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    SEC Form SC 13G/A filed by Paymentus Holdings Inc. (Amendment)

    2/6/24 1:44:13 PM ET
    $PAY
    Business Services
    Consumer Discretionary
    Get the next $PAY alert in real time by email
    SC 13G/A 1 paym23a5.htm paym23a5.htm - Generated by SEC Publisher for SEC Filing  

          CUSIP NO. 70439P108                           13G                            Page 1 of 14

     

     

                                                                                 UNITED STATES

                                                            SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                                                                        Washington, D.C. 20549

     

                                                                                  SCHEDULE 13G

     

                                                     Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

                                                                            (Amendment No. 5)*

     

                                                                      Paymentus Holdings, Inc.

                                                                              (Name of Issuer)

     

                                             Class A Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share

                                                                (Title of Class of Securities)

     

                                                                                     70439P108

                                                                                (CUSIP Number)

     

                                                                             December 31, 2023

     

                                       (Date of Event Which Requires Filing of this Statement)

     

        Check the appropriate box to designate the rule pursuant to which this Schedule is filed:

     

        [X] Rule 13d‑1(b)

        [ ] Rule 13d‑1(c)

        [ ] Rule 13d‑1(d)

     

        *The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting person's initial

        filing on this form with respect to the subject class of securities, and for any subsequent

        amendment containing information which would alter the disclosures provided in a prior cover

        page.

     

        The information required in the remainder of this cover page shall not be deemed to be

        "filed" for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 ("Act") or

        otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act but shall be subject to all

        other provisions of the Act (however, see the Notes).

     

     


     
     

          CUSIP NO. 70439P108                           13G                            Page 2 of 14

     

     

              1.    NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS.    

     

                          Franklin Resources, Inc.

     

              2.    CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP

     

                          (a)

                          (b) X

     

              3.    SEC USE ONLY

     

              4.    CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

     

                          Delaware

     

              NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH:

     

              5.    SOLE VOTING POWER

     

                          (See Item 4)

     

              6.    SHARED VOTING POWER

     

                          (See Item 4)

     

              7.    SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER

     

                          (See Item 4)

     

              8.    SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

     

                          (See Item 4)

     

              9.    AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

     

                          2,189,578

     

              10.   CHECK IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES

                          CERTAIN SHARES [ ]

     

              11.   PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (9)

     

                          10.7%

     

              12.   TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON

     

                          HC, CO (See Item 4)

     


     
     

          CUSIP NO. 70439P108                           13G                            Page 3 of 14

     

     

              1.    NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS.    

     

                          Charles B. Johnson1

     

              2.    CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP

     

                          (a)

                          (b) X

     

              3.    SEC USE ONLY

     

              4.    CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

     

                          USA

     

              NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH:

     

              5.    SOLE VOTING POWER

     

                          (See Item 4)

     

              6.    SHARED VOTING POWER

     

                          (See Item 4)

     

              7.    SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER

     

                          (See Item 4)

     

              8.    SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

     

                          (See Item 4)

     

              9.    AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

     

                          (See Item 4)

     

              10.   CHECK IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES

                          CERTAIN SHARES [ ]

     

              11.   PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (9)

     

                          (See Item 4)

     

              12.   TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON

     

                          HC, IN (See Item 4)

     


    1 Shares of common stock of Franklin Resources, Inc. held in a revocable trust for which Mr. C.B. Johnson is trustee, as well as shares held in 401(k) Plan, shares held in an individual retirement account, and shares held by three private charitable foundations for which he is a trustee with shared voting and investment power (Mr. C.B. Johnson disclaims beneficial ownership of such shares).


