Franklin Resources, IncNYSE: BEN
Financials · Asset Management & Custody Banks
$32.63
+5.74%
Vol: 227K
Research Digest
Monday, June 15, 2026
No significant overnight updates
No material news in the last 48 hours.
Previous Market Intelligence
13 daysJun 14No significant overnight updatesNeutral▶
No material news in the last 48 hours.
May 21Franklin Resources declared a $0.33 dividend on May 21 and unveiled blockchain-enabled private markets and SMA partnerships with Payward, Corastone and Ritholtz Wealth Management; stock is up ~16.7% over 30 days.Positive▶
On May 21, 2026, Franklin Resources declared a quarterly dividend of $0.33 per share. Earlier in the month, on May 12, Franklin Templeton announced a strategic collaboration with Payward (Kraken's parent) to advance tokenized assets and institutional digital offerings, and rolled out Private Markets Model Portfolios built on blockchain-enabled infrastructure with Corastone, plus a momentum-driven equity SMA strategy with Ritholtz Wealth Management. Recent fiscal Q2 results showed revenue of about $2.29B and net income of $268.2M, with diluted continuing-operations EPS of $0.49 and AUM running near $1.74T with long-term net inflows. Shares are around $31.55, up ~16.7% over 30 days and ~50% over the past year, reflecting investor enthusiasm for the digital assets and private markets strategy. Risk: AUM has been volatile post-Western Asset, and competitive pressure on fees continues.
May 20Franklin Resources partnered with Kraken operator Payward on May 14 to develop tokenized actively managed investments.Positive▶
On May 14, 2026, Franklin Templeton (Franklin Resources) entered a collaboration with Payward, the operator of Kraken, to develop tokenized, actively managed investments for institutional clients. The company also launched Private Markets Model Portfolios with Corastone on blockchain-enabled infrastructure and partnered with Ritholtz Wealth Management on a momentum-driven equity SMA. Franklin filed a Form 13F on May 8 disclosing $408.3B across 14,782 positions. Shares traded around $32 in mid-May, up 24.8% over the past month and 34.6% YTD. Morgan Stanley upgraded to Equal Weight from Underweight on May 7 with a $31 price target. Risk: AUM growth is offset by continued outflows at Western Asset Management.
May 19Franklin Resources stock up 27% over the past month following strong Q2 2026 beat; launches FranklinCrypto and onchain collaboration with Kraken operator PaywardPositive▶
Franklin Resources reported fiscal Q2 2026 EPS of $0.71 vs $0.55 consensus and revenue of $2.29 billion vs $2.05B estimate, prompting analyst price target upgrades. The company launched new private markets model portfolios built on blockchain-enabled infrastructure with Corastone and announced an onchain collaboration with Payward (Kraken's operator) for tokenized actively-managed institutional products. Franklin also confirmed acquisition of 250 Digital and planned launch of FranklinCrypto to expand digital-asset offerings. Stock has returned 4.0% over the past week, 27.2% over the past month, and 33.1% YTD, closing recently at $31.68. The company reported broad-based positive net inflows across regions and asset classes with a robust institutional pipeline.
May 18No significant overnight updatesNeutral▶
No material news in the last 48 hours.
May 15Franklin Templeton partners with Payward/Kraken May 12 to expand tokenized assets and crypto offeringsPositive▶
Franklin Templeton announced May 12 a strategic collaboration with Payward (Kraken) to advance tokenized assets and institutional digital offerings, leveraging Kraken's infrastructure and xStocks framework. The asset manager also introduced Private Markets Model Portfolios on blockchain infrastructure with Corastone, and partnered with Ritholtz Wealth Management for a momentum-driven equity SMA. AUM reached $1.74T at end of April 2026, up from $1.68T at end of March. Franklin filed Form 13F on May 8 disclosing $408.3B in institutional holdings. Morgan Stanley upgraded BEN to Equal Weight from Underweight on May 7 with $31 PT. Stock at $31.55 on May 11. Risk: ongoing Western Asset Management outflows.
May 14Franklin Resources stock has surged ~25% in the past month after a Q2 FY26 beat, with Morgan Stanley upgrading to Equal Weight and raising its target to $31.Positive▶
Franklin Resources delivered a strong fiscal Q2 2026 with revenue of $2.29B, sales of $396.6M, net income of $268.2M, and EPS of $0.49, all up year-over-year. AUM stood at $1.74 trillion as of Feb 28, 2026, with $10B in long-term net inflows offsetting $1B of Western Asset outflows. On May 6, 2026, Morgan Stanley upgraded BEN to Equal Weight from Underweight, lifting its price target to $31 from $21; Weiss Ratings concurrently upgraded to Buy (B-). Franklin also expanded its private-markets and equity SMA platforms aimed at advisors seeking tailored building blocks. Shares closed at $31.55 on May 11, with market cap of $16.1B - up 32.87% over 30 days. On May 12, Swiss Life Asset Management trimmed 77,577 shares, a modest signal of mixed institutional positioning.
