributions

     (0.57)       (0.54)       (1.05)       (1.09)       (0.89)       (1.09)       (1.01)  
Net asset value, end of period      $34.12       $39.65       $37.31       $29.36       $33.77       $30.19       $30.60  
Total return, based on NAV5      (12.68)     7.76     31.07     (9.90)     15.15     2.25     14.89
Net assets, end of period (millions)      $727       $728       $743       $671       $824       $578       $447  
Ratios to average net assets:               

Gross expenses

     0.27 %6      0.27 %6      0.27     0.27     0.27     0.27     0.29

Net expenses

     0.27 6       0.276       0.27       0.27       0.27       0.27       0.29  

Net investment income

     3.76 6       2.716       2.84       3.69       3.50       3.60       3.45  
Portfolio turnover rate7      38     14     52     48     29     44     28

 

1 

Per share amounts have been calculated using the average shares method.

 

2 

For the six months ended September 30, 2022 (unaudited).

 

3 

For the period November 1, 2021 through March 31, 2022.

 

4 

For the year ended October 31.

 

5 

Performance figures may reflect fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements. In the absence of fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements, the total return would have been lower. The total return calculation assumes that distributions are reinvested at NAV. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Total returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.

 

6 

Annualized.

 

7 

Portfolio turnover excludes the value of portfolio securities received or delivered as a result of in-kind fund share transactions.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

Franklin Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETFs 2022 Semi-Annual Report       21  


Notes to financial statements (unaudited)

 

1. Organization and significant accounting policies

Franklin International Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF (“International Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF”) and Franklin U.S. Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF (“U.S. Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF”) (the “Funds”) (prior to June 22, 2022, the Funds were known as Legg Mason International Low Volatility High Dividend ETF and Legg Mason Low Volatility High Dividend ETF) are separate diversified investment series of Legg Mason ETF Investment Trust (the “Trust”). The Trust, a Maryland statutory trust, is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), as an open-end management investment company.

The Funds are exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”). ETFs are funds that trade like other publicly-traded securities. The Funds are designed to track an index. Similar to shares of an index mutual fund, each share of the Funds represents an ownership interest in an underlying portfolio of securities intended to track an index. Unlike shares of a mutual fund, which can be bought from and redeemed by the issuing fund by all shareholders at a price based on net asset value (“NAV”), shares of the Funds may be directly purchased from and redeemed by the Funds at NAV solely by certain large institutional investors who have entered into agreements with the Funds’ distributor (“Authorized Participants”). Also unlike shares of a mutual fund, shares of the Funds are listed on a national securities exchange and trade in the secondary market at market prices that change throughout the day.

Shares of the Funds are listed and traded at market prices on the Cboe BZX Exchange, Inc. for International Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF and NASDAQ for U.S. Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF. The market price for a Fund’s shares may be different from a Fund’s NAV. The Funds issue and redeem shares at NAV only in blocks of a specified number of shares or multiples thereof (“Creation Units”). Only Authorized Participants may purchase or redeem Creation Units directly with the Funds at NAV. Creation Units are issued and redeemed generally in-kind for a basket of securities and/or cash. Except when aggregated in Creation Units, shares of the Funds are not redeemable securities. Shareholders who are not Authorized Participants may not redeem shares directly from the Funds at NAV.

International Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF and U.S. Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF seek to track the investment results of the QS International Low Volatility High Dividend Hedged Index and QS Low Volatility High Dividend Index, respectively (together, the “Indices”). The QS International Low Volatility High Dividend Hedged Index seeks to provide more stable income through investments in stocks of profitable companies in developed markets outside of the United States with relatively high dividend yields or anticipated dividend yields and lower price and earnings volatility while mitigating exposure to exchange-rate fluctuations between the U.S. dollar and other international currencies. The QS Low Volatility High Dividend Index seeks to provide more stable income through investments in stocks of profitable U.S. companies with relatively high dividend yields and lower price and earnings volatility. The Indices are based on a proprietary methodology created and sponsored by Franklin Advisers, Inc. (“Franklin Advisers”), the Funds’ subadviser.

The following are significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Funds and are in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). Estimates and assumptions are required to be made regarding assets, liabilities and changes in net assets resulting from operations when financial statements are prepared. Changes in the economic environment, financial markets and any other parameters used in determining these estimates could cause actual results to differ. Subsequent events have been evaluated through the date the financial statements were issued.

(a) Investment valuation. Equity securities for which market quotations are available are valued at the last reported sales price or official closing price on the primary market or exchange on which they trade. The valuations for fixed income securities (which may include, but are not limited to, corporate, government, municipal, mortgage-backed, collateralized mortgage obligations and asset-backed securities) and certain derivative instruments are typically the prices supplied by independent third party pricing services, which may use market prices or broker/dealer quotations or a variety of valuation techniques and methodologies. The independent third party pricing services typically use inputs that are observable such as issuer details, interest rates, yield curves, prepayment speeds, credit risks/spreads, default rates and quoted prices for similar securities. Investments in open-end funds are valued at the closing net asset value per share of each fund on the day of valuation. Futures contracts are valued daily at the settlement price established by the board of trade or exchange on which they are traded. When the Funds hold securities or other assets that are denominated in a foreign currency, the Funds will use the currency exchange rates, generally determined as of 4:00 p.m. (London Time). If independent third party pricing services are unable to supply prices for a portfolio investment, or if the prices supplied are deemed by the manager to be unreliable, the market price may be determined by the manager using quotations from one or more broker/dealers or at the transaction price if the security has recently been purchased and no value has yet been obtained from a pricing service or pricing broker. When reliable prices are not readily available, such as when the value of a security has been significantly affected by events after the close of the exchange or market on which the security is principally traded, but before each Fund calculates its net asset value, the Funds value these securities as determined in accordance with procedures approved by the Funds’ Board of Trustees.

