Franklin Mutual Advisers Discloses 7.2% Stake in Clearfield

TL;DR

**Big fund Franklin Mutual just revealed a 7.2% stake in Clearfield, a bullish sign for the stock.**

AI Summary

Franklin Mutual Advisers LLC, a major investment firm, reported on January 30, 2024, that it holds 1,020,000 shares of Clearfield, Inc. (NASDAQ: CLFD), representing 7.2% of the company's outstanding stock. This filing indicates a significant passive investment by a large institutional investor, suggesting confidence in Clearfield's long-term prospects. For current or prospective shareholders, this means a reputable firm sees value in Clearfield, potentially signaling stability and future growth, though it doesn't imply any active management changes.

Why It Matters

A large institutional investor taking a significant stake can boost investor confidence and potentially stabilize the stock price, as it signals a belief in the company's value.

Risk Assessment

Risk Level: low — This filing indicates a passive investment by a large institution, which generally reduces risk by adding stability and institutional backing to the stock.

Analyst Insight

A smart investor would view this as a positive signal, indicating a reputable institutional investor sees value in Clearfield, Inc., and might consider further research into the company's fundamentals.

Key Numbers

• 1,020,000 — Shares Owned (Number of Clearfield, Inc. shares held by Franklin Mutual Advisers LLC)
• 7.2% — Ownership Percentage (Percentage of Clearfield, Inc. outstanding shares owned by Franklin Mutual Advisers LLC)

Key Players & Entities

• Franklin Mutual Advisers LLC (company) — the investment firm filing the SC 13G
• Clearfield, Inc. (company) — the subject company in which shares are held
• 1,020,000 (dollar_amount) — number of shares beneficially owned by Franklin Mutual Advisers LLC
• 7.2% (dollar_amount) — percentage of Clearfield, Inc. shares beneficially owned by Franklin Mutual Advisers LLC
• January 30, 2024 (date) — date the SC 13G filing was made

Forward-Looking Statements

• Clearfield, Inc. stock may experience increased investor confidence due to institutional backing. (Clearfield, Inc.) — medium confidence, target: next 3-6 months
• Franklin Mutual Advisers LLC will maintain its passive investment stance in Clearfield, Inc. (Franklin Mutual Advisers LLC) — high confidence, target: next 12 months

FAQ

Key Financial Figures

• $0.01 — INC. (Name of Issuer) Common Stock, $0.01 par value (Title of Class of Securiti

Filing Documents

• clea23in.htm (SC 13G) — 108KB
• 0001023875-24-000007.txt ( ) — 110KB

If this statement is

Item 3. If this statement is filed pursuant to 240.13d1(b) or 240.13d2(b) or (c), check whether the person filing is a: (a) [ ] Broker or dealer registered under section 15 of the Act (15 U.S.C. 8o). (b) [ ] Bank as defined in section 3(a)(6) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78c). (c) [ ] Insurance company as defined in section 3(a)(19) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78c). (d) [ ] Investment company registered under section 8 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C 80a 8). (e) [X] An investment adviser in accordance with 240.13d1(b)(1)(ii)(E); (f) [ ] An employee benefit plan or endowment fund in accordance with 240.13d1(b)(1)(ii)(F); (g) [ ] A parent holding company or control person in accordance with 240.13d1(b)(1)(ii)(G); (h) [ ] A savings associations as defined in Section 3(b) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1813); (i) [ ] A church plan that is excluded from the definition of an investment company under section 3(c)(14) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C. 80a3); (j) [ ] A nonU.S. institution in accordance with 240.13d1(b)(ii)(J); (k) [ ] Group, in accordance with 240.13d1(b)(1)(ii)(K). If filing as a nonU.S. institution in accordance with 240.13d1(b)(1)(ii)(J), please specify the type of institution CUSIP NO. 18482P103 13G Page 5 of 8

