Form 4: Franklin Resources Director Gifts Shares
Insider Transaction Report
Charles B. Johnson, a Director and 10% owner of Franklin Resources, reported gifting 25,440 shares of common stock.
Summary
- Charles B. Johnson, a Director and 10% owner of Franklin Resources, Inc. (BEN), reported a change in beneficial ownership.
- On December 26, 2025, Johnson disposed of 25,440 shares of common stock through a gift, indicated by Transaction Code 'G'.
- Following this transaction, Johnson directly beneficially owns 90,108,421 shares of common stock.
- Johnson also indirectly owns 25,108.0143 shares through the Franklin Templeton 401(k) Retirement Plan, with information based on a plan statement as of October 10, 2025.
- An additional 4,059,651 shares are indirectly owned through an IRA.
Sentiment
Score: 5
Explanation: The filing reports a gift of shares by a director and 10% owner, which is a personal transaction and does not directly reflect on the company's operational performance or financial health. It is a neutral event from an investment perspective.
Future Outlook
No forward-looking statements or guidance are provided in this insider transaction report.
Industry Context
This filing reports a routine insider transaction (a gift of shares) and does not provide broader industry context or trends.
Stakeholder Impact
- Shareholders: The transaction represents a change in the direct beneficial ownership of a significant insider, Charles B. Johnson, reducing his direct holdings by 25,440 shares. This is a minor adjustment to his overall substantial holdings.
Key Dates
| Date | Description |
|---|---|
| 10/10/2025 | Date of Franklin Templeton 401(k) Retirement Plan statement used for indirect ownership calculation. |
| 12/26/2025 | Date of the common stock gift transaction. |
| 12/29/2025 | Signature date of the reporting person's attorney-in-fact. |
Recommendation
holdThe Form 4 filing details a gift of shares by a significant insider, Charles B. Johnson. This is a personal transaction (likely for estate planning or philanthropy) and not indicative of a change in the company's fundamental performance or outlook. Given the substantial remaining holdings, this transaction alone does not warrant a change in investment thesis. Therefore, a 'hold' recommendation is appropriate as the core investment rationale remains unchanged.
Keywords
Franklin Resources, BEN, Charles B. Johnson, Form 4, Insider Transaction, Stock Gift, Beneficial Ownership, Director, 10% Owner
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