 

22     Franklin Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETFs 2022 Semi-Annual Report


 

Pursuant to policies adopted by the Board of Trustees, the Funds’ manager has been designated as the valuation designee and is responsible for the oversight of the daily valuation process. The Funds’ manager is assisted by the Global Fund Valuation Committee (the “Valuation Committee”). The Valuation Committee is responsible for making fair value determinations, evaluating the effectiveness of the Funds’ pricing policies, and reporting to the Funds’ manager and the Board of Trustees. When determining the reliability of third party pricing information for investments owned by the Funds, the Valuation Committee, among other things, conducts due diligence reviews of pricing vendors, monitors the daily change in prices and reviews transactions among market participants.

The Valuation Committee will consider pricing methodologies it deems relevant and appropriate when making fair value determinations. Examples of possible methodologies include, but are not limited to, multiple of earnings; discount from market of a similar freely traded security; discounted cash-flow analysis; book value or a multiple thereof; risk premium/yield analysis; yield to maturity; and/or fundamental investment analysis. The Valuation Committee will also consider factors it deems relevant and appropriate in light of the facts and circumstances. Examples of possible factors include, but are not limited to, the type of security; the issuer’s financial statements; the purchase price of the security; the discount from market value of unrestricted securities of the same class at the time of purchase; analysts’ research and observations from financial institutions; information regarding any transactions or offers with respect to the security; the existence of merger proposals or tender offers affecting the security; the price and extent of public trading in similar securities of the issuer or comparable companies; and the existence of a shelf registration for restricted securities.

For each portfolio security that has been fair valued pursuant to the policies adopted by the Board of Trustees, the fair value price is compared against the last available and next available market quotations. The Valuation Committee reviews the results of such back testing monthly and fair valuation occurrences are reported to the Board of Trustees quarterly.

The Funds use valuation techniques to measure fair value that are consistent with the market approach and/or income approach, depending on the type of security and the particular circumstance. The market approach uses prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable securities. The income approach uses valuation techniques to discount estimated future cash flows to present value.

GAAP establishes a disclosure hierarchy that categorizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to value assets and liabilities at measurement date. These inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:

 

 

Level 1 — unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical investments

 

 

Level 2 — other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar investments, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.)

 

 

Level 3 — significant unobservable inputs (including the Funds’ own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments) The inputs or methodologies used to value securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.

The following is a summary of the inputs used in valuing the Funds’ assets and liabilities carried at fair value:

International Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF

 

ASSETS  
Description  

Quoted Prices

(Level 1)

    Other Significant
Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
   

Significant
Unobservable
Inputs

(Level 3)

    Total  
Long-Term Investments†:                                

Common Stocks

  $ 136,377,975                 $ 136,377,975  

Preferred Stocks

    870,549                   870,549  
Total Long-Term Investments     137,248,524                   137,248,524  
Short-Term Investments†     711,244                   711,244  
Total Investments   $ 137,959,768                 $ 137,959,768  

 

Franklin Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETFs 2022 Semi-Annual Report       23  


Notes to financial statements (unaudited) (cont’d)

 

ASSETS (cont’d)  
Description  

Quoted Prices

(Level 1)

    Other Significant
Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
   

Significant
Unobservable
Inputs

(Level 3)

    Total  
Other Financial Instruments:                                

Forward Foreign Currency Contracts††

        $ 2,989,933           $ 2,989,933  
Total   $ 137,959,768     $ 2,989,933           $ 140,949,701  
LIABILITIES  
Description   Quoted Prices
(Level 1)
    Other Significant
Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
   

Significant
Unobservable
Inputs

(Level 3)

    Total  
Other Financial Instruments:                                

Futures Contracts††

  $ 57,052                 $ 57,052  

Forward Foreign Currency Contracts††

        $ 64,648             64,648  
Total   $ 57,052     $ 64,648           $ 121,700  

 

†  See Schedule of Investments for additional detailed categorizations.

 

††Reflects the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of the instruments.

 

U.S. Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF

   

 

 

ASSETS  
Description   Quoted Prices
(Level 1)
   

Other Significant
Observable Inputs

(Level 2)

   

Significant
Unobservable
Inputs

(Level 3)

    Total  
Common Stocks†   $ 720,085,776                 $ 720,085,776  
Short-Term Investments†     4,507,018                   4,507,018  
Total Investments   $ 724,592,794                 $ 724,592,794  
LIABILITIES  
Description   Quoted Prices
(Level 1)
    Other Significant
Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
    Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
    Total  
Other Financial Instruments:                                

Futures Contracts††

  $ 288,766                 $ 288,766  

 

See Schedule of Investments for additional detailed categorizations.

 

††

Reflects the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of the instruments.

(b) Futures contracts. The Funds use futures contracts generally to gain or manage exposure to certain asset classes, sectors, or markets or for cash management purposes. A futures contract represents a commitment for the future purchase or sale of an asset at a specified price on a specified date.

Upon entering into a futures contract, the Funds are required to deposit cash or securities with a broker in an amount equal to a certain percentage of the contract amount. This is known as the ‘‘initial margin’’ and subsequent payments (‘‘variation margin’’) are made or received by the Funds each day, depending on the daily fluctuation in the value of the contract. For certain futures, including foreign denominated futures, variation margin is not settled daily, but is recorded as a net variation margin payable or receivable. The daily changes in contract value are recorded as unrealized appreciation or depreciation in the Statements of Operations and the Funds recognize a realized gain or loss when the contract is closed.

Futures contracts involve, to varying degrees, risk of loss in excess of the amounts reflected in the financial statements. In addition, there is the risk that the Funds may not be able to enter into a closing transaction because of an illiquid secondary market.

