Franklin Resources Inc Stock Price, News & Analysis

Franklin Templeton has announced the liquidation of two ETFs: Western Asset Short Duration Income ETF (WINC) and Western Asset Total Return ETF (WBND). The liquidation was approved by the Fund's board on May 21, 2025, and is scheduled for August 29, 2025. Key dates include: August 1, 2025 (last day for creation orders), August 22, 2025 (last trading day on NASDAQ), and August 23, 2025 (trading halt). During liquidation, the funds will hold cash and securities that may deviate from their investment objectives. Shareholders can sell their shares until market close on August 22, 2025, or wait for automatic redemption at NAV on August 29, 2025. The liquidation may have tax implications, with shareholders potentially recognizing taxable gains or losses.

Franklin Resources (NYSE:BEN) has declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.32 per share, maintaining the same level as the previous quarter. The dividend will be paid on July 11, 2025, to stockholders of record as of June 27, 2025. This dividend represents a 3.2% increase compared to the same quarter of the previous year, demonstrating the company's commitment to returning value to shareholders.

Franklin Templeton (BEN) has appointed Surajit Ray as the new Head of Portfolio Construction and Quantitative Risk in its Franklin Equity Group (FEG). Ray, who brings 24 years of experience in risk measurement and management, will be based in New York City and report to FEG's CIO Jonathan Curtis. In this newly created position, Ray will enhance systematic risk-aware portfolio construction processes across FEG's strategies, which manage over $120 billion in assets.

Ray previously served as Head of Investment Risk Analysis at Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund and spent 14 years at Morgan Stanley Investment Management. He holds a Ph.D. in economics from the University of Iowa, specializing in econometrics.

Franklin Templeton (BEN) has announced plans to convert 10 Putnam municipal bond mutual funds into ETFs, expanding its municipal bond ETF lineup following the Putnam Investments acquisition in January 2024. The conversions, scheduled between Q4 2025 and Q1 2026, include state-specific tax-exempt funds for California, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, and Pennsylvania, along with other tax-exempt funds.

The conversion aims to deliver municipal bond strategies in a more cost-efficient, flexible, and transparent structure. Franklin Templeton's U.S. ETF platform currently manages $32 billion across over 70 ETFs as of May 15, 2025. Municipal bonds offer federally tax-exempt income and historically low default rates, serving as valuable portfolio diversifiers.

Franklin Templeton Fund Adviser announced distributions for two closed-end funds (WIA and WIW) for June, July, and August 2025. The Western Asset Inflation-Linked Income Fund (WIA) will distribute $0.05200 per share monthly, while the Western Asset Inflation-Linked Opportunities & Income Fund (WIW) will distribute $0.06250 per share monthly. Both funds maintain their previous distribution rates with no changes. According to tax accounting records, 100% of the fiscal year-to-date distributions for both funds are derived from income. The distributions will be paid according to each fund's managed distribution policy, which aims to maintain consistent distribution levels from income and capital gains.

Franklin Resources (NYSE: BEN) reported preliminary assets under management (AUM) of $1.53 trillion for April 30, 2025, showing a decrease from $1.54 trillion in March 2025. The company experienced long-term net outflows of $10 billion, primarily from Western Asset Management, though this was partially offset by positive FX impact. Excluding Western Asset Management, long-term net flows were flat.

The AUM breakdown shows: Equity at $597.3B, Fixed Income at $439.5B, Alternative at $253.8B, Multi-Asset at $174.2B, and Cash Management at $70.0B. Western Asset Management's AUM decreased to $241B from $248B, with $10B in long-term net outflows partially offset by $2B in cash management net inflows.

Franklin Resources (NYSE: BEN) reported Q2 2025 financial results with net income of $151.4 million ($0.26 per share), down from $163.6 million ($0.29) in Q1 2025. Operating income decreased 34% to $145.6 million from $219.0 million in the previous quarter. The company's adjusted net income was $254.4 million ($0.47 per share), compared to $320.5 million ($0.59) in Q1. Total AUM decreased by $35.1 billion to $1.54 trillion, primarily due to $26.2 billion in long-term net outflows. However, excluding Western Asset Management, the company saw $7.4 billion in long-term net inflows. Notable highlights include the ETF business achieving its 14th consecutive quarter of positive flows with $4.1 billion in inflows, and alternatives fundraising generating $6.8 billion. The institutional pipeline of won-but-unfunded mandates increased by $2.3 billion to $20.4 billion.

Western Asset Inflation-Linked Opportunities & Income Fund (WIW) has announced its April 2025 distribution details. The Fund will distribute $0.0625 per share, sourced entirely from net investment income. The fiscal year-to-date distribution totals $0.2440 per share.

Key performance metrics as of March 31, 2025 show:

• Average Annual Total Return (5-year): 4.20%
• Annualized Distribution Rate: 7.63%
• Cumulative Total Return: 3.19%
• Cumulative Fiscal Year-To-Date Distribution Rate: 2.48%

The Fund maintains a managed distribution policy aiming to deliver long-term total return potential through monthly distributions. While distributions may come from various sources including investment income and capital gains, shareholders are advised that returns of capital may occur if distributed amounts exceed the Fund's income and gains.

Franklin Resources [NYSE:BEN] has scheduled the release of its second quarter operating results for Friday, May 2, 2025, at approximately 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time. The company will provide written commentary on the results through their investor relations website.

A live teleconference will be held at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time, featuring CEO Jenny Johnson, CFO/COO Matthew Nicholls, and EVP Adam Spector to address questions. The call can be accessed through the investor website or by dialing specific numbers for North American and international participants.

A replay will be available from 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time on May 2 through May 9, 2025, via phone or the investor website.