Franklin Templeton fund launch: Firm introduces new multi-factor equity scheme in India; four-factor model aims for sustainable returns

Franklin Templeton (India) has announced the launch of the Franklin India Multi-Factor Fund (FIMF), an open-ended equity scheme built on a data-driven, multi-factor quantitative investment model. According to the company, the fund aims to create long-term wealth through a systematic approach that selects stocks based on four factors — Quality, Value, Sentiment, and Alternatives (QVSA).The investment universe will comprise the top 500 Indian companies by market capitalisation, combining quantitative insights with the fund manager’s expertise. The New Fund Offer (NFO) will be open for subscription between November 10 and November 24, 2025, with units priced at Rs 10 each.Avinash Satwalekar, president of Franklin Templeton–India, said that advancements in technology and artificial intelligence have made it possible to design data models that help identify investment opportunities. “Franklin India Multi-Factor Fund exemplifies this integration of technology in investment strategies. It provides a comprehensive investment solution that integrates advanced technology and data analytics with expert human oversight,” he said.Adam Petryk, executive vice president and head of Franklin Templeton Investment Solutions, noted that the global team manages assets worth over $ 98 billion, applying a systematic and data-oriented approach.“By combining stock-specific indicators such as ROE, valuation, and earnings momentum with forward-looking signals and macroeconomic insights, we offer Indian investors a strategy grounded in data and adaptable to changing market conditions,” he said.Fund manager Arihant Jain explained that the portfolio will be built using a disciplined, quantitative framework assessing over 40 factors grouped under Quality, Value, Sentiment, and Alternatives. Jain said, “Investing across multiple factors such as quality, value, momentum and low volatility may help investors reduce the downside risk associated with a single factor approach.”As stated by the company, the scheme seeks to achieve long-term capital appreciation through equity and related instruments using a multi-factor quantitative model. It will reopen for continuous sale and repurchase from December 2, 2025. The fund will be benchmarked against the BSE 200 TRI and will carry an exit load of 0.5% if redeemed within a year.Franklin Templeton said it manages a diverse range of mutual funds across 39 offices and over 100 collection centres in India. Globally, Franklin Resources, Inc. operates as Franklin Templeton in over 150 countries, managing $1.66 trillion in assets as of September 30, 2025.