May 13Franklin Templeton launched new Private Markets Model Portfolios with Corastone on May 11; Morgan Stanley upgraded Franklin to Equal Weight from Underweight on May 7.Positive▶
On May 11, 2026, Franklin Templeton announced the launch of its Private Markets Model Portfolios developed with Corastone, a platform focused on digital infrastructure and blockchain technology, signaling deeper push into alternatives distribution. Morgan Stanley upgraded BEN to Equal Weight from Underweight on May 7, 2026, citing improved fundamentals. Preliminary April 2026 AUM was $1.74T (up from $1.68T in March), driven by market performance and $10B in long-term net inflows, although Western Asset Management saw $1B in outflows. The stock has surged ~26.92% over the past month, recently reaching a new 52-week high above $30 after beating Q2 2026 estimates. Risk: continued Western Asset outflows and reliance on market beta to lift AUM.
May 12No significant overnight updatesNeutral▶
No material news in the last 48 hours.
May 11Franklin Resources reported preliminary April AUM of $1.74T (up from $1.68T in March) on May 5 after strong Q2 earnings.Positive▶
Franklin Resources reported April preliminary month-end AUM of $1.74 trillion, up from $1.68 trillion in March, in a May 5 disclosure. The update follows a strong fiscal Q2 (April 28 release) where EPS of $0.71 beat estimates by ~27% and revenue of $2.29B beat by ~35%, with broad-based long-term net inflows of $16.9B spanning every region and asset class. The stock has rallied to a new 52-week high above $30. Analysts raised price targets; some remain cautious on fee compression. Management projects full-year FY26 margin of 27% and Q3 fee rate in the mid-to-high 37 bps range. Risk: continued fee pressure in core mutual fund business.
May 8Q2 EPS $0.71 beat $0.55 est, AUM $1.74T, broad net inflows across regions and asset classesPositive▶
Franklin Resources reported strong Q2 2026 results with EPS of $0.71, beating consensus $0.55, and revenue of $1.75 billion vs consensus $1.70 billion. Preliminary AUM approximately $1.74 trillion with broad-based positive long-term net inflows spanning every major region and asset class. Stock up 27.9% over past month. Company acquiring 250 Digital for crypto investment management expansion. Dividend yield of 4.27%.
May 7Q2 net income $268.2M (+77% YoY); AUM $1.74T; $14.3B alternatives raised; targeting >30% margins by FY2027Positive▶
Franklin Resources reported Q2 2026 net income of $268.2M ($0.49/share), up 77% YoY from $151.4M ($0.26/share). Assets Under Management rose to $1.74T as of April 30 (vs. $1.68T March 31). Company delivered $17B long-term net inflows with $14.3B in alternatives ($13.2B private markets) across credit, secondary PE, real estate, and venture. Strategic moves: acquired 250 Digital and formed FranklinCrypto merging crypto expertise with global distribution. Raised margin guidance targeting >30% by FY2027. Stock hit 52-week high $30.36. Analyst consensus: Hold with median PT $27.00 (9 analysts covering).
May 6Franklin Resources reports strong Q2 results with record AUM and Morgan Stanley upgradePositive▶
Franklin Resources reported Q2 2026 results with net income of $268.2 million or $0.49 per diluted share (vs. $0.26 prior year) and operating income of $323.3 million (vs. $145.6 million prior year). Assets under management reached $1.74 trillion, up from $1.68 trillion in March, with $17 billion in long-term net inflows. The company delivered $118 billion in long-term inflows, a 28% increase from prior quarter. Morgan Stanley upgraded Franklin Resources from Underweight to Equalweight, raising price target from $21.00 to $31.00, citing turnaround momentum. Stock hit a 52-week high of $30.36.
Sector Peers
| Company | Price | Day | 1M | Fwd P/E | Beta | Mkt Cap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BENFRANKLIN | $32.63 | +5.74% | -3.5% | 10.4x | 1.59 | $16.0B |
| BLKBLACKROCK | $1,048.01 | -1.48% | -2.0% | 17.5x | 1.46 | $165.1B |
| BXBLACKSTONE | $127.78 | +7.77% | +1.3% | 15.7x | 1.63 | $144.9B |
| BKBANK | $137.16 | +0.00% | +0.4% | 14.2x | 1.07 | $94.1B |
| KKRKKR | $99.74 | +5.26% | -1.3% | 12.8x | 1.85 | $88.4B |
| APOAPOLLO | $138.79 | +6.03% | -2.4% | 12.3x | 1.52 | $75.5B |
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Price above both MAs — bullish structure.