Franklin Universal Trust Declares Monthly Dividend


SAN MATEO, CA--(Marketwire - January 19, 2010) -  Franklin Universal Trust (NYSE: FT), a closed-end investment company managed by Franklin Advisers, Inc., announced today a dividend of $0.038 per share, payable February 12, 2010, to shareholders of record on January 29, 2010 (Ex-Dividend Date: January 27, 2010).

Franklin Advisers, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Franklin Resources, Inc. (NYSE: BEN), a global investment management organization operating as Franklin Templeton Investments. Franklin Templeton Investments provides global and domestic investment management solutions managed by its Franklin, Templeton, Mutual Series, Fiduciary Trust, Darby and Bissett investment teams. The San Mateo, CA-based company has more than 60 years of investment experience and over $553 billion in assets under management as of December 31, 2009. For more information, please call 1-800/DIAL BEN® or visit franklintempleton.com.

Contact Information:

Franklin Templeton Investments
Shareholders/Financial Advisors: (800) 342-5236
Media: (650) 312-2245