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UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(MARK ONE)

x	QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended December 31, 2018

or

o	TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from              to             

Commission File Number: 001-09318

FRANKLIN RESOURCES, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) 

Delaware	13-2670991
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
One Franklin Parkway, San Mateo, CA	94403
(Address of principal executive offices)	(Zip Code)

(650) 312-2000

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

N/A

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    x  YES    o  NO

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).    x  YES    o  NO

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

	Large accelerated filer     x		Accelerated filer     o
	Non-accelerated filer  o		Smaller reporting company    o
			Emerging growth company    o

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).    o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). o  YES    x  NO

Number of shares of the registrant’s common stock outstanding at January 23, 2019: 509,510,446.

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INDEX TO FORM 10-Q

			Page
PART I		Financial Information
	Item 1.	Financial Statements (unaudited)
		Consolidated Statements of Income	3
		Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income	4
		Consolidated Balance Sheets	5
		Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity	6
		Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows	7
		Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements	8
	Item 2.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	21
	Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	43
	Item 4.	Controls and Procedures	43
PART II		Other Information
	Item 1.	Legal Proceedings	44
	Item 1A.	Risk Factors	44
	Item 2.	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds	44
	Item 6.	Exhibits	44
Exhibit Index			45
Signature			46

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PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements.

FRANKLIN RESOURCES, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME Unaudited
		Three Months Ended December 31,
(in millions, except per share data)		2018				2017
Operating Revenues
Investment management fees		$	971.8			$	1,113.6
Sales and distribution fees		354.8				417.8
Shareholder servicing fees		55.1				54.9
Other		29.8				29.2
Total operating revenues		1,411.5				1,615.5
Operating Expenses
Sales, distribution and marketing		444.5				528.7
Compensation and benefits		355.0				332.5
Information systems and technology		60.9				55.0
Occupancy		31.2				29.4
General, administrative and other		108.4				88.8
Total operating expenses		1,000.0				1,034.4
Operating Income		411.5				581.1
Other Income (Expenses)
Investment and other income (losses), net		(59.1		)		81.3
Interest expense		(6.4		)		(10.8		)
Other income (expenses), net		(65.5		)		70.5
Income before taxes		346.0				651.6
Taxes on income		86.0				1,223.5
Net income (loss)		260.0				(571.9		)
Less: net income (loss) attributable to
Nonredeemable noncontrolling interests		(0.5		)		(0.1		)
Redeemable noncontrolling interests		(15.4		)		11.5
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Franklin Resources, Inc.		$	275.9			$	(583.3	)
Earnings (Loss) per Share
Basic		$	0.54			$	(1.06	)
Diluted		0.54				(1.06		)

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

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FRANKLIN RESOURCES, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME Unaudited
(in millions)		Three Months Ended December 31,
		2018				2017
Net Income (Loss)		$	260.0			$	(571.9	)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Currency translation adjustments, net of tax		(14.6		)		15.8
Net unrealized losses on defined benefit plans, net of tax		(0.4		)		(1.1		)
Net unrealized gains on investments, net of tax		—				3.5
Total other comprehensive income (loss)		(15.0		)		18.2
Total comprehensive income (loss)		245.0				(553.7		)
Less: comprehensive income (loss) attributable to
Nonredeemable noncontrolling interests		(0.5		)		(0.1		)
Redeemable noncontrolling interests		(15.4		)		11.5
Comprehensive Income (Loss) Attributable to Franklin Resources, Inc.		$	260.9			$	(565.1	)

