Zacks Research Brokers Boost Earnings Estimates for BEN

Key Points

• Zacks Research has raised its Q3 2025 EPS estimate for Franklin Resources from $0.43 to $0.44, with full-year earnings now expected at $2.16 per share.
• The company recently declared a dividend of $0.32 per share, representing an annualized dividend of $1.28 and a dividend yield of 5.16%.
• Current market analysts have mixed views on the stock, with a consensus rating of "Hold" and a price target averaging $21.92.

Franklin Resources, Inc. (NYSE:BEN - Free Report) - Equities researchers at Zacks Research increased their Q3 2025 earnings per share estimates for shares of Franklin Resources in a report released on Wednesday, July 23rd. Zacks Research analyst R. Department now expects that the closed-end fund will earn $0.44 per share for the quarter, up from their previous forecast of $0.43. The consensus estimate for Franklin Resources' current full-year earnings is $2.16 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Franklin Resources' Q4 2025 earnings at $0.51 EPS, FY2025 earnings at $2.01 EPS, Q1 2026 earnings at $0.49 EPS, Q2 2026 earnings at $0.44 EPS, Q3 2026 earnings at $0.48 EPS, Q4 2026 earnings at $0.63 EPS, FY2026 earnings at $2.04 EPS, Q1 2027 earnings at $0.61 EPS and Q2 2027 earnings at $0.68 EPS.

Franklin Resources (NYSE:BEN - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Friday, May 2nd. The closed-end fund reported $0.47 EPS for the quarter, hitting the consensus estimate of $0.47. Franklin Resources had a return on equity of 9.13% and a net margin of 4.65%. The firm had revenue of $2.11 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $2.44 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $0.56 earnings per share. The firm's revenue for the quarter was down 6.2% on a year-over-year basis.

Several other brokerages have also recently commented on BEN. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price target on Franklin Resources from $18.00 to $22.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research report on Thursday, July 10th. Bank of America dropped their target price on Franklin Resources from $20.00 to $17.00 and set an "underperform" rating for the company in a report on Thursday, April 3rd. TD Cowen upgraded Franklin Resources from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating and set a $27.00 target price for the company in a report on Wednesday, May 14th. Morgan Stanley upped their target price on Franklin Resources from $14.00 to $19.00 and gave the company an "underweight" rating in a report on Wednesday, July 2nd. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group upgraded Franklin Resources from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating and set a $29.00 target price for the company in a report on Friday, June 27th. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have assigned a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $21.92.

Franklin Resources Price Performance

Shares of BEN traded down $0.13 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $24.70. 966,390 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 4,542,503. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.93, a quick ratio of 1.95 and a current ratio of 1.95. Franklin Resources has a 12-month low of $16.25 and a 12-month high of $25.36. The company has a market cap of $12.98 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 36.32, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.79 and a beta of 1.45. The stock's 50-day moving average price is $23.17 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $20.88.

Franklin Resources Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, July 11th. Stockholders of record on Friday, June 27th were issued a dividend of $0.32 per share. This represents a $1.28 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 5.18%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, June 27th. Franklin Resources's dividend payout ratio is presently 188.24%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Franklin Resources

Several hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of BEN. CoreCap Advisors LLC lifted its stake in Franklin Resources by 147.1% during the 4th quarter. CoreCap Advisors LLC now owns 1,238 shares of the closed-end fund's stock worth $25,000 after acquiring an additional 737 shares in the last quarter. GeoWealth Management LLC raised its position in Franklin Resources by 350.4% in the 4th quarter. GeoWealth Management LLC now owns 1,261 shares of the closed-end fund's stock valued at $26,000 after purchasing an additional 981 shares in the last quarter. Manchester Capital Management LLC raised its position in Franklin Resources by 49.9% in the 1st quarter. Manchester Capital Management LLC now owns 1,668 shares of the closed-end fund's stock valued at $32,000 after purchasing an additional 555 shares in the last quarter. Headlands Technologies LLC acquired a new stake in Franklin Resources in the 4th quarter valued at about $34,000. Finally, Contravisory Investment Management Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Franklin Resources during the 1st quarter worth about $46,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 47.56% of the company's stock.

About Franklin Resources

Franklin Resources, Inc is a publicly owned asset management holding company. Through its subsidiaries, the firm provides its services to individuals, institutions, pension plans, trusts, and partnerships. It launches equity, fixed income, balanced, and multi-asset mutual funds through its subsidiaries.