Item 9A. Controls and Procedures
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures.
The Company’s management evaluated, with the participation of the Company’s principal executive and principal financial officers, the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) as of September 30, 2024. Based on their evaluation, the Company’s principal executive and principal financial officers concluded that the Company ’ s disclosure controls and procedures as of September 30, 2024 were designed and are functioning effectively to provide reasonable assurance that the information required to be disclosed by the Company in reports filed under the Exchange Act is (i) recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (“SEC”) rules and forms, and (ii) accumulated and communicated to management, including the principal executive and principal financial officers, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding disclosure.
There has been no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that occurred during the Company’s fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2024, that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
On January 1, 2024, Franklin Resources, Inc. completed the acquisition of Putnam Investments (“Putnam”). Consistent with guidance issued by the SEC that an assessment of a recently acquired business may be omitted from management’s report on internal control over financial reporting for one year following the acquisition, management excluded an assessment of the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting related to Putnam. Putnam represents approximately 8% of the Company’s consolidated total operating revenues for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2024. Putnam assets, excluding associated goodwill and intangible assets, represent approximately 4% of the Company’s consolidated total assets, as of September 30, 2024. The recognition of goodwill and intangible assets is covered by our internal controls over business combinations, which were included in management's assessment of the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2024.
Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting and the Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm are set forth in Item 8 of Part II of this Annual Report on Form 10‑K, which is incorporated herein by reference.
The effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2024 has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, the independent registered public accounting firm that audits the Company’s consolidated financial statements, as stated in their report which expresses an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2024.
Item 9B. Other Information.
Rule 10b5-1 Trading Plans
During the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2024, no director or officer (as defined in Rule 16a-1(f) under the Exchange Act) of Franklin adopted or terminated a “ Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement ” or “ non-Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement ” as each term is defined in Item 408 of Regulation S-K.
Item 9C. Disclosure Regarding Foreign Jurisdictions that Prevent Inspections.
Not applicable.
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PART III
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance.
The information required by this Item 10 with respect to executive officers of Franklin is contained at the end of Part I of this Annual Report under the heading “Information About Our Executive Officers.”
Code of Ethics. Franklin has adopted a Code of Ethics and Business Conduct (the “Code of Ethics”) that applies to Franklin ’ s principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer, controller, and any persons performing similar functions, as well as all directors, officers and employees of Franklin and its subsidiaries and affiliates. A copy of the Code of Ethics is filed as an exhibit to this Annual Report and is posted on our website at www.franklinresources.com under “Corporate Governance.” A copy of the Code of Ethics is available in print free of charge to any stockholder who requests a copy. Interested parties may address a written request for a printed copy of the Code of Ethics to: Secretary, Franklin Resources, Inc., One Franklin Parkway, San Mateo, California 94403-1906. We intend to satisfy the disclosure requirement regarding any amendment to, or a waiver from, a provision of the Code of Ethics for Franklin’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions, by posting such information on our website.
Insider Trading Policy. Franklin has adopted an insider Trading Blackout Policy (the “Trading Blackout Policy”) that applies to all designated executive officers, directors, employees and temporary employees of Franklin and our subsidiaries and affiliates. The Trading Blackout Policy is designed to promote compliance with insider trading laws, rules and regulations with respect to the purchase, sale and/or other dispositions of Franklin’s securities, as well as the applicable rules and regulations of the New York Stock Exchange. The Trading Blackout Policy addresses the implementation of certain trading blackout periods in Franklin’ securities (including common stock, debt, options and other related derivative securities) for covered persons. A copy of the Trading Blackout Policy is filed as an exhibit to this Annual Report.
The other information required by this Item 10 is incorporated by reference from the information to be provided under the sections titled “Proposal No. 1: Election of Directors” and “Information about the Board and its Committees – The Audit Committee” from Franklin’s definitive proxy statement for its annual meeting of stockholders to be filed with the SEC within 120 days after September 30, 2024 (“2025 Proxy Statement”).
Item 11. Executive Compensation.
The information required by this Item 11 is incorporated by reference from the information to be provided under the sections of our 2025 Proxy Statement titled “Director Fees,” “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” and “Executive Compensation.”
For the quarter ended March 31, 2024, Franklin revised the comparative prior period amounts included in the consolidated statements of income, consolidated statements of stockholders’ equity, consolidated statements of cash flows, and related footnote disclosures. Franklin determined this did not result in a material misstatement to its previously issued consolidated financial statements, and that there was no impact on operating income, net income attributable to Franklin, earnings per share, total assets, total liabilities, retained earnings, total shareholders’ equity, or the financial results attributable to Franklin’s shareholders. Franklin concluded that there was no erroneously awarded executive compensation requiring recovery under Franklin’s Executive Compensation Clawback Policy because the revised prior period amounts did not impact any metric used in determining executive compensation.
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters.
The information required by this Item 12 is incorporated by reference from the information to be provided under the sections of our 2025 Proxy Statement titled “Stock Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners,” “Stock Ownership and Stock-Based Holdings of Directors and Executive Officers” and “Executive Compensation – Equity Compensation Plan Information.”
