Franklin Universal Trust (NYSE:FT) Short Interest Update

Key Points

• Franklin Universal Trust experienced a significant 68.2% drop in short interest in August, with current short interest totaling 12,800 shares.
• Several institutional investors increased their holdings in Franklin Universal Trust during the second quarter, with Shaker Financial Services LLC boosting its stake by 106.6%.
• The company declared a monthly dividend of $0.0425 per share, representing an annualized yield of 6.4%, to be paid on September 30th.

Franklin Universal Trust (NYSE:FT - ) was the target of a significant drop in short interest during the month of August. As of August 31st, there was short interest totaling 12,800 shares, a drop of 68.2% from the August 15th total of 40,200 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 43,800 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.3 days. Approximately 0.1% of the shares of the stock are short sold. Approximately 0.1% of the shares of the stock are short sold. Based on an average trading volume of 43,800 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.3 days.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Raymond James Financial Inc. grew its position in Franklin Universal Trust by 2.3% during the second quarter. Raymond James Financial Inc. now owns 63,780 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $486,000 after acquiring an additional 1,455 shares during the last quarter. Shaker Financial Services LLC boosted its stake in shares of Franklin Universal Trust by 106.6% during the second quarter. Shaker Financial Services LLC now owns 70,883 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $540,000 after purchasing an additional 36,570 shares during the period. Bridgewealth Advisory Group LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Franklin Universal Trust during the second quarter valued at approximately $114,000. Wolverine Asset Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Franklin Universal Trust during the second quarter valued at approximately $35,000. Finally, Moloney Securities Asset Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of Franklin Universal Trust by 1.8% during the second quarter. Moloney Securities Asset Management LLC now owns 683,165 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $5,206,000 after purchasing an additional 12,132 shares during the period.

Franklin Universal Trust Trading Down 0.1%

Shares of NYSE FT opened at $7.95 on Friday. Franklin Universal Trust has a one year low of $6.71 and a one year high of $8.07. The firm's 50 day simple moving average is $7.86 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $7.58.

Franklin Universal Trust Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 30th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, September 18th will be given a dividend of $0.0425 per share. This represents a c) dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 6.4%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, September 18th.

Franklin Universal Trust Company Profile

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.

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