OREANDA-NEWS. Franklin Resources, Inc. (the “Company”) [NYSE: BEN] today announced net income  of $447.8 million or $0.74 per diluted share for the quarter ended December 31, 2015, as compared to $358.2 million or $0.59 per diluted share for the previous quarter and $566.4 million or $0.91 per diluted share for the quarter ended December 31, 2014.

“Market volatility continued this quarter, but we are confident that we have the talent, discipline and foresight to continue driving our long-term success,” said Greg Johnson, Chairman and CEO. “We have a long history of weathering periods like this, and emerging stronger as a firm – well positioned to benefit from long-term trends driving global markets.” 

                                                                        Quarter
                                          Quarter Ended     % Change     Ended    % Change
                                      --------------------             ---------
                                                            Qtr. vs.              Year vs.
                                      31-Dec-15  30-Sep-15    Qtr.     31-Dec-14    Year
                                      ---------  ---------  --------   ---------  --------
                Financial Results
                (in millions, except
                 per share data)
                Operating revenues    $ 1,758.0  $ 1,873.8        (6)% $ 2,064.3       (15)%
                Operating income          653.6      718.1        (9)%     782.0       (16)%
                Operating margin           37.2%      38.3%                 37.9%
                
                Net income(1)         $   447.8  $   358.2        25%  $   566.4       (21)%
                Diluted earnings per
                 share                     0.74       0.59        25%       0.91       (19)%
                
                Assets Under
                 Management
                (in billions)
                Ending                $   763.9  $   770.9        (1)% $   880.1       (13)%
                Average(2)                781.5      824.5        (5)%     894.1       (13)%
                Net new flows             (20.6)     (28.6)      (28)%      (3.5)      489%

Total assets under management ("AUM") were $763.9 billion at December 31, 2015, down $7.0 billion or 1% during the quarter primarily due to $20.6 billion of net new outflows, partially offset by $15.0 billion of market appreciation and other, which is net of a $1.6 billion decrease from foreign exchange revaluation.

Cash and cash equivalents and investments were $10.5 billion at December 31, 2015, as compared to $10.6 billion at September 30, 2015. Total stockholders' equity was $12.4 billion at December 31, 2015, as compared to $12.5 billion at September 30, 2015. The Company had 595.2 million shares of common stock outstanding at December 31, 2015, as compared to 603.5 million shares outstanding at September 30, 2015. During the quarter ended December 31, 2015, the Company repurchased 10.5 million shares of its common stock for a total cost of $404.1 million.

Conference Call Information

Pre-recorded audio commentary on the results from Franklin Resources, Inc.'s Chairman and CEO Greg Johnson and CFO and Executive Vice President Ken Lewis will be available today at approximately 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time. They will also lead a live teleconference today at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time to answer questions of a material nature. Analysts and investors are encouraged to review the Company's recent filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and to contact Investor Relations before the live teleconference for any clarifications or questions related to the earnings release or pre-recorded audio commentary.

Access to the pre-recorded audio commentary and accompanying slides are available at investors.franklinresources.com. The pre-recorded audio commentary can also be accessed by dialing (877) 523-5612 in the U.S. and Canada or (201) 689-8483 internationally using access code 7055790, any time through March 3, 2016.

Access to the live teleconference will be available at investors.franklinresources.com or by dialing (877) 407-8293 in the U.S. and Canada or (201) 689-8349 internationally. A replay of the teleconference can also be accessed by calling (877) 660-6853 in the U.S. and Canada or (201) 612-7415 internationally using access code 13627935, after 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time on February 3, 2016 through March 3, 2016.

Questions regarding the pre-recorded audio commentary or live teleconference should be directed to Franklin Resources, Inc., Investor Relations at (650) 312-4091 or Media Relations at (650) 312-2245.

Performance Rankings of Franklin Templeton's U.S.-Registered and Cross-Border Long-Term Mutual Funds(3,4,5):

                
                                                           Percentage of Assets in Top Two
                                                                Peer Group Quartiles
                                                         ----------------------------------
                Period ended December 31, 2015            1-Year   3-Year   5-Year  10-Year
                                                         -------  -------  -------  -------
                Equity and Hybrid (AUM: $278 billion)         28%      35%      42%      75%
                Fixed Income (AUM: $229 billion)              38%      69%      73%      84%
                    Total (AUM: $507 billion)                 32%      51%      56%      79%
                
                

Performance quoted above represents past performance, which cannot predict or guarantee future results. All investments involve risks, including loss of principal.