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Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence.
The information required by this Item 13 is incorporated by reference from the information to be provided under the sections of our 2025 Proxy Statement titled “Proposal No. 1: Election of Directors – General,” “Corporate Governance – Director Independence Standards” and “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions.”
Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services.
The information required by this Item 14 is incorporated by reference from the information to be provided under the section of our 2025 Proxy Statement titled “Fees Paid to Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.”
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PART IV
Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules.
(a)(1) The financial statements filed as part of this report are listed in Item 8 of this Annual Report.
(a)(2) No financial statement schedules are required to be filed as part of this report because all such schedules have been omitted. Such omission has been made on the basis that information is provided in the financial statements, or in the related notes thereto, in Item 8 of this Annual Report or is not required to be filed as the information is not applicable.
(a)(3) The exhibits listed on the Exhibit Index to this Annual Report are incorporated herein by reference.
Item 16. Form 10‑K Summary.
None.
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit No.
Description
3.1 Certificate of Incorporation of Registrant, as filed November 28, 1969, incorporated by reference to Exhibit (3)(i) to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 1994 (File No. 001-09318) (the “1994 Annual Report”)
3.2 Certificate of Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation of Registrant, as filed March 1, 1985, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(ii) to the 1994 Annual Report
3.3 Certificate of Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation of Registrant, as filed April 1, 1987, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(iii) to the 1994 Annual Report
3.4 Certificate of Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation of Registrant, as filed February 2, 1994, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(iv) to the 1994 Annual Report
3.5 Certificate of Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation of Registrant, as filed February 4, 2005, incorporated by reference to Exhibit (3)(i)(e) to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended December 31, 2004 (File No. 001-09318)
3.6 Amended and Restated Bylaws of Registrant (as adopted and effective June 29, 2021), incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 1, 2021 (File No. 001-09318)
4.1 Indenture, dated as of May 19, 1994, between Registrant and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. (as successor to Chemical Bank), as trustee, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4 to our Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed on April 14, 1994 (File No. 033-53147)
4.2 First Supplemental Indenture, dated October 9, 1996, between Registrant and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. (as successor to The Chase Manhattan Bank), as trustee, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to our Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed on October 4, 1996 (File No. 333-12101)
4.3 Second Supplemental Indenture, dated May 20, 2010, between Registrant and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to our Current Report on Form 8‑K filed on May 20, 2010 (File No. 001-09318)
4.4 Fourth Supplemental Indenture, dated March 30, 2015 (inclusive of the form of note of Registrant’s 2.850% Notes due 2025), between Registrant and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to our Current Report on Form 8‑K filed on March 30, 2015 (File No. 001-09318)
4.5 Indenture, dated as of October 6, 2020, between Registrant and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to our Registration Statement on Form S-3ASR filed on October 6, 2020 (File No. 033-249350)
4.6 Officer’s Certificate, dated October 19, 2020 (inclusive of the form of note of Registrant’s 1.600% Notes due 2030), incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 19, 2020 (File No. 011-09318)
4.7 Base Indenture, dated as of January 22, 2014, for Senior Notes between Legg Mason, Inc. and The Bank of New York Mellon, as trustee, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Legg Mason’s Registration Statement on Form S-3ASR filed on February 19, 2016 (File No. 333-209616)
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Exhibit No.
Description
4.8 First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of January 22, 2014 (inclusive of the form of note of Legg Mason’s 5.625% Senior Notes due 2044), between Legg Mason, Inc. and The Bank of New York Mellon, as trustee, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to Legg Mason’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 22, 2014 (File No. 001-08529)
4.9 Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of June 26, 2014, between Legg Mason, Inc. and The Bank of New York Mellon, as trustee, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Legg Mason’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 26, 2014 (File No. 001-08529)
4.10 Fourth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of March 22, 2016 (inclusive of the form of note of Legg Mason’s 4.750% Senior Notes due 2026), between Legg Mason, Inc. and The Bank New York Mellon, as trustee, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to Legg Mason’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 22, 2016 (File No. 001-08529)
4.11 Registrant Parent Guarantee dated August 2, 2021, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2021 (File No. 001-09318)
4.12 Officer’s Certificate, dated August 12, 2021 (inclusive of the form of additional note of Registrant’s 1.600% Notes due 2030 and form of note of Registrant’s 2.950% Notes due 2051), incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 12, 2021 (File No. 011-09318)
4.13 Description of Registrant’s Securities, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.16 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020 (File No. 001-09318)
10.1 Credit Agreement, dated as of July 25, 2023, between Registrant, as borrower, the financial institutions from time to time party thereto, as lenders, and Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 28, 2023 (File No. 001-09318)
10.2 Non-Employee Director Compensation as of October 21 , 202 4 (filed her e with)*
