Franklin Universal Trust (NYSE:FT) Stock Crosses Below 50-Day Moving Average - Should You Sell?

Key Points

• Price action: Franklin Universal Trust (NYSE:FT) shares crossed below their 50‑day moving average ($8.17), trading as low as $8.11 with the last trade at $8.1850 on volume 24,816; the 50‑day sits just above the 200‑day ($8.08).
• Dividend: The fund declared a monthly dividend of $0.0425 per share payable June 30 (ex‑dividend and record date June 23), implying an annualized yield of about 6.2%.
• Institutional activity: Several funds materially increased positions (e.g., Advisors Asset Management +102.9% to 429,450 shares; CoreCap +535.6%), and Goldman Sachs initiated a new stake, signaling notable institutional inflows.

Franklin Universal Trust (NYSE:FT - Get Free Report)'s share price crossed below its 50 day moving average during trading on Thursday . The stock has a 50 day moving average of $8.17 and traded as low as $8.11. Franklin Universal Trust shares last traded at $8.1850, with a volume of 24,816 shares changing hands.

Franklin Universal Trust Stock Performance

The firm's 50-day simple moving average is $8.17 and its 200 day simple moving average is $8.08.

Franklin Universal Trust Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, June 30th. Investors of record on Tuesday, June 23rd will be issued a dividend of $0.0425 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, June 23rd. This represents a c) dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 6.2%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Advisors Asset Management Inc. lifted its position in shares of Franklin Universal Trust by 102.9% during the 3rd quarter. Advisors Asset Management Inc. now owns 429,450 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $3,453,000 after acquiring an additional 217,780 shares during the period. Moloney Securities Asset Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of Franklin Universal Trust by 1.2% in the 3rd quarter. Moloney Securities Asset Management LLC now owns 691,160 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $5,557,000 after acquiring an additional 7,995 shares during the period. CoreCap Advisors LLC increased its stake in Franklin Universal Trust by 535.6% in the 3rd quarter. CoreCap Advisors LLC now owns 27,109 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $218,000 after purchasing an additional 22,844 shares in the last quarter. Uncommon Cents Investing LLC increased its stake in Franklin Universal Trust by 0.9% in the 3rd quarter. Uncommon Cents Investing LLC now owns 182,662 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $1,469,000 after purchasing an additional 1,647 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Goldman Sachs Group Inc. acquired a new position in Franklin Universal Trust during the first quarter worth $117,000.

About Franklin Universal Trust

Franklin Universal Trust NYSE: FT is a closed-end management investment company organized under Maryland law and managed by Franklin Templeton. The trust seeks to provide a high level of current income with a secondary objective of capital appreciation. It issues common shares that trade on the New York Stock Exchange, offering investors access to a diversified portfolio of income-oriented credit instruments.

The fund's core strategy focuses on senior secured floating-rate bank loans, which typically adjust their interest rates in line with market benchmarks.

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