Franklin Templeton, Inc. BEN reported assets under management (AUM) of $1.83 trillion as of Aug. 31, 2026, up 1.9% from the prior month. The increase in preliminary AUM primarily reflected favorable market movements and $8 billion in long-term net inflows.
Franklin Templeton has demonstrated steady AUM growth over the years despite periodic market volatility. Although AUM declined in fiscal 2022 and 2025, the metric increased at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.1% over the five fiscal years ended 2025.
Growth momentum strengthened in 2026, with long-term net inflows of $18.4 billion in the quarter ended June 30 compared to net outflows of $9.3 billion in the prior-year quarter. This improvement helped drive AUM to a record $1.79 trillion at the end of June. The positive momentum continued into the following months, with $6 billion of long-term net inflows in July and $8 billion in August, helping lift preliminary AUM to a new record as of Aug. 31, 2026.
AUM Growth Trend
Image Source: Franklin Templeton, Inc.
The company’s diversified asset mix also supported AUM growth in August. Equity AUM increased 2.3% month over month to $775.1 billion, while alternative and multi-asset AUM rose 1.8% and 1.7%, respectively, to $301.6 billion and $225.1 billion. Fixed-income AUM increased 0.6% sequentially to $440.6 billion, while cash management assets grew 5.3% to $85 billion.
Beyond traditional asset classes, Franklin is expanding its presence in higher-growth alternatives and private markets through acquisitions and partnerships. Its 2025 acquisition of Apera Asset Management strengthened alternative credit capabilities, while partnerships with Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners, DigitalBridge and Actis expanded its private infrastructure offerings, supporting growth in its alternatives franchise.
Digital assets provide another growth avenue. In June 2026, Franklin acquired 250 Digital and launched Franklin Crypto, expanding institutional trading, separately managed account and tokenization capabilities. Its partnerships with MoonPay, Payward and Binance have further broadened its institutional digital-asset offerings, diversifying its platform and supporting long-term AUM growth.
However, private-credit risks related to liquidity, valuations and credit quality might moderately pressure near-term investor flows. Nevertheless, strong inflow momentum, a diversified AUM base, expanding alternatives, private markets and digital-asset capabilities, along with strategic partnerships, acquisitions, favorable international flows and a regionally focused distribution model, should support continued AUM growth.
AUM Performance of Franklin’s Peers
Apollo Global Management, Inc. APO witnessed strong AUM growth, with a 19.6% CAGR during 2022-2025. The growth trend continued in the first half of 2026, with AUM increasing 25% year over year to $1.05 trillion as of June 30, 2026, supported by robust capital formation and continued growth in Asset Management and Retirement Services.
Strategic expansion in wealth and retirement solutions and real estate, including the Schroders partnership and Bridge Investment Group acquisition, has strengthened APO’s investment capabilities and client reach and should support continued AUM growth.
Similarly, Lazard, Inc. LAZ witnessed steady AUM growth, with a 2.8% CAGR during 2016-2025. The growth trend continued in the first half of 2026, with net inflows of $7.4 billion, marking Lazard’s strongest first-half inflow performance in nearly 20 years and reflecting improving client demand.
Strategic expansion in wealth management and private markets, including the Truvvo Partners acquisition and increased ownership of Elaia Partners, has strengthened LAZ’s investment capabilities and diversified its asset base, and should support continued AUM growth.
BEN Price Performance & Zacks Rank
The company’s shares have gained 30.3% in the past year against the industry’s 10.1% decline.
Price Performance
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Currently, BEN carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
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