10.3 Representative Form of Amended and Restated Indemnification Agreement with directors of Registrant, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2006 (File No. 001-09318)*
10.4 2006 Directors Deferred Compensation Plan (as amended and restated effective November 5, 2020), incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020 (File No. 001-09318)*
10.5 1998 Employee Stock Investment Plan (as amended and restated effective June 21, 2022), incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2022 (File No. 001-09318)*
10.6 2002 Universal Stock Incentive Plan (as amended and restated effective February 6, 2024), incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 8, 2024 (File No. 001-09318)*
10.7 Amended and Restated Annual Incentive Compensation Plan (as amended and restated effective December 10, 2019), incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended December 31, 2019 (File No. 001-09318)*
10.8 Amended and Restated 2017 Equity Incentive Plan, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to our Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed on October 6, 2020 (File No. 333-249336)*
10.9 2023 Restricted Fund Unit Plan (effective October 18, 2023) , incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2023 (File No. 001-09318)*
10.10 Amended and Restated Deferred Compensation Fund Plan (as amended and restated effective August 15, 2023) , incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2023 (File No. 001-09318)*
10.11 Legg Mason, Inc. Amended and Restated Deferred Compensation Fund Plan (as amended and restated effective October 6, 2023), incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2023 (File No. 001-09318)*
10.12 ClearBridge Investments, LLC Deferred Incentive Plan (as amended and restated effective February 10, 2023) , incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2023 (File No. 001-09318)*
10.13 Representative Form of Restrictive Covenants to Award Agreement for certain awards to executive officers of Registrant (filed herewith)*
10.14 Representative Forms of Notice of Restricted Stock Unit Award and Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement (RSU) under our 2002 Universal Stock Incentive Plan for certain time-based awards to executive officers of Registrant, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022 (File No. 001-09318)*
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Exhibit No.
Description
10.15 Representative Forms of Notice of Restricted Stock Unit Award and Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement (RSU) under our 2002 Universal Stock Incentive Plan for certain performance-based awards to executive officers of Registrant, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.13 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022 (File No. 001-09318)*
10.16 Representative Forms of Notice of Restricted Stock Unit Award and Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement (RSU) under our 2002 Universal Stock Incentive Plan for certain time-based awards to executive officers of Registrant, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.13 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2023 (File No. 001-09318)*
10.17 Representative Forms of Notice of Restricted Stock Unit Award and Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement (RSU) under our 2002 Universal Stock Incentive Plan for certain performance-based awards to executive officers of Registrant, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.14 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2023 (File No. 001-09318)*
10.18 Code of Ethics and Business Conduct dated as of October 21, 2024 (filed herewith)
10.19 Trading Blackout Policy dated as of December 11, 2012 (filed herewith)
21 List of Subsidiaries (filed herewith)
23 Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (filed herewith)
31.1 Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (filed herewith)
31.2 Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (filed herewith)
32.1 Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (furnished herewith)
32.2 Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (furnished herewith)
97.1 Executive Compensation Clawback Policy of Registrant, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 24, 2023 (File No. 001-09318)*
101 The following materials from Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10‑K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2024, formatted in Inline Extensible Business Reporting Language (iXBRL), include: (i) the Consolidated Statements of Income, (ii) the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income, (iii) the Consolidated Balance Sheets, (iv) the Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity, (v) the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, and (vi) related notes (filed herewith)
104 Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted in iXBRL and contained in Exhibit 101)
__________________
* Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
FRANKLIN RESOURCES, INC.
Date: November 12, 2024 By: /s/ Matthew Nicholls
Matthew Nicholls, Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer (Principal Financial Officer)
Date: November 12, 2024 By: /s/ Lindsey H. Oshita
Lindsey H. Oshita, Chief Accounting Officer (Principal Accounting Officer)
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated:
Date: November 12, 2024 By: /s/ Jennifer M. Johnson
Jennifer M. Johnson, President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
(Principal Executive Officer)
Date: November 12, 2024 By: /s/ Matthew Nicholls
Matthew Nicholls, Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)
Date: November 12, 2024 By:
/s/ Lindsey H. Oshita
Lindsey H. Oshita, Chief Accounting Officer (Principal Accounting Officer)
Date: November 12, 2024 By: /s/ Mariann Byerwalter
Mariann Byerwalter, Director
Date: November 12, 2024 By: /s/ Alexander S. Friedman
Alexander S. Friedman, Director
Date: November 12, 2024 By: /s/ Gregory E. Johnson
Gregory E. Johnson, Executive Chairman, Chairman of the Board
and Director
Date: November 12, 2024 By: /s/ Rupert H. Johnson, Jr.
Rupert H. Johnson, Jr., Vice Chairman and Director
Date: November 12, 2024 By: /s/ John Y. Kim
John Y. Kim, Director
Date: November 12, 2024 By: /s/ Karen M. King
Karen M. King, Director
Date: November 12, 2024 By: /s/ Anthony J. Noto
Anthony J. Noto, Director
Date: November 12, 2024 By: /s/ John W. Thiel
John W. Thiel, Director
Date: November 12, 2024 By: /s/ Seth H. Waugh
Seth H. Waugh, Director
Date: November 12, 2024 By: /s/ Geoffrey Y. Yang
Geoffrey Y. Yang, Director
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