Franklin Universal Trust (NYSE:FT) Short Interest Down 63.5% in January

Franklin Universal Trust (NYSE:FT) was the recipient of a large decrease in short interest in the month of January. As of January 30th, there was short interest totaling 8,998 shares, a decrease of 63.5% from the January 15th total of 24,648 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 68,141 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.1 days. Approximately 0.0% of the shares of the company are short sold. Approximately 0.0% of the shares of the company are short sold. Based on an average trading volume of 68,141 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.1 days.

Franklin Universal Trust Stock Performance

NYSE:FT remained flat at $8.26 during midday trading on Friday. 105,332 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 65,715. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $8.04 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $8.00. Franklin Universal Trust has a one year low of $6.71 and a one year high of $8.35.

Franklin Universal Trust Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 31st. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, March 24th will be given a dividend of $0.0425 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, March 24th. This represents a c) annualized dividend and a yield of 6.2%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Wells Fargo & Company MN boosted its position in shares of Franklin Universal Trust by 3.0% in the 4th quarter. Wells Fargo & Company MN now owns 109,700 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $878,000 after purchasing an additional 3,218 shares in the last quarter. Advisors Asset Management Inc. raised its stake 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 buying an additional 259,603 shares during the last quarter. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC raised its stake in Franklin Universal Trust by 43.2% during the fourth 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 during the last quarter. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC boosted its holdings in Franklin Universal Trust by 10.2% in the fourth quarter. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC now owns 255,823 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $2,047,000 after acquiring an additional 23,630 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Thoroughbred Financial Services LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Franklin Universal Trust in the fourth quarter worth $176,000.

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.