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

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FRANKLIN RESOURCES, INC. CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS Unaudited
(in millions, except share and per share data)		December 31, 2018				September 30, 2018
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents		$	6,430.7			$	6,610.8
Receivables		723.9				733.7
Investments (including $522.4 and $551.6 at fair value at December 31, 2018 and September 30, 2018)		1,385.9				1,426.5
Assets of consolidated investment products
Cash and cash equivalents		228.2				299.8
Receivables		81.7				114.2
Investments, at fair value		2,040.2				2,109.4
Property and equipment, net		541.3				535.0
Goodwill and other intangible assets, net		2,326.2				2,333.4
Other		192.5				220.7
Total Assets		$	13,950.6			$	14,383.5
Liabilities
Compensation and benefits		$	218.9			$	405.6
Accounts payable and accrued expenses		180.5				158.9
Dividends		139.2				127.7
Commissions		259.4				297.9
Income taxes		1,071.9				1,034.8
Debt		697.7				695.9
Liabilities of consolidated investment products
Accounts payable and accrued expenses		28.9				68.0
Debt		32.7				32.6
Deferred taxes		132.6				126.5
Other		179.8				184.1
Total liabilities		2,941.6				3,132.0
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 10)
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests		932.3				1,043.6
Stockholders’ Equity
Preferred stock, $1.00 par value, 1,000,000 shares authorized; none issued		—				—
Common stock, $0.10 par value, 1,000,000,000 shares authorized; 511,482,401 and 519,122,574 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2018 and September 30, 2018		51.1				51.9
Retained earnings		10,087.9				10,217.9
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(393.6		)		(370.6		)
Total Franklin Resources, Inc. stockholders’ equity		9,745.4				9,899.2
Nonredeemable noncontrolling interests		331.3				308.7
Total stockholders’ equity		10,076.7				10,207.9
Total Liabilities, Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests and Stockholders’ Equity		$	13,950.6			$	14,383.5

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

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FRANKLIN RESOURCES, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY Unaudited
		Franklin Resources, Inc.																							Non- redeemable Non- controlling Interests				Total Stockholders’ Equity
		Common Stock							Capital in Excess of Par Value				Retained Earnings				Accum- ulated Other Compre- hensive Loss				Stockholders’ Equity
(in millions)
for the three months ended December 31, 2018		Shares			Amount
Balance at October 1, 2018		519.1			$	51.9			$	—			$	10,217.9			$	(370.6	)		$	9,899.2			$	308.7			$	10,207.9
Adoption of new accounting guidance													22.9				(8.0		)		14.9								14.9
Net income (loss)													275.9								275.9				(0.5		)		275.4
Other comprehensive loss																	(15.0		)		(15.0		)						(15.0		)
Dividends declared on common stock ($0.26 per share)													(133.8		)						(133.8		)						(133.8		)
Repurchase of common stock		(10.7	)		(1.1		)		(30.8		)		(295.0		)						(326.9		)						(326.9		)
Issuance of common stock		3.1			0.3				33.6												33.9								33.9
Stock-based compensation									(2.8		)										(2.8		)						(2.8		)
Net subscriptions and other																									23.1				23.1
Balance at December 31, 2018		511.5			$	51.1			$	—			$	10,087.9			$	(393.6	)		$	9,745.4			$	331.3			$	10,076.7

		Franklin Resources, Inc.																							Non- redeemable Non- controlling Interests				Total Stockholders’ Equity
		Common Stock							Capital in Excess of Par Value				Retained Earnings				Accum- ulated Other Compre- hensive Loss				Stockholders’ Equity
(in millions)
for the three months ended December 31, 2017		Shares			Amount
Balance at October 1, 2017		554.9			$	55.5			$	—			$	12,849.3			$	(284.8	)		$	12,620.0			$	315.8			$	12,935.8
Adoption of new accounting guidance									2.1				(1.7		)						0.4								0.4
Net loss													(583.3		)						(583.3		)		(0.1		)		(583.4		)
Other comprehensive income																	18.2				18.2								18.2
Dividends declared on common stock ($0.23 per share)													(127.4		)						(127.4		)						(127.4		)
Repurchase of common stock		(4.6	)		(0.5		)		(32.1		)		(167.4		)						(200.0		)						(200.0		)
Issuance of common stock		2.1			0.2				27.6												27.8								27.8
Stock-based compensation									2.4												2.4								2.4
Net subscriptions and other																									7.0				7.0
Deconsolidation of investment product																									(0.3		)		(0.3		)
Balance at December 31, 2017		552.4			$	55.2			$	—			$	11,969.5			$	(266.6	)		$	11,758.1			$	322.4			$	12,080.5

