Global X Japan Co. Ltd. Has $522,000 Holdings in Franklin Resources, Inc. (NYSE:BEN)

Global X Japan Co. Ltd. raised its stake in Franklin Resources, Inc. (NYSE:BEN) by 39.5% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 25,714 shares of the closed-end fund’s stock after acquiring an additional 7,275 shares during the quarter. Global X Japan Co. Ltd.’s holdings in Franklin Resources were worth $522,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Other large investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. MFA Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Franklin Resources in the third quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Matrix Trust Co bought a new position in shares of Franklin Resources in the 3rd quarter worth $29,000. Larson Financial Group LLC boosted its holdings 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 worth $36,000 after buying an additional 1,277 shares during the last quarter. Brooklyn Investment Group bought a new stake in shares of Franklin Resources in the 3rd quarter valued at about $39,000. Finally, Northwest Investment Counselors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Franklin Resources in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $41,000. 47.56% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Franklin Resources Price Performance

Franklin Resources stock opened at $20.61 on Friday. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $20.75 and a 200 day simple moving average of $20.92. The stock has a market cap of $10.80 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 31.70, a PEG ratio of 1.51 and a beta of 1.42. The company has a quick ratio of 1.63, a current ratio of 1.63 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.92. Franklin Resources, Inc. has a 52 week low of $18.83 and a 52 week high of $28.61.

Franklin Resources (NYSE:BEN) last issued its earnings results on Friday, January 31st. The closed-end fund reported $0.59 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates 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 period in the previous year, the firm posted $0.65 EPS. On average, research analysts forecast that Franklin Resources, Inc. will post 2.19 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Franklin Resources Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced 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. This represents a $1.28 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 6.21%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, March 31st. Franklin Resources’s payout ratio is 196.93%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several brokerages have recently issued reports on BEN. StockNews.com raised shares of Franklin Resources from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Thursday, November 14th. TD Cowen dropped their price target on shares of Franklin Resources from $20.00 to $18.50 and set a “hold” rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, November 5th. Barclays raised their price objective on Franklin Resources from $19.00 to $22.00 and gave the company an “underweight” rating in a research report on Monday. BMO Capital Markets increased their target price on Franklin Resources from $20.00 to $23.00 and gave the stock a “market perform” rating in a research note on Monday. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price objective on Franklin Resources from $20.50 to $24.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a report on Monday. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and eight have issued a hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Franklin Resources presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $20.86.

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.