ben-20251213

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): December 13, 2025

FRANKLIN RESOURCES, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


Delaware	001-09318	13-2670991
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)	(Commission File Number)	(IRS Employer Identification No.)

One Franklin Parkway, San Mateo, CA 94403

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (650) 312-2000

Not Applicable

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

☐ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

☐ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:


Title of each class	Trading symbol(s)	Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, par value $0.10 per share	BEN	New York Stock Exchange

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Item 8.01 Other Events.

As previously disclosed, Franklin Resources, Inc. (the “Company”) launched an internal investigation into certain past trade allocations involving treasury derivatives in select accounts managed by Western Asset Management Company, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company (“Western Asset”). In connection therewith, Western Asset received notification of an investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice (the “DOJ”). On December 13, 2025, the Company was informed by the DOJ that it is prepared to resolve the investigation through a disposition that does not require the filing of any criminal charges against Western Asset in connection with the conduct charged in the case of United States v. Leech. The DOJ also informed the Company that as it continues the ongoing resolution discussions, which, as the DOJ noted require additional time to complete due to circumstances not attributable to Western Asset, it appreciates Western Asset's commitment to full cooperation with the investigation.

SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.


		FRANKLIN RESOURCES, INC.


Date:	December 15, 2025	/s/ Thomas C. Merchant
		Thomas C. Merchant
		Executive Vice President and General Counsel

Franklin Resources Inc. filed SEC Form 8-K: Other Events