Zacks Research Issues Pessimistic Forecast for BEN Earnings

Franklin Resources, Inc. (NYSE:BEN) – Equities research analysts at Zacks Research lowered their FY2025 earnings per share estimates for Franklin Resources in a research note issued to investors on Wednesday, January 29th. Zacks Research analyst R. Department now anticipates that the closed-end fund will earn $2.21 per share for the year, down from their prior forecast of $2.33. The consensus estimate for Franklin Resources’ current full-year earnings is $2.21 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Franklin Resources’ Q1 2026 earnings at $0.57 EPS and FY2026 earnings at $2.33 EPS.

A number of other brokerages have also weighed in on BEN. UBS Group lowered their price target on shares of Franklin Resources from $24.00 to $21.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, October 22nd. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reduced 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. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods reaffirmed an “underperform” rating and issued a $19.00 price objective (down from $20.00) on shares of Franklin Resources in a research report on Tuesday, November 5th. Wells Fargo & Company cut their price target on shares of Franklin Resources from $22.50 to $20.50 and set an “equal weight” rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, January 14th. Finally, TD Cowen lowered their price objective on shares of Franklin Resources from $20.00 to $18.50 and set a “hold” rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, November 5th. Four analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and eight have issued a hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $20.18.

Franklin Resources Stock Up 10.3 %

Shares of BEN opened at $22.22 on Monday. The stock has a market cap of $11.64 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 25.84, a P/E/G ratio of 1.35 and a beta of 1.41. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $20.86 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $20.99. The company has a quick ratio of 1.63, a current ratio of 1.63 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.92. Franklin Resources has a 12 month low of $18.83 and a 12 month high of $28.61.

Franklin Resources (NYSE:BEN) last posted its earnings results on Friday, January 31st. The closed-end fund reported $0.59 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.56 by $0.03. Franklin Resources had a net margin of 5.48% and a return on equity of 9.62%. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $0.65 EPS.

Franklin Resources Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, January 10th. Shareholders of record on Monday, December 30th were given a $0.32 dividend. This is a boost from Franklin Resources’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.31. This represents a $1.28 annualized dividend and a yield of 5.76%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, December 30th. Franklin Resources’s dividend payout ratio is 148.84%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Franklin Resources

Several large investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. MFA Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Franklin Resources in the third quarter worth $26,000. Matrix Trust Co purchased a new position in Franklin Resources in the third quarter valued at about $29,000. Larson Financial Group LLC boosted its stake in Franklin Resources by 254.4% in the third quarter. Larson Financial Group LLC now owns 1,779 shares of the closed-end fund’s stock valued at $36,000 after acquiring an additional 1,277 shares during the last quarter. Brooklyn Investment Group bought a new stake in shares of Franklin Resources in the third quarter valued at approximately $39,000. Finally, Principal Securities Inc. raised its position in shares of Franklin Resources by 561.1% in the fourth quarter. Principal Securities Inc. now owns 1,957 shares of the closed-end fund’s stock valued at $40,000 after purchasing an additional 1,661 shares during the period. 47.56% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Franklin Resources Company Profile

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.