(c) Forward foreign currency contracts. The Funds enter into a forward foreign currency contract to hedge against foreign currency exchange rate risk on its non-U.S. dollar denominated securities or to facilitate settlement of a foreign currency denominated portfolio transaction. A forward foreign currency contract is an agreement between two parties to buy and sell a currency at a set price with delivery and settlement at a future date. The contract is marked-to-market daily

 

24     Franklin Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETFs 2022 Semi-Annual Report


 

and the change in value is recorded by the Funds as an unrealized gain or loss. When a forward foreign currency contract is closed, through either delivery or offset by entering into another forward foreign currency contract, the Funds recognize a realized gain or loss equal to the difference between the value of the contract at the time it was opened and the value of the contract at the time it is closed.

Forward foreign currency contracts involve elements of market risk in excess of the amounts reflected on the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. The Funds bear the risk of an unfavorable change in the foreign exchange rate underlying the forward foreign currency contract. Risks may also arise upon entering into these contracts from the potential inability of the counterparties to meet the terms of their contracts.

(d) Foreign currency translation. Investment securities and other assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollar amounts based upon prevailing exchange rates on the date of valuation. Purchases and sales of investment securities and income and expense items denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollar amounts based upon prevailing exchange rates on the respective dates of such transactions.

The Funds do not isolate that portion of the results of operations resulting from fluctuations in foreign exchange rates on investments from the fluctuations arising from changes in market prices of securities held. Such fluctuations are included with the net realized and unrealized gain or loss on investments.

Net realized foreign exchange gains or losses arise from sales of foreign currencies, including gains and losses on forward foreign currency contracts, currency gains or losses realized between the trade and settlement dates on securities transactions, and the difference between the amounts of dividends, interest, and foreign withholding taxes recorded on the Funds’ books and the U.S. dollar equivalent of the amounts actually received or paid. Net unrealized foreign exchange gains and losses arise from changes in the values of assets and liabilities, other than investments in securities, on the date of valuation, resulting from changes in exchange rates.

Foreign security and currency transactions may involve certain considerations and risks not typically associated with those of U.S. dollar denominated transactions as a result of, among other factors, the possibility of lower levels of governmental supervision and regulation of foreign securities markets and the possibility of political or economic instability.

(e) Foreign investment risks. The Funds’ investments in foreign securities may involve risks not present in domestic investments. Since securities may be denominated in foreign currencies, may require settlement in foreign currencies or may pay interest or dividends in foreign currencies, changes in the relationship of these foreign currencies to the U.S. dollar can significantly affect the value of the investments and earnings of the Funds. Foreign investments may also subject the Funds to foreign government exchange restrictions, expropriation, taxation or other political, social or economic developments, all of which affect the market and/or credit risk of the investments.

(f) Counterparty risk and credit-risk-related contingent features of derivative instruments. The Funds may invest in certain securities or engage in other transactions where the Funds are exposed to counterparty credit risk in addition to broader market risks. The Funds may invest in securities of issuers, which may also be considered counterparties as trading partners in other transactions. This may increase the risk of loss in the event of default or bankruptcy by the counterparty or if the counterparty otherwise fails to meet its contractual obligations. The Funds’ subadviser attempts to mitigate counterparty risk by (i) periodically assessing the creditworthiness of its trading partners, (ii) monitoring and/or limiting the amount of its net exposure to each individual counterparty based on its assessment and (iii) requiring collateral from the counterparty for certain transactions. Market events and changes in overall economic conditions may impact the assessment of such counterparty risk by the subadviser. In addition, declines in the values of underlying collateral received may expose the Funds to increased risk of loss.

With exchange traded and centrally cleared derivatives, there is less counterparty risk to the Funds since the exchange or clearinghouse, as counterparty to such instruments, guarantees against a possible default. The clearinghouse stands between the buyer and the seller of the contract; therefore, the credit risk is limited to failure of the clearinghouse. While offset rights may exist under applicable law, the Funds do not have a contractual right of offset against a clearing broker or clearinghouse in the event of a default of the clearing broker or clearinghouse.

The Funds have entered into master agreements, such as an International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. Master Agreement (“ISDA Master Agreement”) or similar agreement, with certain of its derivative counterparties that govern over-the-counter (“OTC”) derivatives and provide for general obligations, representations, agreements, collateral posting terms, netting provisions in the event of default or termination and credit related contingent features. The credit related contingent features include, but are not limited to, a percentage decrease in the Funds’ net assets or net asset value per

 

Franklin Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETFs 2022 Semi-Annual Report       25  


Notes to financial statements (unaudited) (cont’d)

 

share over a specified period of time. If these credit related contingent features were triggered, the derivatives counterparty could terminate the positions and demand payment or require additional collateral.

Under an ISDA Master Agreement, the Funds may, under certain circumstances, offset with the counterparty certain derivative financial instruments’ payables and/or receivables with collateral held and/or posted and create one single net payment. However, absent an event of default by the counterparty or a termination of the agreement, the terms of the ISDA Master Agreements do not result in an offset of reported amounts of financial assets and financial liabilities in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities across transactions between the Funds and the applicable counterparty. The enforceability of the right to offset may vary by jurisdiction.

Collateral requirements differ by type of derivative. Collateral or margin requirements are set by the broker or exchange clearinghouse for exchange traded derivatives while collateral terms are contract specific for OTC traded derivatives. Cash collateral that has been pledged to cover obligations of the Funds under derivative contracts, if any, will be reported separately in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. Securities pledged as collateral, if any, for the same purpose are noted in the Schedules of Investments.

As of September 30, 2022, International Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF held forward foreign currency contracts with credit related contingent features which had a liability position of $64,648. If a contingent feature in the master agreements would have been triggered, the Fund would have been required to pay this amount to its derivatives counterparties.

