Form 4: Franklin Resources CFO Acquires Shares, RSUs Vest
Insider Transaction Report
Franklin Resources Co-President, CFO & COO Matthew Nicholls reported the acquisition of company common stock, including shares from vested restricted stock units.
Summary
- Matthew Nicholls, Co-President, CFO & COO of Franklin Resources Inc. (BEN), reported transactions on November 4, 2025.
- Acquired 110,226 shares of common stock at a price of $22.59 per share.
- Acquired an additional 91,183 shares of common stock, representing restricted stock units (RSUs) for which performance criteria for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2025, were certified as achieved. These RSUs are scheduled to vest on December 1, 2025.
- Following these transactions, Matthew Nicholls beneficially owns a total of 599,374 shares of common stock, which includes 221,029 unvested restricted stock unit awards (separate from the 91,183 shares vesting on December 1, 2025).
Sentiment
Score: 7
Explanation: The acquisition of shares by a key executive and the vesting of performance-based restricted stock units indicate management confidence and achievement of company goals, which are generally positive signals.
Positives
- Matthew Nicholls, a key executive, acquired 110,226 shares of common stock at $22.59 per share, indicating confidence in the company's future prospects.
- The certification by the Compensation Committee that performance criteria for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2025, were achieved led to the vesting of 91,183 restricted stock units, demonstrating successful attainment of company goals.
Future Outlook
The filing indicates the scheduled vesting of 91,183 restricted stock units on December 1, 2025, following the achievement of performance criteria for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2025.
Corporate Governance
| Change Type | Description | Effective Date | Impact Assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Compensation Committee Action | The Issuer's Compensation Committee certified that certain performance criteria for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2025, were achieved, leading to the vesting of restricted stock units. | 2025-11-04 | Confirms achievement of performance targets and triggers executive compensation. |
Related Party Transactions
- Acquisition of 91,183 shares of common stock through the vesting of restricted stock units, based on performance criteria certified by the Compensation Committee, representing executive compensation.
Stakeholder Impact
- Shareholders: Increased insider ownership may signal confidence in the company's future. The achievement of performance criteria for executive compensation could be viewed positively.
- Employees: Executive compensation tied to performance can serve as a motivational factor for management and potentially other employees.
Next Steps
- Vesting of 91,183 restricted stock units on December 1, 2025.
Key Dates
| Date | Description |
|---|---|
| 2025-09-30 | End of fiscal year for which performance criteria were certified. |
| 2025-11-04 | Date of reported transactions and certification of performance criteria for restricted stock units. |
| 2025-11-05 | Signature date of the filing. |
| 2025-12-01 | Scheduled vesting date for 91,183 restricted stock units. |
Recommendation
holdThe filing indicates insider buying by a key executive and the successful achievement of performance criteria leading to RSU vesting. While these are positive signals, a Form 4 primarily reports transactions and does not provide comprehensive financial data to warrant a stronger recommendation without further analysis of the company's overall financial health and market position.
Keywords
Franklin Resources, BEN, Matthew Nicholls, insider trading, Form 4, stock acquisition, restricted stock units, RSU, executive compensation
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