We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies, revised Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.
You are being directed to ZacksTrade, a division of LBMZ Securities and licensed broker-dealer. ZacksTrade and Zacks.com are separate companies. The web link between the two companies is not a solicitation or offer to invest in a particular security or type of security. ZacksTrade does not endorse or adopt any particular investment strategy, any analyst opinion/rating/report or any approach to evaluating individual securities.
If you wish to go to ZacksTrade, click OK. If you do not, click Cancel.
Franklin Resources Inc. (BEN - Free Report) reported fourth-quarter fiscal 2018 (ended Sep 30) adjusted earnings of 79 cents per share, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 74 cents. The reported figure compares favorably with the prior-year quarter figure of 76 cents per share.
Controlled expenses were reflected in the quarter. Further, steady capital deployment was a positive. However, lower revenues and reduced assets under management (AUM) were recorded. Net outflows were also an undermining factor.
For fiscal 2018, earnings per share were $1.39 versus $3.01 recorded in the prior year. Results include certain one-time items.
Including certain one-time items, net income was $502.5 million in the reported quarter compared with $425.2 million witnessed in the prior-year quarter. For fiscal 2018, net income was $764.4 billion compared with $1.7 billion in the prior year.
Lower Revenues Recorded, Costs Down
For fiscal 2018, total operating revenues edged down 1% year over year to $6.32 billion. Further, the revenue figure lagged the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $6.34 billion.
Total operating revenues decreased 6% year over year to $1.53 billion in the reported quarter, mainly due to lower investment management and other fees, sales and distribution fees, and shareholder servicing fees, partially offset by higher other revenues. Moreover, the figure missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.55 billion.
Investment management fees declined 5% year over year to $1.06 billion, while sales and distribution fees were down 10% year over year to $380.8 million. In addition, shareholder-servicing fees descended 8%, on a year-over-year basis, to $51.8 million, while other net revenues escalated 22% year over year to $35.7 million.
Total operating expenses declined 1% year over year to $1.05 billion. The fall resulted from lower sales, distribution and marketing expenses, partly offset by rise in almost all components of expenses.
As of Sep 30, 2018, total AUM came in at $717.1 billion, down 5% from $753.2 billion as of Sep 30, 2017. Notably, the quarter recorded net new outflows of $13.6 billion. Simple monthly average AUM of $724.3 billion slipped 3% on a year-over-year basis.
Stable Capital Position
As of Sep 30, 2018, cash and cash equivalents, along with investments were $8 billion, compared with $9.9 billion as of Sep 30, 2017. Furthermore, total stockholders' equity was $10.2 billion compared with $12.9 billion as of Sep 30, 2017.
During fiscal 2018, Franklin repurchased 39.9 million shares of its common stock at a total cost of $1.43 billion. Notably, during the quarter under review, the company repurchased 10.8 million shares of its common stock at a total cost of $347.9 million.
Other Development
Increasing its alternative offerings and with the expansion of robust fixed income capabilities, recently, Franklin announced an agreement under which it will acquire Benefit Street Partners L.L.C. (“BSP”), a leading alternative credit manager. As of Sep 30, 2018, BSP has around $26 billion in AUM. Notably, Franklin operates as Franklin Templeton Investments.
The deal awaits customary closing conditions and is expected to close in second-quarter fiscal 2019. On completion, Franklin Templeton’s alternative offerings are expected to reflect AUM above $40 billion.
Our Viewpoint
The company’s global footprint is an exceptionally favorable strategic point as its AUM is well diversified. Moreover, steady capital-deployment activities raise investors’ optimism. Nevertheless, Franklin’s lower revenues and fall in AUM remain concerns.
Franklin Resources, Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Blackstone (BX - Free Report) reported third-quarter 2018 economic net income (ENI) of 76 cents per share, which surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 73 cents. The figure also improved 12% from the prior-year quarter. Results benefited from increase in revenues, which was supported by growth in assets under management and inflows. However, rise in expenses was the undermining factor.
Invesco (IVZ - Free Report) reported third-quarter adjusted earnings of 66 cents per share, lagging the Zacks Consensus Estimate by a penny. Also, the figure came in 7% below the prior-year quarter level. Results were primarily supported by slight GAAP revenue growth and a rise in AUM. However, increase in operating expenses was an undermining factor.
Ameriprise Financial Services (AMP - Free Report) came out with quarterly earnings of $3.74 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $3.61 per share. This compares to earnings of $3.53 per share a year ago. These figures are adjusted for non-recurring items. This quarterly report represents an earnings surprise of 3.60%.
Looking for Stocks with Skyrocketing Upside?
Zacks has just released a Special Report on the booming investment opportunities of legal marijuana.
Ignited by new referendums and legislation, this industry is expected to blast from an already robust $6.7 billion to $20.2 billion in 2021. Early investors stand to make a killing, but you have to be ready to act and know just where to look.