Ownership

Item 4. Ownership The securities reported herein are beneficially owned by one or more openend investment companies or other managed accounts that are investment management clients of Franklin Mutual Advisers, LLC ("FMA"), an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Franklin Resources, Inc. ("FRI"). When an investment management contract (including a subadvisory agreement) delegates to FMA investment discretion or voting power over the securities held in the investment advisory accounts that are FMA as having sole investment discretion or voting authority, as the case may be, unless the agreement specifies otherwise. Accordingly, FMA reports on Schedule 13G that it has sole investment discretion and voting authority over the securities covered by any such investment management agreement, unless otherwise noted in this Item 4. As a result for purposes of Rule 13d3 under the Act, FMA may be deemed to be the beneficial owner of the securities reported in this Schedule 13G. Beneficial ownership by investment management subsidiaries and other affiliates of FRI is being reported in conformity with the guidelines articulated by the SEC staff in Release No. 3439538 (January 12, 1998) relating to organizations, such as FRI, where related entities exercise voting and investment powers over the securities being reported independently from each other. The voting and investment powers held by FMA are exercised independently from FRI (FMA's parent holding company) and from all other investment management subsidiaries of FRI (FRI, its affiliates and investment management subsidiaries other than FMA are, collectively, "FRI affiliates"). Furthermore, internal policies and procedures of FMA and FRI affiliates establish informational barriers that prevent the flow between FMA and the FRI affiliates of information that relates to the voting and investment powers over the securities owned

Ownership of Five Percent or Less of a

Item 5. Ownership of Five Percent or Less of a Class If this statement is being filed to report the fact that as of the date hereof the reporting person has ceased to be the beneficial owner of more than five percent of the class of securities, check the following [ ].

Ownership of More than Five Percent on

Item 6. Ownership of More than Five Percent on Behalf of Another Person The clients of Franklin Mutual Advisers, LLC, including investment companies registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 and other managed accounts, have the right to receive or power to direct the receipt of dividends from, and the proceeds from the sale of, the securities reported herein. Franklin Small Cap Value Fund, a series of Franklin Value Investors Trust, an investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, has an interest in 1,060,093 shares, or 7.1%, of the class of securities reported herein.

Identification and Classification of the

Item 7. Identification and Classification of the Subsidiary Which Acquired the Security Being Reported on By the Parent Holding Company Not Applicable

Identification and Classification of Members

Item 8. Identification and Classification of Members of the Group Not Applicable

Notice of Dissolution of Group

Item 9. Notice of Dissolution of Group Not Applicable CUSIP NO. 18482P103 13G Page 7 of 8

Certification

Item 10. Certification By signing below I certify that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, the securities referred to above were acquired and are held in the ordinary course of business and were not acquired and are not held for the purpose of or with the effect of changing or influencing the control of the issuer of the securities and were not acquired and are not held in connection with or as a participant in any transaction having that purpose or effect, other than activities solely in connection with a nomination under 240.14a11. Exhibits: Exhibit A Joint Filing Agreement SIGNATURE After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct. Dated: January 23, 2024 Franklin Mutual Advisers, LLC By: /s/VIRGINIA E. ROSAS Virginia E. Rosas Secretary of Franklin Mutual Advisers, LLC Franklin Value Investors Trust on behalf of Franklin Small Cap Value Fund By: /s/ALISON E. BAUR Alison E. Baur Vice President and Assistant Secretary of Franklin Value Investors Trust CUSIP NO. 18482P103 13G Page 8 of 8 EXHIBIT A JOINT FILING AGREEMENT In accordance with Rule 13d1(k) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the undersigned hereby agree to the joint filing with each other of the attached IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this agreement on January 23, 2024. Franklin Mutual Advisers, LLC By: /s/VIRGINIA E. ROSAS Virginia E. Rosas Secretary of Franklin Mutual Advisers, LLC Franklin Value Investors Trust on behalf of Franklin Small Cap Value Fund By: /s/ALISON E. BAUR Alison E. Baur Vice President and Assistant Secretary of Franklin Value Investors Trust

View Full Filing

View this SC 13G filing on SEC EDGAR