• Barclays adjusts its rating for Franklin Resources, Inc. (NYSE:BEN) to "Underweight" while setting a new price target.
• Franklin Templeton is gearing up for tokenized finance, aiming to integrate digital assets and blockchain technology.
• The company reports a significant rise in assets under management (AUM) to $1.68 trillion, driven by net inflows and reinvested distributions.

Franklin Resources, Inc. (NYSE:BEN), commonly known as Franklin Templeton, is a global investment management organization. It offers a wide range of financial services, including mutual funds, retirement planning, and institutional asset management. The company competes with other major asset managers like BlackRock and Vanguard. Recently, Barclays adjusted its rating for BEN to "Underweight" while maintaining a "hold" action, with the stock priced at $25.63.

Barclays also raised the price target for Franklin Resources from $22 to $25. This adjustment comes as Franklin Templeton is preparing its institutional money market funds for tokenized finance. This strategic move aims to integrate digital assets and blockchain technology, enhancing efficiency and transparency in its offerings. This initiative underscores Franklin's commitment to innovation in the evolving financial landscape.

Franklin Resources is set to announce its first-quarter operating results on January 30, 2026. The company will provide a written commentary on the results, accessible via their investor relations website. Key figures, including CEO Jenny Johnson, will lead a live discussion on the results. This announcement is anticipated by investors, given the company's recent strategic initiatives.

As of December 31, 2025, Franklin Resources reported a rise in its assets under management (AUM) to $1.68 trillion. This increase was driven by net inflows of $28 billion, including $26 billion from reinvested distributions. The company saw gains across various asset classes, with equity assets rising to $696.7 billion and fixed income AUM reaching $437 billion. However, $1 billion in net outflows at Western Asset Management partially offset these gains.

Currently, BEN's stock price is $25.63, reflecting a 1.38% increase. The stock has traded between $25.13 and $25.745 today, with a market capitalization of approximately $13.35 billion. Over the past year, BEN has reached a high of $26.08 and a low of $16.25. The trading volume on the NYSE is 3,802,041 shares, indicating active investor interest.