(g) Security transactions and investment income. Security transactions are accounted for on a trade date basis. Interest income (including interest income from payment-in-kind securities), adjusted for amortization of premium and accretion of discount, is recorded on the accrual basis. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date for dividends received in cash and/or securities. Foreign dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date or as soon as practicable after International Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF determines the existence of a dividend declaration after exercising reasonable due diligence. The cost of investments sold is determined by use of the specific identification method. To the extent any issuer defaults or a credit event occurs that impacts the issuer, the Funds may halt any additional interest income accruals and consider the realizability of interest accrued up to the date of default or credit event.

(h) REIT distributions. The character of distributions received from Real Estate Investment Trusts (‘‘REITs’’) held by the Funds is generally comprised of net investment income, capital gains, and return of capital. It is the policy of the Funds to estimate the character of distributions received from underlying REITs based on historical data provided by the REITs. After each calendar year end, REITs report the actual tax character of these distributions. Differences between the estimated and actual amounts reported by the REITs are reflected in the Funds’ records in the year in which they are reported by the REITs by adjusting related investment cost basis, capital gains and income, as necessary.

(i) Distributions to shareholders. Distributions from net investment income of the Funds, if any, are declared and paid on a quarterly basis. Distributions of net realized gains, if any, are declared at least annually. Distributions to shareholders of the Funds are recorded on the ex-dividend date and are determined in accordance with income tax regulations, which may differ from GAAP.

(j) Federal and other taxes. It is the Funds’ policy to comply with the federal income and excise tax requirements of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the “Code”), as amended, applicable to regulated investment companies. Accordingly, the Funds intend to distribute their taxable income and net realized gains, if any, to shareholders in accordance with timing requirements imposed by the Code. Therefore, no federal or state income tax provision is required in the Funds’ financial statements.

Management has analyzed the Funds’ tax positions taken on income tax returns for all open tax years and has concluded that as of March 31, 2022, no provision for income tax is required in the Funds’ financial statements. The Funds’ federal and state income and federal excise tax returns for tax years for which the applicable statutes of limitations have not expired are subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service and state departments of revenue.

Under the applicable foreign tax laws, a withholding tax may be imposed on interest, dividends and capital gains at various rates.

(k) Reclassification. GAAP requires that certain components of net assets be reclassified to reflect permanent differences between financial and tax reporting. These reclassifications have no effect on net assets or net asset value per share.

 

26     Franklin Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETFs 2022 Semi-Annual Report


 

2. Investment management agreement and other transactions with affiliates

Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC (“LMPFA”) is each Fund’s investment manager. Franklin Advisers is each Fund’s subadviser. Western Asset Management Company, LLC (“Western Asset”) manages the portion of each Fund’s cash and short-term instruments allocated to it. LMPFA, Franklin Advisers and Western Asset are wholly-owned subsidiaries of Franklin Resources, Inc. (“Franklin Resources”).

LMPFA provides administrative and certain oversight services to the Funds. LMPFA delegates to the subadviser the day-to-day portfolio management of the Funds. Each Fund is responsible for paying interest expenses, taxes, brokerage expenses, future 12b-1 fees (if any), acquired fund fees and expenses, extraordinary expenses and the management fee payable to LMPFA under the investment management agreement.

Under the investment management agreement and subject to the general supervision of the Funds’ Board of Trustees, LMPFA as to each Fund provides or causes to be furnished all investment management, supervisory, administrative and other services reasonably necessary for the operation of the Fund, including certain distribution services (provided pursuant to a separate distribution agreement) and investment advisory services (provided pursuant to separate subadvisory agreements) under a unitary fee structure.

Each Fund pays an investment management fee, calculated daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of the Fund’s average daily net assets as follows:

 

        Annualized Fee Rate  
Franklin International Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF        0.40
Franklin U.S. Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF        0.27

As compensation for its subadvisory services, LMPFA as to each Fund pays Franklin Advisers 90% of the management fee paid by the Fund to LMPFA, net of (i) all fees and expenses incurred by LMPFA under the investment management agreement (including without limitation any subadvisory fee paid to another subadviser to the Fund) and (ii) expense waivers, if any, and reimbursements. LMPFA as to each Fund pays Western Asset monthly a fee of 0.02% of the portion of each Fund’s average daily net assets allocated to Western Asset for the management of cash and other short-term instruments, net of expense waivers, if any, and reimbursements.

Franklin Distributors, LLC (“Franklin Distributors”) serves as the distributor of Creation Units for the Funds on an agency basis. Franklin Distributors is an indirect, wholly-owned broker-dealer subsidiary of Franklin Resources.

The Funds’ Board of Trustees has adopted a Rule 12b-1 shareholder services and distribution plan and under that plan, each Fund is authorized to pay service and/or distribution fees calculated at an annual rate of up to 0.25% of its average daily net assets. No service and/or distribution fees are currently paid by the Funds, and there are no current plans to impose these fees.

All officers and one Trustee of the Trust are employees of Franklin Resources or its affiliates and do not receive compensation from the Trust.

3. Investments

During the six months ended September 30, 2022, the aggregate cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of investments (excluding in-kind transactions and short-term investments) were as follows:

 

      Purchases      Sales  
International Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF    $ 40,314,288      $ 23,601,074  
U.S. Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF      256,257,360        259,054,469  

During the six months ended September 30, 2022, in-kind transactions (Note 5) were as follows:

 

      Contributions      Redemptions      Realized gain (loss)*  
International Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF    $ 68,919,732      $ 20,069,445      $ 2,049,404  

U.S.Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF

     509,174,545        400,115,859        75,580,933  

* Net realized gains on redemptions in-kind are not taxable to the remaining shareholders of the Fund.

The in-kind contributions and in-kind redemptions shown in this table may not agree with the Funds’ Share Transactions on the Statements of Changes in Net Assets. This table represents the accumulation of each Fund’s daily net shareholder transactions while the Statements of Changes in Net Assets reflects gross shareholder transactions including any cash component of the transactions.

