Franklin Resources : Templeton Russia and East European Fund, Inc. ("TRF") Releases Portfolio Allocation Update and Announces Approval of Proposed Plan of Liquidation

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL--(Marketwired - Jul 17, 2015) - The Templeton Russia and East European Fund, Inc. (NYSE: TRF), which trades on the New York Stock Exchange, today released a portfolio allocation update containing the following information as of June 30, 2015:

• Asset Allocation
• Ten Largest Positions
• International Allocation
• Industry Allocation

To obtain a copy of the update, please contact Fund Information at 1-800-342-5236.

The Fund also announced today that its Board of Directors has unanimously approved the liquidation and dissolution of the Fund, subject to shareholder approval. Based on the recommendation of the investment adviser and on other factors, including small size and declining shareholder interest in the Fund, the Board of Directors of the Fund believes that liquidation of the Fund is in the best interests of the Fund and its shareholders.

It is anticipated that the Plan of Liquidation and Dissolution will be submitted to shareholders for approval at the Fund's Annual Shareholders' Meeting to be held on September 24, 2015. If approved by shareholders, the liquidation and dissolution is expected to occur before the end of the year.

The Fund's investment manager, Templeton Asset Management Ltd., is an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of Franklin Resources, Inc. (NYSE: BEN), a global investment management organization operating as Franklin Templeton Investments. Franklin Templeton Investments provides global and domestic investment management to retail, institutional and sovereign wealth clients in over 150 countries. Through specialized teams, the company has expertise across all asset classes -- including equity, fixed income, alternative and custom solutions. The company's more than 600 investment professionals are supported by its integrated, worldwide team of risk management professionals and global trading desk network. With offices in 35 countries, the California-based company has more than 65 years of investment experience and over $866 billion in assets under management as of June 30, 2015. For more information, please visit franklintempleton.com.

This press release contains statistical data regarding the Funds' portfolios. The Funds' complete portfolio holdings are publicly available on a quarterly basis on Form N-Q, as well as in the Funds' Annual and Semi-Annual Reports to Shareholders filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. These documents may be found at sec.gov. For portfolio management discussions, including information regarding the Funds' investment strategies, please view the most recent Annual or Semi-Annual Report to Shareholders which can be found at franklintempleton.com or sec.gov.

You may request a copy of the Fund's current Report to Shareholders by contacting Franklin Templeton's Fund Information Department at 1-800/DIAL BEN® (1-800-342-5236) or by visiting franklintempleton.com. All investments involve risks, including possible loss of principal. Special risks are associated with foreign investing including currency volatility, economic instability, and social and political developments of countries where the Fund invests. Emerging markets involve heightened risks related to the same factors, in addition to those associated with their relatively small size and lesser liquidity. Investments in Russian and East European securities involve significant additional risks, including political and social uncertainty (for example, regional conflicts and risk of war), currency exchange rate volatility, pervasiveness of corruption and crime in the Russian and East European economic systems, delays in settling portfolio transactions, and risk of loss arising out of the system of share registration and custody used in Russia and East European countries. The U.S. and other nations have imposed and could impose additional sanctions on certain issuers in Russia due to regional conflicts. These sanctions could result in the devaluation of Russia's currency, a downgrade in Russian issuers' credit ratings, or a decline in the value and liquidity of Russian stocks or other securities. The Fund may be prohibited from investing in securities issued by companies subject to such sanctions. In addition, if the Fund holds the securities of an issuer that is subject to such sanctions, an immediate freeze of that issuer's securities could result, impairing the ability of the Fund to buy, sell, receive or deliver those securities. There is also the risk that countermeasures could be taken by Russia's government, which could involve the seizure of the Fund's assets. Such sanctions could adversely affect Russia's economy, possibly forcing the economy into a recession. These risks could impair the Fund's ability to meet its investment objective. Because the Fund invests its assets primarily in companies in a specific region, the Fund is subject to greater risks of adverse developments in that region and/or the surrounding regions than a fund that is more broadly diversified geographically. Political, social or economic disruptions in the region, even in countries in which the Fund is not invested, may adversely affect the value of securities held by the Fund. Also, as a nondiversified investment company investing in Russia and East European countries, the Fund may invest in a relatively small number of issuers and, as a result, may be subject to greater risk of loss with respect to its portfolio securities. The Fund is actively managed and investment allocations can be expected to change, but there is no guarantee that the manager's investment decisions will produce the desired results. The industry allocation uses MSCI's industry definitions for the convenience of comparison. The information provided is as of the date shown and comes from sources considered reliable, but the Fund makes no representation or warranty as to its completeness or accuracy.

* Equity includes convertible and preferred securities.