Zacks Research Issues Pessimistic Outlook for BEN Earnings

Franklin Resources, Inc. (NYSE:BEN) – Zacks Research cut their Q2 2025 earnings per share (EPS) estimates for shares of Franklin Resources in a report issued on Wednesday, January 29th. Zacks Research analyst R. Department now expects that the closed-end fund will post earnings per share of $0.53 for the quarter, down from their previous estimate of $0.55. The consensus estimate for Franklin Resources’ current full-year earnings is $2.21 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Franklin Resources’ Q3 2025 earnings at $0.57 EPS, Q4 2025 earnings at $0.58 EPS, Q2 2026 earnings at $0.62 EPS, Q3 2026 earnings at $0.50 EPS, Q4 2026 earnings at $0.64 EPS, Q1 2027 earnings at $0.67 EPS and FY2027 earnings at $2.91 EPS.

Franklin Resources (NYSE:BEN) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Monday, November 4th. The closed-end fund reported $0.59 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.60 by ($0.01). Franklin Resources had a net margin of 5.48% and a return on equity of 9.62%. The company had revenue of $2.21 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $1.70 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $0.84 EPS. The business’s revenue was up 11.3% compared to the same quarter last year.

BEN has been the topic of several other reports. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft decreased their price target on shares of Franklin Resources from $20.00 to $19.00 and set a “hold” rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, November 5th. Evercore ISI reduced their price target on Franklin Resources from $20.00 to $19.00 and set an “underperform” rating for the company in a research report on Friday, October 4th. The Goldman Sachs Group raised Franklin Resources from a “sell” rating to a “neutral” rating and raised their price objective for the stock from $21.00 to $22.00 in a research note on Monday, January 6th. TD Cowen reduced their target price on shares of Franklin Resources from $20.00 to $18.50 and set a “hold” rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, November 5th. Finally, Morgan Stanley lifted their price target on shares of Franklin Resources from $18.00 to $19.00 and gave the company an “underweight” rating in a report on Friday, December 20th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and eight have issued a hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $20.18.

Franklin Resources Trading Up 0.5 %

Shares of NYSE:BEN opened at $20.15 on Friday. The stock’s 50-day simple moving average is $20.89 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $21.02. The stock has a market capitalization of $10.56 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 23.42, a PEG ratio of 1.35 and a beta of 1.41. Franklin Resources has a 52-week low of $18.83 and a 52-week high of $28.61. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.92, a quick ratio of 1.63 and a current ratio of 1.63.

Franklin Resources Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, January 10th. Stockholders of record on Monday, December 30th were issued a $0.32 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, December 30th. This is an increase from Franklin Resources’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.31. This represents a $1.28 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 6.35%. Franklin Resources’s payout ratio is 148.84%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Franklin Resources

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. grew its stake in shares of Franklin Resources by 0.8% during the third quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 69,585 shares of the closed-end fund’s stock valued at $1,402,000 after buying an additional 572 shares during the last quarter. Anchor Investment Management LLC grew its position in Franklin Resources by 30.2% in the 3rd quarter. Anchor Investment Management LLC now owns 2,604 shares of the closed-end fund’s stock valued at $52,000 after acquiring an additional 604 shares during the last quarter. SkyView Investment Advisors LLC increased its stake in Franklin Resources by 3.2% in the third quarter. SkyView Investment Advisors LLC now owns 19,485 shares of the closed-end fund’s stock worth $393,000 after purchasing an additional 609 shares during the period. Blue Trust Inc. lifted its position in shares of Franklin Resources by 29.4% during the fourth quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 2,677 shares of the closed-end fund’s stock worth $54,000 after purchasing an additional 609 shares during the last quarter. Finally, International Private Wealth Advisors LLC boosted its stake in shares of Franklin Resources by 5.0% during the fourth quarter. International Private Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 13,518 shares of the closed-end fund’s stock valued at $274,000 after purchasing an additional 646 shares during the period. 47.56% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Franklin Resources

Franklin Resources, Inc is a publicly owned asset management holding company. Through its subsidiaries, the firm provides its services to individuals, institutions, pension plans, trusts, and partnerships. It launches equity, fixed income, balanced, and multi-asset mutual funds through its subsidiaries.