Franklin Resources Inc Stock Price, News & Analysis

Templeton Dragon Fund (TDF) has announced three key initiatives aimed at reducing the fund's discount to net asset value (NAV) and benefiting shareholders:

1. A five-basis point management fee reduction effective March 1, 2025

2. Implementation of a managed distribution plan offering quarterly distributions of $0.10 per share (3.8% NAV-based and 4.6% market price-based annualized distribution as of January 31, 2025)

3. Introduction of an open-market share repurchase program allowing the fund to purchase up to 10% of common shares to reduce market price discount to NAV

The first quarterly distribution under the managed plan is expected around March 31, 2025. The repurchase program will be executed at management's discretion based on factors including discount level, performance, market conditions, and cash availability.

Templeton Emerging Markets Fund (EMF) has announced three key initiatives aimed at reducing the fund's discount to net asset value (NAV):

• A five-basis point reduction in investment management fee, effective March 1, 2025
• Implementation of a managed distribution plan offering quarterly distributions of $0.22 per share (6.1% based on NAV and 7.2% based on market price as of January 31, 2025)
• Introduction of an open-market share repurchase program allowing purchases of up to 10% of common shares

The managed distribution plan will commence around March 31, 2025, potentially including long-term capital gains and/or return of capital to maintain the fixed rate. The share repurchase program will be executed at management's discretion based on factors including discount level, performance, market conditions, and cash availability.

Franklin Templeton has launched the Franklin Crypto Index ETF (EZPZ), an exchange-traded product providing exposure to bitcoin and ether price movements. The ETF tracks the CF Institutional Digital Asset Index, weighted approximately 82% to bitcoin and 18% to ether, with custody managed by Coinbase.

The ETP features a sponsor fee of 0.19%, which will be waived for investors until August 31, 2025. EZPZ is Franklin Templeton's third digital asset ETP, following the Franklin Bitcoin ETF (EZBC) launched on January 11, 2024, and the Franklin Ethereum ETF (EZET) launched on July 23, 2024.

The index includes the largest digital assets complying with major financial jurisdictions' regulations and standards. The ETP intends to add new coins as they become eligible for index inclusion, aiming to represent beta for crypto.

Franklin Templeton Fund Adviser, has announced that certain closed-end funds will distribute dividends for March, April, and May 2025, under their managed distribution policy. Key dates for these distributions are:

• March: Record Date - 3/24/2025, Ex-Dividend Date - 3/24/2025, Payable Date - 3/31/2025
• April: Record Date - 4/23/2025, Ex-Dividend Date - 4/23/2025, Payable Date - 4/30/2025
• May: Record Date - 5/22/2025, Ex-Dividend Date - 5/22/2025, Payable Date - 5/30/2025

The funds and their respective distribution amounts are:

• Western Asset Inflation-Linked Income Fund (WIA): $0.05200 per month
• Western Asset Inflation-Linked Opportunities & Income Fund (WIW): $0.06250 per month

Under the managed distribution policy, the funds aim to maintain consistent distribution levels from income and capital gains. If necessary, they may distribute long-term capital gains or return of capital. The Board of Trustees reserves the right to modify or terminate the policy, which could affect the funds' market prices.

For fiscal year-to-date distributions, both funds have sourced 100% of their distributions from income. Shareholders will receive Form 1099-DIV for tax reporting. For more information, visit Franklin Templeton's website or call 1-888-777-0102.

Franklin Resources (NYSE: BEN) reported preliminary assets under management (AUM) of $1.58 trillion as of January 31, 2025, remaining stable compared to December 2024. The company experienced positive market impact, offset by $13 billion in preliminary long-term net outflows, primarily due to $17 billion outflows from Western Asset Management. Excluding Western Asset Management, the company saw $4 billion in long-term net inflows.

By asset class, Equity AUM increased to $636.0 billion, Fixed Income decreased to $455.6 billion, Alternative assets rose to $250.8 billion, and Multi-Asset grew to $177.6 billion. Cash Management slightly decreased to $63.2 billion.

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 April 11, 2025, to stockholders of record as of March 31, 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 Resources (NYSE: BEN) reported Q1 2024 financial results with net income of $163.6 million ($0.29 per diluted share), compared to a net loss of $84.7 million in the previous quarter. Operating income reached $219.0 million, with adjusted operating income at $412.8 million.

Total assets under management (AUM) decreased by $102.9 billion to $1,575.7 billion, due to $52.9 billion in negative market impact and $50.0 billion in long-term net outflows. However, excluding Western Asset Management, the company saw $18 billion in long-term net inflows across all asset classes.

The company reported improvements in key growth areas, with long-term inflows up 34% from the prior year quarter. The institutional pipeline of won-but-unfunded mandates increased by $2.3 billion to $18.1 billion. Alternative investments generated $6 billion in fundraising, including $4.3 billion in private market assets.

Western Asset Inflation-Linked Opportunities & Income Fund (WIW) has announced its January 2025 distribution details and fiscal year-to-date allocations. The Fund will distribute $0.0605 per share on January 31, 2025, sourced entirely from net investment income.

Key performance metrics as of December 31, 2024 include: 0.59% five-year average annual total return, 7.63% annualized distribution rate, and -2.04% cumulative total return for the fiscal period. The Fund operates under a managed distribution policy aiming to deliver long-term total return potential through monthly distributions.

The Fund notes that distributions may come from net investment income, realized capital gains, or return of capital. Shareholders are advised that if the Fund's aggregate net investment income and realized capital gains are less than the distribution amount, the difference will constitute a return of capital, which reduces a shareholder's tax basis rather than being taxable.

Fiduciary Trust International, a subsidiary of Franklin Templeton (BEN), has appointed Jason Thomas as wealth director in Atlanta, strengthening its Southeast market presence. Thomas, who previously served on the firm's Atlanta advisory board, brings over 20 years of experience in advising ultra-high-net-worth individuals, family offices, and institutional clients.

Prior to joining Fiduciary Trust International, Thomas held senior positions at Bank of America Private Bank, Northern Trust , and Wells Fargo Private Bank. He co-founded myFloc, an expense management platform focused on preventing elder fraud, and Seven Software, which was acquired in 2024. Thomas holds a Juris Doctorate from the University of Alabama School of Law and serves on several boards, including the Eisenhower Foundation.