Franklin Resources Q2 Share Buyback Shows Shifts Among Funds; Analysts Predict Downside Risks

Franklin Resources reported mixed Q2 share repurchase activity, with Putnam Managed Municipal Income Trust repurchasing 280,433 shares, a significant reduction from Q1. Putnam Municipal Opportunities Trust increased its buyback activity to 690,423 shares. Templeton Emerging Markets Fund reduced its repurchase volume to 52,676 shares. Analysts forecast a one-year price target of $23.80, suggesting a potential downside of 3.25% from the current trading price of $24.60. The average brokerage recommendation is a "Hold" position. The GF Value estimates a potential downside of 23.13% from the current price.

Franklin Resources Inc., known as Franklin Templeton, has disclosed its second-quarter share repurchase activity for select funds, revealing a mixed performance compared to the previous quarter. The company's Q2 share buyback activity shows significant shifts among different funds.

Putnam Managed Municipal Income Trust (PMM) repurchased 280,433 shares in the second quarter, a notable reduction from the first quarter's 837,971 shares [1]. Meanwhile, Putnam Municipal Opportunities Trust (PMO) increased its buyback activity to 690,423 shares, up from 543,575 in Q1 [2]. Templeton Emerging Markets Fund (EMF) reduced its repurchase volume to 52,676 shares, down from 139,103 shares in Q1 [1].

Analysts have provided a one-year price target range for Franklin Resources, with an average estimate of $23.80, suggesting a potential downside of 3.25% from the current trading price of $24.60 [2]. The forecast spans a high estimate of $31.00 and a low estimate of $19.00. The average brokerage recommendation for Franklin Resources Inc (BEN) is a "Hold" position, indicating a cautious outlook from financial advisors [2].

GuruFocus estimates suggest the GF Value for Franklin Resources Inc (BEN) is $18.91 for the coming year, representing a potential downside of 23.13% from the current price of $24.6 [2]. The GF Value is based on historical trading multiples, past business growth, and anticipated future performance metrics.

References:
[1] https://seekingalpha.com/news/4469215-franklin-templeton-announces-q2-share-repurchase-activity-for-select-funds
[2] https://www.gurufocus.com/news/2990262/franklin-resources-ben-reports-mixed-q2-share-repurchase-activity?r=4bf001661e6fdd88d0cd7a5659ff9748