Franklin Resources, Inc.

Prospecting for Safe Stock Gains Part 1

By Reuben Brewer - May 17, 2013 | Tickers: CHD, BEN, PTP

Prospector Opportunity Fund (POPFX) is a top ranked fund by Morningstar (five stars). Although it is a decent fund in good markets, it is the down markets in which it excels by protecting investors from the steep losses that its peers often experience. Three companies the fund's managers like for their combination of upside potential and downside protection are Platinum Underwriters (NYSE: PTP), Franklin Resources (NYSE: BEN), and Church more »
Should Investors Buy the Asset Managers on Rebounding Equity Flows?

By Mark Holder - February 13, 2013 | Tickers: BEN, JNS, LM, TROW

After years of outflows from equity funds should investors finally invest in the asset managers as the money starts flowing back? One key to the equation is that most of the money flowed into bond funds that have low average fees placing an importance on finding the asset managers with the least exposure to bond funds. Or at least the ones that will see those funds rotate into equity funds more »
A BlackRock Board Member Bought $100,000 in Stock

By Meena Krishnamsetty - January 24, 2013 | Tickers: AMP, BLK, BEN, STT, TROW

BlackRock (NYSE: BLK) Board member John Varley has purchased 427 shares of the company’s stock at an average price of $233.59 per share, bringing his direct ownership of BlackRock stock to over 1,000 shares. Insider purchases are bullish signs (see our analysis of studies on insider trading), and we think that this is because insiders will tend to buy only when they are confident in the company more »
This Industry's Best Value

By Chad Henage - December 13, 2012 | Tickers: SCHW, BEN, TROW

I know that some investors are willing to buy multiple stocks from the same industry if they find each of the companies attractive. However, I fall into the camp that I want diversification, but I would rather choose the very best of an industry and put my money into that one stock. Brokerage and investment companies seem like good opportunities since they benefit from the need to grow wealth over time. Since very few people can grow their assets without investing in stocks or bonds, in theory these companies should do well over time. Looking at the different options, it seems like T. Rowe Price (NASDAQ: TROW) could be the best value at the current time.
Can You Manage Big Gains with These 4 Companies?

By Chad Henage - October 29, 2012 | Tickers: BLK, BEN, IVZ, TROW

Certain industries almost act like counter-cyclicals. In plain English, these companies do well once the economy is moving along at a good pace, and things are generally good. However, in order to really benefit from the higher profits these companies produce during these times, you have to be willing to buy their shares when no one else wants to. One of the primary industries that acts in this fashion is more »
A Big Insider Buy at BlackRock

By Meena Krishnamsetty - October 24, 2012 | Tickers: BLK, BEN, LM, STT, TROW

Recent filings with the SEC have disclosed that between his direct holdings and indirect forms of ownership, such as a controlled LLC and a trust, BlackRock (NYSE: BLK) Board member James Grosfeld has recently bought a total of 300,000 shares of the company at prices of about $190 per share. That $57 million investment has been a large increase in his holdings: he now directly owns just over 400 more »
Insiders Are Buying Up This High-Flying Investment Management Firm

By Meena Krishnamsetty - October 14, 2012 | Tickers: BLK, BEN, MAIN, SLRC, STT

Insider trading activity is always an important indicator to track, and it’s usually better to emulate bullish corporate execs than their bearish counterparts. As the old saying goes: “there are many reasons for an insider to sell shares of a company, but only one reason for them to buy.” One such stock that has seen a round of insider buying this week is Main Street Capital Corporation (NYSE: MAIN more »)
What Does Billionaire Nelson Peltz Think Of This Asset Manager?

By Meena Krishnamsetty - October 4, 2012 | Tickers: BLK, SCHW, BEN, LM, TROW

According to a filing with the SEC, billionaire Nelson Peltz’s Trian Partners is down to 12.9 million shares of Legg Mason (NYSE: LM). The fund still owns 9.5% of the shares outstanding, and according to a statement issued by Trian it did not technically sell shares but transferred ownership to an investor. At the end of June Trian had reported a position of 14.7 million shares more »
Is Franklin Resources the Best Asset Management Stock?

By Meena Krishnamsetty - September 18, 2012 | Tickers: AMP, BLK, BEN, PFG, TROW

Franklin Resources (NYSE: BEN) is a $26 billion market cap company which provides a variety of asset management services including mutual funds and hedge funds. Its operating revenues fell 4% in its most recent quarter, the third quarter of the company’s fiscal year ending in September, compared to the same period a year ago. Its two primary sources of revenue, investment management and sales and distribution, each experienced a more »
David Winters and Wintergreen Advisers’ Top Picks

By Meena Krishnamsetty - September 14, 2012 | Tickers: MO, BRK-B, CNQ, BEN, PM

David Winters founded Wintergreen Advisers in 2005 after a career at Franklin Mutual Advisers, where he served as chief investment officer. Wintergreen engages in fundamental research and compares the market value of public companies to quantities such as book value and earnings. It primarily invests in global equities. Wintergreen prefers to buy and hold a relatively small number of stocks over a long time horizon. Read on to see some more »
Just Wait for the Turn, This Will Rock!

By Chad Henage - July 31, 2012 | Tickers: BLK, BEN, LM, STT

In an equity environment like we have had the last few months, it's not surprising that a company such as BlackRock (NYSE: BLK) would have trouble increasing earnings by a tremendous amount. I've looked at multiple asset managers in the past, and found that they each have their own strengths and weaknesses. At this point, it appears that BlackRock's biggest weakness is the equity market itself. That's a good problem to have, in the sense that the company is not underperforming, as much as they're waiting for the market to turn. You can see across each division, the strength in the company's organic business.
This is Good Investment Advice!

By Chuck Carnevale - July 30, 2012 | Tickers: AMG, BLK, FII, BEN, GBL |

The timeless investment strategy advocated by the world’s greatest investors is value investing followed by a buy-and-hold approach. In today’s world of instant gratification, many foolishly eschew the buy-and-hold approach. I believe that is a mistake, especially if you buy the right investment at the right price or value. I believe that BlackRock (NYSE: BLK), the world’s largest asset manager, meets all the requirements of a good more »
The Ideal Stock for Value Investors

By Justin Carley - January 27, 2012 | Tickers: BLK, EV, BEN, TROW

What is an investor to do? Should they buy cheap stocks, those with momentum, dividend plays, or contrarian names? Well there is one stock that seems to fit all these criteria at the same time! It is also a mid-cap, which gives it even more appeal. It isn’t in my favorite industry, but that is what makes it a contrarian name. Investors may want to give Eaton Vance (NYSE: EV more »)