Franklin Universal Trust Files 2025 Proxy Statement

TL;DR

Franklin Universal Trust DEF 14A filed. Annual meeting March 26.

AI Summary

Franklin Universal Trust filed its definitive proxy statement on February 7, 2025, for its annual meeting on March 26, 2025. The filing, designated as DEF 14A, concerns the company's governance and shareholder matters. The company is incorporated in Florida and its fiscal year ends on August 31.

Why It Matters

This filing provides shareholders with crucial information regarding the company's annual meeting, including voting matters and executive compensation, enabling informed participation in corporate governance.

Risk Assessment

Risk Level: low — This is a routine annual proxy filing and does not indicate any unusual risks or events.

Key Numbers

• 20250326 — Annual Meeting Date (Date of the shareholder meeting for which the proxy statement is filed.)
• 20250207 — Filing Date (Date the definitive proxy statement was filed with the SEC.)

Key Players & Entities

• FRANKLIN UNIVERSAL TRUST (company) — Registrant
• 0000833040 (company) — Central Index Key
• 943077602 (company) — IRS Number
• FL (company) — State of Incorporation
• 811-05569 (company) — SEC File Number
• 25599537 (company) — Film Number
• ONE FRANKLIN PARKWAY (company) — Business Address Street 1
• SAN MATEO (company) — Business Address City
• CA (company) — Business Address State
• 94403-1906 (company) — Business Address ZIP

FAQ

Key Financial Figures

• $250,000 — two hundred and fifty thousand dollars ($250,000) during the twenty-four (24) month peri
• $100,000 — omplex Harris J. Ashton None 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
• $1 — e Over $100,000 J. Michael Luttig $1 - $10,000 Over $100,000 Larry D. Th
• $10,000 — ver $100,000 J. Michael Luttig $1 - $10,000 Over $100,000 Larry D. Thompson $
• $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
• $100,000 B — t H. Johnson, Jr. $1 - $10,000 Over $100,000 Board members historically have followed
• $304,000 — Independent Trustee currently is paid a $304,000 annual retainer fee, together with a $7
• $7,000 — 00 annual retainer fee, together with a $7,000 per meeting fee for attendance at each
• $3,000 — 00 annual retainer fee, together with a $3,000 fee per Committee meeting in which they

Filing Documents

• fut2025proxystatementfinal.htm (DEF 14A) — 303KB
• x25020409335800.gif (GRAPHIC) — 6KB
• x25020409335801.gif (GRAPHIC) — 6KB
• x25020411132000.gif (GRAPHIC) — 72KB
• x25020411132100.gif (GRAPHIC) — 59KB
• 0000833040-25-000003.txt ( ) — 502KB

From the Filing

DEF 14A 1 fut2025proxystatementfinal.htm fut2025proxystatementfinal.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 Statement No.: (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 6, 2025, 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 I 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 6, 2025, 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. 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. 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. FRANKLIN UNIVERSAL TRUST NOTICE OF 2025 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 6, 2025, 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 I nominees, Gregory E. Johnson, J. Michael Luttig and Valerie M. Williams, 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 Board of Trustees has fixed January 10, 2025 as the record date for the determination of shareholders entitled to vote at the Meeting. By Order of the Board of Trustees, Marc De Oliveira Vice President & Assistant Secretary Dated: February

View Full Filing

View this DEF 14A filing on SEC EDGAR