Franklin Universal Trust Reports Asset Allocation

| Source: Franklin Templeton Investments Franklin Templeton Investments

SAN MATEO, CA--(Marketwire - January 6, 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 November 30, 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 $539 billion in assets under management as of November 30, 2009. For more information, please call 1-800/DIAL BEN® or visit franklintempleton.com.

FRANKLIN UNIVERSAL TRUST ASSET ALLOCATION at November 30, 2009
      MARKET   PERCENTAGE
SECURITY     VALUE   OF FUND 1
High Yield and Investment Grade Corporate Bonds & Preferred $ 143,380,437       72.0 %
                   
Utilities Common and Preferred Stocks     $ 51,066,899       25.6 %
                   
Other Investments     $ 892,414       0.4 %
                   
Cash & Other Net Assets     $ 3,767,988       1.9 %
               
Total Investments 1,2,3     $ 199,107,738       100.0 %
        MARKET       PERCENTAGE  
10 LARGEST HOLDINGS BY ISSUER     VALUE       OF FUND 1  
Ford Motor Credit Co. LLC     $ 4,069,554       2.0 %
Entergy Corp.     $ 3,932,500       2.0 %
FPL Group Inc.     $ 3,897,750       2.0 %
Southern Co.     $ 3,850,800       1.9 %
Centerpoint Energy Inc.     $ 3,670,482       1.8 %
Dominion Resources Inc.     $ 3,638,000       1.8 %
HCA Inc.     $ 3,429,506       1.7 %
Exelon Corp.     $ 3,372,600       1.7 %
GMAC LLC     $ 3,093,394       1.6 %
Charter Communications Holdings 3     $ 2,725,737       1.4 %
               
Total 2     $ 35,680,323       17.9 %
% OF GROSS ASSETS IN DEFAULT:     MARKET       PERCENTAGE  
ISSUER 3,4       VALUE       OF FUND 1  
             
Atherton Franchise     $ 7,216       0.0 %
Dex Media     $ 918,585       0.5 %
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           168      
NAV per share         $                   6.25  5  
Market price per share         $                   5.48  5  
Number of shares outstanding           25,131,894      
Asset coverage (Investment Company Act)         474.1 %    
Total net assets         $      157,107,738      
                 
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 Effective November 30, 2009, reflects completion of Charter Communications' financial restructuring.
4 Includes issuers that have defaulted or have missed scheduled bond payments.
5 These figures are rounded to two decimal places.

Contact Information:

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

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