Charles B. Johnson, a significant stakeholder of Franklin Resources Inc. (NYSE:BEN), recently engaged in a transaction involving the company’s common stock. The timing is notable as the stock trades near its 52-week low, having declined about 9% in the past week. On April 4, Johnson sold 420 shares at a price of $17.57 each, totaling $7,379. This sale reduced his direct holdings to 89,375,067 shares. According to InvestingPro analysis, BEN currently appears undervalued and offers a substantial 7.31% dividend yield, having maintained dividend payments for 45 consecutive years.
Additionally, Johnson purchased 420 shares at a weighted average price of $17.72 per share, totaling $7,442. After these transactions, he holds a substantial number of shares both directly and indirectly through various accounts, including a 401(k) and an IRA. For deeper insights into insider trading patterns and comprehensive analysis, InvestingPro subscribers can access detailed research reports covering 1,400+ US stocks, including BEN.
In other recent news, Franklin BSP Realty Trust announced its agreement to acquire NewPoint Holdings, a commercial real estate finance firm. This acquisition is anticipated to enhance Franklin BSP Realty Trust’s earnings per share and book value per share in 2026. The firm plans to fund the purchase using a mix of cash, debt, and equity, with NewPoint’s $54.7 billion servicing portfolio expected to provide a stable income stream. Meanwhile, Franklin Resources, known as Franklin Templeton, reported stable assets under management at $1.58 trillion as of February 28, 2025, despite experiencing net outflows from its subsidiary, Western Asset Management. In a significant development, the California State Teachers’ Retirement System decided to withdraw $1 billion from Western Asset Management amid fraud charges against a former trader. Franklin Templeton also launched a new exchange-traded product, the Franklin Crypto Index ETF (EZPZ), offering exposure to bitcoin and ether. Additionally, Franklin Resources re-elected its board of directors and ratified PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as its independent auditor, reflecting shareholder confidence in its governance.
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