                
                
                FRANKLIN RESOURCES, INC.
                CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
                Unaudited
                                                             Three Months Ended
                                                                December 31,
                                                            --------------------
                (in millions, except per share data and AUM)   2015       2014    % Change
                                                            ---------  ---------  --------
                Operating Revenues
                Investment management fees                  $ 1,186.7  $ 1,382.4       (14)%
                Sales and distribution fees                     478.4      595.0       (20)%
                Shareholder servicing fees                       61.9       65.8        (6)%
                Other                                            31.0       21.1        47%
                                                            ---------  ---------  --------
                    Total operating revenues                  1,758.0    2,064.3       (15)%
                                                            ---------  ---------  --------
                Operating Expenses
                Sales, distribution and marketing               588.6      731.5       (20)%
                Compensation and benefits                       342.5      375.5        (9)%
                Information systems and technology               51.2       51.2         0%
                Occupancy                                        30.7       34.3       (10)%
                General, administrative and other                91.4       89.8         2%
                                                            ---------  ---------  --------
                    Total operating expenses                  1,104.4    1,282.3       (14)%
                                                            ---------  ---------  --------
                Operating Income                                653.6      782.0       (16)%
                                                            ---------  ---------  --------
                Other Income (Expenses)
                Investment and other income, net                 30.5       51.7       (41)%
                Interest expense                                (12.0)     (11.3)        6%
                                                            ---------  ---------  --------
                    Other income, net                            18.5       40.4       (54)%
                                                            ---------  ---------  --------
                Income before taxes                             672.1      822.4       (18)%
                Taxes on income                                 209.7      256.1       (18)%
                                                            ---------  ---------  --------
                Net income                                      462.4      566.3       (18)%
                Less: net income (loss) attributable to
                    Nonredeemable noncontrolling interests       13.6        6.7       103%
                    Redeemable noncontrolling interests           1.0       (6.8)       NM
                Net Income Attributable to Franklin
                 Resources, Inc.                            $   447.8  $   566.4       (21)%
                                                            =========  =========  ========
                
                Earnings per Share
                Basic                                       $    0.74  $    0.91       (19)%
                Diluted                                          0.74       0.91       (19)%
                Dividends per Share                         $    0.18  $    0.65       (72)%
                
                Average Shares Outstanding
                Basic                                           597.6      620.1        (4)%
                Diluted                                         597.7      620.2        (4)%
                
                Operating Margin                                 37.2%      37.9%
                
                AUM (in billions)
                Ending                                      $   763.9  $   880.1       (13)%
                Average                                         781.5      894.1       (13)%
                Net new flows                                   (20.6)      (3.5)      489%
                
                
                
                FRANKLIN RESOURCES, INC.
                CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
                Unaudited
                
                                        Three Months
                                           Ended                     Three Months Ended
                                     -----------------           --------------------------
                (in millions, except
                 per share data and   31-Dec-  30-Sep-     %      30-Jun-  31-Mar-  31-Dec-
                 employees)             15       15     Change      15       15       14
                                     -------- --------  ------   -------- -------- --------
                Operating Revenues
                Investment
                 management fees     $1,186.7 $1,256.9      (6)% $1,340.9 $1,347.6 $1,382.4
                Sales and
                 distribution fees      478.4    510.6      (6)%    566.8    580.0    595.0
                Shareholder
                 servicing fees          61.9     64.4      (4)%     66.5     66.1     65.8
                Other                    31.0     41.9     (26)%     26.6     16.1     21.1
                                     -------- --------  ------   -------- -------- --------
                    Total operating
                     revenues         1,758.0  1,873.8      (6)%  2,000.8  2,009.8  2,064.3
                                     -------- --------  ------   -------- -------- --------
                Operating Expenses
                Sales, distribution
                 and marketing          588.6    626.3      (6)%    694.0    710.5    731.5
                Compensation and
                 benefits               342.5    336.8       2%     363.5    377.5    375.5
                Information systems
                 and technology          51.2     64.9     (21)%     58.3     49.9     51.2
                Occupancy                30.7     35.6     (14)%     30.7     32.1     34.3
                General,
                 administrative and
                 other                   91.4     92.1      (1)%     84.5     82.1     89.8
                                     -------- --------  ------   -------- -------- --------
                    Total operating
                     expenses         1,104.4  1,155.7      (4)%  1,231.0  1,252.1  1,282.3
                                     -------- --------  ------   -------- -------- --------
                Operating Income        653.6    718.1      (9)%    769.8    757.7    782.0
                                     -------- --------  ------   -------- -------- --------
                Other Income
                 (Expenses)
                Investment and other
                 income (losses),
                 net                     30.5   (109.5)     NM       (4.7)   102.9     51.7
                Interest expense        (12.0)   (12.9)     (7)%    (13.7)    (1.7)   (11.3)
                                     -------- --------  ------   -------- -------- --------
                    Other income
                     (expenses), net     18.5   (122.4)     NM      (18.4)   101.2     40.4
                                     -------- --------  ------   -------- -------- --------
                Income before taxes     672.1    595.7      13%     751.4    858.9    822.4
                Taxes on income         209.7    214.2      (2)%    217.4    236.0    256.1
                                     -------- --------  ------   -------- -------- --------
                Net income              462.4    381.5      21%     534.0    622.9    566.3
                Less: net income
                 (loss) attributable
                 to
                    Nonredeemable
                     noncontrolling
                     interests           13.6     26.1     (48)%     28.6     14.1      6.7
                    Redeemable
                     noncontrolling
                     interests            1.0     (2.8)     NM        1.2      2.3     (6.8)
                                     -------- --------  ------   -------- -------- --------
                Net Income
                 Attributable to
                 Franklin Resources,
                 Inc.                $  447.8 $  358.2      25%  $  504.2 $  606.5 $  566.4
                                     ======== ========  ======   ======== ======== ========
                
