Franklin Resources, Inc. (BEN) — ESG & Values Scores

Environment story

Franklin Resources discloses minimal environmental metrics in available filings. No Scope 1, 2, or 3 emissions data, renewable energy percentage, or net-zero target year are disclosed in the 10-K or proxy materials provided. The company mentions use of AI and process automation but does not quantify operational carbon footprint or supply-chain emissions. No verified investments in physical decarbonization infrastructure are documented. The absence of disclosed climate commitments and emissions targets results in substantial deductions. Governance committee oversees ESG/sustainability matters, but no concrete environmental initiatives, metrics or controversies are detailed in provided documents.

Criticisms on file

No material criticisms on file for this pillar.

Disclosed initiatives

Corporate Governance Committee ESG Oversight

Corporate Governance Committee oversees the Company's approach to corporate responsibility and sustainability and environmental, social and governance matters, including reviewing related stockholder engagement.

Social story

Franklin Resources reports limited diversity and social metrics in available filings. No CEO-to-median-worker pay ratio, workforce diversity percentages (gender/race), or turnover rate are disclosed in the provided 10-K or proxy. The proxy mentions the company does not have a formal Board or executive officer gender diversity policy with targets. No documented labor union disputes, strikes, or NLRB complaints are mentioned in the 24-month period covered by filings. The company emphasizes attraction and retention of key personnel through competitive compensation but provides no supply-chain labor audits or human-rights assessments. Absence of diversity targets and limited transparency on pay equity and workforce composition result in moderate deductions.

Criticisms on file

No material criticisms on file for this pillar.

Disclosed initiatives

Competitive Compensation and Retention Programs

Company emphasizes attracting and retaining high-caliber executives and key personnel through competitive compensation packages and equity incentive plans including the 2002 Universal Stock Incentive Plan and 1998 Employee Stock Investment Plan.
Key Personnel Recruitment and Development

Proxy and 10-K emphasize success depends on finding, attracting, retaining and motivating qualified individuals including portfolio managers, investment analysts, sales and management personnel.

Governance story

Franklin Resources maintains a multi-class board with strong independence and committee composition. Board independence is high: 10 of 11 directors are independent (90.9%), exceeding the 75% minimum threshold. No dual-class share structure with unequal voting rights is disclosed. All three standing committees (Audit, Compensation, Corporate Governance) are composed entirely of independent directors. The company has no disclosed annual lobbying expenditures in the provided filings targeting environmental deregulation or consumer-protection rollbacks. Significant regulatory scrutiny exists: subsidiary Western Asset Management Company (WAM) remains subject to parallel SEC and DOJ investigations. No major antitrust, consumer-safety, or financial-fraud proceedings are explicitly described as 'active' in the current filing period, though the company notes routine receipt of regulatory requests and has engaged in litigation in the ordinary course of business. Board conducts annual self-evaluation and maintains executive sessions for independent directors at least twice annually.

Criticisms on file

SEC and DOJ parallel investigations of subsidiary Western Asset Management Company (WAM)
Source: BEN 10-K, Item 1A Risk Factors and Note 15 - Commitments and Contingencies (Legal Proceedings section)

Disclosed initiatives

Board Independence and Committee Structure

10 of 11 directors are independent. All three standing committees (Audit, Compensation, Corporate Governance) composed entirely of independent directors. Lead Director (Mariann Byerwalter) presides at executive sessions.

Enhances risk oversight and governance effectiveness
Annual Board and Committee Evaluation Process

Board conducts annual evaluation process with support from Corporate Governance Committee and Lead Director to assess performance of Board as a whole and its committees.
Political Activities Oversight

Corporate Governance Committee oversees the Company's political activities and related policies, including reviewing and approving the 'Political Activities Statement'.

These are Missionomics' own editorial scores — directional signals built from disclosed facts under a published method, not certifications or definitive ratings of Franklin Resources, Inc.. Coverage and confidence vary by data point, and figures can lag real-world changes. Read the full Methodology for sourcing, scoring, and correction details — or open Franklin Resources, Inc. in the app for interactive charts and portfolio building.

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