Franklin Universal Trust (NYSE:FT) Short Interest Update

Franklin Universal Trust (NYSE:FT - Get Free Report) was the recipient of a significant growth in short interest in the month of January. As of January 15th, there was short interest totalling 19,100 shares, a growth of 87.3% from the December 31st total of 10,200 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 42,100 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.5 days.

Institutional Trading of Franklin Universal Trust

Several large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Moloney Securities Asset Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Franklin Universal Trust by 1.9% in the fourth quarter. Moloney Securities Asset Management LLC now owns 673,296 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $4,922,000 after buying an additional 12,380 shares in the last quarter. Hennion & Walsh Asset Management Inc. grew its position in Franklin Universal Trust by 24.3% in the third quarter. Hennion & Walsh Asset Management Inc. now owns 325,826 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $2,463,000 after acquiring an additional 63,802 shares in the last quarter. Stifel Financial Corp raised its stake in shares of Franklin Universal Trust by 4.5% during the third quarter. Stifel Financial Corp now owns 256,582 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $1,940,000 after purchasing an additional 11,047 shares during the period. Uncommon Cents Investing LLC lifted its position in shares of Franklin Universal Trust by 1.1% during the fourth quarter. Uncommon Cents Investing LLC now owns 172,402 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $1,260,000 after purchasing an additional 1,923 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Sanctuary Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Franklin Universal Trust during the 2nd quarter valued at $843,000.

Franklin Universal Trust Price Performance

FT stock remained flat at $7.56 during midday trading on Tuesday. 42,836 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 52,279. Franklin Universal Trust has a 1 year low of $6.34 and a 1 year high of $7.80. The stock's fifty day simple moving average is $7.47 and its 200-day simple moving average is $7.39.

Franklin Universal Trust Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a monthly dividend, which was paid on Friday, January 31st. Investors of record on Tuesday, January 21st were given a dividend of $0.0425 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, January 21st. This represents a $0.51 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 6.75%.

About Franklin Universal Trust

Franklin Universal Trust is a closed-ended balanced mutual fund launched by Franklin Resources, Inc The fund is managed by Franklin Advisers, Inc It invests in the public equity and fixed income markets of the United States. The fund invests in companies operating in utility sector. It employs fundamental analysis to invest in a diversified portfolio of corporate bonds and dividend paying utility stocks.