Franklin Universal Trust Reports Asset Allocation


SAN MATEO, CA--(Marketwire - February 1, 2010) -  Franklin Universal Trust (NYSE: FT), a closed-end investment company managed by Franklin Advisers, Inc., today reported its portfolio composition, certain portfolio characteristics and NYSE closing price as of December 31, 2009.

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.

 

FRANKLIN UNIVERSAL TRUST ASSET ALLOCATION at DECEMBER 31, 2009  
    MARKET       PERCENTAGE  
SECURITY   VALUE       OF FUND 1  
High Yield and Investment Grade Corporate Bonds & Preferred   $ 148,958,544       72.6 %
                 
Utilities Common and Preferred Stocks   $ 53,785,265       26.2 %
                 
Other Investments   $ 1,064,452       0.5 %
                 
Cash & Other Net Assets   $ 1,275,684       0.6 %
                 
Total Investments 1,2   $ 205,083,945       100.0 %
    MARKET       PERCENTAGE  
10 LARGEST HOLDINGS BY ISSUER   VALUE       OF FUND 1  
Ford Motor Credit Co. LLC   $ 4,122,598       2.0 %
Entergy Corp.   $ 4,092,000       2.0 %
Centerpoint Energy Inc.   $ 4,013,466       2.0 %
Southern Co.   $ 3,998,400       1.9 %
Dominion Resources Inc.   $ 3,892,000       1.9 %
HCA Inc.   $ 3,527,835       1.7 %
Exelon Corp.   $ 3,420,900       1.7 %
GMAC LLC   $ 3,218,659       1.6 %
Duke Energy Corp.   $ 2,753,600       1.3 %
Sempra Energy   $ 2,715,030       1.3 %
                 
Total 2   $ 35,754,488       17.4 %
% OF GROSS ASSETS IN DEFAULT:   MARKET       PERCENTAGE  
ISSUER3   VALUE       OF FUND 1  
Atherton Franchise   $ 7,216       0.0 %
Dex Media   $ 918,585       0.4 %
Fontainebleau Las Vegas   $ 24,000       0.0 %
Station Casinos Inc.   $ 256,000       0.1 %
                 
Total 2   $ 1,205,801       0.6 %
                 
Note: The value of these defaulted securities is reflected in the Fund's net asset value.  Percentages are rounded.      
                 
Number of positions         174      
NAV per share       $ 6.49 4    
Market price per share       $ 5.80 4    
Number of shares outstanding         25,131,894      
Asset coverage (Investment Company Act)         488.3 %    
Total net assets       $ 163,083,945      
                 
1 Percentage of total investments of the Fund. Total investments of the Fund include long-term and short-term investments and other net assets,  excluding long-term debt issued by the Fund.  
2 Total figures may not represent exact sum of items as a result of rounding.  
3 Includes issuers that have defaulted or have missed scheduled bond payments.  
4 These figures are rounded to two decimal places.  

Contact Information:

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