Franklin Resources, Inc. (BEN) is a global asset management firm providing investment services across diverse asset classes including equities, fixed income, and alternatives. Operating within the Financial Services sector, specifically the Asset Management industry, the company offers a wide range of investment products, including mutual funds, to individuals and institutions worldwide. Established in 1947 and headquartered in San Mateo, California, BEN maintains a significant international footprint.
In its most recent reported quarters, BEN's earnings per share (EPS) performance showed some variability. For Q4 2024, EPS was $0.59 against an estimate of $0.52947, and revenue was $2.25 billion. This was followed by Q1 2025 where EPS was $0.47 against an estimate of $0.47291, with revenue at $2.11 billion. The subsequent quarter, Q2 2025, saw EPS of $0.49 against an estimate of $0.50161 and revenue of $2.06 billion. Most recently, Q3 2025 reported EPS of $0.67, exceeding the estimate of $0.58759, with revenue at $2.34 billion. This pattern indicates a recent acceleration in EPS growth, with a beat in Q3 2025 after misses in Q1 and Q2 2025, and a beat in Q4 2024.
Looking at the historical trajectory, BEN has demonstrated an ability to exceed analyst expectations for EPS, as seen in Q4 2024 and Q3 2025. While revenue data is not consistently provided for comparison against estimates, the reported figures show fluctuations. The company has shown a pattern of beating EPS estimates in two of the last four reported quarters (Q4 2024 and Q3 2025), suggesting a degree of unpredictability in meeting analyst projections, though the most recent quarter showed a strong beat.
Recent news highlights a mixed analyst sentiment, with Evercore ISI reiterating an Underperform rating and lowering its price target, contrasting with TD Cowen maintaining a Buy rating but also lowering its price target. Franklin Resources reported a decrease in assets under management (AUM) to $1.68 trillion in March, primarily due to market pressures, despite $5 billion in long-term net inflows for the month and $17 billion for the full quarter. Concurrently, a subsidiary, Fiduciary Trust International, is expanding its presence in the Northeast to serve high-net-worth clients, signaling a strategic focus on wealth management.
For the upcoming quarters, investors will be watching for the impact of market pressures on AUM and whether the company's long-term inflows can consistently translate into overall AUM growth. Key will be the performance of the Fiduciary Trust International expansion and its contribution to revenue. Additionally, the company's ability to consistently meet or exceed EPS estimates, particularly in light of recent technical indicators and divergent analyst ratings, will be a critical factor to monitor.
