![[Glenn Voyless avatar]](https://franklintempletonprod.widen.net/content/fpjdfips6w/webp/Voyles_Glenn_500x500.png){kind=avatar}
Managed Fund Since 2006
Fixed Income
FT Franklin Universal Trust
Popular Documents
Overview
Fund Facts
Fund description
The fund seeks to provide high current income consistent with preservation of capital. Its secondary objective is growth of income through dividend increases and capital appreciation.
- Fund Inception Date
- 09/23/1988
- Total Net Assets
As of 08/31/2026 (Updated Monthly) - $215.30 Million
- Dividend Frequency, if any
- Monthly
- Morningstar Category
5 - Tactical Allocation
- Asset Class
- Fixed Income
Expenses & Fees
As of 08/31/2025- Gross Expense Ratio
- 3.00%
- Net Expense Ratio
- 2.99%
Identifiers
- Ticker
- FT
- NAV Symbol
- N/A
- CUSIP Code
- 355145103
Average Annual Total Returns As of 08/31/2026
- 3.57%1 Year
- 11.91%3 Years
- 5.08%5 Years
- 7.78%10 Years
- 7.98%Since Inception
09/23/1988
Performance data quoted represents past performance, which does not guarantee future results. Current performance may be lower or higher than the figures shown. Principal value and investment returns will fluctuate, and investors' shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than the original cost. Returns based on Market Price or NAV, and assume the reinvestment of all distributions at the Dividend Reinvestment Plan Price or NAV, respectively. Returns include the deduction of management fees, operating expenses and all other fund expenses, and do not reflect the deduction of brokerage commissions or taxes that investors may pay on distributions or the sale of shares. Returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.
Top Sectors
As of 08/31/2026 % of Fixed Income (Updated Monthly)
Finance15.39% | |
Energy12.45% | |
Technology7.97% | |
Health Care7.25% | |
Building5.68% |
Additional Fund Info
- Listing Exchange
- NYSE
- Fiscal Year End
- August 31
- Benchmark
7 - ICE BofA US High Yield Constrained Index
- Additional Benchmark
- S&P 500 Utilities Index
- Lipper Classification
- High Yield Funds (Leveraged)
- Investment Style
- High Yield
Trading Characteristics
- Shares Outstanding
- 25,131,894
- Initial Offering (Shares of common stock /beneficial interest)
- 23,000,000.00
- Initial Offering Price
- $10.00
Manager
About the Team
Franklin Templeton Fixed Income
A global leader in fixed income, the team strives to provide consistent and resilient returns by combining deep fundamental research with rigorous portfolio construction. This solutions-driven approach means maintaining portfolio and risk exposures that align with client expectations.
Franklin Templeton Fixed Income
![[Jonathan G. Belks avatar]](https://franklintempletonprod.widen.net/content/tk0cmw6d3y/webp/Belk_Jonathan_500x500.png){kind=avatar}
Managed Fund Since 2020
![[Robert L Salvins avatar]](https://franklintempletonprod.widen.net/content/bsbbxpj1l1/webp/Salvin_Robert_500x500.png){kind=avatar}
Managed Fund Since 2026
![[Bryant Dieffenbachers avatar]](https://franklintempletonprod.widen.net/content/x0qiotepc8/webp/Dieffenbacher_Bryant_500x500.png){kind=avatar}
Managed Fund Since 2026
Latest Insights
October 6, 2026
October 5, 2026
October 2, 2026
September 21, 2026
Performance
Average Annual Total Returns
As of 08/31/2026
Selected Month August 2026
Franklin Universal Trust - Market Price (%)
Month End
As of 08/31/2026
- 1 Year
- 3.57
- 3 Years
- 11.91
- 5 Years
- 5.08
- 10 Years
- 7.78
- Since Inception(09/23/1988)
- 7.98
Franklin Universal Trust - NAV (%)
Month End
As of 08/31/2026
- 1 Year
- 7.37
- 3 Years
- 11.97
- 5 Years
- 5.89
- 10 Years
- 6.99
- Since Inception(09/23/1988)
- 7.93
ICE BofA US High Yield Constrained Index (%) 7
Month End
As of 08/31/2026
- 1 Year
- 4.77
- 3 Years
- 8.42
- 5 Years
- 4.09
- 10 Years
- 5.27
- Since Inception(09/23/1988)
- —
S&P 500 Utilities Index (%)
Month End
As of 08/31/2026
- 1 Year
- 2.97
- 3 Years
- 13.74
- 5 Years
- 7.51
- 10 Years
- 9.04
- Since Inception(09/23/1988)
- —
Performance data quoted represents past performance, which does not guarantee future results. Current performance may be lower or higher than the figures shown. Principal value and investment returns will fluctuate, and investors' shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than the original cost. Returns based on Market Price or NAV, and assume the reinvestment of all distributions at the Dividend Reinvestment Plan Price or NAV, respectively. Returns include the deduction of management fees, operating expenses and all other fund expenses, and do not reflect the deduction of brokerage commissions or taxes that investors may pay on distributions or the sale of shares. Returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.