 

Franklin Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETFs 2022 Semi-Annual Report       27  


Notes to financial statements (unaudited) (cont’d)

 

At September 30, 2022, the aggregate cost of investments and the aggregate gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation of investments for federal income tax purposes were substantially as follows:

 

      International Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF  
      Cost     

Gross

Unrealized

Appreciation

    

Gross

Unrealized

Depreciation

    

Net

Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)

 
Securities    $ 162,958,027      $ 461,405      $ (25,459,664)      $ (24,998,259)  
Futures contracts                    (57,052)        (57,052)  
Forward foreign currency contracts             2,989,933        (64,648)        2,925,285  
      U.S. Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF  
      Cost     

Gross

Unrealized

Appreciation

    

Gross

Unrealized
Depreciation

    

Net

Unrealized
Depreciation

 
Securities    $ 797,110,440      $ 12,016,496      $ (84,534,142)      $ (72,517,646)  
Futures contracts                    (288,766)        (288,766)  

4. Derivative instruments and hedging activities

Below is a table, grouped by derivative type, that provides information about the fair value and the location of derivatives within the Statements of Assets and Liabilities at September 30, 2022.

International Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF

 

ASSET DERIVATIVES1  
                              Foreign
Exchange Risk
 
Forward foreign currency contracts                               $ 2,989,933  
LIABILITY DERIVATIVES1  
              Foreign
Exchange Risk
     Equity
Risk
     Total  
Futures contracts2                    $ 57,052      $ 57,052  
Forward foreign currency contracts             $ 64,648               64,648  
Total             $ 64,648      $ 57,052      $ 121,700  

 

1 

Generally, the balance sheet location for asset derivatives is receivables/net unrealized appreciation and for liability derivatives is payables/net unrealized depreciation.

2 

Includes cumulative unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of futures contracts as reported in the Schedules of Investments. Only net variation margin is reported within the receivables and/or payables on the Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

The following tables provide information about the effect of derivatives and hedging activities on the Fund’s Statement of Operations for the six months ended September 30, 2022. The first table provides additional detail about the amounts and sources of gains (losses) realized on derivatives during the period. The second table provides additional information about the change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) resulting from the Fund’s derivatives and hedging activities during the period.

 

AMOUNT OF NET REALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON DERIVATIVES RECOGNIZED  
     

Foreign

Exchange
Risk

    

Equity

Risk

     Total  
Futures contracts    $ 501,421      $ (29,846)      $ 471,575  
Forward foreign currency contracts      11,584,533               11,584,533  
Total    $ 12,085,954      $ (29,846)      $ 12,056,108  

 

28     Franklin Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETFs 2022 Semi-Annual Report


 

CHANGE IN NET UNREALIZED APPRECIATION (DEPRECIATION) ON DERIVATIVES RECOGNIZED  
      Foreign
Exchange Risk
     Equity
Risk
     Total  
Futures contracts           $ (85,846)      $ (85,846)  
Forward foreign currency contracts    $ 2,556,517               2,556,517  
Total    $ 2,556,517      $ (85,846)      $ 2,470,671  

During the six months ended September 30, 2022, the volume of derivative activity for the Fund was as follows:

 

        Average Market
Value
 
Futures contracts (to buy)      $ 1,020,824  
Futures contracts (to sell)†        3,210,880  
Forward foreign currency contracts (to buy)†        3,423,040  
Forward foreign currency contracts (to sell)        109,864,214  

 

At September 30, 2022, there were no open positions held in this derivative.

The following table presents the Fund’s OTC derivative assets and liabilities by counterparty net of amounts available for offset under an ISDA Master Agreement and net of the related collateral pledged (received) by the Fund as of September 30, 2022.

 

Counterparty   

Gross
Assets

Subject to

Master

Agreements1

    

Gross

Liabilities

Subject to

Master

Agreements1

    

Net Assets

(Liabilities)

Subject to

Master

Agreements

    

Collateral

Pledged

(Received)

     Net
Amount2
 
Bank of New York    $ 1,741,068      $ (64,287)      $ 1,676,781             $ 1,676,781  
UBS Securities LLC      1,248,865        (361)        1,248,504               1,248,504  
Total    $ 2,989,933      $ (64,648)      $ 2,925,285             $ 2,925,285  

 

1 

Absent an event of default or early termination, derivative assets and liabilities are presented gross and not offset in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

 

2 

Represents the net amount receivable (payable) from (to) the counterparty in the event of default.

Below is a table, grouped by derivative type, that provides information about the fair value and the location of derivatives within the Statements of Assets and Liabilities at September 30, 2022.

U.S. Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF

 

LIABILITY DERIVATIVES1  
              Equity
Risk
 
Futures contracts2             $ 288,766  

 

1 

Generally, the balance sheet location for asset derivatives is receivables/net unrealized appreciation and for liability derivatives is payables/net unrealized depreciation.

 

2 

Includes cumulative unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of futures contracts as reported in the Schedules of Investments. Only net variation margin is reported within the receivables and/or payables on the Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

The following tables provide information about the effect of derivatives and hedging activities on the Fund’s Statement of Operations for the six months ended September 30, 2022. The first table provides additional detail about the amounts and sources of gains (losses) realized on derivatives during the period. The second table provides additional information about the change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) resulting from the Fund’s derivatives and hedging activities during the period.