     
     

          CUSIP NO. 70439P108                           13G                            Page 4 of 14

     

     

              1.    NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS.    

     

                          Rupert H. Johnson, Jr.2

     

              2.    CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP

     

                          (a)

                          (b) X

     

              3.    SEC USE ONLY

     

              4.    CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

     

                          USA

     

              NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH:

     

              5.    SOLE VOTING POWER

     

                          (See Item 4)

     

              6.    SHARED VOTING POWER

     

                          (See Item 4)

     

              7.    SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER

     

                          (See Item 4)

     

              8.    SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

     

                          (See Item 4)

     

              9.    AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

     

                          (See Item 4)

     

              10.   CHECK IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES

                          CERTAIN SHARES [ ]

     

              11.   PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (9)

     

                          (See Item 4)

     

              12.   TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON

     

                          HC, IN (See Item 4)

     


    2 Shares of common stock of Franklin Resources, Inc. held in a revocable trust for which Mr. R. H. Johnson, Jr. is trustee, as well as shares held in 401(k) Plan, shares held in an individual retirement account, shares held by his spouse (Mr. R. H. Johnson, Jr. disclaims beneficial ownership of such shares), and shares held by a private charitable foundation for which he is a trustee (Mr. R. H. Johnson, Jr. disclaims beneficial ownership of such shares).


     
     

          CUSIP NO. 70439P108                           13G                            Page 5 of 14

     

     

              1.    NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS.    

     

                          Franklin Advisers, Inc.

     

              2.    CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP

     

                          (a)

                          (b) X

     

              3.    SEC USE ONLY

     

              4.    CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

     

                          California

     

              NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH:

     

              5.    SOLE VOTING POWER

     

                          2,137,178

     

              6.    SHARED VOTING POWER

     

                          0

     

              7.    SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER

     

                          2,137,178

     

              8.    SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

     

                          0

     

              9.    AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

     

                          2,137,178

     

              10.   CHECK IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES

                          CERTAIN SHARES [ ]

     

              11.   PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (9)

     

                          10.4%

     

              12.   TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON

     

                          IA, CO (See Item 4)

     


     
     

          CUSIP NO. 70439P108                           13G                            Page 6 of 14

     

     

              Item 1.

     

              (a)   Name of Issuer

     

                          Paymentus Holdings, Inc.

     

              (b)   Address of Issuer's Principal Executive Offices

     

               11605 North Community House Road, Suite 300

               Charlotte, NC 28277

     

              Item 2.

     

              (a)   Name of Person Filing

                          (i):   Franklin Resources, Inc.

     

                          (ii):  Charles B. Johnson

     

                          (iii): Rupert H. Johnson, Jr.

     

                          (iv):  Franklin Advisers, Inc.

     

     

              (b)   Address of Principal Business Office or, if none, Residence

     

                          (i), (ii), and (iii):

                                      One Franklin Parkway

                                      San Mateo, CA 94403‑1906

                         (iv): One Franklin Parkway

                                      San Mateo, CA  94403‑1906

     

              (c)   Citizenship

     

                          (i):     Delaware

     

                          (ii) and (iii): USA

     

                          (iv): California

     

     

              (d)   Title of Class of Securities

     

                          Class A Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share

     

              (e)   CUSIP Number

     

                          70439P108

     

     


     
     

          CUSIP NO. 70439P108                           13G                            Page 7 of 14

     

     

            Item 3. If this statement is filed pursuant to §§240.13d‑1(b) or 240.13d‑2(b) or (c),

                            check whether the person filing is a:

                          (a) [ ] Broker or dealer registered under section 15 of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78o).

     

                          (b) [ ] Bank as defined in section 3(a)(6) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78c).

     

                          (c) [ ] Insurance company as defined in section 3(a)(19) of the Act (15 U.S.C.

                                          78c).

     

                          (d) [ ] Investment company registered under section 8 of the Investment Company

                                          Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C 80a‑8).

     

                          (e) [X] An investment adviser in accordance with §240.13d‑1(b)(1)(ii)(E);

     

                          (f) [ ] An employee benefit plan or endowment fund in accordance with

                                          §240.13d‑1(b)(1)(ii)(F);

     

                          (g) [X] A parent holding company or control person in accordance with

                                          §240.13d‑1(b)(1)(ii)(G);

     

                          (h) [ ] A savings associations as defined in Section 3(b) of the Federal Deposit

                                          Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1813);

     

                          (i) [ ] A church plan that is excluded from the definition of an investment

                                          company under section 3(c)(14) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (15

                                          U.S.C. 80a‑3);

     

                          (j) [ ] A non‑U.S. institution in accordance with §240.13d‑1(b)(ii)(J);

     

                          (k) [ ] Group, in accordance with §240.13d 1(b)(1)(ii)(K).

     

                          If filing as a non‑U.S. institution in accordance with §240.13d‑1(b)(1)(ii) (J).

