Franklin Universal Trust Schedules Annual Shareholder Meeting for March 7, 2024

TL;DR

<b>Franklin Universal Trust is holding its Annual Shareholder Meeting on March 7, 2024, to vote on the election of Trustees.</b>

AI Summary

FRANKLIN UNIVERSAL TRUST (FT) filed a Proxy Statement (DEF 14A) with the SEC on February 6, 2024. Franklin Universal Trust will hold its Annual Shareholders' Meeting on Thursday, March 7, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. Eastern time. The meeting will discuss a proposal for the election of Class III nominees to the position of Trustee. Shareholders are urged to review the proxy statement and vote their proxy cards. Returning proxy cards promptly can help the Fund save money on additional mailings. Shareholders can vote by mail, Internet, or telephone.

Why It Matters

For investors and stakeholders tracking FRANKLIN UNIVERSAL TRUST, this filing contains several important signals. Shareholder participation is crucial for the election of Trustees, impacting the governance and direction of the Trust. Prompt return of proxy cards can lead to cost savings for the Trust by reducing the need for follow-up mailings.

Risk Assessment

Risk Level: low — FRANKLIN UNIVERSAL TRUST shows low risk based on this filing. The filing is a routine proxy statement for an annual shareholder meeting, with no immediate financial or operational risks indicated.

Analyst Insight

Shareholders should review the proxy materials and vote their shares to ensure their preferred candidates for Trustee are considered.

Key Numbers

• March 7, 2024 — Annual Shareholder Meeting Date (Date of the Annual Shareholders' Meeting)
• 1:00 p.m. Eastern time — Meeting Time (Time of the Annual Shareholders' Meeting)
• 0831 — Fiscal Year End (Fiscal year end for Franklin Universal Trust)
• 1934 — SEC Act (Act under which the filing is made)

Key Players & Entities

• FRANKLIN UNIVERSAL TRUST (company) — Registrant
• March 7, 2024 (date) — Annual Shareholders' Meeting date
• Class III (other) — nominees for Trustee position
• ONE FRANKLIN PARKWAY (address) — Business and Mail Address
• SAN MATEO (location) — City for Business and Mail Address
• CA (location) — State for Business and Mail Address
• 94403-1906 (postal_code) — ZIP code for Business and Mail Address
• 650-312-2000 (phone_number) — Business phone number

FAQ

Risk Factors

• Compliance with SEC Regulations [low — regulatory]: The filing must adhere to all SEC regulations for proxy statements, including disclosure requirements and voting procedures.
• Shareholder Participation [low — operational]: The effectiveness of the meeting and voting process relies on sufficient shareholder participation and timely return of proxy cards.

Industry Context

Franklin Universal Trust operates within the investment management industry, providing fiduciary services and managing assets for shareholders.

Regulatory Implications

The filing is made under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, specifically Schedule 14A, which governs the solicitation of proxies from shareholders.

What Investors Should Do

1. Review the proxy statement for details on the Trustee nominees and proposals.
2. Vote your proxy card via mail, internet, or telephone by the meeting date.
3. Ensure your vote is submitted promptly to help the Trust potentially save on mailing costs.

Key Dates

• 2024-03-07: Annual Shareholders' Meeting — Shareholders will vote on proposals, including the election of Trustees.

Year-Over-Year Comparison

This is a definitive proxy statement (DEF 14A) filed for the annual shareholder meeting, indicating a routine corporate governance event.

Key Financial Figures

• $250,000 — two hundred and fifty thousand dollars ($250,000) during the twenty-four (24) month peri
• $1 — leton Fund Complex Harris J. Ashton $1 - $10,000 Over $100,000 Terrence J.
• $10,000 — Fund Complex Harris J. Ashton $1 - $10,000 Over $100,000 Terrence J. Checki
• $100,000 — Harris J. Ashton $1 - $10,000 Over $100,000 Terrence J. Checki None Over $100
• $100,000 M — ,000 Terrence J. Checki None Over $100,000 Mary C. Choksi None Over $100,000 E
• $10,001 — 0 Over $100,000 Larry D. Thompson $10,001 - $50,000 Over $100,000 Valerie M.
• $50,000 — 100,000 Larry D. Thompson $10,001 - $50,000 Over $100,000 Valerie M. Williams
• $50,001 — $100,000 Valerie M. Williams None $50,001 - $100,000 Interested Trustees: Nam
• $100,000 B — t H. Johnson, Jr. $1 - $10,000 Over $100,000 Board members historically have followed

