Q3 EPS Estimate for Franklin Resources Reduced by Analyst

Franklin Resources, Inc. (NYSE:BEN - Free Report) - Analysts at Zacks Research dropped their Q3 2026 EPS estimates for Franklin Resources in a research report issued to clients and investors on Thursday, April 10th. Zacks Research analyst R. Department now forecasts that the closed-end fund will post earnings per share of $0.49 for the quarter, down from their prior estimate of $0.51. The consensus estimate for Franklin Resources' current full-year earnings is $2.16 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Franklin Resources' Q4 2026 earnings at $0.64 EPS, Q2 2027 earnings at $0.77 EPS and FY2027 earnings at $2.94 EPS.

Several other research analysts have also weighed in on the stock. TD Cowen reduced their price objective on shares of Franklin Resources from $20.00 to $17.50 and set a "hold" rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, April 9th. UBS Group boosted their price target on shares of Franklin Resources from $19.00 to $23.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a report on Monday, February 3rd. Morgan Stanley lowered their price objective on shares of Franklin Resources from $18.00 to $15.00 and set an "underweight" rating for the company in a research report on Monday, April 7th. Bank of America reduced their target price on Franklin Resources from $20.00 to $17.00 and set an "underperform" rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, April 3rd. Finally, Barclays decreased their target price on Franklin Resources from $22.00 to $17.00 and set an "underweight" rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and eight have assigned a hold rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $18.96.

Franklin Resources Trading Up 0.9 %

BEN traded up $0.16 during midday trading on Monday, reaching $17.71. 1,464,944 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 4,333,242. The stock has a market capitalization of $9.30 billion, a P/E ratio of 27.30, a PEG ratio of 2.31 and a beta of 1.36. Franklin Resources has a one year low of $16.25 and a one year high of $25.69. The stock's 50-day simple moving average is $19.43 and its 200 day simple moving average is $20.32. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.89, a quick ratio of 1.66 and a current ratio of 1.66.

Franklin Resources (NYSE:BEN - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Friday, January 31st. The closed-end fund reported $0.59 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.56 by $0.03. Franklin Resources had a return on equity of 9.45% and a net margin of 4.32%. During the same period last year, the company posted $0.65 EPS.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Franklin Resources

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. CoreCap Advisors LLC lifted its stake in shares of Franklin Resources by 147.1% during the 4th quarter. CoreCap Advisors LLC now owns 1,238 shares of the closed-end fund's stock worth $25,000 after buying an additional 737 shares during the last quarter. GeoWealth Management LLC raised its holdings in Franklin Resources by 350.4% in the 4th quarter. GeoWealth Management LLC now owns 1,261 shares of the closed-end fund's stock valued at $26,000 after acquiring an additional 981 shares during the period. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC lifted its position in Franklin Resources by 44.5% during the fourth quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 1,641 shares of the closed-end fund's stock worth $33,000 after acquiring an additional 505 shares during the last quarter. Headlands Technologies LLC bought a new stake in shares of Franklin Resources during the fourth quarter worth approximately $34,000. Finally, Principal Securities Inc. grew 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 last quarter. 47.56% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Franklin Resources Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, April 11th. Shareholders of record on Monday, March 31st were issued a dividend of $0.32 per share. This represents a $1.28 annualized dividend and a yield of 7.23%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, March 31st. Franklin Resources's dividend payout ratio is 196.92%.

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.