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Franklin Resources (BEN)
NYSE:BEN
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Franklin Resources (BEN) AI Stock Analysis

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BEN

Franklin Resources

(NYSE:BEN)

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Neutral 64 (OpenAI - 4o)
Rating:64Neutral
Price Target:
$24.50
▲(11.21% Upside)
Franklin Resources' overall stock score reflects a moderate financial performance with stable revenue growth but challenges in profitability and cash flow. The technical analysis indicates a neutral trend, while the valuation suggests a potential overvaluation offset by a strong dividend yield. The positive sentiment from the earnings call, driven by strategic initiatives in digital assets and AI, contributes positively to the score.
Positive Factors
Revenue Growth
Exceeding revenue expectations indicates strong business performance and effective growth strategies, enhancing long-term financial stability.
Digital Assets Expansion
Growth in digital assets reflects strategic adaptation to market trends, positioning the company for future opportunities in digital finance.
ETF Growth
Significant growth in ETFs suggests strong market demand and effective product offerings, supporting long-term revenue diversification.
Negative Factors
Declining Profit Margins
Decreasing profit margins indicate potential challenges in cost management, which could impact long-term profitability and competitiveness.
Rising Debt Levels
Higher leverage may strain financial flexibility and increase risk, potentially affecting the company's ability to invest in growth initiatives.
Cash Flow Challenges
Declining free cash flow suggests liquidity pressures, which could limit the company's ability to fund operations and strategic investments.

Franklin Resources (BEN) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

Franklin Resources Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionFranklin Resources, Inc., commonly known as Franklin Templeton, is a global investment management organization headquartered in San Mateo, California. Founded in 1947, the company offers a wide range of investment services and products across various asset classes, including equity, fixed income, alternative investments, and multi-asset strategies. Franklin Templeton serves a diverse clientele, including institutional investors, financial intermediaries, and individual investors, through its extensive suite of mutual funds, ETFs, and customized investment solutions.
How the Company Makes MoneyFranklin Resources primarily generates revenue through the management fees it charges for its investment products and services. These fees are typically calculated as a percentage of assets under management (AUM) and vary depending on the type of fund or account. Additionally, the company earns performance fees from certain investment products that outperform predetermined benchmarks. Franklin Templeton also benefits from sales of mutual funds and related investment products, with revenue boosted by distribution fees and commissions from financial intermediaries. Significant partnerships with financial advisors and institutions further enhance its distribution capabilities, contributing to its earnings. Furthermore, the company may experience fluctuations in revenue based on market performance and changes in AUM, which are influenced by investor sentiment and overall market conditions.

Franklin Resources Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Any
Any
Ending AUM
Ending AUM
Indicates the total assets under management at the end of a period, reflecting the company’s ability to attract and retain investor funds, a key driver of revenue.
Chart InsightsFranklin Resources' AUM has shown a strong recovery, reaching $1.61 trillion, driven by improved net flows and strategic acquisitions like Apera Asset Management. Despite challenges with Western Asset Management outflows, the company is bolstered by robust growth in ETFs and alternatives, and a record institutional pipeline. This diversified strategy, including a focus on private credit and blockchain, positions Franklin Resources for sustainable growth, although equity and fixed income outflows remain areas of concern amidst market volatility.
Data provided by:Main Street Data

