Franklin Templeton Investments Corp. today introduced the Franklin U.S. Core Equity Fund. Available for sale August 1, the fund will provide investors with a direct investment in the world’s largest economy.

“This fund will offer investors a compelling balance between growth potential and low risk in large cap U.S. stocks,” said Don Reed, President and CEO of Franklin Templeton Investments Corp., in a release.

The fund will be managed by veteran Franklin managers Ed Perks and Steven Kornfield. They both manage a number of U.S. equity funds, including the top performing U.S.-domiciled US$61-billion Franklin Income Fund managed by Perks. The managers are supported by a team of more than 30 analysts searching the U.S. market for the best growth investment opportunities.

As well, Franklin Templeton announced that a new global balanced portfolio has been added to the Quotential program.

Franklin Templeton Global Balanced Portfolio is a new addition to the Quotential program. The portfolio will seek a balance between current income and long-term capital appreciation by investing in Franklin Templeton mutual funds with a global focus.

“The new portfolio is an ideal all-in-one solution for investors seeking a balanced approach to global diversification,” said Brent Smith, senior vp and chief investment officer of Fiduciary Trust Company of Canada.

Quotential is Canada’s best-selling independent fund-of-funds program, swelling to $8 billion in assets under administration since its introduction in 2002.

The new portfolio, available to investors on August 1, brings to eight the number of separate portfolios designed to meet the different investment objectives and risk tolerance of Canadians.

Tax-efficient versions of the Franklin Templeton Global Balanced Portfolio will be available for investors accumulating assets and drawing an income via our Corporate Class and Series-T services.

A preliminary simplified prospectus relating to Franklin U.S. Core Equity Fund, Franklin Templeton Global Balanced Portfolio and FT Global Balanced Corporate Class Portfolio has been filed with the Canadian securities commissions or similar authorities. Investors cannot buy units of the funds until the relevant securities commissions issue receipts for the simplified prospectus of the funds.