Verition Fund Management 13F: Adds $28M to BEN Stake
Verition Fund Management increased its position in Franklin Resources, Inc. by 38.9% during the reporting period.
Reviewed by automated data checks against the source filing. How we make and check alerts
Verition Fund Management added 845,991 shares to its stake in Franklin Resources, Inc. ($BEN), a 38.87% increase, according to a 13F filing with the SEC dated May 15, 2026. It reported 3,022,427 shares worth $100.56 million at the end of the quarter.
Since the filing, $BEN is down 2.6% after 1 week, up 2.1% after 1 month and down 0.7% to date (from the $31.20 close on May 15, 2026).
Find the original: Verition Fund Management 13F filings on SEC EDGAR
BEN
Franklin Resources, Inc.
Key Points
- Verition Fund Management boosted its holdings in Franklin Resources, Inc. by 845,991 shares to a total of 3,022,427 shares.
- The fund's updated stake in the asset manager was valued at approximately $100.5 million at the reporting date.
- Franklin Resources shares trade near $33.27, supported by a mix of recent analyst ratings from firms like Barclays and TD Cowen.
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Not investment advice. EarningsIQ is not a registered investment adviser, and this automated Franklin Resources, Inc. alert may contain errors. Disclosures
Verition Fund Management Adds to Franklin Resources Holdings
Verition Fund Management expanded its investment in Franklin Resources, Inc. (NYSE: BEN), lifting its stake during the period. SEC filing records show the fund added 845,991 shares to bring its total holding to 3,022,427 shares. That move equals a 38.9% increase from the previous count of 2,176,436 shares.
Position Details and Share Count
At the close of the reporting period, the newly enlarged position carried a value of about $100.5 million. Because 13F filings look backward at past quarters, these reports reflect portfolio choices made months ago and might not match the fund's exact share count today.
Stock Performance and Recent Trading
Franklin Resources shares recently traded at $33.27, resting above the 52-week low of $21.11 and below the high of $36.28. The stock trades close to its 50-day moving average of $33.68 and above its 200-day mark of $29.11. This positioning puts the equity near the upper half of its yearly range as institutional investors adjust their positions.
Recent Earnings
For its recent operational period, the asset manager posted revenue of $9.32 billion alongside a revenue growth rate of 14.3%. The firm reported an earnings per share figure of $1.47, paired with a net margin of 8.7% and a return on equity of 7.9%. Observers will look ahead to the company's next earnings release in November.
Earnings drift grade
Outlook vs expectations on the last report — not price action.
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Forward outlook
5 analysts raised price targets.
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EPS & revenue
EPS beat estimates by 27.7%. Revenue beat estimates by 32.9%.
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Profit surprise
EBITDA missed by 5 percent. Operating income beat by 6 percent.
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Pre-earnings setup
Bar was low, analysts cautious going in.
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Analyst signal
2 upgrades, 5 target raises.
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Earnings quality
Gross margin down 26.0 points. Operating margin up 7.2 points. Positive free cash flow.
Earnings Call Summary
Franklin reported record long-term inflows of 118.6 billion dollars, up 22 percent from the prior year. The company ended the quarter with 1.68 trillion dollars in assets under management. Management emphasized that clients now want integrated solutions across public and private markets rather than standalone products, positioning Franklin well given its broad platform spanning 150 countries and all asset classes.
Guidance Franklin expects operating margins to reach the high 20s percent by the end of fiscal 2026 at flat markets, up from current levels. The company guided second quarter expenses of roughly 1.3 billion dollars, with bigger cost savings in quarters three and four. The company also expects alternative asset fundraising between 25 to 30 percent for the full year.
Clearly positive report. Results were better than expected, though the forward reset is not the strongest.
Dividend
Franklin Resources pays an annual dividend rate of $1.32 per share, translating to a dividend yield of 4.0%. The company maintains a dividend payout ratio of 89.1%.
Analysts Set New Price Targets
Wall Street firms have recently reviewed their targets for the asset manager. On October 14, 2026, Barclays maintained its Equal-Weight rating while adjusting its price target to $34.00 from $36.00. JP Morgan maintained a Neutral rating on October 12, 2026, lifting its target to $35.00 from $34.00. On the same day, TD Cowen maintained its Buy rating with a target of $38.00. Evercore ISI Group kept an Underperform rating on October 9, 2026, with a $35.00 target, while Morgan Stanley kept an Equal-Weight rating and a $35.00 target on September 25, 2026. The stock carries a consensus hold recommendation and a mean price target of $35.42 across 12 analyst opinions.
About Franklin Resources
Headquartered in San Mateo, California, Franklin Resources is a publicly owned asset investment manager operating through subsidiaries under the Franklin Templeton brand. The firm builds equity, fixed income, balanced, and multi-asset mutual funds for individual and institutional clients worldwide.
What to Watch at Franklin Resources, Inc.
Investors tracking the asset manager will watch for upcoming institutional filings to see if other funds follow Verition's lead. The next earnings release, scheduled for November 6, 2026, will provide updated figures on revenue and profit margins.
Related Filing Alerts
Source: Verition Fund Management's 13F filing on $BEN (May 15, 2026). 13F filings show holdings as of the end of the reporting quarter and may not reflect the fund's current position. Find the original filing: Verition Fund Management 13F filings on SEC EDGAR. Written by software, not financial advice. How we make alerts