Robeco Institutional Asset Management B.V. Has $9.26 Million Holdings in Franklin Resources, Inc. (NYSE:BEN)

Robeco Institutional Asset Management B.V. lessened its stake in shares of Franklin Resources, Inc. (NYSE:BEN - Free Report) by 15.5% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 456,580 shares of the closed-end fund's stock after selling 83,885 shares during the quarter. Robeco Institutional Asset Management B.V. owned 0.09% of Franklin Resources worth $9,264,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of BEN. MFA Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Franklin Resources during the third quarter worth approximately $26,000. Matrix Trust Co bought a new stake in shares of Franklin Resources in the 3rd quarter worth about $29,000. Larson Financial Group LLC raised its stake in shares of Franklin Resources by 254.4% in the 3rd quarter. Larson Financial Group LLC now owns 1,779 shares of the closed-end fund's stock valued at $36,000 after purchasing an additional 1,277 shares in the last quarter. Brooklyn Investment Group bought a new position in shares of Franklin Resources during the third quarter worth about $39,000. Finally, Northwest Investment Counselors LLC acquired a new position in Franklin Resources in the third quarter worth about $41,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 47.56% of the company's stock.

Franklin Resources Stock Down 0.7 %

NYSE BEN traded down $0.16 during trading on Wednesday, reaching $20.65. 3,839,707 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 4,903,639. The firm has a market capitalization of $10.82 billion, a PE ratio of 31.78, a P/E/G ratio of 1.51 and a beta of 1.42. Franklin Resources, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $18.83 and a fifty-two week high of $28.61. The company has a current ratio of 1.63, a quick ratio of 1.63 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.92. The company's fifty day simple moving average is $20.79 and its 200-day simple moving average is $20.93.

Franklin Resources (NYSE:BEN - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Friday, January 31st. The closed-end fund reported $0.59 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.56 by $0.03. Franklin Resources had a net margin of 4.32% and a return on equity of 9.41%. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $0.65 EPS. Sell-side analysts predict that Franklin Resources, Inc. will post 2.19 EPS for the current year.

Franklin Resources Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, April 11th. Stockholders of record on Monday, March 31st will be paid a dividend of $0.32 per share. The ex-dividend date is Monday, March 31st. This represents a $1.28 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 6.20%. Franklin Resources's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 196.93%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities analysts recently issued reports on BEN shares. UBS Group raised their price objective on Franklin Resources from $19.00 to $23.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research note on Monday. StockNews.com raised shares of Franklin Resources from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Thursday, November 14th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their price objective on shares of Franklin Resources from $21.00 to $19.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, January 16th. BMO Capital Markets upped their target price on Franklin Resources from $20.00 to $23.00 and gave the company a "market perform" rating in a report on Monday. Finally, TD Cowen cut their price target on Franklin Resources from $20.00 to $18.50 and set a "hold" rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, November 5th. Four analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and eight have assigned a hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Franklin Resources presently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $20.86.

Franklin Resources 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.