Franklin Universal Trust (NYSE:FT) Short Interest Update

Franklin Universal Trust (NYSE:FT) was the recipient of a large decrease in short interest in June. As of June 30th, there was short interest totaling 4,255 shares, a decrease of 75.3% from the June 15th total of 17,247 shares. Currently, 0.0% of the company’s shares are sold short. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 35,960 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.1 days.

Franklin Universal Trust Trading Down 0.1%

Shares of NYSE FT traded down $0.01 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $8.04. 21,372 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 29,258. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $8.03 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $8.10. Franklin Universal Trust has a one year low of $7.57 and a one year high of $8.35.

Franklin Universal Trust Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a monthly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, June 30th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, June 23rd were given a $0.0425 dividend. This represents a c) dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 6.3%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, June 23rd.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Franklin Universal Trust

A number of hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Advisors Asset Management Inc. grew its holdings in Franklin Universal Trust by 60.5% during the fourth quarter. Advisors Asset Management Inc. now owns 689,053 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $5,512,000 after purchasing an additional 259,603 shares during the period. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. lifted its stake in Franklin Universal Trust by 58,962.8% in the 4th quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. now owns 295,314 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $2,363,000 after purchasing an additional 294,814 shares in the last quarter. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC raised its holdings in shares of Franklin Universal Trust by 10.2% in 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 acquiring an additional 23,630 shares in the last quarter. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC raised its position in shares of 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 valued at $1,936,000 after buying an additional 73,030 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Uncommon Cents Investing LLC lifted its position in Franklin Universal Trust by 1.5% in the 4th quarter. Uncommon Cents Investing LLC now owns 185,420 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $1,483,000 after buying an additional 2,758 shares during the last quarter.

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.