 

AMOUNT OF NET REALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON DERIVATIVES RECOGNIZED  
              Equity
Risk
 
Futures contracts             $ 49,329  

 

Franklin Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETFs 2022 Semi-Annual Report       29  


Notes to financial statements (unaudited) (cont’d)

 

CHANGE IN NET UNREALIZED APPRECIATION (DEPRECIATION) ON DERIVATIVES RECOGNIZED  
     

Equity

Risk

 
Futures contracts    $ (445,161)  

During the six months ended September 30, 2022, the volume of derivative activity for the Fund was as follows:

 

        Average
Market
Value
 
Futures contracts (to buy)      $ 3,867,588  

5. Fund share transactions

At September 30, 2022, the Trust had an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest authorized with a par value of $0.00001 per share. Each Fund’s shares are issued and redeemed by the Funds only in Creation Units or Creation Unit aggregations, where 60,000 and 50,000 shares of International Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF and U.S. Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF, respectively, constitute a Creation Unit. Such transactions are generally on an in-kind basis, with a separate cash payment, which is a balancing cash component to equate the transaction to the net asset value per share of each Fund on the transaction date. Transactions in capital shares of the Funds are disclosed in detail in the Statements of Changes in Net Assets. Authorized Participants are subject to standard creation and redemption transaction fees to offset transfer and other transaction costs associated with the issuance and redemption of Creation Units. Creations and redemptions for cash (when cash creations and redemptions are available or specified) may be subject to an additional variable fee.

6. Deferred capital losses

As of March 31, 2022, International Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF and U.S. Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF had deferred capital losses of $5,397,548 and $120,691,386, respectively, which have no expiration date, that will be available to offset future taxable capital gains.

7. Geopolitical risk

On February 24, 2022, Russia engaged in military actions in the sovereign territory of Ukraine. The current political and financial uncertainty surrounding Russia and Ukraine may increase market volatility and the economic risk of investing in securities in these countries and may also cause uncertainty for the global economy and broader financial markets. The ultimate fallout and long-term impact from these events are not known. The Funds will continue to assess the impact on valuations and liquidity and will take any potential actions needed in accordance with procedures approved by the Board of Trustees.

8. Recent accounting pronouncements

In June 2022, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2022-03, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820) – Fair Value Measurement of Equity Securities Subject to Contractual Sale Restrictions. The amendments in the ASU clarify that a contractual restriction on the sale of an equity security is not considered part of the unit of account of the equity security and, therefore, should not be considered in measuring fair value. The ASU is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2023, with the option of early adoption. Management is currently evaluating the impact, if any, of applying this ASU.

***

In March 2020, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (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, the FASB issued ASU No. 2021-01, 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 LIBOR and other interbank-offered based reference rates as of the end of 2021 and 2023. The ASUs are effective for certain reference rate-related contract modifications that occur during the period March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2022. Management has reviewed the requirements and believes the adoption of these ASUs will not have a material impact on the financial statements.

 

30     Franklin Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETFs 2022 Semi-Annual Report


 

9. Other matter

The outbreak of the respiratory illness COVID-19 (commonly referred to as “coronavirus”) has continued to rapidly spread around the world, causing considerable uncertainty for the global economy and financial markets. The ultimate economic fallout from the pandemic, and the long-term impact on economies, markets, industries and individual issuers, are not known. The COVID-19 pandemic could adversely affect the value and liquidity of the Funds’ investments, impair the Funds’ ability to satisfy redemption requests, and negatively impact the Funds’ performance. In addition, the outbreak of COVID-19, and measures taken to mitigate its effects, could result in disruptions to the services provided to a Fund by its service providers.

 

Franklin Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETFs 2022 Semi-Annual Report       31  


Board approval of management and subadvisory agreements (unaudited)

 

Legg Mason ETF Investment Trust

Franklin International Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF

(formerly Legg Mason International Low Volatility High Dividend ETF)

Franklin U.S. Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF

(formerly Legg Mason Low Volatility High Dividend ETF)

(each a Fund)

At a meeting held on May 25, 2022 (Meeting), the Board of Trustees (Board) of the Legg Mason ETF Investment 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 (i) the investment management agreement between Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC (LMPFA) and the Trust, on behalf of each Fund; (ii) the investment sub-advisory agreement between LMPFA and Franklin Advisers, Inc. (FAV), an affiliate of LMPFA, on behalf of each Fund; and (iii) the investment sub-advisory agreement between LMPFA and Western Asset Management Company, LLC (Western Asset LLC), an affiliate of LMPFA, on behalf of each Fund (each a 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 each Management Agreement. Although the Management Agreements for the Funds were considered at the same Board meeting, the Board considered the information provided to it about the Funds together and with respect to each Fund separately as the Board deemed appropriate. LMPFA, FAV and Western Asset LLC are each referred to herein as a Manager.

In considering the continuation of each Management Agreement, the Board reviewed and considered information provided by each 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 each 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 at the Meeting. The Board reviewed and considered all of the factors it deemed relevant in approving the continuance of each Management Agreement, including, but not limited to: (i) the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by each Manager; (ii) the investment performance of each Fund, as well as each Fund’s tracking error against a specified benchmark index as of a recent period; (iii) the costs of the services provided and profits realized by each Manager and its affiliates from the relationship with each Fund; (iv) the extent to which economies of scale are realized as each Fund grows; and (v) whether fee levels reflect these economies of scale for the benefit of Fund investors.

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

 

32     Franklin Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETFs


 

The Board also reviewed and considered the benefits provided to Fund shareholders of investing in a fund that is part of the FT family of funds. The Board noted the financial position of Franklin Resources, Inc. (FRI), each 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 Funds by the FT organization. The Board specifically noted FT’s commitment to being a global leader in stewardship and sustainability and the recent addition of a senior executive focused on environmental, social and governance and climate control initiatives.

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

Fund Performance

The Board reviewed and considered the performance results of each Fund for various time periods ended February 28, 2022. The Board considered the performance returns for each 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 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 Funds to date, particularly as compared to peers, the importance of performance to asset growth and growth of market share, and the performance of the Funds 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 each Fund’s performance results is below.

Franklin International Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF - The Performance Universe for the Fund included the Fund and all retail and institutional international multi-cap value funds and exchange-traded funds. The Fund commenced operations on July 27, 2016 and thus has been in operation for less than ten years. The Board noted that the Fund’s annualized total return for the one-year and five-year periods was above the median of its Performance Universe, but for the three-year period was below the median of its Performance Universe. The Board concluded that the Fund’s performance was satisfactory.

