Home 
Today's Top Picks 
Top Performers 
Watchlist 
My Robo Portfolios 
ETF Zone 
Help & Tutorial - 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)
Stock price based on last close (see disclosures)
- ALL
- 1Y
- 1M
- 1W
Upturn Advisory Summary
11/17/2025: FT (1-star) has a low Upturn Star Rating. Not recommended to BUY.
Upturn Star 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 15.76% | Avg. Invested days 66 | Today’s Advisory Consider higher Upturn Star rating |
Upturn Star Rating | Upturn Advisory Performance  3.0 | Stock Returns Performance  2.0 |
| Profits based on simulation | Last Close 11/17/2025 |
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 |
Upturn AI SWOT
Franklin Universal Closed Fund
Company Overview
History and Background
Franklin Universal Trust was established in 1986 as a closed-end investment fund managed by Franklin Templeton Investments. It focuses on providing high current income and, secondarily, capital appreciation.
Core Business Areas
- High Current Income Generation: Primarily invests in income-producing securities, including U.S. and foreign government securities, corporate bonds, and mortgage-backed securities.
- Capital Appreciation: Seeks capital appreciation as a secondary objective by strategically allocating investments.
Leadership and Structure
The fund is managed by a team of portfolio managers at Franklin Templeton Investments, operating under a traditional fund management structure within the larger Franklin Templeton organization.
Top Products and Market Share
Key Offerings
- Income-Producing Securities Portfolio: A diversified portfolio of fixed-income securities designed to generate a consistent stream of income for investors. Market share data is not directly applicable to closed-end funds as they don't have a market share in the same way as operating companies. Competitors include other closed-end funds with similar investment strategies, such as BlackRock Enhanced Equity Dividend Trust (BDJ) and Eaton Vance Tax-Managed Diversified Equity Income Fund (ETY).
Market Dynamics
Industry Overview
The closed-end fund industry is characterized by a fixed number of shares and trades on exchanges like stocks. Performance is highly dependent on the fund manager's ability to generate returns in varying market conditions. Interest rate changes significantly impact fixed income portfolios.
Positioning
Franklin Universal Trust is positioned as a high-income investment option for investors seeking regular payouts. Its competitive advantage lies in the expertise of Franklin Templeton's investment team and the diversification of its portfolio.
Total Addressable Market (TAM)
The TAM for fixed-income closed-end funds is estimated to be several hundred billion dollars. Franklin Universal Trust captures a small portion of this, aiming for high current income within the competitive field of closed-end funds.
Upturn SWOT Analysis
Strengths
- Experienced Management Team
- Diversified Investment Portfolio
- Established Brand Reputation (Franklin Templeton)
- Consistent Income Generation
Weaknesses
- Sensitivity to Interest Rate Fluctuations
- Discount to Net Asset Value (NAV)
- Management Fees
- Limited Liquidity Compared to Open-End Funds
Opportunities
- Rising Interest Rate Environment (potentially higher yields)
- Expanding Investment Universe (new fixed-income instruments)
- Increasing Demand for Income-Generating Assets
- Strategic Acquisitions
Threats
- Economic Downturn (credit risk and defaults)
- Changes in Tax Laws
- Increased Competition from Other Investment Products
- Market Volatility
Competitors and Market Share
Key Competitors
- BDJ
- ETY
- GOF
- OXLC
Competitive Landscape
Franklin Universal Trust competes with other closed-end funds focusing on income generation. Its advantages include its established brand and diversified portfolio. Disadvantages include sensitivity to interest rate fluctuations and potential discount to NAV.
Growth Trajectory and Initiatives
Historical Growth: Growth is primarily driven by the fund's ability to generate income and capital appreciation from its investments. Historical growth patterns reflect market cycles and the fund's asset allocation strategy.
Future Projections: Future growth depends on market conditions, interest rate trends, and the fund manager's ability to identify and capitalize on investment opportunities. Analyst estimates are available from financial data providers.
Recent Initiatives: Recent initiatives include adjusting the portfolio's asset allocation to adapt to changing market conditions and exploring new investment opportunities in the fixed-income space.
Summary
Franklin Universal Trust is a closed-end fund focusing on generating high current income through a diversified portfolio of fixed-income securities. Its strengths lie in its experienced management team and established brand. However, it faces challenges related to interest rate sensitivity and potential discount to NAV. The fund needs to monitor market conditions and adjust its strategy to maintain competitive returns.
Similar Stocks
Sources and Disclaimers
Data Sources:
- Franklin Templeton Investments Website
- SEC Filings
- Financial Data Providers (e.g., Bloomberg, Reuters)
Disclaimers:
The data and analysis provided are for informational purposes only and should not be considered investment advice. Investment decisions should be based on thorough research and consultation with a qualified financial advisor.
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.