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

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FRANKLIN RESOURCES, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS Unaudited
		Three Months Ended December 31,
(in millions)		2018				2017
Net Income (Loss)		$	260.0			$	(571.9	)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
Amortization of deferred sales commissions		21.7				19.1
Depreciation and other amortization		20.3				20.9
Stock-based compensation		31.2				30.3
Losses (income) from investments in equity method investees		37.6				(35.2		)
Net gains on investments of consolidated investment products		(2.0		)		(4.7		)
Deferred income taxes		11.5				(49.9		)
Other		8.7				5.3
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Decrease (increase) in receivables and other assets		43.1				(33.8		)
Decrease (increase) in receivables of consolidated investment products		19.5				(94.8		)
Decrease in trading securities, net		105.8				18.6
Increase in trading securities of consolidated investment products, net		(88.7		)		(187.1		)
Decrease in accrued compensation and benefits		(186.0		)		(186.1		)
Increase (decrease) in commissions payable		(38.5		)		9.1
Increase in income taxes payable		37.1				1,232.0
Increase in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities		15.4				1.5
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable and accrued expenses of consolidated investment products		(30.7		)		147.1
Net cash provided by operating activities		266.0				320.4
Purchase of investments		(115.7		)		(39.7		)
Liquidation of investments		73.2				33.9
Purchase of investments by consolidated investment products		(18.2		)		(11.0		)
Liquidation of investments by consolidated investment products		7.0				22.5
Additions of property and equipment, net		(25.7		)		(19.2		)
Net deconsolidation of investment products		(30.9		)		(45.1		)
Net cash used in investing activities		(110.3		)		(58.6		)
Dividends paid on common stock		(122.3		)		(111.7		)
Repurchase of common stock		(321.4		)		(198.7		)
Proceeds from loan		1.7				—
Payments on debt by consolidated investment products		—				(2.4		)
Noncontrolling interests		45.9				261.7
Net cash used in financing activities		(396.1		)		(51.1		)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents		(11.3		)		10.0
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		(251.7		)		220.7
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period		6,910.6				8,749.7
Cash and Cash Equivalents, End of Period		$	6,658.9			$	8,970.4
Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information
Cash paid for income taxes		$	35.8			$	38.8
Cash paid for interest		6.0				14.1
Cash paid for interest by consolidated investment products		0.5				0.7

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

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FRANKLIN RESOURCES, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

December 31, 2018

(Unaudited)

Note 1 – Basis of Presentation

The unaudited interim financial statements of Franklin Resources, Inc. (“Franklin”) and its consolidated subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”) included herein have been prepared by the Company in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q and the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Under these rules and regulations, some information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America have been shortened or omitted. Management believes that all adjustments necessary for a fair statement of the financial position and the results of operations for the periods shown have been made. All adjustments are normal and recurring. These financial statements should be read together with the Company’s audited financial statements included in its Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018 (“fiscal year 2018”). Certain comparative amounts for the prior fiscal year period have been reclassified to conform to the financial statement presentation as of and for the period ended December 31, 2018.

Note 2 – New Accounting Guidance

On October 1, 2018, the Company adopted new guidance issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) that requires use of a single principles-based model for recognition of revenue from contracts with customers. The core principle of the model is that revenue is recognized upon the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the expected consideration to be received for the goods or services. The guidance also changes the accounting for certain contract costs and revises the criteria for determining if an entity is acting as a principal or agent in certain arrangements. The Company adopted the new guidance using the modified retrospective approach which did not require the restatement of prior periods, and recognized a cumulative effect adjustment resulting in decreases in total assets, total liabilities and retained earnings of $9.1 million, $2.2 million and $6.9 million.

