Welcome to our dedicated page for Franklin Resources news (Ticker: BEN), a resource for investors and traders seeking the latest updates and insights on Franklin Resources stock.
Franklin Resources, Inc. reports developments for Franklin Templeton, a global investment manager serving individual, institutional and wealth clients across public and private markets. News commonly covers assets under management, net flows, earnings, operating results and asset-class activity across equity, fixed income, alternatives, multi-asset and cash management strategies.
Company updates also include product and platform initiatives such as model portfolios, separately managed account-style solutions and private-market access, as well as developments at subsidiaries including Western Asset Management and Fiduciary Trust International. Other recurring themes include global distribution, wealth management expansion, client group leadership and capital actions tied to the company’s NYSE-listed common stock.
On October 24, Franklin Templeton participated in Jumpstart's 19th Read for the Record campaign, with 38 employees across seven offices reading to over 700 students. The chosen book was 'Piper Chen Sings' by Phillipa Soo and Maris Pasquale Doran. As part of their sponsorship, the company donated over 1,100 copies of the book to students and classrooms. The initiative aims to promote early literacy by having people read the same book simultaneously worldwide.
Franklin Templeton Fund Adviser has announced distribution schedules for certain closed-end funds covering December 2024, January and February 2025. The distributions affect two funds: Western Asset Inflation-Linked Income Fund (WIA) with monthly distributions of $0.05000, and Western Asset Inflation-Linked Opportunities & Income Fund (WIW) with monthly distributions of $0.06050. The distributions maintain consistent levels derived from income and capital gains, with both funds showing 100% income sources for their fiscal year-to-date distributions through February 28, 2025. The distributions will be paid on December 31, 2024, January 31, 2025, and February 28, 2025, respectively.
Financial advisors are increasingly incorporating digital assets into client portfolios, according to the Q3 2024 Advisor Pulse Survey by DACFP and Franklin Templeton Digital Assets. 19% of advisors report that over half their clients own digital assets, up from 15% in Q2 2024, while those reporting no client crypto ownership dropped to 3% from 8%.
Key findings show that 70% of advisors have recommended crypto to 10% or more of clients, with 26% recommending 2% allocations and 22% suggesting 5% allocations. Among advisors not yet recommending crypto, 56% plan to do so, with half of those planning to begin within six months. The survey included 619 financial professionals, with 83% having over 10 years of industry experience.
Franklin Resources (NYSE: BEN) reported preliminary month-end assets under management (AUM) of $1.63 trillion at October 31, 2024, down from $1.68 trillion in September 2024. The decrease was attributed to negative markets and long-term net outflows of $18.5 billion, including $17.8 billion from Western Asset Management. By asset class, Equity stood at $618.2B, Fixed Income at $524.6B, Alternative at $247.9B, Multi-Asset at $174.4B, and Cash Management at $65.6B. Western Asset Management's AUM decreased to $328.3B from $353.3B in September.
Clarion Partners has achieved LEED certification for over 100 industrial projects, totaling more than 35 million square feet under the USGBC's LEED Volume Program. The company developed a LEED Volume prototype in 2021 with Argento/Graham for certifying new developments more efficiently and cost-effectively. The program focuses on low-emitting materials, energy and water efficiency, and solar readiness. A notable example is the Manassas Logistics Center's Phase 1, which received LEED-Silver certification, featuring two buildings totaling 337,046 square feet with energy-efficient features and 41 acres of preserved ecological land.
Franklin Resources reported a preliminary net loss of $84.7 million ($0.19 per share) for Q4 2024, compared to net income of $174.0 million in the previous quarter and $295.5 million year-over-year. The company recorded a $389.2 million impairment charge related to Western Asset Management mutual fund contracts. Total AUM reached $1.68 trillion, up 22% year-over-year, with long-term net outflows of $32.6 billion. The Putnam Investments acquisition exceeded expectations, growing AUM by 21% to $180 billion since closing. The company returned $946 million to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases.
Franklin Templeton has appointed George Stephan as Global Chief Operating Officer of Wealth Management Alternatives, a newly created position. Reporting to EVP Adam Spector, Stephan will oversee alternative investments product innovation, investor services, and assist with business development. The firm manages $264 billion in alternative assets, representing 16% of its $1.65 trillion total AUM as of June 30, 2024. Stephan joins from KKR, where he served as Head of Strategy and Business Development for Global Client Solutions. The appointment aims to strengthen Franklin Templeton's position as a leading provider of alternative wealth solutions globally.
Western Asset Inflation-Linked Opportunities & Income Fund [NYSE: WIW] has announced its distribution details for October 31, 2024. The Fund will distribute $0.0605 per share, sourced entirely from net investment income. The fiscal year-to-date distribution totals $0.6050 per share. The Fund's performance metrics show a 2.22% average annual total return over the five-year period and an 8.28% cumulative total return for the fiscal period through September 30, 2024. The annualized distribution rate stands at 7.18% of NAV. The Fund maintains a managed distribution policy aimed at delivering long-term total return potential through regular monthly distributions.
Franklin Resources, Inc. (NYSE: BEN) reported preliminary month-end assets under management (AUM) of $1.68 trillion at September 30, 2024, unchanged from August 31, 2024. The company experienced long-term net outflows of $22.4 billion, including $27.9 billion from Western Asset Management, partially offset by positive market impact. For the quarter ended September 30, 2024, AUM benefited from positive markets but was affected by long-term net outflows of $31.3 billion, including $37.0 billion from Western Asset Management.
The AUM breakdown by asset class as of September 30, 2024, was: Equity ($632.1 billion), Fixed Income ($556.4 billion), Alternative ($249.9 billion), Multi-Asset ($176.2 billion), and Cash Management ($64.0 billion). Western Asset Management's AUM decreased from $376.8 billion to $353.3 billion, reflecting significant outflows and market impacts.
Franklin Resources, Inc. (NYSE:BEN) has announced it will release its fourth quarter and fiscal year 2024 operating results on Monday, November 4, 2024 at approximately 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time. A written commentary will be available on the company's investor website simultaneously. At 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time, a live teleconference will be held featuring Jenny Johnson (President and CEO), Matthew Nicholls (Executive Vice President, CFO and COO), and Adam Spector (Executive Vice President - Global Advisory Services and Head of Global Distribution) to answer questions.
The teleconference can be accessed via the company's investor website or by dialing specific numbers for North America and other locations. A replay will be available until November 10, 2024. Analysts and investors are advised to review recent SEC filings and contact Investor Relations for any clarifications before the teleconference.