                Earnings per Share
                Basic                $   0.74 $   0.59      25%  $   0.82 $   0.98 $   0.91
                Diluted                  0.74     0.59      25%      0.82     0.98     0.91
                Dividends per Share  $   0.18 $   0.15      20%  $   0.15 $   0.15 $   0.65
                
                Average Shares
                 Outstanding
                Basic                   597.6    607.4      (2)%    614.1    617.6    620.1
                Diluted                 597.7    607.4      (2)%    614.2    617.7    620.2
                
                Operating Margin         37.2%    38.3%              38.5%    37.7%    37.9%
                
                Employees               9,412    9,489      (1)%    9,576    9,362    9,368
                Billable Shareholder
                 Accounts                25.1     24.8       1%      25.3     24.8     24.3
                
                
                
                AUM AND FLOWS
                
                                                             Three Months Ended
                                                                December 31,
                                                            --------------------
                (in billions)                                  2015       2014    % Change
                                                            ---------  ---------  --------
                Beginning AUM                               $   770.9  $   898.0       (14)%
                Long-term sales                                  33.1       46.7       (29)%
                Long-term redemptions                           (53.3)     (50.0)        7%
                Net cash management                              (0.4)      (0.2)      100%
                                                            ---------  ---------  --------
                Net new flows                                   (20.6)      (3.5)      489%
                Reinvested distributions                         11.5       15.1       (24)%
                                                            ---------  ---------  --------
                Net flows                                        (9.1)      11.6        NM
                Distributions                                   (12.9)     (17.4)      (26)%
                Appreciation (depreciation) and other(6)         15.0      (12.1)       NM
                                                            ---------  ---------  --------
                Ending AUM                                  $   763.9  $   880.1       (13)%
                                                            =========  =========  ========
                
                
                
                
                AUM BY INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
                
                                            31-Dec- 30-Sep-    %     30-Jun- 31-Mar- 31-Dec-
                (in billions)                  15      15   Change      15      15      14
                                            ------- ------- ------   ------- ------- -------
                Equity
                Global/international        $ 211.7 $ 212.1      0%  $ 247.3 $ 251.8 $ 248.5
                United States                 102.0   100.8      1%    114.4   115.6   113.1
                                            ------- ------- ------   ------- ------- -------
                    Total equity              313.7   312.9      0%    361.7   367.4   361.6
                Hybrid                        134.4   138.3     (3)%   154.8   158.2   157.1
                Fixed Income
                Tax-free                       72.4    71.7      1%     72.7    74.2    73.2
                Taxable
                    Global/international      182.0   182.7      0%    208.5   211.1   219.1
                    United States              54.8    58.5     (6)%    61.8    63.1    62.2
                                            ------- ------- ------   ------- ------- -------
                        Total fixed income    309.2   312.9     (1)%   343.0   348.4   354.5
                Cash Management                 6.6     6.8     (3)%     7.0     6.6     6.9
                                            ------- ------- ------   ------- ------- -------
                Total AUM                   $ 763.9 $ 770.9     (1)% $ 866.5 $ 880.6 $ 880.1
                                            ======= ======= ======   ======= ======= =======
                Average AUM for the Three-
                 Month Period               $ 781.5 $ 824.5     (5)% $ 882.6 $ 881.6 $ 894.1
                
                
                
