Franklin Templeton Investments Corp. today introduced Bissett Energy Corporate Class. The fund will provide an alternative for investors that would like direct exposure to the Canadian energy sector.

“Canada is an energy leader,” said Don Reed, President and CEO of Franklin Templeton Investments, in a news release. “Increasing energy demand in the face of declining world supply means attractive long-term investment opportunities for the Bissett team.”

Bissett Energy Corporate Class will invest in a concentrated group of Canadian energy securities based on fundamental bottom-up analysis. The investment portfolio of 25 to 35 securities will include businesses engaged in exploration, production, refining and marketing, transportation of all types of energy and the provision of services and other energy-related activities.

Garey Aitken and Chris Fernyc are co-lead managers of the new fund.

Aitken is the vp, director of equity research of Bissett Investment Management in Calgary. Since 1999, he has acted as the lead manager of the Bissett Large Cap Fund. In addition, Aitken is the co-lead manager of Bissett Canadian Equity Fund and Bissett All Canadian Focus Fund.

Fernyc, vp of Bissett Investment Management, has acted as the co-lead manager of two funds since 2000: Bissett Small Cap Fund and Bissett Microcap Fund.

In other developments, Franklin Templeton Investments announced additions to its tax-efficient fund series that meet the demand for tax-efficient cash flow.

The Series T fund classes are ideal cash flow solutions for investors. The payments consist primarily of return on capital and are not considered income for tax purposes, providing higher cash flow for investors on a monthly basis.

Two portfolios within the Quotential program, the company’s managed investment solution, and three equity funds will now offer the Series T fund class. They are:

  • Franklin Templeton Global Growth Portfolio;
  • Franklin Templeton Growth Portfolio;
  • Franklin Templeton U.S. Rising Dividends Fund;
  • Mutual Discovery Fund; and
  • Mutual Beacon Fund.