Short Interest in Franklin Universal Trust (NYSE:FT) Declines By 42.5%

Franklin Universal Trust (NYSE:FT) was the recipient of a significant decrease in short interest during the month of August. As of August 14th, there was short interest totaling 15,143 shares, a decrease of 42.5% from the July 30th total of 26,320 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 44,134 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.3 days. Currently, 0.1% of the shares of the stock are short sold.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of FT. Advisors Asset Management Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Franklin Universal Trust by 60.5% in the fourth quarter. Advisors Asset Management Inc. now owns 689,053 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $5,512,000 after acquiring an additional 259,603 shares during the last quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. grew its holdings in shares of Franklin Universal Trust by 58,962.8% during the 4th quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. now owns 295,314 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $2,363,000 after purchasing an additional 294,814 shares during the last quarter. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC grew its holdings in shares of Franklin Universal Trust by 10.2% during the 4th quarter. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC now owns 255,823 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $2,047,000 after purchasing an additional 23,630 shares during the last quarter. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC increased its position in Franklin Universal Trust by 43.2% during the 4th quarter. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC now owns 242,061 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $1,936,000 after purchasing an additional 73,030 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Evolve Private Wealth LLC acquired a new position in Franklin Universal Trust during the 4th quarter worth approximately $899,000.

Franklin Universal Trust Trading Down 0.3%

Shares of FT stock traded down $0.02 during trading hours on Tuesday, reaching $7.69. The company’s stock had a trading volume of 85,654 shares, compared to its average volume of 45,952. Franklin Universal Trust has a fifty-two week low of $7.65 and a fifty-two week high of $8.35. The firm’s 50 day simple moving average is $7.95 and its 200-day simple moving average is $8.06.

Franklin Universal Trust Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, September 30th. Investors of record on Wednesday, September 23rd will be paid a $0.0425 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, September 23rd. This represents a c) annualized dividend and a yield of 6.6%.

About Franklin Universal Trust

Franklin Universal Trust (NYSE: FT) is a closed-end management investment company organized under Maryland law and managed by Franklin Templeton. The trust seeks to provide a high level of current income with a secondary objective of capital appreciation. It issues common shares that trade on the New York Stock Exchange, offering investors access to a diversified portfolio of income-oriented credit instruments.

The fund’s core strategy focuses on senior secured floating-rate bank loans, which typically adjust their interest rates in line with market benchmarks.