Franklin Resources Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Nov 07, 2025
(Q4-2025)
|
% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:Feb 02, 2026
Earnings Call Sentiment Positive
The earnings call highlighted Franklin Templeton's strong performance in several areas, including awards, fundraising, and growth in digital and ETF segments. However, challenges such as Western Asset outflows and a difficult fundraising environment for Lexington's flagship fund were noted. Overall, the sentiment reflects a positive outlook with significant achievements outweighing the challenges.
Q4-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Asset Manager of the Year Award
Franklin Templeton was named the 2025 Asset Manager of the Year in the $500 billion plus AUM category by Money Management in Barron's.
Record Fundraising in Private Markets
Franklin Templeton fundraised $22.9 billion in private markets, exceeding their 5-year $100 billion fundraising goal.
Positive Net Flows
Franklin Templeton achieved $44.5 billion in long-term net inflows, excluding Western Asset Management, marking eight consecutive quarters of positive flows.
Significant Growth in ETFs
ETF AUM grew at a 75% compound annual rate since 2023, with 16 consecutive quarters of net inflows and 14 ETFs exceeding $1 billion in AUM.
Advancements in Digital Assets
Franklin Templeton's digital assets business saw tokenized and digital AUM rise to $1.7 billion, a 75% increase from the beginning of the year.
AI Integration and Success
Franklin Templeton advanced its AI initiatives across investment management, operations, sales, and marketing, accelerating its scale in agentic AI.
Strong Performance in Active Management
Over 50% of Franklin Templeton's mutual funds, ETFs, and composites outperformed peers and benchmarks across all standard time periods.
Negative Updates
Western Asset Outflows
Western Asset Management experienced long-term net outflows, contributing to overall fixed income net outflows of $122.7 billion.
Impairment Charge
Franklin Templeton recognized a $200 million noncash charge related to certain mutual fund contracts managed by Western Asset.
Decline in Operating Margin
Adjusted operating margin decreased to 24.5% from 26.1% in the prior year, partly due to support for Western Asset.
Challenging Fundraising Environment
The fundraising environment for Lexington's flagship fund was more difficult than historically, affecting the timing of the first close.
Company Guidance
During the earnings call for Franklin Resources, the company provided significant guidance for fiscal year 2026, highlighting their strategic focus on alternative investments, digital assets, and tokenization. For fiscal 2026, Franklin Templeton anticipates private market fundraising to increase to between $25 billion and $30 billion, with Lexington's flagship fund potentially contributing significantly to this target. The firm also emphasized its continued investment in technology, including AI and blockchain, to enhance operational efficiency and distribution capabilities. Franklin Templeton's digital asset business has grown to $1.7 billion, reflecting a 75% increase within the year, and the company plans to further leverage tokenization to broaden distribution channels. Additionally, the firm is working on AI-driven initiatives, partnering with Wand AI and others, to drive productivity and efficiency. Financial guidance for the first quarter of fiscal 2026 includes an expected mid-37 basis points effective fee rate, with anticipated compensation and benefits costs of approximately $880 million, while maintaining a tax rate range of 26% to 28%. Overall, Franklin Resources is positioned to capitalize on emerging market opportunities while maintaining a disciplined approach to expense management and operational integration.

Franklin Resources Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Franklin Resources demonstrates stable revenue growth but faces challenges in profitability and cash flow generation. The increased leverage and declining margins highlight potential risks, while the company's ability to generate cash from operations needs improvement. Overall, the financial health is moderate, with a need for strategic focus on enhancing profitability and managing debt levels.
Income Statement
65
Positive
Franklin Resources shows a modest revenue growth rate of 1.53% TTM, indicating a stable revenue stream. However, the gross profit margin has decreased significantly from previous years, currently at 48.57% TTM, compared to 80.11% in 2024. The net profit margin is relatively low at 5.83% TTM, reflecting challenges in maintaining profitability. The EBIT and EBITDA margins have also declined, suggesting pressure on operational efficiency.
Balance Sheet
70
Positive
The company's debt-to-equity ratio has increased to 1.10 TTM, indicating higher leverage, which could pose risks if not managed carefully. Return on equity is low at 4.17% TTM, suggesting limited returns for shareholders. However, the equity ratio remains stable, reflecting a balanced asset structure.
Cash Flow
60
Neutral
Free cash flow has decreased by 37.21% TTM, indicating potential liquidity challenges. The operating cash flow to net income ratio is 0.87 TTM, showing a reasonable conversion of income to cash. However, the free cash flow to net income ratio is 0.88 TTM, suggesting that cash generation from operations is under pressure.
BreakdownTTMDec 2025Dec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021
Income Statement
Total Revenue8.77B8.77B8.48B7.85B8.28B8.43B
Gross Profit4.26B4.26B6.79B6.35B6.85B7.00B
EBITDA1.42B1.32B1.38B1.91B2.21B2.84B
Net Income511.60M524.90M464.80M882.80M1.29B1.83B
Balance Sheet
Total Assets32.37B32.37B32.46B30.12B28.06B24.17B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments3.57B3.57B4.41B4.40B4.78B4.65B
Total Debt13.30B13.30B13.09B11.75B9.36B7.59B
Total Liabilities18.18B18.18B17.90B16.55B14.24B11.42B
Stockholders Equity12.08B12.08B12.51B11.92B11.47B11.22B
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow911.60M911.60M794.20M940.40M1.87B1.17B
Operating Cash Flow1.07B1.07B971.30M1.09B1.96B1.25B
Investing Cash Flow-2.34B-2.34B-2.42B-3.61B-3.33B-2.62B
Financing Cash Flow452.40M452.40M1.42B2.11B1.58B2.03B

