
Cancel anytime
- Chart
- Upturn Summary
- Highlights
- Valuation
Upturn AI SWOT
- About
Franklin Universal Closed Fund (FT)



- BUY Advisory
- SELL Advisory (Profit)
- SELL Advisory (Loss)
- Profit
- Loss
- Pass (Skip investing)


(see disclosures)
- ALL
- YEAR
- MONTH
- WEEK
Upturn Advisory Summary
08/28/2025: FT (1-star) has a low Upturn Star Rating. Not recommended to BUY.
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 Advisory Performance ![]() | Stock Returns Performance ![]() |
![]() ![]() | ![]() ![]() |
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 |
Upturn AI SWOT
Franklin Universal Closed Fund
Company Overview
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.
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 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
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
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
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.
AI Summarization is directionally correct and might not be accurate.
Summarized information shown could be a few years old and not current.
Fundamental Rating based on AI could be based on old data.
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.

Note: This website is maintained by Upturn Corporation, which is an investment adviser registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Such registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. Investing in securities has risks. Past performance is no guarantee of future returns. No assurance is provided as to any particular investment return, and you may lose money using our services. You are strongly advised to consult appropriate counsel before making any investments in companies you learn about through our services. You should obtain appropriate legal, tax, investment, accounting, and other advice that takes into account your investment portfolio and overall financial situation. You are solely responsible for conducting due diligence on a potential investment. We do not affect trades for you. You will select your own broker through which to transact. Investments are not FDIC insured, they are not guaranteed, and they may lose value. Please see the Privacy Policy, Terms of Use, and Disclosure for more information.