Form 4: Franklin Resources Executive Chairman Gifts Shares

Franklin Resources Executive Chairman Gregory E. Johnson reported gifting shares of common stock on December 26, 2025, to direct and indirect holdings.

Summary

• Gregory E. Johnson, Executive Chairman and Director of Franklin Resources Inc. (BEN), reported changes in beneficial ownership of common stock.
• On December 26, 2025, Johnson gifted 1,272 shares of common stock, resulting in a direct beneficial ownership of 2,687,554 shares.
• An additional 2,544 shares were gifted to holdings indirectly owned by his children or as trustee for his children, bringing their beneficial ownership to 254,959 shares. Johnson disclaims beneficial ownership of these shares.
• Another 1,272 shares were gifted to holdings indirectly owned by his spouse, resulting in her beneficial ownership of 27,716 shares. Johnson disclaims beneficial ownership of these shares.
• Johnson also holds 7,679.7519 shares indirectly through the Franklin Templeton 401(k) Retirement Plan, based on a statement as of October 10, 2025.
• Indirect beneficial ownership includes 2,573,100 shares held by a business limited partnership under Johnson's control.
• An additional 396,000 shares are held indirectly by a venture limited partnership under Johnson's control, which is partly owned by irrevocable trusts for the benefit of his children. Johnson disclaims beneficial ownership of the children's trusts.

Sentiment

Score: 5

Explanation: The filing reports an insider gift transaction, which is a routine disclosure and does not inherently indicate positive or negative sentiment regarding the company's operational performance or future prospects.

Positives

• The gifting of shares to family members and trusts represents a routine estate planning transaction by an insider.

Future Outlook

This filing does not contain any forward-looking statements or guidance regarding the company's future performance or outlook.

Industry Context

This Form 4 filing details an individual insider transaction and does not provide information relevant to broader industry trends or competitive landscape analysis.

Related Party Transactions

• Gifts of common stock were made to holdings indirectly owned by the reporting person's children (or as trustee for children) and spouse.
• Shares are held indirectly by a business limited partnership and a venture limited partnership under the reporting person's control, with the venture limited partnership partly owned by irrevocable trusts for the benefit of the reporting person's children.

Stakeholder Impact

• Shareholders: The transaction is a routine insider disclosure and is unlikely to have a significant direct impact on the broader shareholder base.
• Management: Reflects standard estate planning activities by a key executive.

Key Dates

Keywords

Franklin Resources, BEN, Gregory E. Johnson, Form 4, Insider Transaction, Stock Gift, Executive Chairman, Beneficial Ownership