                          please specify the type of institution:

     

              Item 4. Ownership

     

                The securities reported herein are beneficially owned by one or more open or closed end

                investment companies or other managed accounts that are investment management clients of

                investment managers that are direct and indirect subsidiaries (each, an “Investment

                Management Subsidiary” and, collectively, the “Investment Management Subsidiaries”) of

                Franklin Resources Inc. (“FRI”), including the Investment Management Subsidiaries listed

                in this Item 4.  When an investment management contract (including a sub advisory

                agreement) delegates to an Investment Management Subsidiary investment discretion or

                voting power over the securities held in the investment advisory accounts that are

                subject to that agreement, FRI treats the Investment Management Subsidiary as having sole

                investment discretion or voting authority, as the case may be, unless the agreement

                specifies otherwise. Accordingly, each Investment Management Subsidiary reports on

                Schedule 13G that it has sole investment discretion and voting authority over the

                securities covered by any such investment management agreement, unless otherwise noted in

                this Item 4.  As a result, for purposes of Rule 13d‑3 under the Act, the Investment

                Management Subsidiaries listed in this Item 4 may be deemed to be the beneficial owners

                of the securities reported in this Schedule 13G.

     

                Beneficial ownership by Investment Management Subsidiaries and other FRI affiliates is

                being reported in conformity with the guidelines articulated by the SEC staff in Release

                No. 34‑39538 (January 12, 1998) (the “1998 Release”) relating to organizations, such as

                FRI, where related entities exercise voting and investment powers over the securities

                being reported independently from each other. The voting and investment powers held by

                each of FRI’s affiliates whose ownership of securities is disaggregated from that of FRI

                in accordance with the 1998 Release (“FRI Disaggregated Affiliates”) are exercised

                independently from FRI and from all other Investment Management Subsidiaries (FRI, its

     

     

     


     
     

          CUSIP NO. 70439P108                           13G                            Page 8 of 14

     

              affiliates and the Investment Management Subsidiaries other than FRI Disaggregated

              Affiliates are collectively, “FRI Aggregated Affiliates”). Furthermore, internal policies

              and procedures of, on the one hand, FRI Disaggregated Affiliates, and, on the other hand,

              FRI establish informational barriers that prevent the flow among, on the one hand, FRI

              Disaggregated Affiliates (including preventing the flow between such entities), and, on

              the other hand, the FRI Aggregated Affiliates of information that relates to the voting

              and investment powers over the securities owned by their respective investment management

              clients. Consequently, FRI Disaggregated Affiliates report the securities over which they

              hold investment and voting power separately from the FRI Aggregated Affiliates for

              purposes of Section 13 of the Act.

     

              Charles B. Johnson and Rupert H. Johnson, Jr. (the “Principal Shareholders”) each own in

              excess of 10% of the outstanding common stock of FRI and are the principal stockholders

              of FRI.  FRI and the Principal Shareholders may be deemed to be, for purposes of Rule

              13d‑3 under the Act, the beneficial owners of securities held by persons and entities for

              whom or for which FRI subsidiaries provide investment management services.  The number of

              shares that may be deemed to be beneficially owned and the percentage of the class of

              which such shares are a part are reported in Items 9 and 11 of the cover pages for FRI

              and each of the Principal Shareholders. FRI, the Principal Shareholders and each of the

              Investment Management Subsidiaries disclaim any pecuniary interest in any of such

              securities. In addition, the filing of this Schedule 13G on behalf of the Principal

              Shareholders, FRI and the FRI Aggregated Affiliates, as applicable, should not be

              construed as an admission that any of them is, and each of them disclaims that it is, the

              beneficial owner, as defined in Rule 13d‑3, of any of the securities reported in this

              Schedule 13G.

     

              FRI, the Principal Shareholders, and each of the Investment Management Subsidiaries

              believe that they are not a “group” within the meaning of Rule 13d‑5 under the Act and

              that they are not otherwise required to attribute to each other the beneficial ownership

              of the securities held by any of them or by any persons or entities for whom or for which

              the Investment Management Subsidiaries provide investment management services.