Filing Documents

• futproxystatement-final.htm (DEF 14A) — 362KB
• x24020513450700.gif (GRAPHIC) — 6KB
• x24020513450701.gif (GRAPHIC) — 6KB
• x24020516423600.gif (GRAPHIC) — 108KB
• x24020516423601.gif (GRAPHIC) — 34KB
• 0000833040-24-000002.txt (&nbsp;) — 576KB

From the Filing

DEF 14A 1 futproxystatement-final.htm futproxystatement-final.htm - Generated by SEC Publisher for SEC Filing Schedule 14A Information Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(A) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. ) Filed by the Registrant [X] Filed by a Party other than the Registrant [ ] Check the appropriate box: [ ] Preliminary Proxy Statement [ ] Confidential, for Use of the Commission [X] Definitive Proxy Statement Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) [ ] Definitive Additional Materials [ ] Soliciting Material under Section 240.14a-12 Franklin Universal Trust (Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter) Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, other than the Registrant) Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box): [X] No fee required. [ ] Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11. (1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies: (2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies: (3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined): (4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction: (5) Total fee paid: [ ] Fee paid previously with preliminary materials. [ ] Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing. (1) Amount Previously Paid: (2) Form, Schedule or Registration (3) Filing Party: (4) Date Filed: FRANKLIN UNIVERSAL TRUST IMPORTANT SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION We have enclosed important information about the Annual Shareholders' Meeting (the "Meeting") of Franklin Universal Trust (the "Fund") scheduled for Thursday, March 7, 2024, at 1:00 p.m., Eastern time. These materials discuss the proposal to be voted on at the Meeting, and contain the Notice of Meeting, proxy statement and proxy card. A proxy card is, in essence, a ballot. When you vote your proxy, it tells us how you wish to vote on important issues relating to the Fund. If you complete, sign and return the proxy card, we'll vote it as you indicated. If you simply sign, date and return the proxy card, but do not specify a vote on the proposal listed thereon, your proxy will be voted FOR the election of the Class III nominees to the position of Trustee (the "Proposal"). We urge you to spend a few minutes reviewing the Proposal in the proxy statement. Then, please fill out and sign the proxy card and return it to us in the enclosed postage-paid envelope so that we know how you would like to vote. When shareholders return their proxy cards promptly, the Fund may be able to save money by not having to conduct additional mailings. Returning your proxy card does not preclude you from attending the Meeting or later changing your vote prior to it being cast. We are urging all shareholders to take advantage of voting by mail, Internet or telephone (separate instructions are listed on the enclosed proxy card to vote by telephone or through the Internet). Additionally, while we anticipate that the Meeting will occur as planned on March 7, 2024, there is a possibility that the Meeting may be postponed or the location or approach may need to be changed, including the possibility of holding a virtual meeting for the health and safety of all Meeting participants. Should this occur, we will notify you by issuing a press release and filing an announcement with the Securities and Exchange Commission as definitive additional soliciting material. If you plan to attend the Meeting in person, please note that we will be holding the Meeting in accordance with any recommended and required social distancing and safety guidelines, as applicable. We welcome your comments. If you have any questions, please call Fund Information at (800) DIAL BEN/342-5236. TELEPHONE AND INTERNET VOTING For your convenience, you may be able to vote by telephone or through the Internet, 24 hours a day. If your account is eligible, separate instructions are enclosed. This page intentionally left blank. F UT 2024 Proxy FRANKLIN UNIVERSAL TRUST NOTICE OF 2024 ANNUAL SHAREHOLDERS' MEETING The Annual Shareholders' Meeting (the "Meeting") of Franklin Universal Trust (the "Fund") will be held at the Fund's offices, 300 S.E. 2nd Street, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33301-1923 , on Thursday, March 7, 2024, at 1:00 p.m., Eastern time. During the Meeting, shareholders of the Fund will vote on the following Proposal: 1. To elect three Class III nominees, Terrence J. Checki, Mary C. Choksi and Larry D. Thompson, to the position of Trustee for the terms specified. In addition, shareholders will vote on any other matters as may properly come before the Meeting. The Boa

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