                AUM AND FLOWS - UNITED STATES AND INTERNATIONAL(7)
                
                                                 As of and for the Three Months Ended
                                          -------------------------------------------------
                                          31-Dec-   % of   30-Sep-   % of   31-Dec-   % of
                (in billions)                15     Total     15     Total     14     Total
                                          -------  ------  -------  ------  -------  ------
                Long-Term Sales
                United States             $  15.7      47% $  16.3      53% $  22.2      48%
                International                17.4      53%    14.2      47%    24.5      52%
                                          -------  ------  -------  ------  -------  ------
                    Total long-term sales $  33.1     100% $  30.5     100% $  46.7     100%
                                          =======  ======  =======  ======  =======  ======
                Long-Term Redemptions
                United States             $ (35.2)     66% $ (33.1)     57% $ (26.7)     53%
                International               (18.1)     34%   (25.0)     43%   (23.3)     47%
                                          -------  ------  -------  ------  -------  ------
                    Total long-term
                     redemptions          $ (53.3)    100% $ (58.1)    100% $ (50.0)    100%
                                          =======  ======  =======  ======  =======  ======
                AUM
                United States             $ 513.2      67% $ 522.4      68% $ 580.6      66%
                International               250.7      33%   248.5      32%   299.5      34%
                                          -------  ------  -------  ------  -------  ------
                    Total AUM             $ 763.9     100% $ 770.9     100% $ 880.1     100%
                                          =======  ======  =======  ======  =======  ======
                
                
                
                AUM AND FLOWS BY INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
                
                (in billions)                Equity
                                    ------------------------
                for the three
                 months ended           Global/      United
                December 31, 2015    International   States    Hybrid
                                    --------------  --------  -------
                AUM at October 1,
                 2015               $        212.1  $  100.8  $ 138.3
                Long-term sales                6.6       3.5      4.0
                Long-term
                 redemptions                 (11.9)     (7.0)    (9.2)
                Net exchanges                 (0.1)      0.4     (0.4)
                Net cash management             --        --       --
                                    --------------  --------  -------
                Net new flows                 (5.4)     (3.1)    (5.6)
                Reinvested
                 distributions                 3.1       4.3      1.9
                                    --------------  --------  -------
                Net flows                     (2.3)      1.2     (3.7)
                Distributions                 (3.4)     (4.7)    (2.1)
                Appreciation
                 (depreciation) and
                 other(6)                      5.3       4.7      1.9
                                    --------------  --------  -------
                AUM at December 31,
                 2015               $        211.7  $  102.0  $ 134.4
                                    ==============  ========  =======
                
                
                
                (in billions)                  Fixed Income
                                    ---------------------------------
                for the three                   Taxable      Taxable
                 months ended        Tax-       Global/       United       Cash
                December 31, 2015    Free    International    States    Management   Total
                                    ------  --------------  ---------  -----------  -------
                AUM at October 1,
                 2015               $ 71.7  $        182.7  $    58.5  $       6.8  $ 770.9
                Long-term sales        1.7            15.0        2.3           --     33.1
                Long-term
                 redemptions          (2.2)          (18.4)      (4.6)          --    (53.3)
                Net exchanges          0.3            (0.2)      (0.2)         0.2       --
                Net cash management     --              --         --         (0.4)    (0.4)
                                    ------  --------------  ---------  -----------  -------
                Net new flows         (0.2)           (3.6)      (2.5)        (0.2)   (20.6)
                Reinvested
                 distributions         0.5             1.3        0.4           --     11.5
                                    ------  --------------  ---------  -----------  -------
                Net flows              0.3            (2.3)      (2.1)        (0.2)    (9.1)
                Distributions         (0.6)           (1.6)      (0.5)          --    (12.9)
                Appreciation
                 (depreciation) and
                 other(6)              1.0             3.2       (1.1)          --     15.0
                                    ------  --------------  ---------  -----------  -------
                AUM at December 31,
                 2015               $ 72.4  $        182.0  $    54.8  $       6.6  $ 763.9
                                    ======  ==============  =========  ===========  =======
                
                
                