     

     

                          (a)  Amount beneficially owned:

     

                                    2,189,578

     

                          (b)  Percent of class:

     

                                    10.7%

     

                          (c)  Number of shares as to which the person has:

     

                                    (i) Sole power to vote or to direct the vote

     

                                            Franklin Resources, Inc.:                                          0

     

                                            Charles B. Johnson:                                                0

     

                                            Rupert H. Johnson, Jr.:                                            0

     

                                            Franklin Advisers, Inc.:                                   2,137,178

     

                                            Fiduciary Trust Company International:                        52,400

     

                                (ii) Shared power to vote or to direct the vote                                              0

     

     

                              (iii) Sole power to dispose or to direct the disposition of

     

                                            Franklin Resources, Inc.:                                          0

     

                                            Charles B. Johnson:                                                0

     

                                            Rupert H. Johnson, Jr.:                                            0

     


     
     

          CUSIP NO. 70439P108                           13G                            Page 9 of 14

     

     

                                            Franklin Advisers, Inc.:                                   2,137,178

     

                                            Fiduciary Trust Company International:                        52,400

     

                               (iv)  Shared power to dispose or to direct the disposition of                       0

     

              Item 5.  Ownership of Five Percent or Less of a Class

     

                                If this statement is being filed to report the fact that as of the date hereof

                                the reporting person has ceased to be the beneficial owner of more than five

                                percent of the class of securities, check the following [ ].

     

     

              Item 6.  Ownership of More than Five Percent on Behalf of Another Person

     

                                The clients of the Investment Management Subsidiaries, including investment

                                companies registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 and other managed

                                accounts, have the right to receive or power to direct the receipt of dividends

                                from, and the proceeds from the sale of, the securities reported herein.

     

                       Franklin Small Cap Growth Fund, a series of Franklin Strategic Series,

                                an investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940,

                                has an interest in 1,964,700 shares, or 9.6%, of the class of securities

                                reported herein.

                                 

                               

     

              Item 7.  Identification and Classification of the Subsidiary Which Acquired the

                                Security Being Reported on By the Parent Holding Company

     

                                See Attached Exhibit C

     

              Item 8.  Identification and Classification of Members of the Group

     

                                Not Applicable

     

              Item 9.  Notice of Dissolution of Group

     

                                Not Applicable

     


     
     

          CUSIP NO. 70439P108                           13G                            Page 10 of 14

     

              Item 10.  Certification

     

              By signing below I certify that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, the securities

              referred to above were acquired and are held in the ordinary course of business and

              were not acquired and are not held for the purpose of or with the effect of changing or

              influencing the control of the issuer of the securities and were not acquired and are

              not held in connection with or as a participant in any transaction having that purpose

              or effect, other than activities solely in connection with a nomination under §

              240.14a‑11.

     

              This report shall not be construed as an admission by the persons filing the report

              that they are the beneficial owner of any securities covered by this report.

     

              Exhibits.

                                Exhibit A Joint Filing Agreement

                                Exhibit B Limited Powers of Attorney for Section 13 Reporting Obligations

                                Exhibit C Item 7 Identification and Classification of Subsidiaries

     

                                                                                      SIGNATURE

     

              After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I certify that

              the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct.

     

              Dated:  January 22, 2024

     

              Franklin Resources, Inc.

     

              Charles B. Johnson

     

              Rupert H. Johnson, Jr.

     

         Franklin Advisers, Inc.

     

     

              By:    /s/VIRGINIA E. ROSAS 

                           ‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑

                           Virginia E. Rosas

                           Assistant Secretary of Franklin Resources, Inc.

     

                           Attorney‑in‑Fact for Charles B. Johnson pursuant to Power of Attorney attached

                           to this Schedule 13G

     

                           Attorney‑in‑Fact for Rupert H. Johnson, Jr. pursuant to Power of Attorney

                           attached to this Schedule 13G

     

                Secretary of Franklin Advisers, Inc.

               

     

     

              Franklin Strategic Series on behalf of

                           Franklin Small Cap Growth Fund

     

     

              By:    /s/ALISON E. BAUR

                           ‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑

                           Alison E. Baur

                           Vice President and Assistant Secretary of Franklin Strategic Series

     

     

     

     


     
     

          CUSIP NO. 70439P108                           13G                            Page 11 of 14

     

              EXHIBIT A

     

              JOINT FILING AGREEMENT

     

              In accordance with Rule 13d‑1(k) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as

              amended, the undersigned hereby agree to the joint filing with each other of the

              attached statement on Schedule 13G and to all amendments to such statement and that

              such statement and all amendments to such statement are made on behalf of each of

              them.

