---
title: "Franklin Resources Grants Special Equity Awards to Executives"
type: "News"
locale: "en"
url: "https://longbridge.com/en/news/293625781.md"
description: "Franklin Resources approved one-time special equity retention awards for CEO Jennifer M. Johnson, three Co-Presidents, and Executive Chairman Gregory E. Johnson, effective July 21, 2026. Each executive receives approximately $15 million in equity split between performance and restricted stock units with long vesting periods. The move aims to retain core leadership amid competitive talent demands and align compensation with private market performance. Analyst ratings remain mixed, with a Hold consensus but an AI 'Outperform' signal based on operational improvements."
datetime: "2026-07-23T13:18:21.000Z"
locales:
  - [zh-CN](https://longbridge.com/zh-CN/news/293625781.md)
  - [en](https://longbridge.com/en/news/293625781.md)
  - [zh-HK](https://longbridge.com/zh-HK/news/293625781.md)
---

# Franklin Resources Grants Special Equity Awards to Executives

The latest update is out from Franklin Resources ( (BEN) ).

Effective July 21, 2026, Franklin Resources’ board approved one-time special equity retention awards for CEO Jennifer M. Johnson and three Co-Presidents, alongside carry interest allocations for the CEO and Executive Chairman Gregory E. Johnson. The move aims to secure the firm’s core leadership team amid competitive demand for senior talent in asset management and to align their pay more closely with the firm’s evolving private markets and alternative investment platforms.

Each executive equity award, valued at about $15 million, is split evenly between performance stock units with a three-year performance period and restricted stock units with five-year cliff vesting, with strict forfeiture and clawback provisions to ensure long-term accountability. The carry incentives for the CEO and Executive Chairman are fully at-risk, vest over five years and pay out only if flagship private markets and alternative funds exceed hurdle rates, reinforcing a stronger link between leadership rewards, fund performance and long-term shareholder returns.

The most recent analyst rating on (BEN) stock is a Hold  
with a $34.00 price target.  
To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Franklin Resources stock,  
see the BEN Stock Forecast page.

**Spark’s Take on BEN Stock**

According to Spark, TipRanks’ AI Analyst, BEN is a Outperform.

BEN scores well primarily on improving operational outlook from the earnings call (inflows and a credible margin expansion roadmap) and supportive technical momentum (price above key moving averages with positive MACD). The overall score is tempered by only mid-level underlying financial profitability versus historical peaks and a valuation that is reasonable but not especially cheap despite the strong dividend yield.

To see Spark’s full report on BEN stock,  
click here.

**More about Franklin Resources**

Franklin Resources, Inc., which operates as Franklin Templeton, is a global asset management firm focused on traditional and alternative investment strategies for institutional and retail clients. The company has been investing heavily in private markets and alternative strategy platforms, underscoring their strategic importance and growing significance for investors in the wider financial services industry.

The firm periodically utilizes carry-based incentive programs for senior employees and executives to provide at-risk, long-term performance incentives tied to the growth of its private markets and alternative businesses. These initiatives are designed to better align leadership compensation with fund performance, client outcomes and long-term shareholder value as the company expands its presence in private markets and alternative investments.

**Average Trading Volume:** 4,782,330

**Technical Sentiment Signal:** Buy

**Current Market Cap:** $16.96B

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- [BEN.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/BEN.US.md)

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