Franklin Resources, Inc. (BEN)

In December 2025, Franklin Resources expanded its stock repurchase program, authorizing an additional 20.8 million shares for buyback, bringing the total available to 40 million shares. The company increased its quarterly cash dividend by 3.1% to $0.33 per share, payable on January 9, 2026. Franklin's fiscal Q4 2025 results surpassed analyst expectations for both EPS and revenue. In January 2026, two of Franklin Templeton's institutional money market funds became eligible for stablecoin reserve management and blockchain-enabled distribution. Franklin's December 2025 Assets Under Management (AUM) increased sequentially to $1.68 trillion, driven by $28 billion in net inflows. Over the last 12 months, the stock price rose by 30.24 percent. Analyst ratings as of early January 2026 generally suggest a "Reduce" or "Hold" position, with a median price target ranging from $22.84 to $25.00.

While no specific internal demand seasonality for Franklin Resources' products and services was explicitly detailed, the asset management industry generally experiences seasonal influences. Market uncertainty can increase the volatility of asset manager stocks. The industry has observed a "great convergence" between traditional and alternative asset management. Franklin Resources' revenue is primarily derived from fees linked to its assets under management (AUM), making it susceptible to market performance fluctuations. The company focuses on maintaining core AUM-linked management fees through a diversified product portfolio and client retention programs, while also seeking to capture higher-margin fees from alternative investments.

Franklin Resources, Inc., also known as Franklin Templeton, is a multinational investment management holding company operating in the Financial Services sector. It offers investment management and related services to various investors, including retail, institutional, and high-net-worth clients. The company's product offerings include equity, fixed income, alternatives, and multi-asset solutions, delivered through mutual funds, ETFs, SMAs, and alternative investment funds. Franklin Resources also provides fund administration, sales and distribution, and shareholder servicing. Notable brands include Alcentra, Benefit Street Partners, Brandywine Global Investment Management, Clarion Partners, ClearBridge Investments, Legg Mason, Lexington Partners, Putnam Investments, Royce Investment Partners, and Western Asset Management Company.

Franklin Resources is headquartered in San Mateo, California, and has a significant global presence with over 80 offices in more than 30 countries. Its geographic reach spans the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia-Pacific region. As of September 2024, the distribution of its net sales was primarily concentrated in the United States (75%), followed by Luxembourg (14.6%), the Americas (3.2%), Europe/Middle East/Africa (3.6%), and Asia/Pacific (3.6%).

Franklin Resources has maintained a strong brand reputation as one of the world's largest investment managers and a leading ESG investor. The company is committed to fostering an inclusive culture and valuing diversity among its employees. Its CEO, Jenny Johnson, was named one of the "100 Most Influential Women in Finance" by Barron's in 2020 and 2021. Franklin has also been recognized as a "Best Place to Work" by the Human Rights Campaign and the Disability Equality Index. The company is known for innovation and strategic growth, particularly in its integration of technology like blockchain into investment products.

Institutional investors held 52.01% of Franklin Resources as of September 30, 2025. Major institutional owners include Vanguard Group Inc., Power Corp of Canada, BlackRock, Inc., State Street Corp, Dimensional Fund Advisors Lp, Invesco Ltd., and Royal Bank Of Canada. Insiders held 40% of the company's shares as of April 1, 2024. Rupert Johnson is the largest individual shareholder with 20% ownership, while Charles B. Johnson is also a principal shareholder with a 10% stake. The general public accounts for 11% of the ownership.