Franklin Resources Inc - BEN STOCK NEWS

Franklin Templeton Fund Adviser, has announced that certain closed-end funds will distribute dividends for March, April, and May 2025, under their managed distribution policy. Key dates for these distributions are:

• March: Record Date - 3/24/2025, Ex-Dividend Date - 3/24/2025, Payable Date - 3/31/2025
• April: Record Date - 4/23/2025, Ex-Dividend Date - 4/23/2025, Payable Date - 4/30/2025
• May: Record Date - 5/22/2025, Ex-Dividend Date - 5/22/2025, Payable Date - 5/30/2025

The funds and their respective distribution amounts are:

• Western Asset Inflation-Linked Income Fund (WIA): $0.05200 per month
• Western Asset Inflation-Linked Opportunities & Income Fund (WIW): $0.06250 per month

Under the managed distribution policy, the funds aim to maintain consistent distribution levels from income and capital gains. If necessary, they may distribute long-term capital gains or return of capital. The Board of Trustees reserves the right to modify or terminate the policy, which could affect the funds' market prices.

For fiscal year-to-date distributions, both funds have sourced 100% of their distributions from income. Shareholders will receive Form 1099-DIV for tax reporting. For more information, visit Franklin Templeton's website or call 1-888-777-0102.

Franklin Resources (NYSE: BEN) reported preliminary assets under management (AUM) of $1.58 trillion as of January 31, 2025, remaining stable compared to December 2024. The company experienced positive market impact, offset by $13 billion in preliminary long-term net outflows, primarily due to $17 billion outflows from Western Asset Management. Excluding Western Asset Management, the company saw $4 billion in long-term net inflows.

By asset class, Equity AUM increased to $636.0 billion, Fixed Income decreased to $455.6 billion, Alternative assets rose to $250.8 billion, and Multi-Asset grew to $177.6 billion. Cash Management slightly decreased to $63.2 billion.

Franklin Resources [NYSE:BEN] has declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.32 per share, maintaining the same level as the previous quarter. The dividend will be paid on April 11, 2025, to stockholders of record as of March 31, 2025. This dividend represents a 3.2% increase compared to the same quarter of the previous year, demonstrating the company's commitment to returning value to shareholders.

Franklin Resources (NYSE: BEN) reported Q1 2024 financial results with net income of $163.6 million ($0.29 per diluted share), compared to a net loss of $84.7 million in the previous quarter. Operating income reached $219.0 million, with adjusted operating income at $412.8 million.

Total assets under management (AUM) decreased by $102.9 billion to $1,575.7 billion, due to $52.9 billion in negative market impact and $50.0 billion in long-term net outflows. However, excluding Western Asset Management, the company saw $18 billion in long-term net inflows across all asset classes.

The company reported improvements in key growth areas, with long-term inflows up 34% from the prior year quarter. The institutional pipeline of won-but-unfunded mandates increased by $2.3 billion to $18.1 billion. Alternative investments generated $6 billion in fundraising, including $4.3 billion in private market assets.

Western Asset Inflation-Linked Opportunities & Income Fund (WIW) has announced its January 2025 distribution details and fiscal year-to-date allocations. The Fund will distribute $0.0605 per share on January 31, 2025, sourced entirely from net investment income.

Key performance metrics as of December 31, 2024 include: 0.59% five-year average annual total return, 7.63% annualized distribution rate, and -2.04% cumulative total return for the fiscal period. The Fund operates under a managed distribution policy aiming to deliver long-term total return potential through monthly distributions.

The Fund notes that distributions may come from net investment income, realized capital gains, or return of capital. Shareholders are advised that if the Fund's aggregate net investment income and realized capital gains are less than the distribution amount, the difference will constitute a return of capital, which reduces a shareholder's tax basis rather than being taxable.

Fiduciary Trust International, a subsidiary of Franklin Templeton (BEN), has appointed Jason Thomas as wealth director in Atlanta, strengthening its Southeast market presence. Thomas, who previously served on the firm's Atlanta advisory board, brings over 20 years of experience in advising ultra-high-net-worth individuals, family offices, and institutional clients.

Prior to joining Fiduciary Trust International, Thomas held senior positions at Bank of America Private Bank, Northern Trust , and Wells Fargo Private Bank. He co-founded myFloc, an expense management platform focused on preventing elder fraud, and Seven Software, which was acquired in 2024. Thomas holds a Juris Doctorate from the University of Alabama School of Law and serves on several boards, including the Eisenhower Foundation.

Franklin Templeton has launched two new ETFs: the Franklin U.S. Dividend Multiplier ETF (XUDV) and the Franklin International Dividend Multiplier ETF (XIDV). These innovative funds aim to provide enhanced dividend income and were developed in partnership with New Frontier and VettaFi.

The ETFs track the VettaFi New Frontier US Dividend Select Index and International Dividend Select Index respectively. XUDV comes with an expense ratio of 0.09%, while XIDV's expense ratio is 0.19%. Both funds utilize New Frontier's proprietary optimization techniques to create efficient portfolios focused on reliable, long-term wealth building through enhanced dividend yield and risk-managed capital appreciation.

Franklin Templeton Institute has released its Global Investment Management Survey, revealing optimistic predictions for 2025. The survey, gathering insights from over 200 senior investment professionals, forecasts:

- US real GDP growth of 2.5%, surpassing IMF and Bloomberg consensus expectations - US Core PCE inflation stabilizing around 2.75% - US unemployment rate ending at approximately 4.25% - S&P 500 projected to reach 6400-6800 by year-end - US earnings growth of 7.5%

The survey highlights opportunities in small-cap stocks, with favorable outlooks for India and Japan. In fixed income, US investment-grade spreads are expected to end at 95 bps, while high-yield spreads should reach 300 bps. Alternative investments show promise in secondary markets, private credit, and select real estate sectors including multi-family housing, industrial warehouse, and life sciences.

Franklin Templeton and Lexington Partners have launched the Franklin Lexington Private Markets Fund (FLEX), their first open-end fund focused on secondary private equity investments. The fund debuts with $904.5 million in assets under management through partnerships with two U.S.-based wealth management firms.

FLEX provides access to a diversified portfolio of private equity investments through secondary transactions and co-investments alongside leading sponsors. The fund is structured as a closed-end tender offer fund under the Investment Company Act of 1940, offering features like lower minimum investments, 1099 tax reporting, monthly subscriptions, and quarterly liquidity.

2024 marked the fourth consecutive year of secondary industry volume exceeding $100 billion. Franklin Templeton's alternatives assets represent 15% ($250 billion) of its total $1.68 trillion AUM as of September 30, 2024. Lexington Partners currently manages $72.4 billion in institutional drawdown funds.