Zacks Research Has Bearish Outlook for BEN FY2027 Earnings

Franklin Resources, Inc. (NYSE:BEN - Free Report) - Equities researchers at Zacks Research dropped their FY2027 earnings per share (EPS) estimates for shares of Franklin Resources in a research report issued to clients and investors on Wednesday, February 26th. Zacks Research analyst R. Department now forecasts that the closed-end fund will post earnings of $2.93 per share for the year, down from their previous forecast of $2.95. The consensus estimate for Franklin Resources' current full-year earnings is $2.16 per share.

Several other equities research analysts have also recently weighed in on BEN. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods upped their target price on Franklin Resources from $19.00 to $21.00 and gave the stock an "underperform" rating in a research note on Monday, February 3rd. StockNews.com raised Franklin Resources from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Thursday, November 14th. Barclays lifted their target price on Franklin Resources from $19.00 to $22.00 and gave the company an "underweight" rating in a research report on Monday, February 3rd. UBS Group increased their target price on shares of Franklin Resources from $19.00 to $23.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a report on Monday, February 3rd. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price target on shares of Franklin Resources from $20.50 to $24.00 and gave the company an "equal weight" rating in a report on Monday, February 3rd. Four analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and eight have issued a hold rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $20.86.

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Franklin Resources Price Performance

Shares of Franklin Resources stock traded up $0.04 on Monday, reaching $20.19. 1,037,698 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 4,216,971. The firm's 50 day moving average is $20.18 and its 200-day moving average is $20.63. The firm has a market cap of $10.60 billion, a PE ratio of 31.04, a P/E/G ratio of 2.31 and a beta of 1.42. 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 has a one year low of $18.83 and a one year high of $28.61.

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

Franklin Resources Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, April 11th. Shareholders of record on Monday, March 31st will be given a $0.32 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, March 31st. This represents a $1.28 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 6.34%. Franklin Resources's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 196.92%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Franklin Resources

A number of hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. CoreCap Advisors LLC increased its position in Franklin Resources by 147.1% during the 4th quarter. CoreCap Advisors LLC now owns 1,238 shares of the closed-end fund's stock valued at $25,000 after purchasing an additional 737 shares during the period. GeoWealth Management LLC increased its position in shares of Franklin Resources by 350.4% during the fourth quarter. GeoWealth Management LLC now owns 1,261 shares of the closed-end fund's stock worth $26,000 after buying an additional 981 shares during the period. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC raised its stake 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 buying an additional 505 shares during the last quarter. Headlands Technologies LLC acquired a new position in Franklin Resources in the fourth quarter valued at $34,000. Finally, Larson Financial Group LLC boosted its position in Franklin Resources by 254.4% during 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. 47.56% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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.