Franklin Universal Trust (NYSE:FT) Short Interest Update

Franklin Universal Trust (NYSE:FT) was the recipient of a large growth in short interest in the month of December. As of December 15th, there was short interest totaling 41,420 shares, a growth of 96.7% from the November 30th total of 21,057 shares. Currently, 0.2% of the company’s shares are sold short. Based on an average daily volume of 55,072 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.8 days. Based on an average daily volume of 55,072 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.8 days. Currently, 0.2% of the company’s shares are sold short.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Franklin Universal Trust

Several large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in FT. Advisors Asset Management Inc. lifted its stake in Franklin Universal Trust by 102.9% in the third quarter. Advisors Asset Management Inc. now owns 429,450 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $3,453,000 after buying an additional 217,780 shares during the period. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Franklin Universal Trust in the 3rd quarter valued at $343,000. Shaker Financial Services LLC lifted its position in shares of Franklin Universal Trust by 106.6% during the 2nd quarter. Shaker Financial Services LLC now owns 70,883 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $540,000 after acquiring an additional 36,570 shares during the period. Elevation Point Wealth Partners LLC bought a new position in Franklin Universal Trust during the third quarter worth $197,000. Finally, CoreCap Advisors LLC boosted its stake in Franklin Universal Trust by 535.6% during the third quarter. CoreCap Advisors LLC now owns 27,109 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $218,000 after acquiring an additional 22,844 shares in the last quarter.

Franklin Universal Trust Price Performance

NYSE FT traded down $0.02 during mid-day trading on Monday, reaching $7.98. 27,469 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 44,735. Franklin Universal Trust has a one year low of $6.71 and a one year high of $8.20. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $7.99 and a 200-day simple moving average of $7.89.

Franklin Universal Trust Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, December 31st. Stockholders of record on Monday, December 15th will be paid a $0.0425 dividend. This represents a c) dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 6.4%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, December 15th.

Franklin Universal Trust Company Profile

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.