Franklin Resources (BEN) Proxy Filing summary

Executive summary

• Virtual annual meeting scheduled for February 3, 2026, with record date of December 5, 2025.

• Fiscal 2025 marked the first year of a five-year plan, with AUM at $1.66 trillion and long-term inflows up 7.8% to $343.9 billion.

• Strategic focus on alternatives, ETFs, and custom indexing platforms, with record growth in these areas.

• $930 million returned to shareholders via dividends and buybacks; $400 million in senior notes repaid.

Voting matters and shareholder proposals

• Election of 11 directors to serve until the next annual meeting.

• Ratification of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as independent auditor for fiscal year ending September 30, 2026.

• Approval of amendments to the 1998 Employee Stock Investment Plan (adding 5 million shares) and 2002 Universal Stock Incentive Plan (adding 25 million shares).

• Advisory vote on executive compensation (say-on-pay).

• Board recommends voting FOR all proposals.

Board of directors and corporate governance

• Board consists of 11 directors, 8 of whom are independent; diverse in gender and ethnicity.

• Lead Independent Director presides over executive sessions; all committees are fully independent.

• Board committees: Audit, Compensation, and Corporate Governance, each with defined responsibilities.

• Annual board and committee evaluations, director orientation, and continuing education in place.

• Stock ownership guidelines and trading blackout policy enforced for directors and executives.