Franklin Universal Trust (“FT” or the “Fund”) Announces Notification of Sources of Distributions

Rhea-AI Summary

Franklin Universal Trust (FT) has announced the estimated sources of its monthly distribution set to be paid on March 31, 2023. The distribution per share is estimated at $0.0425, comprising $0.0265 (62%) from net investment income and $0.0160 (38%) from return of capital. For the fiscal year-to-date as of February 28, 2023, the cumulative distribution per share is $0.3162, including $0.1437 (45%) from net investment income and $0.1280 (41%) from return of capital. FT cautions that returns of capital do not reflect performance and warns shareholders not to draw conclusions from current distributions.

Positive

• Monthly distribution set at $0.0425 per share.
• 62% of the distribution comes from net investment income, indicating ongoing income generation.

Negative

• 38% of the distribution is a return of capital, which may concern investors about sustainability.
• Cumulative total return from August 31, 2022, to February 28, 2023, is -3.52%, indicating a decline.

SAN MATEO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Franklin Universal Trust [NYSE: FT]:

Notification of Sources of Distributions Pursuant to Section 19(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940

The Fund’s estimated sources of the distribution to be paid on March 31, 2023 and for the fiscal year 2023 year-to-date are as follows:

Estimated Allocations for March Monthly Distribution as of February 28, 2023:

Distribution Per Share		Net Investment Income		Net Realized Short-Term Capital Gains		Net Realized Long-Term Capital Gains		Return of Capital
$0.0425		$0.0265 (62%)		$0.00 (0%)		$0.00 (0%)		$0.0160 (38%)

Cumulative Estimated Allocations fiscal year-to-date as of February 28, 2023, for the fiscal year ending August 31, 2023:

Distribution Per Share		Net Investment Income		Net Realized Short-Term Capital Gains		Net Realized Long-Term Capital Gains		Return of Capital
$0.3162		$0.1437 (45%)		$0.0445 (14%)		$0.00 (0%)		$0.1280 (41%)

Shareholders should not draw any conclusions about the Fund’s investment performance from the amount of the current distribution or from the terms of the Fund’s Distribution Policy. FT estimates that it has distributed more than its income and net realized capital gains; therefore, a portion of the FT distribution to shareholders may be a return of capital. A return of capital may occur, for example, when some or all of the money that a shareholder invested in a Fund is paid back to them. A return of capital distribution does not necessarily reflect FT’s investment performance and should not be confused with ‘yield’ or ‘income’. The amounts and sources of distributions reported herein are only estimates and are not being provided for tax reporting purposes. The actual amounts and sources of the amounts for tax reporting purposes will depend upon the Fund’s investment experience during the remainder of its fiscal year and may be subject to changes based on tax regulations. The Fund will send a Form 1099-DIV to shareholders for the calendar year that will describe how to report the Fund’s distributions for federal income tax purposes.

Average Annual Total Return (in relation to the change in net asset value (NAV) for the 5-year period ended on 2/28/2023)1	Annualized Distribution Rate (as a percentage of NAV for the current fiscal period through 2/28/2023)2	Cumulative Total Return (in relation to the change in NAV for the fiscal period through 2/28/2023)3	Cumulative Fiscal Year-To-Date Distribution Rate (as a percentage of NAV as of 2/28/2023)4
4.64%	6.82%	-3.52%	4.23%

Fund Performance and Distribution Rate Information:

1. Average Annual Total Return in relation to NAV represents the compound average of the Annual NAV Total Returns of the Fund for the five-year period ended through February 28, 2023. Annual NAV Total Return is the percentage change in the Fund’s NAV over a year, assuming reinvestment of distributions paid.
2. The Annualized Distribution Rate is the current fiscal period’s distribution rate annualized as a percentage of the Fund’s NAV through February 28, 2023.
3. Cumulative Total Return is the percentage change in the Fund’s NAV from August 31, 2022 through February 28, 2023, assuming reinvestment of distributions paid.
4. The Cumulative Fiscal Year-To-Date Distribution Rate is the dollar value of distributions for the fiscal period August 31, 2022 through February 28, 2023, as a percentage of the Fund’s NAV as of February 28, 2023.

The Fund’s primary investment objective is to provide high, current income consistent with preservation of capital. Its secondary objective is growth of income through dividend increases and capital appreciation. Distributions may vary based on the Fund’s net investment income. Past distributions are not indicative of future trends.

For further information on Franklin Universal Trust, please visit our web site at: www.franklintempleton.com

Franklin Resources, Inc. is a global investment management organization with subsidiaries operating as Franklin Templeton and serving clients in over 155 countries. Franklin Templeton’s mission is to help clients achieve better outcomes through investment management expertise, wealth management and technology solutions. Through its specialist investment managers, the company offers specialization on a global scale, bringing extensive capabilities in fixed income, equity, alternatives and multi-asset solutions. With offices in more than 30 countries and approximately 1,300 investment professionals, the California-based company has over 75 years of investment experience and approximately $1.4 trillion in assets under management as of February 28, 2023. For more information, please visit franklintempleton.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230330005607/en/

Franklin Templeton, 1-800-342-5236

Source: Franklin Templeton

FAQ

What is the estimated distribution for Franklin Universal Trust (FT) in March 2023?

The estimated distribution for FT in March 2023 is $0.0425 per share.

What percentage of the March distribution comes from net investment income for FT?

62% of the March distribution for FT comes from net investment income.

What is the cumulative distribution for FT for the fiscal year-to-date as of February 28, 2023?

The cumulative distribution for FT for the fiscal year-to-date as of February 28, 2023, is $0.3162 per share.

What is the total return for Franklin Universal Trust (FT) over the past five years?

The average annual total return for FT over the five-year period ended February 28, 2023, is 4.64%.

How much of FT's distribution in February 2023 is considered return of capital?

In February 2023, 38% of FT's distribution is considered a return of capital.