Franklin Resources (BEN) Target Raised as Barclays Updates Asset Manager Models

Franklin Resources, Inc. (NYSE:BEN) is included among the 15 Best High Yield Stocks to Buy.

On January 15, Barclays raised its price target on Franklin Resources, Inc. (NYSE:BEN) to $25 from $22, while still keeping an Underweight rating on the stock. The firm said the adjustment was mainly driven by updates to its asset manager models, now factoring in full quarterly fund flows and updated assets under management (AUM) figures. Barclays noted that AUM benefited from market gains in Q4, although overall flow trends across the business remained mostly negative, according to the research note.

On January 6, Franklin Resources reported preliminary month-end AUM of $1.68 trillion as of December 31, 2025, up slightly from $1.67 trillion at the end of November. The company said the increase was supported by long-term net inflows of $28 billion, which included a large portion from reinvested distributions totaling $26 billion. That was partly offset by market/distribution effects and $1 billion in long-term net outflows at Western Asset Management. Excluding Western Asset, Franklin said preliminary long-term net inflows came in at $29 billion.

Looking at the full quarter ending December 31, 2025, Franklin said preliminary AUM reflected long-term net inflows of $27 billion, including $29 billion of reinvested distributions, along with the impact of market movement and other factors. Western Asset again weighed on the numbers, posting $7 billion of long-term net outflows during the quarter. Without Western Asset, Franklin said long-term net inflows would have been stronger at $34 billion. Preliminary average AUM for the quarter was $1.67 trillion.

Franklin Resources, Inc. (NYSE:BEN) is a global investment management firm operating under the Franklin Templeton umbrella, serving clients in more than 150 countries.

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