     

              IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this agreement on January 22, 2024.

     

              Franklin Resources, Inc.

     

              Charles B. Johnson

     

              Rupert H. Johnson, Jr.

     

         Franklin Advisers, Inc.

     

     

              By:    /s/VIRGINIA E. ROSAS

                           ‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑

                           Virginia E. Rosas

                           Assistant Secretary of Franklin Resources, Inc.

     

                           Attorney‑in‑Fact for Charles B. Johnson pursuant to Power of Attorney attached

                           to this Schedule 13G

     

                           Attorney‑in‑Fact for Rupert H. Johnson, Jr. pursuant to Power of Attorney

                           attached to this Schedule 13G

     

                Secretary of Franklin Advisers, Inc.

               

     

     

              Franklin Strategic Series on behalf of

                           Franklin Small Cap Growth Fund

     

     

              By:    /s/ALISON E. BAUR 

                           ‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑

                           Alison E. Baur

                           Vice President and Assistant Secretary of Franklin Strategic Series

     

     

     

     


     
     

          CUSIP NO. 70439P108                           13G                            Page 12 of 14

     

                                                                                           EXHIBIT B

                                                                                LIMITED POWER OF ATTORNEY

                                                         FOR SECTION 13 AND 16 REPORTING OBLIGATIONS

                Know all by these presents, that the undersigned hereby makes, constitutes and appoints each of Alison E. Baur, Thomas C. Mandia, Beth McAuley O’Malley, Thomas C. Merchant, Kimberly H. Novotny, Virginia E. Rosas and Navid J. Tofigh each acting individually, as the undersigned’s true and lawful attorney-in-fact, with full power and authority as hereinafter described on behalf of and in the name, place and stead of the undersigned to:

         1. prepare, execute, acknowledge, deliver and file Forms ID, Schedules 13D and 13G, and Forms 3, 4 and 5 (including any amendments thereto and any related documentation) with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and any national securities exchanges relating to Franklin Resources, Inc. (“FRI”) and/or any registered closed-end company to which an affiliate of FRI is an investment adviser (each, a “Reporting Entity”), as considered necessary or advisable under Regulation S-T and Sections 13(d) and 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, as amended from time to time (the “Exchange Act”); and

         2. seek or obtain, as the undersigned’s representative and on the undersigned’s behalf, information on transactions in the securities of any Reporting Entity from any person, including brokers, employee benefit plan administrators and trustees, and the undersigned hereby authorizes any such person to release any such information to the undersigned and approves and ratifies any such release of information; and

         3. perform any and all other acts which in the discretion of such attorney-in-fact are necessary or desirable for and on behalf of the undersigned in connection with the foregoing.

         The undersigned acknowledges that:

         1. this Limited Power of Attorney authorizes, but does not require, each such attorney-in-fact to act in their discretion on information provided to such attorney-in-fact without independent verification of such information;

         2. any documents prepared and/or executed by any such attorney-in-fact on behalf of the undersigned pursuant to this Limited Power of Attorney will be in such form and will contain such information and disclosure as such attorney-in-fact, in his or her discretion, deems necessary or desirable;

         3. none of FRI, any Reporting Entity nor any of such attorneys-in-fact assumes (i) any liability for the undersigned’s responsibility to comply with the requirements of the Exchange Act, (ii) any liability of the undersigned for any failure to comply with such requirements, or (iii) any obligation or liability of the undersigned for profit disgorgement under Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act; and

         4. this Limited Power of Attorney does not relieve the undersigned from responsibility for compliance with the undersigned’s obligations under the Exchange Act, including without limitation, the reporting requirements under Section 16 of the Exchange Act.

         The undersigned hereby gives and grants each of the foregoing attorneys-in-fact full power and authority to do and perform all and every act and thing whatsoever requisite, necessary or appropriate to be done in and about the foregoing matters as fully to all intents and purposes as the undersigned might or could do if present, hereby ratifying all that each such attorney-in-fact of, for and on behalf of the undersigned, shall lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue of this Limited Power of Attorney, and indemnifies each of the foregoing attorneys-in-fact against any loss of any nature whatsoever arising in connection therewith.