The adoption of the guidance had no impact on operating income or net income. Individual line items in the consolidated statement of income were impacted as follows:

(in millions)		As Reported				Adoption Impact				Amount Without Adoption
for the three months ended December 31, 2018
Operating Revenues
Investment management fees		$	971.8			$	15.5			$	987.3
Sales and distribution fees		354.8				(15.5		)		339.3
Shareholder servicing fees		55.1				(2.2		)		52.9
Operating Expenses
General, administrative and other		$	108.4			$	(2.2	)		$	106.2

On October 1, 2018, the Company adopted an amendment to the financial instruments guidance issued by the FASB that requires substantially all equity investments in nonconsolidated entities to be measured at fair value with changes recognized in earnings, except for those accounted for using the equity method of accounting, which impacted all equity securities previously classified as available-for-sale and investments in fund products for which fair value was estimated using net asset value (“NAV”) as a practical expedient. The amendment also provides an election to measure equity investments that do not have a readily determinable fair value at cost adjusted for observable price changes and impairment, if any, which the Company made. The Company adopted the amendment using the modified retrospective approach and recognized a cumulative effect adjustment resulting in increases in investments, retained earnings and accumulated other comprehensive loss of $21.8 million, $29.8 million and $8.0 million.

There were no significant updates to the new accounting guidance that the Company has not yet adopted as disclosed in its Form 10-K for fiscal year 2018.

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Note 3 – Earnings (Loss) per Share

The components of basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share were as follows: 

(in millions, except per share data)		Three Months Ended December 31,
		2018				2017
Net income (loss) attributable to Franklin Resources, Inc.		$	275.9			$	(583.3	)
Less: allocation of earnings to participating nonvested stock and stock unit awards		2.5				1.0
Net Income (Loss) Available to Common Stockholders		$	273.4			$	(584.3	)
Weighted-average shares outstanding – basic		510.3				550.7
Dilutive effect of nonparticipating nonvested stock unit awards		0.5				—
Weighted-Average Shares Outstanding – Diluted		510.8				550.7
Earnings (Loss) per Share
Basic		$	0.54			$	(1.06	)
Diluted		0.54				(1.06		)

Nonparticipating nonvested stock unit awards excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings (loss) per share because their effect would have been antidilutive were 0.3 million and 1.9 million for the three months ended December 31, 2018 and 2017.

Note 4 – Revenues

The Company earns revenue primarily from providing investment management and related services to its customers, which are generally investment products or investors in separate accounts. Related services include fund administration, sales and distribution, and shareholder servicing. Revenues are recognized when the Company’s obligations related to the services are satisfied and it is probable that a significant reversal of the revenue amount would not occur in future periods. The obligations are satisfied over time as the services are rendered, except for the sales and distribution obligations for the sale of shares of sponsored funds which are satisfied on trade date. Multiple services included in customer contracts are accounted for separately when the obligations are determined to be distinct.

Fees from providing investment management and fund administration services (“investment management fees”), other than performance-based investment management fees, are determined based on a percentage of assets under management (“AUM”), primarily on a monthly basis using daily average AUM, and are recognized as the services are performed over time. Performance-based investment management fees are generated when investment products’ performance exceeds targets established in customer contracts. These fees are recognized when the amount is no longer probable of significant reversal and may relate to investment management services that were provided in prior periods.

Sales and distribution fees primarily consist of upfront sales commissions and ongoing distribution fees. Sales commissions are based on contractual rates for sales of certain classes of sponsored funds and are recognized on trade date. Distribution service fees are determined based on a percentage of AUM, primarily on a monthly basis using daily average AUM. As the fee amounts are uncertain on trade date, they are recognized over time as the amounts become known and may relate to sales and distribution services provided in prior periods.

Shareholder servicing fees are primarily determined based on a percentage of AUM on a monthly basis using daily average AUM and either the number of transactions in shareholder accounts or the number of shareholder accounts, while fees from certain investment products are based only on AUM. The fees are recognized as the services are performed over time.

AUM is generally based on the fair value of the underlying securities held by investment products and is calculated using fair value methods derived primarily from unadjusted quoted market prices, unadjusted independent third-party broker or dealer price quotes in active markets, or market prices or price quotes adjusted for observable price movements after the close of the primary market in accordance with the Company’s global valuation and pricing policy. The fair values of the underlying securities for which market prices are not readily available are valued internally using various methodologies which incorporate significant unobservable inputs as appropriate for each security type and represent an insignificant percentage of total AUM.

