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Franklin Universal Closed Fund (FT)



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Upturn Advisory Summary
04/01/2025: FT (1-star) has a low Upturn Star Rating. Not recommended to BUY.
Analysis of Past Performance
Type Stock | Historic Profit -2.26% | Avg. Invested days 55 | Today’s Advisory Consider higher Upturn Star rating |
Upturn Star Rating ![]() ![]() | Upturn Advisory Performance ![]() | Stock Returns Performance ![]() |
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Key Highlights
Company Size Small-Cap Stock | Market Capitalization 188.74M USD | Price to earnings Ratio 5.56 | 1Y Target Price - |
Price to earnings Ratio 5.56 | 1Y Target Price - | ||
Volume (30-day avg) 37535 | Beta 0.75 | 52 Weeks Range 5.94 - 7.66 | Updated Date 04/2/2025 |
52 Weeks Range 5.94 - 7.66 | Updated Date 04/2/2025 | ||
Dividends yield (FY) 6.79% | Basic EPS (TTM) 1.35 |
Earnings Date
Report Date 2025-03-07 | When After Market | Estimate - | Actual - |
Profitability
Profit Margin 235.21% | Operating Margin (TTM) 80.09% |
Management Effectiveness
Return on Assets (TTM) 2.85% | Return on Equity (TTM) 17.47% |
Valuation
Trailing PE 5.56 | Forward PE - | Enterprise Value 248685728 | Price to Sales(TTM) 13 |
Enterprise Value 248685728 | Price to Sales(TTM) 13 | ||
Enterprise Value to Revenue 7.13 | Enterprise Value to EBITDA - | Shares Outstanding 25131900 | Shares Floating - |
Shares Outstanding 25131900 | Shares Floating - | ||
Percent Insiders - | Percent Institutions 18.69 |
Analyst Ratings
Rating 5 | Target Price - | Buy - | Strong Buy 1 |
Buy - | Strong Buy 1 | ||
Hold - | Sell - | Strong Sell - | |
Strong Sell - |
Upturn AI SWOT
Franklin Universal Closed Fund
Company Overview
History and Background
Franklin Universal Trust was established in 1935. It is a closed-end fund managed by Franklin Templeton Investments. The fund aims to provide a high level of current income and, to a secondary extent, capital appreciation.
Core Business Areas
- Fixed Income: Investments primarily in U.S. and foreign government and corporate debt securities, with a focus on income generation.
- Equity Investments: Investments in common stock and other equity securities, generally with a secondary focus.
Leadership and Structure
The fund is managed by a team of investment professionals at Franklin Templeton Investments. The organizational structure is typical of a large asset management company, with portfolio managers, analysts, and support staff overseeing the fund's investments.
Top Products and Market Share
Key Offerings
- Diversified Fixed Income Portfolio: Focuses on a broad range of fixed-income securities across various sectors and geographies. As a closed-end fund, market share isn't directly applicable like a product, but it competes with other closed-end funds. Competitors: PIMCO, BlackRock, Nuveen closed-end funds.
- Equity Allocation: A smaller portion of the portfolio is allocated to equities. This varies based on market conditions and fund strategy. Competitors are similar to fixed income as well as general stock holding CEFs
Market Dynamics
Industry Overview
The closed-end fund market is influenced by interest rates, credit spreads, equity market performance, and investor sentiment. Demand for income-generating assets remains strong. However, the CEF sector can experience large discounts/premiums vs NAV.
Positioning
Franklin Universal Trust aims to deliver income and capital appreciation through a diversified portfolio. It competes with other closed-end funds, actively managed ETFs, and other income-generating assets.
Total Addressable Market (TAM)
The total market value for closed-end funds is estimated to be several hundred billion dollars. The Franklin Universal Trust aims for 0.06% of the CEF Market (approx)
Upturn SWOT Analysis
Strengths
- Experienced management team
- Diversified portfolio
- Established track record
Weaknesses
- Discount to NAV
- Management fees
- Potential for interest rate risk
Opportunities
- Rising interest rate environment (potentially)
- Increased demand for income-generating assets
- Strategic acquisitions or partnerships
Threats
- Market volatility
- Increased competition
- Changes in regulations
Competitors and Market Share
Key Competitors
- PDI
- PCI
- OXLC
- ECC
Competitive Landscape
The closed-end fund market is competitive. Franklin Universal Trust differentiates itself through its investment strategy, diversification, and track record.
Major Acquisitions
Growth Trajectory and Initiatives
Historical Growth: Growth is dependent on asset appreciation and income generation from investments.
Future Projections: Future growth is uncertain and depends on market conditions. Analyst estimates vary. The goal is to provide stable income, not rapid growth.
Recent Initiatives: Recent initiatives may include portfolio adjustments to optimize income and manage risk. Updates given via regular press releases.
Summary
Franklin Universal Trust is a closed-end fund that aims to provide income and modest capital appreciation. Its strength lies in its diversified portfolio and experienced management team. However, it faces challenges like discount to NAV and interest rate risk. The fund's future performance depends on market conditions and its ability to generate income and manage risk effectively.
Similar Companies

ECC

Eagle Point Credit Company Inc.



ECC

Eagle Point Credit Company Inc.
OXLC

Oxford Lane Capital Corp


OXLC

Oxford Lane Capital Corp
Sources and Disclaimers
Data Sources:
- Franklin Templeton Investments website
- SEC filings
- Morningstar
- Bloomberg
- Yahoo Finance
Disclaimers:
The data and analysis provided are for informational purposes only and should not be considered investment advice. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Investing in closed-end funds involves risks, including market risk, interest rate risk, and credit risk.
AI Summarization is directionally correct and might not be accurate.
Summarized information shown could be a few years old and not current.
Fundamental Rating based on AI could be based on old data.
AI-generated summaries may have inaccuracies (hallucinations). Please verify the information before taking action.
About Franklin Universal Closed Fund
Exchange NYSE | Headquaters San Mateo, CA, United States | ||
IPO Launch date 1989-06-30 | CEO - | ||
Sector Financial Services | Industry Asset Management | Full time employees - | |
Full time employees - |
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. The fund benchmarks the equity component of its balanced portfolio against the S&P 500 Electric Utilities Index and the fixed component against the Credit Suisse High Yield. Franklin Universal Trust was formed on September 23, 1988 and is domiciled in the United States.
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