                
                (in billions)                Equity
                                    ------------------------
                for the three
                 months ended           Global/      United
                September 30, 2015   International   States    Hybrid
                                    --------------  --------  -------
                AUM at July 1, 2015 $        247.3  $  114.4  $ 154.8
                Long-term sales                8.1       3.9      4.3
                Long-term
                 redemptions                 (13.1)     (7.6)    (8.2)
                Net exchanges                 (0.1)      0.2     (0.5)
                Net cash management             --        --       --
                                    --------------  --------  -------
                Net new flows                 (5.1)     (3.5)    (4.4)
                Reinvested
                 distributions                 0.8       0.8      1.2
                                    --------------  --------  -------
                Net flows                     (4.3)     (2.7)    (3.2)
                Distributions                 (1.0)     (0.8)    (1.4)
                Appreciation
                 (depreciation) and
                 other(6)                    (29.9)    (10.1)   (11.9)
                                    --------------  --------  -------
                AUM at September
                 30, 2015           $        212.1  $  100.8  $ 138.3
                                    ==============  ========  =======
                
                
                
                
                (in billions)                  Fixed Income
                                    ---------------------------------
                for the three                   Taxable      Taxable
                 months ended        Tax-       Global/       United       Cash
                September 30, 2015   Free    International    States    Management   Total
                                    ------  --------------  ---------  -----------  -------
                AUM at July 1, 2015 $ 72.7  $        208.5  $    61.8  $       7.0  $ 866.5
                Long-term sales        1.7             9.7        2.8           --     30.5
                Long-term
                 redemptions          (3.5)          (21.3)      (4.4)          --    (58.1)
                Net exchanges           --            (0.6)       0.2          0.8       --
                Net cash management     --              --         --         (1.0)    (1.0)
                                    ------  --------------  ---------  -----------  -------
                Net new flows         (1.8)          (12.2)      (1.4)        (0.2)   (28.6)
                Reinvested
                 distributions         0.5             1.2        0.3           --      4.8
                                    ------  --------------  ---------  -----------  -------
                Net flows             (1.3)          (11.0)      (1.1)        (0.2)   (23.8)
                Distributions         (0.6)           (1.7)      (0.5)          --     (6.0)
                Appreciation
                 (depreciation) and
                 other(6)              0.9           (13.1)      (1.7)          --    (65.8)
                                    ------  --------------  ---------  -----------  -------
                AUM at September
                 30, 2015           $ 71.7  $        182.7  $    58.5  $       6.8  $ 770.9
                                    ======  ==============  =========  ===========  =======
                
                
                
                
                (in billions)                Equity
                                    ------------------------
                for the three
                 months ended           Global/      United
                December 31, 2014    International   States    Hybrid
                                    --------------  --------  -------
                AUM at October 1,
                 2014               $        261.5  $  109.5  $ 159.0
                Long-term sales               10.8       5.2      7.5
                Long-term
                 redemptions                 (14.2)     (6.5)    (6.5)
                Net exchanges                 (0.1)      0.4       --
                Net cash management             --        --       --
                                    --------------  --------  -------
                Net new flows                 (3.5)     (0.9)     1.0
                Reinvested
                 distributions                 4.3       3.9      1.9
                                    --------------  --------  -------
                Net flows                      0.8       3.0      2.9
                Distributions                 (4.9)     (4.2)    (2.1)
                Appreciation
                 (depreciation) and
                 other(6)                     (8.9)      4.8     (2.7)
                                    --------------  --------  -------
                AUM at December 31,
                 2014               $        248.5  $  113.1  $ 157.1
                                    ==============  ========  =======
                
                
                
                
                
                (in billions)                  Fixed Income
                                    ---------------------------------
                for the three                   Taxable      Taxable
                 months ended        Tax-       Global/       United       Cash
                December 31, 2014    Free    International    States    Management   Total
                                    ------  --------------  ---------  -----------  -------
                AUM at October 1,
                 2014               $ 72.1  $        225.1  $    63.8  $       7.0  $ 898.0
                Long-term sales        2.0            17.6        3.6           --     46.7
                Long-term
                 redemptions          (2.1)          (16.5)      (4.2)          --    (50.0)
                Net exchanges          0.1            (0.3)      (0.2)         0.1       --
                Net cash management     --              --         --         (0.2)    (0.2)
                                    ------  --------------  ---------  -----------  -------
                Net new flows           --             0.8       (0.8)        (0.1)    (3.5)
                Reinvested
                 distributions         0.5             3.9        0.6           --     15.1
                                    ------  --------------  ---------  -----------  -------
                Net flows              0.5             4.7       (0.2)        (0.1)    11.6
                Distributions         (0.7)           (4.8)      (0.7)          --    (17.4)
                Appreciation
                 (depreciation) and
                 other(6)              1.3            (5.9)      (0.7)          --    (12.1)
                                    ------  --------------  ---------  -----------  -------
                AUM at December 31,
                 2014               $ 73.2  $        219.1  $    62.2  $       6.9  $ 880.1
                                    ======  ==============  =========  ===========  =======