-- CFRA, an independent research provider, has providedwith the following research alert. Analysts at CFRA have summarized their opinion as follows:
We lift our 12-month target price by $2 to $31, valuing BEN shares (which currently yield 4.5%) at 11x our FY 26 (Sep.) adjusted EPS estimate of $2.80 (raised by $0.23) and at 10.5x our FY 27 EPS estimate of $2.95 (raised by $0.15). Our target multiple compares to BEN's one-year average forward multiple of 10x and a disparate peer average of 16x. BEN reported Mar-Q adjusted EPS of $0.71 vs. $0.47 a year ago, beating the consensus estimate of $0.55 and our forecast of $0.56. Operating revenues rose 9% Y/Y, exceeding our 5%-8% growth forecast, with investment management fees up 9%, while operating margins improved to 14.1% from 6.9% on contained expense growth. We now see revenue growth of 6% to 10% in 2026 and 2027. Weighing the improved Q1 results with the Western Asset Management unit's ongoing legal issues, we think the shares are fairy valued compared to historical averages, but worth holding.