Franklin Resources Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Neutral
Last Price22.03
Price Trends
50DMA
22.84
Negative
100DMA
23.70
Negative
200DMA
21.79
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
-0.38
Positive
RSI
45.76
Neutral
STOCH
25.99
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For BEN, the sentiment is Neutral. The current price of 22.03 is below the 20-day moving average (MA) of 22.37, below the 50-day MA of 22.84, and above the 200-day MA of 21.79, indicating a neutral trend. The MACD of -0.38 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 45.76 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 25.99 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Neutral sentiment for BEN.

Franklin Resources Risk Analysis

Franklin Resources disclosed 31 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Franklin Resources reported the most risks in the "Finance & Corporate" category.
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
Latest Risks Added 0 New Risks

Franklin Resources Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (68)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
77
Outperform
$6.81B22.1231.85%1.66%13.01%21.96%
76
Outperform
$9.80B14.7129.38%1.22%9.33%33.17%
74
Outperform
$10.34B15.767.29%3.60%6.64%
68
Neutral
$18.00B11.429.92%3.81%9.73%1.22%
64
Neutral
$11.29B23.783.84%5.90%2.31%5.71%
45
Neutral
$7.16B-750.11%2.29%92.02%-1386.34%
* Financial Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
BEN
Franklin Resources
22.03
1.11
5.31%
IVZ
Invesco
23.81
6.43
37.00%
SEIC
SEI Investments Company
79.34
-2.15
-2.64%
HLNE
Hamilton Lane
120.26
-76.34
-38.83%
STEP
StepStone Group
61.47
-3.70
-5.68%
OTF
Blue Owl Technology Finance Corp.
13.57
-1.63
-10.72%

Franklin Resources Corporate Events

Franklin Resources’ Earnings Call Highlights Growth and Challenges
Nov 9, 2025

The recent earnings call for Franklin Resources reflected a generally positive sentiment, underscoring the company’s robust performance in several key areas. Notable achievements included awards and significant growth in digital and ETF segments, although challenges such as Western Asset outflows and a tough fundraising environment for Lexington’s flagship fund were acknowledged. Overall, the sentiment was optimistic, with the company’s accomplishments outweighing the hurdles.

Franklin Resources Reports Strong Fiscal Year 2025 Results
Nov 8, 2025

Franklin Resources, Inc., operating as Franklin Templeton, is a global investment management organization providing a range of investment solutions across equity, fixed income, alternatives, and multi-asset classes, with a presence in over 150 countries.

Business Operations and StrategyFinancial Disclosures
Franklin Resources Reports Q4 2025 Financial Results
Positive
Nov 7, 2025

On November 7, 2025, Franklin Resources, Inc. announced its preliminary financial results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ending September 30, 2025. The company reported a net income of $117.6 million for the quarter and $524.9 million for the fiscal year, showing significant improvement from the previous year. The company experienced growth in long-term inflows across all asset classes, reaching $84.6 billion, and maintained a strong institutional pipeline. Despite a decrease in operating income compared to the previous quarter, Franklin Templeton achieved record growth in retail SMAs, ETFs, and alternative AUM, highlighting its strategic focus on diversification and expansion in both public and private markets.

The most recent analyst rating on (BEN) stock is a Sell with a $23.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Franklin Resources stock, see the BEN Stock Forecast page.

Glossary
BuyA stock rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldA stock rated as a "Hold" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellA stock rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock may deliver lower returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.Date of analysis: Nov 13, 2025