         This Limited Power of Attorney shall remain in full force and effect until revoked by the undersigned in a signed writing delivered to each such attorney-in-fact.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this Limited Power of Attorney to be executed as of this 11th day of December, 2023.

     

                                                                 /s/CHARLES B. JOHNSON

                                                                 Signature

                                                                 Charles B. Johnson

                                                                 Print Name

     

     


     
     

          CUSIP NO. 70439P108                           13G                            Page 13 of 14

     

                                                                           LIMITED POWER OF ATTORNEY

                                                         FOR SECTION 13 AND 16 REPORTING OBLIGATIONS

              Know all by these presents, that the undersigned hereby makes, constitutes and appoints each of Alison E. Baur, Thomas C. Mandia, Beth McAuley O’Malley, Thomas C. Merchant, Kimberly H. Novotny, Virginia E. Rosas and Navid J. Tofigh each acting individually, as the undersigned’s true and lawful attorney-in-fact, with full power and authority as hereinafter described on behalf of and in the name, place and stead of the undersigned to:

         1. prepare, execute, acknowledge, deliver and file Forms ID, Schedules 13D and 13G, and Forms 3, 4 and 5 (including any amendments thereto and any related documentation) with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and any national securities exchanges relating to Franklin Resources, Inc. (“FRI”) and/or any registered closed-end company to which an affiliate of FRI is an investment adviser (each, a “Reporting Entity”), as considered necessary or advisable under Regulation S-T and Sections 13(d) and 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, as amended from time to time (the “Exchange Act”); and

         2. seek or obtain, as the undersigned’s representative and on the undersigned’s behalf, information on transactions in the securities of any Reporting Entity from any person, including brokers, employee benefit plan administrators and trustees, and the undersigned hereby authorizes any such person to release any such information to the undersigned and approves and ratifies any such release of information; and

         3. perform any and all other acts which in the discretion of such attorney-in-fact are necessary or desirable for and on behalf of the undersigned in connection with the foregoing.

         The undersigned acknowledges that:

         1. this Limited Power of Attorney authorizes, but does not require, each such attorney-in-fact to act in their discretion on information provided to such attorney-in-fact without independent verification of such information;

         2. any documents prepared and/or executed by any such attorney-in-fact on behalf of the undersigned pursuant to this Limited Power of Attorney will be in such form and will contain such information and disclosure as such attorney-in-fact, in his or her discretion, deems necessary or desirable;

         3. none of FRI, any Reporting Entity nor any of such attorneys-in-fact assumes (i) any liability for the undersigned’s responsibility to comply with the requirements of the Exchange Act, (ii) any liability of the undersigned for any failure to comply with such requirements, or (iii) any obligation or liability of the undersigned for profit disgorgement under Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act; and

         4. this Limited Power of Attorney does not relieve the undersigned from responsibility for compliance with the undersigned’s obligations under the Exchange Act, including without limitation, the reporting requirements under Section 16 of the Exchange Act.

         The undersigned hereby gives and grants each of the foregoing attorneys-in-fact full power and authority to do and perform all and every act and thing whatsoever requisite, necessary or appropriate to be done in and about the foregoing matters as fully to all intents and purposes as the undersigned might or could do if present, hereby ratifying all that each such attorney-in-fact of, for and on behalf of the undersigned, shall lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue of this Limited Power of Attorney, and indemnifies each of the foregoing attorneys-in-fact against any loss of any nature whatsoever arising in connection therewith.

         This Limited Power of Attorney shall remain in full force and effect until revoked by the undersigned in a signed writing delivered to each such attorney-in-fact.

    IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this Limited Power of Attorney to be executed as of this 11th day of December, 2023.

       

                                                                /s/RUPERT H. JOHNSON, JR.

                                                                 Signature

                                                                 Rupert H. Johnson, Jr.

                                                                 Print Name

     

     


     
     

          CUSIP NO. 70439P108                           13G                            Page 14 of 14

     

              EXHIBIT C

     

           Franklin Advisers, Inc.                                     Item 3 Classification: 3(e)

           Fiduciary Trust Company International                                              Item 3 Classification: 3(b)

     

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