Franklin Universal Trust (NYSE:FT) Short Interest Update

Franklin Universal Trust (NYSE:FT) was the recipient of a large increase in short interest in September. As of September 15th, there was short interest totaling 13,092 shares, an increase of 100.6% from the August 31st total of 6,527 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 59,376 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.2 days. Currently, 0.1% of the shares of the company are short sold.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Franklin Universal Trust

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Thoroughbred Financial Services LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Franklin Universal Trust during the 4th quarter valued at $176,000. Independent Financial Group LLC purchased a new position in Franklin Universal Trust in the first quarter worth $99,000. Finally, Harbour Investments Inc. grew its position in Franklin Universal Trust by 15.1% in the fourth quarter. Harbour Investments Inc. now owns 51,496 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $412,000 after acquiring an additional 6,750 shares in the last quarter.

Franklin Universal Trust Trading Down 1.1%

Shares of FT stock traded down $0.08 during trading hours on Monday, hitting $7.01. 57,880 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 46,910. Franklin Universal Trust has a 52-week low of $7.00 and a 52-week high of $8.35. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $7.72 and a 200 day simple moving average of $7.95.

Franklin Universal Trust Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, September 30th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, September 23rd will be paid a $0.0425 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, September 23rd. This represents a $0.51 annualized dividend and a yield of 7.3%.

About Franklin Universal Trust

Franklin Universal Trust is a diversified closed-end management investment company listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol FT. The fund seeks to provide investors with a high level of current income while also pursuing capital appreciation.

The trust invests in a combination of debt and equity securities. Its portfolio may include corporate bonds and other fixed-income securities, common and preferred stocks, and convertible securities. Through this flexible approach, the fund can obtain income from interest and dividends while maintaining exposure to potential long-term growth.

Franklin Advisers, Inc, part of Franklin Templeton, serves as the fund’s investment adviser.