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Franklin Universal Closed Fund (FT)

Upturn stock ratingUpturn stock rating
$7.94
Last Close (24-hour delay)
Profit since last BUY8.77%
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BUY since 76 days
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Upturn Advisory Summary

08/28/2025: FT (1-star) has a low Upturn Star Rating. Not recommended to BUY.

Upturn Star Rating

rating

Not Recommended Performance

These Stocks/ETFs, based on Upturn Advisory, consistently fall short of market performance, signaling caution before investing.

Analysis of Past Performance

Type Stock
Historic Profit 13.19%
Avg. Invested days 68
Today’s Advisory Consider higher Upturn Star rating
Upturn Star Rating Upturn stock ratingUpturn stock rating
Upturn Advisory Performance Upturn Advisory Performance 3.0
Stock Returns Performance Upturn Returns Performance 2.0
Upturn Profits based on simulationUpturn Profits based on simulation Profits based on simulation
Upturn Profits based on simulationUpturn Profits based on simulation Last Close 08/28/2025

Key Highlights

Company Size Small-Cap Stock
Market Capitalization 190.00M USD
Price to earnings Ratio 5.52
1Y Target Price -
Price to earnings Ratio 5.52
1Y Target Price -
Volume (30-day avg) -
Beta 0.69
52 Weeks Range 6.71 - 7.80
Updated Date 06/29/2025
52 Weeks Range 6.71 - 7.80
Updated Date 06/29/2025
Dividends yield (FY) 6.75%
Basic EPS (TTM) 1.37

Earnings Date

Report Date -
When -
Estimate -
Actual -

Profitability

Profit Margin 235.21%
Operating Margin (TTM) 80.09%

Management Effectiveness

Return on Assets (TTM) 2.85%
Return on Equity (TTM) 17.47%

Valuation

Trailing PE 5.52
Forward PE -
Enterprise Value 249942320
Price to Sales(TTM) 13.09
Enterprise Value 249942320
Price to Sales(TTM) 13.09
Enterprise Value to Revenue 7.13
Enterprise Value to EBITDA -
Shares Outstanding 25131900
Shares Floating -
Shares Outstanding 25131900
Shares Floating -
Percent Insiders -
Percent Institutions 18.07

ai summary icon Upturn AI SWOT

Franklin Universal Closed Fund

stock logo

Company Overview

overview logo History and Background

Franklin Universal Trust, now Franklin Universal Closed Fund (FTF), was established in 1947. Initially focused on a diverse range of investments, it has evolved to specialize in income-generating strategies, including corporate bonds and other debt securities.

business area logo Core Business Areas

  • Fixed Income Investments: Invests primarily in corporate bonds, mortgage-backed securities, and other fixed-income instruments to generate income.
  • Equity Investments: Allocates a portion of assets to equity securities for potential capital appreciation.

leadership logo Leadership and Structure

The fund is managed by Franklin Advisers, Inc., a subsidiary of Franklin Resources, Inc. The portfolio management team is responsible for investment decisions and strategy execution.

Top Products and Market Share

overview logo Key Offerings

  • High-Yield Corporate Bonds: FTF invests in high-yield corporate bonds, seeking to generate higher returns than traditional investment-grade bonds. This is highly competitive with numerous investment funds focused on high-yield.
  • Mortgage-Backed Securities: The fund allocates a portion of its assets to mortgage-backed securities, offering exposure to the real estate market. Competitors include BlackRock and PIMCO with their MBS funds.

Market Dynamics

industry overview logo Industry Overview

The closed-end fund industry is competitive, with numerous funds vying for investor capital. Factors influencing performance include interest rates, credit spreads, and overall market sentiment.

Positioning

FTF is positioned as an income-oriented investment fund, targeting investors seeking regular distributions. Its competitive advantage lies in its long track record and established brand.

Total Addressable Market (TAM)

The TAM for income-generating investment funds is estimated to be in the trillions of dollars. FTF is positioned to capture a portion of this market through its established platform and investment strategies.

Upturn SWOT Analysis

Strengths

  • Long track record
  • Experienced management team
  • Established brand
  • Diversified investment portfolio

Weaknesses

  • High expense ratio relative to ETFs
  • Exposure to credit risk
  • Sensitivity to interest rate changes

Opportunities

  • Growing demand for income-generating investments
  • Potential for capital appreciation
  • Expansion into new asset classes

Threats

  • Rising interest rates
  • Economic downturn
  • Increased competition

Competitors and Market Share

competitor logo Key Competitors

  • PIMCO (PIM)
  • BlackRock (BLK)
  • Invesco (IVZ)

Competitive Landscape

FTF faces competition from other closed-end funds, mutual funds, and ETFs that invest in similar asset classes. Its competitive advantage lies in its active management and focus on income generation.

Growth Trajectory and Initiatives

Historical Growth: Historical growth depends on interest rates, credit spreads and market sentiment.

Future Projections: Future growth depends on interest rates, credit spreads and market sentiment.

Recent Initiatives: Recent initiatives include adjusting the portfolio to account for changes in interest rates and credit spreads.

Summary

Franklin Universal Closed Fund is a long-standing income-generating fund, benefitting from an established brand and experienced management. However, it faces challenges from high expense ratios and sensitivity to interest rate fluctuations. While demand for income investments presents growth opportunities, the fund needs to navigate rising interest rates and stiff competition. Ultimately, the fund's performance hinges on its ability to effectively manage credit risk and adapt to evolving market conditions.

Peer Comparison

Sources and Disclaimers

Data Sources:

  • Franklin Resources Website
  • SEC Filings
  • Morningstar

Disclaimers:

The information provided is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as investment advice. Market share estimates are approximate.

Upturn AI SummarizationUpturn AI Summarization AI Summarization is directionally correct and might not be accurate.

Upturn AI SummarizationUpturn AI Summarization Summarized information shown could be a few years old and not current.

Upturn AI SummarizationUpturn AI Summarization Fundamental Rating based on AI could be based on old data.

Upturn AI SummarizationUpturn AI Summarization AI-generated summaries may have inaccuracies (hallucinations). Please verify the information before taking action.

About Franklin Universal Closed Fund

Exchange NYSE
Headquaters San Mateo, CA, United States
IPO Launch date 1989-06-30
CEO -
Sector Financial Services
Industry Asset Management
Full time employees -
Full time employees -

Franklin Universal Trust is a closed-ended balanced mutual fund launched by Franklin Resources, Inc. The fund is managed by Franklin Advisers, Inc. It invests in the public equity and fixed income markets of the United States. The fund invests in companies operating in utility sector. It employs fundamental analysis to invest in a diversified portfolio of corporate bonds and dividend paying utility stocks. The fund benchmarks the equity component of its balanced portfolio against the S&P 500 Electric Utilities Index and the fixed component against the Credit Suisse High Yield. Franklin Universal Trust was formed on September 23, 1988 and is domiciled in the United States.