Franklin Universal Trust (NYSE:FT) Shares Shorted: Short Interest Down 81.8% in October

Key Points

• Short interest fell 81.8% in October to 2,220 shares, representing approximately 0.0% of Franklin Universal Trust’s outstanding shares and a short-interest ratio of 0.0 days.
• The stock opened at $7.19, near the lower end of its 52-week range, while the trust announced a monthly dividend of $0.0425, or $0.51 annually, yielding 7.1%.
• Shaker Financial Services increased its position by 142.4% during the third quarter to 60,281 shares, valued at approximately $424,000.

Franklin Universal Trust (NYSE:FT - Get Free Report) was the recipient of a large decrease in short interest during the month of October. As of October 15th, there was short interest totaling 2,220 shares, a decrease of 81.8% from the September 30th total of 12,221 shares. Approximately 0.0% of the shares of the company are sold short. Based on an average trading volume of 60,224 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.0 days.

Franklin Universal Trust Stock Down 0.1%

Franklin Universal Trust stock opened at $7.19 on Tuesday. Franklin Universal Trust has a twelve month low of $6.95 and a twelve month high of $8.35. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $7.41 and a two-hundred day moving average of $7.91.

Franklin Universal Trust Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, December 31st. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, December 23rd will be issued a $0.0425 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, December 23rd. This represents a $0.51 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 7.1%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Franklin Universal Trust

An institutional investor recently raised its position in Franklin Universal Trust stock. Shaker Financial Services LLC boosted its position in Franklin Universal Trust (NYSE:FT - Free Report) by 142.4% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 60,281 shares of the financial services provider's stock after buying an additional 35,411 shares during the period. Shaker Financial Services LLC owned approximately 0.24% of Franklin Universal Trust worth $424,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Franklin Universal Trust Company Profile

Franklin Universal Trust NYSE: FT is a diversified closed-end investment company managed by Franklin Advisers, Inc, an affiliate of Franklin Templeton. The fund seeks to provide high current income and long-term capital appreciation by investing in a portfolio of debt and equity securities.

The trust invests across a range of issuers and industries, including utility companies and other income-oriented businesses. Its portfolio may include corporate bonds, preferred securities, common stocks and other investments, allowing the fund to pursue income while retaining the potential for capital growth.

Franklin Universal Trust is listed on the New York Stock Exchange and is managed as part of Franklin Templeton's broader investment platform.

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