Image: Bigstock
Franklin's (BEN) Q4 Earnings Beat Estimates, AUM Declines
Franklin Resources Inc. (BEN - Free Report) reported fourth-quarter fiscal 2018 (ended Sep 30) adjusted earnings of 79 cents per share, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 74 cents. The reported figure compares favorably with the prior-year quarter figure of 76 cents per share.
Controlled expenses were reflected in the quarter. Further, steady capital deployment was a positive. However, lower revenues and reduced assets under management (AUM) were recorded. Net outflows were also an undermining factor.
For fiscal 2018, earnings per share were $1.39 versus $3.01 recorded in the prior year. Results include certain one-time items.
Including certain one-time items, net income was $502.5 million in the reported quarter compared with $425.2 million witnessed in the prior-year quarter. For fiscal 2018, net income was $764.4 billion compared with $1.7 billion in the prior year.
Lower Revenues Recorded, Costs Down
For fiscal 2018, total operating revenues edged down 1% year over year to $6.32 billion. Further, the revenue figure lagged the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $6.34 billion.
Total operating revenues decreased 6% year over year to $1.53 billion in the reported quarter, mainly due to lower investment management and other fees, sales and distribution fees, and shareholder servicing fees, partially offset by higher other revenues. Moreover, the figure missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.55 billion.
Investment management fees declined 5% year over year to $1.06 billion, while sales and distribution fees were down 10% year over year to $380.8 million. In addition, shareholder-servicing fees descended 8%, on a year-over-year basis, to $51.8 million, while other net revenues escalated 22% year over year to $35.7 million.
Total operating expenses declined 1% year over year to $1.05 billion. The fall resulted from lower sales, distribution and marketing expenses, partly offset by rise in almost all components of expenses.
As of Sep 30, 2018, total AUM came in at $717.1 billion, down 5% from $753.2 billion as of Sep 30, 2017. Notably, the quarter recorded net new outflows of $13.6 billion. Simple monthly average AUM of $724.3 billion slipped 3% on a year-over-year basis.
Stable Capital Position
As of Sep 30, 2018, cash and cash equivalents, along with investments were $8 billion, compared with $9.9 billion as of Sep 30, 2017. Furthermore, total stockholders' equity was $10.2 billion compared with $12.9 billion as of Sep 30, 2017.
During fiscal 2018, Franklin repurchased 39.9 million shares of its common stock at a total cost of $1.43 billion. Notably, during the quarter under review, the company repurchased 10.8 million shares of its common stock at a total cost of $347.9 million.
Other Development
Increasing its alternative offerings and with the expansion of robust fixed income capabilities, recently, Franklin announced an agreement under which it will acquire Benefit Street Partners L.L.C. (“BSP”), a leading alternative credit manager. As of Sep 30, 2018, BSP has around $26 billion in AUM. Notably, Franklin operates as Franklin Templeton Investments.
The deal awaits customary closing conditions and is expected to close in second-quarter fiscal 2019. On completion, Franklin Templeton’s alternative offerings are expected to reflect AUM above $40 billion.
Our Viewpoint
The company’s global footprint is an exceptionally favorable strategic point as its AUM is well diversified. Moreover, steady capital-deployment activities raise investors’ optimism. Nevertheless, Franklin’s lower revenues and fall in AUM remain concerns.
Franklin Resources, Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Franklin Resources, Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise | Franklin Resources, Inc. Quote
Currently, Franklin carries a Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell).
You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Competitive Landscape
Blackstone (BX - Free Report) reported third-quarter 2018 economic net income (ENI) of 76 cents per share, which surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 73 cents. The figure also improved 12% from the prior-year quarter. Results benefited from increase in revenues, which was supported by growth in assets under management and inflows. However, rise in expenses was the undermining factor.
Invesco (IVZ - Free Report) reported third-quarter adjusted earnings of 66 cents per share, lagging the Zacks Consensus Estimate by a penny. Also, the figure came in 7% below the prior-year quarter level. Results were primarily supported by slight GAAP revenue growth and a rise in AUM. However, increase in operating expenses was an undermining factor.
Ameriprise Financial Services (AMP - Free Report) came out with quarterly earnings of $3.74 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $3.61 per share. This compares to earnings of $3.53 per share a year ago. These figures are adjusted for non-recurring items. This quarterly report represents an earnings surprise of 3.60%.
Looking for Stocks with Skyrocketing Upside?
Zacks has just released a Special Report on the booming investment opportunities of legal marijuana.
Ignited by new referendums and legislation, this industry is expected to blast from an already robust $6.7 billion to $20.2 billion in 2021. Early investors stand to make a killing, but you have to be ready to act and know just where to look.
See the pot trades we're targeting>>