Franklin Templeton Canada announced on May 4 the launch of Franklin Global Aggregate Bond Fund, which the company says will “make it easier for financial advisors and investors to access its popular global investment grade bond ETF in a mutual fund structure.”

The new fund will invest directly in Franklin Liberty Global Aggregate Bond ETF (CAD-Hedged) (FLGA), which provides exposure to government, sovereign and corporate bonds, with a Canadian dollar currency hedge.

"Canadians are searching for yield in this low interest rate environment," said Duane Green, president and CEO, Franklin Templeton Canada. "Our global aggregate bond strategy is focused on providing yield and global diversification that advisors and investors need for their fixed income portfolios, now in either a mutual fund or ETF structure, at a low cost."

The Franklin Global Aggregate Bond strategy is co-managed by Franklin Templeton Fixed Income portfolio managers, including Sonal Desai, CIO, EVP and portfolio manager, and John Beck, director of fixed income for London, SVP and portfolio manager.

"FLGA has been one of our most successful ETFs," Green added. "Advisors have been asking for this core global fixed income solution in a mutual fund structure, so we've added it to our actively managed suite of domestic and global fixed income offerings."