Franklin Universal Trust (NYSE:FT) Short Interest Update

Franklin Universal Trust (NYSE:FT - Get Free Report) saw a large decline in short interest during the month of May. As of May 15th, there was short interest totalling 18,200 shares, a decline of 15.3% from the April 30th total of 21,500 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 40,900 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.4 days. Approximately 0.1% of the shares of the stock are short sold.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Franklin Universal Trust

Several institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. MB Levis & Associates LLC acquired a new position in shares of Franklin Universal Trust during the 1st quarter worth approximately $77,000. Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Franklin Universal Trust during the 1st quarter worth approximately $81,000. Blue Bell Private Wealth Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Franklin Universal Trust by 17.0% during the 4th quarter. Blue Bell Private Wealth Management LLC now owns 11,210 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $82,000 after purchasing an additional 1,632 shares during the last quarter. Bridgewealth Advisory Group LLC acquired a new position in shares of Franklin Universal Trust during the 4th quarter worth approximately $113,000. Finally, Goldman Sachs Group Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Franklin Universal Trust during the 1st quarter worth approximately $117,000.

Franklin Universal Trust Trading Down 0.6%

FT stock traded down $0.05 during trading on Thursday, hitting $7.47. The stock had a trading volume of 4,607 shares, compared to its average volume of 42,644. Franklin Universal Trust has a twelve month low of $6.68 and a twelve month high of $7.80. The company's 50-day moving average price is $7.35 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $7.46.

Franklin Universal Trust Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a monthly dividend, which was paid on Friday, May 30th. Investors of record on Monday, May 19th were issued a $0.0425 dividend. This represents a $0.51 annualized dividend and a yield of 6.83%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, May 19th.

About Franklin Universal Trust

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.