Portfolio
Assets
As of08/31/2026 (Updated Monthly)
- Total Assets
- $275.30 Million
- Fixed Rate Loans
- 21.79%
- Total Net Assets
- $215.30 Million
Positions
As of 08/31/2026 (Updated Monthly)
Number of Holdings
- Fund
- 376
Asset Allocation
As of 08/31/2026 % of Total (Updated Monthly)
| Holdings | Fund |
|---|---|
Fixed Income | 58.39% |
Equity | 36.93% |
Cash & Cash Equivalents | 4.68% |
Holdings
As of 08/31/2026 (Updated Monthly)
NextEra Energy Inc
Franklin Institutional US Government Money Market Fund
Sempra
Entergy Corp
EVERGY INC
Alliant Energy Corp
CenterPoint Energy Inc
Duke Energy Corp
American Electric Power Co Inc
Southern Co/The
Portfolio holdings are based on the total portfolio and are subject to change at any time. Holdings are provided for informational purposes only and should not be construed as a recommendation to purchase or sell any security.
Distributions & Tax
- Distribution Frequency
- MonthlyThis fund is an ex-Dividend fund
Rates and Yields
Distribution Rate
At Net Asset Value (NAV) 6.19%
At Market Price 7.17%
Final composition of the current year’s distribution—income, capital gains and/or return of capital—are based on US tax rules and will be determined by February of the following year. For tax characterization of a distribution, such as return of capital and tax-exempt income, click on the “Tax Information” tab above.
Distributions Per Share
09/23/2026
08/24/2026
07/24/2026
06/23/2026
05/21/2026
04/23/2026
03/24/2026
02/20/2026
01/23/2026
Annually, a fund must distribute all realized capital gains net of realized losses, so the fund will not be subject to an entity level income tax. A fund’s capital gain distribution in a particular year may be a result of the disposition of holdings that appreciated in value during prior years. Thus, while the fund may gain or lose value over the course of a year, a capital gain distribution paid by the fund may not be indicative of current performance of the fund.
The distributable amount of net capital gains are paid on a per-share basis to all investors who hold shares of the fund on the record date of the distribution and are recognized by the shareholder for tax purposes as of the ex-date of the distribution, regardless of when the gains or losses arose in the fund. Net gains on holdings held long term by the fund would be distributed to shareholders as a long-term capital gain distribution no matter how long the shareholder has owned shares in the fund.
Refer to the fund’s annual report for specific information regarding distributions.
Pricing
Pricing History
As of 10/06/2026 (Updated Daily)
Daily Fund Prices
As of 10/06/2026
Share Prices
As of 10/06/2026
52-Week Range
- Highest NAV
As of 04/09/2026 - $9.07
- Lowest NAV
As of 09/28/2026 - $8.09
- Highest Market Price
As of 04/17/2026 - $8.33
- Lowest Market Price
As of 09/28/2026 - $6.95
Premium / Discount
As of 10/06/2026
- Avg. of Market Price vs. NAV since Inception
- -7.71%
- Avg. of Market Price vs. NAV at Close
- -13.71%
Press Releases
09/30/2026
08/31/2026
07/31/2026
07/14/2026
06/30/2026
05/29/2026
04/30/2026
04/17/2026
04/13/2026
03/31/2026
Documents
Fund Literature
Factsheet - Franklin Universal Trust
Distribution Summary - Franklin Templeton Closed-End Fund
Brochure - Closed-End Funds Product Guide
Regulatory Documents
Annual Report - Franklin Universal Trust
Semi-Annual Report - Franklin Universal Trust
FT Section 19 Notice as of 01/31/23
FT Section 19 Notice as of 01/31/24
FT Section 19 Notice as of 02/28/23
FT Section 19 Notice as of 02/29/24
FT Section 19 Notice as of 03/28/24
FT Section 19 Notice as of 03/31/23
FT Section 19 Notice as of 04/28/23
FT Section 19 Notice as of 04/30/24
FT Section 19 Notice as of 05/31/23
FT Section 19 Notice as of 05/31/24
FT Section 19 Notice as of 06/28/24
FT Section 19 Notice as of 06/30/23
FT Section 19 Notice as of 07/31/23
FT Section 19 Notice as of 07/31/24
FT Section 19 Notice as of 08/30/24
FT Section 19 Notice as of 08/31/23
FT Section 19 Notice as of 09/29/23
FT Section 19 Notice as of 09/30/24
FT Section 19 Notice as of 1/30/26
FT Section 19 Notice as of 1/31/25
FT Section 19 Notice as of 10/31/23
FT Section 19 Notice as of 10/31/24
FT Section 19 Notice as of 10/31/25