Franklin U.S. Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF - The Performance Universe for the Fund included the Fund and all retail and institutional multi-cap value funds and exchange-traded funds. The Fund commenced operations on December 28, 2015, and thus has been in operation for less than ten years. The Board noted that the Fund’s annualized total return for the one-year period was above the median and in the first quintile (best) of its Performance Universe, but for the three- and five-year periods was below the median of its Performance Universe. The Board also noted that, while the Fund’s annualized total return was below median for the three- and five-year periods, it was 10.54% and 8.73%, respectively. The Board concluded that the Fund’s performance was satisfactory.

Comparative Fees and Expenses

The Board reviewed and considered information regarding each Fund’s actual total expense ratio, noting that each 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 each 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.

 

Franklin Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETFs       33  


Board approval of management and subadvisory agreements (unaudited) (cont’d)

 

Franklin International Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF - The Expense Group for the Fund was comprised of strategic beta exchange-traded funds, which included the Fund and eight other international multi-cap value funds. The Board noted that the Management Rate for the Fund was only one basis point above the median of its Expense Group, and that its actual total expense ratio was only three basis points above the median of its Expense Group. The Board further noted that the Fund has a unified management fee (Unified Fee) and that pursuant to the Unified Fee arrangement the Manager pays for all operating expenses of the Fund, except interest expenses, taxes, brokerage expenses, future Rule 12b-1 fees (if any), acquired fund fees and expenses, extraordinary expenses and the management fee (Unified Fee Arrangement). The Board also noted that each of FAV and Western Asset LLC is paid by LMPFA out of the Unified Fee LMPFA receives from the Fund and that the allocation of the fee between LMPFA and each of FAV and Western Asset LLC reflected the services provided by each to the Fund. After consideration of the above, the Board concluded that the Management Rate charged to the Fund and the sub-advisory fee paid to each of FAV and Western Asset LLC are reasonable.

Franklin U.S. Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF - The Expense Group for the Fund was comprised of strategic beta exchange-traded funds, which included the Fund and seven other multi-cap value funds. The Board noted that the Management Rate for the Fund and its actual total expense ratio was only one basis point or less above the median of its Expense Group. The Board further noted that the Fund has a Unified Fee and the terms of the Unified Fee Arrangement. The Board also noted that each of FAV and Western Asset LLC is paid by LMPFA out of the Unified Fee LMPFA receives from the Fund and that the allocation of the fee between LMPFA and each of FAV and Western Asset LLC reflected the services provided by each to the Fund. After consideration of the above, the Board concluded that the Management Rate charged to the Fund and the sub-advisory fee paid to each of FAV and Western Asset LLC are reasonable.

Profitability

The Board reviewed and considered information regarding the profits realized by each Manager and its affiliates in connection with the operation of each 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, 2021, 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 Funds’ 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 Funds’ 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 each Manager and its affiliates may not be fully reflected in the expenses allocated to each 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 Funds, 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 each 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 each Manager and its affiliates from providing services to each Fund was not excessive in view of the nature, extent and quality of services provided to each Fund.

Economies of Scale

The Board reviewed and considered the extent to which each Manager may realize economies of scale, if any, as each Fund grows larger and whether each Fund’s management fee structure reflects any economies of scale for the benefit of shareholders. The Board considered that each Fund would likely experience benefits from the Unified Fee at the Fund’s projected asset levels because of LMPFA’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 any of the Funds will generate significant, if any,

 

34     Franklin Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETFs


 

profit for LMPFA and/or its affiliates for some time. The Board 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, 2021, the Franklin International Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF’s net assets were approximately $83 million and the Franklin U.S. Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF’s net assets were approximately $780 million. The Board also noted management’s representation that, while the Franklin U.S. Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF had net assets of approximately $780 million, the Fund was not profitable. The Board recognized that there would not likely be any economies of scale for a Fund 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 each Management Agreement for an additional one-year period.

 

Franklin Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETFs       35  


Statement regarding liquidity risk management program (unaudited)

 

Each Fund 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 for the Franklin Templeton and Legg Mason Funds 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 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/Directors held in May 2022, the Program Administrator provided a written report to the Board addressing the adequacy and effectiveness of the program for the year ended December 31, 2021. 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.

 

36     Franklin Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETFs


Franklin Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETFs

 

Trustees

Rohit Bhagat

Deborah D. McWhinney

Anantha K. Pradeep

Jennifer M. Johnson

Chair

Investment manager

Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC

Subadviser

Franklin Advisers, Inc.

Custodian

The Bank of New York Mellon

Transfer agent

The Bank of New York Mellon

240 Greenwich Street

New York, NY 10286

Independent registered public accounting firm

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP Baltimore, MD

 

Franklin Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETFs

Franklin International Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF

Franklin U.S. Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF

The Funds are separate investment series of Legg Mason ETF Investment Trust, a Maryland statutory trust.

Franklin Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETFs

Legg Mason Funds

620 Eighth Avenue, 47th Floor

New York, NY 10018

 

The Funds file their complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year as an exhibit to their reports on Form N-PORT. The Funds’ Forms N-PORT are available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. To obtain information on Form N-PORT, shareholders can call the Funds at 1-877-721-1926.

 

Information on how the Funds voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the prior 12-month period ended June 30th of each year and a description of the policies and procedures that the Funds use to determine how to vote proxies related to portfolio transactions are available (1) without charge, upon request, by calling the Funds at 1-877-721-1926, (2) at www.franklintempleton.com and (3) on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

 

This report is submitted for the general information of the shareholders of Franklin International Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF and Franklin U.S. Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF. This report is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors in the Funds unless preceded or accompanied by a current prospectus.

