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Upturn AI Summary - About
Franklin Universal Closed Fund(FT)
Advisory History & Simulated Performance *
*as per simulation (see disclosures)- ALL
- 1Y
- 1M
- 1W
- BUY Advisory
- SELL Advisory (Profit)
- SELL Advisory (Loss)
- Profit
- Loss
- PASS (Skip)
Stock price based on last close Advisory Performance History (Simulated)
Upturn Advisory & Investor View for FT
10/12/2026: FT (1-star) is currently NOT-A-BUY. Pass it for now.
Franklin Universal Closed Fund is a closed-end investment company that targets high current income and capital appreciation through a diversified portfolio of utility stocks and debt securities. Its core strength lies in its defensive sector focus and the management expertise provided by Franklin Templeton, which helps maintain consistent income. The primary investment story centers on capturing long-term utility growth and income while providing exposure to bond markets. Key risks include sensitivity to interest rate changes, fluctuations in the fund’s discount to net asset value, and general sector competition. This fund may suit income-focused investors looking for utility exposure, though they should monitor interest rate trends and fund discounts.
How to Read the Upturn Advisory
The Upturn Star Rating and the current BUY, SELL, or PASS advisory are generated by Upturn’s AI advisory engine based on proprietary signal analysis, price behavior, advisory history, and historical signal performance.
Company fundamentals, valuation, risks, and news provide supporting context about the business.
Investor Fit
| Investor style | Fit | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth investor | Weak fit | The fund focuses on income rather than aggressive capital appreciation. |
| Momentum investor | Weak fit | Closed-end funds are generally not vehicles for momentum trading strategies. |
| Value investor | Mixed fit | Value investors may look for opportunities when the fund trades at a significant discount to NAV. |
| Dividend investor | Strong fit | The fund is specifically designed to provide consistent income through regular distributions. |
| Low-risk investor | Mixed fit | While utility stocks are defensive, interest rate sensitivity and discount volatility introduce risk. |
Risk Profile
| Risk factor | Level | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Price volatility | Medium | Market price can deviate from the underlying NAV of the portfolio. |
| Valuation risk | Medium | Changes in market sentiment toward utility assets can affect fund pricing. |
| Competition risk (income funds) | Medium / high | Competition from ETFs and other closed-end funds impacts demand for FT shares. |
| Business quality | Medium | The quality of the portfolio depends on the financial stability of the underlying utility and debt issuers. |
| Dividend income | Medium | Distributions are subject to the underlying income generated by the fund's assets. |
| Execution risk | Low | Management's ability to navigate sector-specific risks is essential to meeting fund objectives. |
Price Behavior
Downtrend
The stock has experienced a sustained decline in price over recent periods.
Very Smooth
The stock has followed a highly orderly price path with minimal short-term disruption.
Analysis of Past Performance
Type Stock | Historic Profit 16.5% | Avg. Invested days 65 | Today’s Advisory PASS |
Upturn Advisory Rating  | Upturn Advisory Performance  2.0 | Stock Returns Performance  2.0 |
| Profits based on simulation | Last Close 10/12/2026 |
Upturn Scorecard
Upturn Star Rating 
Company Fundamentals
Financial Health Rating
Growth Momentum Score
Ownership
Unit Economics (Per $1K Revenue)
Economic Dimensions
Quantitative Style Profile
Style Classification
Quality Focused
Key Highlights
Company Size Small-Cap Stock | Market Capitalization 179.94M USD | Price to earnings Ratio 5.51 | 1Y Target Price - |
Price to earnings Ratio 5.51 | 1Y Target Price - | ||
Volume (30-day avg) 61.5K shares | Beta 0.64 | 52 Weeks Range 6.95 - 8.08 | Updated Date 10/11/2026 |
52 Weeks Range 6.95 - 8.08 | Updated Date 10/11/2026 | ||
Dividends yield (FY) 7.19% | Basic EPS (TTM) 1.3 |
How Company Makes Money
| Business area | What it includes | Retail investor read |
|---|---|---|
| Investment Portfolio | Income from utility stock dividends and corporate/government bond interest. | The fund collects interest and dividends from its investments and passes them on to you after fees. |
Valuation
Trailing PE 5.51 | Forward PE - | Enterprise Value 239.88M | Price to Sales(TTM) 5.43 |
Enterprise Value 239.88M | Price to Sales(TTM) 5.43 | ||
Enterprise Value to Revenue 7.2 | Enterprise Value to EBITDA - | Shares Outstanding 25.13M | Shares Floating - |
Shares Outstanding 25.13M | Shares Floating - | ||
Percent Insiders - | Percent Institutions 21.1 |
Financial Metrics
🧭 Investment Snapshot
Total Revenue (Scale)
Total money earned from selling products or services before any costs. It is needed to understand the scale of the business and its ability to generate income.
Net Income (Profit)
Final profit after all expenses, interest, and taxes are deducted. It is needed to determine the overall profitability available to shareholders.
Free Cash Flow (Cash Strength)
Cash remaining after operating activities and capital expenditures, showing cash available for growth. It is needed to evaluate the company’s ability to invest, pay dividends, or reduce debt.
📈 Growth & Strength
Operating Income (Core Profit)
Profit from core operations after deducting all operating expenses. It is needed to measure how efficiently the company runs its primary business activities.
EBITDA (Cash Earnings)
Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization, indicating operating cash potential. It is needed to compare operating performance across companies without accounting or financing differences.
Gross Profit (Unit Profitability)
Revenue minus cost of revenue, showing profit after direct production costs. It is needed to evaluate core business profitability before overhead expenses.
🛡️ Financial Safety
Cash (Liquidity Buffer)
Total cash and cash equivalents on hand. It is needed to evaluate immediate liquidity and financial flexibility.
Total Debt (Leverage Risk)
Total debt including both short-term and long-term components. It is needed to assess the company’s leverage and financial risk.
Net Working Capital (Short-Term Health)
Current assets minus current liabilities, indicating short-term liquidity strength. It is needed to assess whether the company can meet its short-term obligations.
🧱 Balance Sheet Strength
Stockholder Equity (Net Worth)
Total equity value held by shareholders. It is needed to understand the net worth of the company from the owners’ perspective.
Total Assets (Asset Base)
The full value of everything the company owns, including cash, inventory, equipment, and investments. It is needed to understand the resource base used to generate revenue.
Income Before Tax (Pre-Tax Earnings)
Income before provision for income taxes. It is needed to analyze profitability independent of tax structures.
⚙️ Cost & Drag Factors
Cost of Revenue (Production Cost)
Direct costs required to produce and deliver the products or services sold. It is needed to assess efficiency in production and service delivery.
Total Operating Expenses (Operating Cost)
Indirect costs of running the business such as salaries, marketing, and administration. It is needed to understand how much it costs to sustain ongoing business operations.
Income Tax Expense (Tax Drag)
Amount of taxes paid or payable to the government. It is needed to evaluate the impact of taxation on overall profitability.
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