FT Section 19 Notice as of 11/28/25
FT Section 19 Notice as of 11/29/24
FT Section 19 Notice as of 11/30/23
FT Section 19 Notice as of 12/29/23
FT Section 19 Notice as of 12/31/24
FT Section 19 Notice as of 12/31/25
FT Section 19 Notice as of 2/28/25
FT Section 19 Notice as of 3/31/25
FT Section 19 Notice as of 4/30/25
FT Section 19 Notice as of 5/30/25
FT Section 19 Notice as of 6/30/25
FT Section 19 Notice as of 7/31/25
FT Section 19 Notice as of 8/29/25
FT Section 19 Notice as of 9/30/25
Fiscal Q1 Holdings - Franklin Universal Trust
Fiscal Q3 Holdings - Franklin Universal Trust
Risks
All investments involve risks, including possible loss of principal. Fixed income securities involve interest rate, credit, inflation and reinvestment risks, and possible loss of principal. As interest rates rise, the value of fixed income securities falls. Low-rated, high-yield bonds are subject to greater price volatility, illiquidity and possibility of default. Equity securities are subject to price fluctuation and possible loss of principal. To the extent the portfolio invests in a concentration of certain securities, regions or industries, it is subject to increased volatility. Dividends may fluctuate and are not guaranteed, and a company may reduce or eliminate its dividend at any time. The manager may consider environmental, social and governance (ESG) criteria in the research or investment process; however, ESG considerations may not be a determinative factor in security selection. In addition, the manager may not assess every investment for ESG criteria, and not every ESG factor may be identified or evaluated.
Important Information
The Closed-End Funds are not sold or distributed by Franklin Distributors, LLC. (FD, LLC) or any Franklin Templeton affiliated companies. Unlike open-end funds, shares are not continually offered. Like other public companies, closed-end funds have a one-time initial public offering, and once their shares are first issued, are generally bought and sold through non-affiliated broker/dealers and trade on nationally recognized stock exchanges. Share prices will fluctuate with market conditions and, at the time of sale, may be worth more or less than your original investment. Shares of exchange-traded closed-end funds may trade at a discount or premium to their original offering price, and often trade at a discount to their net asset value. Investment return, market price and net asset value will fluctuate with changes in market conditions. The Funds are subject to investment risks, including the possible loss of principal invested.
Franklin Distributors, LLC. Member FINRA, SIPC. All entities mentioned are Franklin Templeton affiliated companies. Investment Products: NOT FDIC INSURED | NO BANK GUARANTEE | MAY LOSE VALUE.
Reports and other information about the funds are available on the EDGAR Database on the SEC's Internet site at www.sec.gov.
You need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view and print PDF documents. Download a free version from Adobe's website.
Important data provider notices and terms available at www.franklintempletondatasources.com.
Indexes are unmanaged, and one cannot invest directly in an index. They do not reflect any fees, expenses or sales charges.
Performance data quoted represents past performance, which does not guarantee future results.
CFA® and Chartered Financial Analyst® are trademarks owned by CFA Institute.
The S&P 500 Utilities Index comprises those companies included in the S&P 500 that are classified as members of the GICS utilities sector.
Source: © S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC. All rights reserved.
The ICE BofA US High Yield Constrained Index measures the performance of USD-denominated, noninvestment grade, fixed rate and taxable corporate bonds.
Source: The index data referenced herein is the property of Intercontinental Exchange ("ICE") and/or its licensors and has been licensed for use by Franklin Templeton. ICE and its licensors accept no liability in connection with this use.
All entities mentioned are Franklin Templeton affiliated companies. Investment Products: NOT FDIC INSURED | NO BANK GUARANTEE | MAY LOSE VALUE.