Investors should consider each Fund’s investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses carefully before investing. Each prospectus contains this and other important information about the Funds. Please read the prospectuses carefully before investing.

www.franklintempleton.com

© 2022 Franklin Distributors, LLC, Member FINRA/SIPC. All rights reserved.


ETF Index Disclaimers

 

Franklin International Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF

The MSCI World ex-US IMI Index (the “MSCI Index”) was used by Franklin Advisers, Inc. (“Franklin Advisers”), the Fund’s subadviser, as the reference universe for selection of the component securities included in the QS International Low Volatility High Dividend Hedged Index (the “Underlying Index”). MSCI Inc. does not in any way sponsor, support, promote or endorse the Underlying Index or Legg Mason International Low Volatility High Dividend ETF (the “Fund”). MSCI Inc. was not and is not involved in any way in the creation, calculation, maintenance or review of the Underlying Index. The MSCI Index was provided on an “as is” basis. MSCI Inc., its affiliates and any other person or entity involved in or related to compiling, computing or creating the MSCI Index (collectively, the “MSCI Parties”) expressly disclaim all warranties (including, without limitation, any warranties of originality, accuracy, completeness, timeliness, non-infringement, merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose). Without limiting any of the foregoing, in no event shall any MSCI Party have any liability for any direct, indirect, special, incidental, punitive, consequential (including without limitation lost profits) or any other damages in connection with the MSCI Index, the Underlying Index or the Fund.

The Fund is not sponsored, promoted, sold or supported in any other manner by Solactive AG nor does Solactive AG offer any express or implicit guarantee or assurance either with regard to the results of using the Underlying Index and/or Underlying Index trade mark or the Underlying Index Price at any time or in any other respect. The Underlying Index is calculated and published by Solactive AG. Solactive AG uses its best efforts to ensure that the Underlying Index is calculated correctly. Irrespective of its obligations towards the Fund, Solactive AG has no obligation to point out errors in the Underlying Index to third parties including but not limited to investors and/or financial intermediaries of the Fund. Neither publication of the Underlying Index by Solactive AG nor the licensing of the Underlying Index or the Underlying Index trade mark for the purpose of use in connection with the Fund constitutes a recommendation by Solactive AG to invest capital in this Fund nor does it in any way represent an assurance or opinion of Solactive AG with regard to any investment in this Fund.

Franklin Advisers does not guarantee the accuracy and/or the completeness of the Underlying Index or any data included therein, and Franklin Advisers shall not have any liability for any errors, omissions or interruptions therein. Franklin Advisers makes no warranty, express or implied, as to results to be obtained by the Fund, owners of the shares of the Fund or any other person or entity from the use of the Underlying Index, or any data included therein, either in connection with the Fund or for any other use. Franklin Advisers makes no express or implied warranties, and expressly disclaims all warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose or use with respect to the Underlying Index or any data included therein. Without limiting any of the foregoing, in no event shall Franklin Advisers have any liability for any special, punitive, direct, indirect or consequential damages (including lost profits) arising out of matters relating to the use of the Underlying Index, even if notified of the possibility of such damages.


Franklin U.S. Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF

Solactive AG does not sponsor, promote, sell or support in any manner the Legg Mason Low Volatility High Dividend ETF (the “Fund”). Solactive AG does not offer any express or implicit guarantee or assurance either with regard to the results of using the Solactive US Broad Market Index (the “Solactive Index” or the “Underlying Index”) and/or Solactive Index trade mark or the Solactive Index Price at any time or in any other respect. The Solactive Index is calculated and published by Solactive AG. Solactive AG uses its best efforts to ensure that the Solactive Index is calculated correctly. Irrespective of its obligations towards the Fund, Solactive AG has no obligation to point out errors in the Solactive Index to third parties including but not limited to investors and/or financial intermediaries of the Fund. Neither publication of the Solactive Index by Solactive AG nor the licensing of the Solactive Index or Solactive Index trade mark for the purpose of use in connection with the Fund constitutes a recommendation by Solactive AG to invest capital in the Fund nor does it in any way represent an assurance or opinion of Solactive AG with regard to any investment in the Fund.

Solactive AG does not offer any express or implicit guarantee or assurance either with regard to the results of using the Fund’s Underlying Index and/or Underlying Index trade mark or the Underlying Index Price at any time or in any other respect. The Fund’s Underlying Index is calculated and published by Solactive AG. Solactive AG uses its best efforts to ensure that the Underlying Index is calculated correctly. Irrespective of its obligations towards the Fund, Solactive AG has no obligation to point out errors in the Underlying Index to third parties including but not limited to investors and/or financial intermediaries of the Fund. Neither publication of the Underlying Index by Solactive AG nor the licensing of the Underlying Index or Underlying Index trade mark for the purpose of use in connection with the Fund constitutes a recommendation by Solactive AG to invest capital in the Fund nor does it in any way represent an assurance or opinion of Solactive AG with regard to any investment in the Fund.

Franklin Advisers, Inc. (“Franklin Advisers”) does not guarantee the accuracy and/or the completeness of the Underlying Index or any data included therein, and Franklin Advisers shall not have any liability for any errors, omissions or interruptions therein. Franklin Advisers makes no warranty, express or implied, as to results to be obtained by the Fund, owners of the shares of the Fund or any other person or entity from the use of the Underlying Index, or any data included therein, either in connection with the Fund or for any other use. Franklin Advisers makes no express or implied warranties, and expressly disclaims all warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose or use with respect to the Underlying Index or any data included therein. Without limiting any of the foregoing, in no event shall Franklin Advisers have any liability for any special, punitive, direct, indirect or consequential damages (including lost profits) arising out of matters relating to the use of the Underlying Index, even if notified of the possibility of such damages.


    

    

www.franklintempleton.com

© 2022 Franklin Distributors, LLC, Member FINRA/SIPC. All rights reserved.

LMETF S 11/22 SR22-4536