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Revenue is recorded gross of payments made to third-party service providers in the Company’s role as principal as it controls the delegated services provided to customers.

Operating revenues by geographic area were as follows:

		Earned From Contracts With Customers																				Not Earned From Contracts With Customers 1				Total
(in millions)		United States				Luxembourg				Americas Excluding United States				Asia-Pacific				Europe, Middle East and Africa, Excluding Luxembourg
for the three months ended December 31, 2018
Investment management fees		$	533.1			$	267.7			$	85.6			$	61.4			$	24.0			$	—			$	971.8
Sales and distribution fees		233.0				104.3				16.6				0.5				0.4				—				354.8
Shareholder servicing fees		44.9				7.7				—				2.5				—				—				55.1
Other		3.0				0.3				—				0.1				0.3				26.1				29.8
Total		$	814.0			$	380.0			$	102.2			$	64.5			$	24.7			$	26.1			$	1,411.5

^{__________________} 

1	Consists of interest and dividend income from consolidated investment products.

Operating revenues are attributed to geographic areas based on the locations of the Company’s subsidiaries that provide the services, which may differ from the regions in which the related investment products are sold.

Note 5 – Investments

The disclosures below include details of the Company’s investments, excluding those of consolidated investment products. See Note 7 – Consolidated Investment Products for information related to the investments held by these entities.

The Company adopted new accounting guidance on October 1, 2018 that requires substantially all equity investments in nonconsolidated entities to be measured at fair value with changes recognized in earnings, except for those accounted for using the equity method of accounting. The new guidance did not change the accounting for investments in non-equity securities.

Investments consisted of the following:

(in millions)		December 31, 2018
Equity securities, at fair value
Sponsored funds		$	309.7
Other equity securities		110.0
Total equity securities, at fair value		419.7
Debt securities
Trading		79.8
Available-for-sale		11.0
Total debt securities		90.8
Investments in equity method investees		819.8
Other investments		55.6
Total		$	1,385.9

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(in millions)		September 30, 2018
Investment securities, trading
Sponsored funds		$	248.1
Debt and other equity securities		97.6
Total investment securities, trading		345.7
Investment securities, available-for-sale
Sponsored funds		178.6
Debt and other equity securities		15.5
Total investment securities, available-for-sale		194.1
Investments in equity method investees		780.8
Other investments		105.9
Total		$	1,426.5

Equity securities, at fair value include trading investment securities and investments that were classified as available-for-sale or carried at cost prior to adoption of the new guidance. Changes in the fair value of the investments are recognized as gains and losses in earnings. The fair value of funds is determined based on their published NAV or estimated using NAV as a practical expedient. The fair value of equity securities other than funds is determined using independent third-party broker or dealer price quotes or based on discounted cash flows using significant unobservable inputs.

As of October 1, 2018, equity investments that do not have a readily determinable fair value are measured at cost adjusted for observable price changes and impairment, if any, which are recognized in earnings. The impairment assessment for these investments considers qualitative factors, including the financial condition and specific events related to the investee, that may indicate the fair value of the investment is less than its carrying value. 

Investment balances and related changes for the prior year have not been reclassified to conform to the financial statement presentation as of and for the period ended December 31, 2018.

Investment securities with aggregate carrying amounts of $1.2 million were pledged as collateral at December 31, 2018 and September 30, 2018.

Gross unrealized gains and losses relating to investment securities, available-for-sale were as follows:

(in millions)		Cost Basis				Gross Unrealized								Fair Value
						Gains				Losses
as of December 31, 2018
Debt securities		$	13.0			$	—			$	(2.0	)		$	11.0
as of September 30, 2018
Sponsored funds		$	172.9			$	8.3			$	(2.6	)		$	178.6
Debt and other equity securities		16.8				0.5				(1.8		)		15.5
Total		$	189.7			$	8.8			$	(4.4	)		$	194.1

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Gross unrealized losses relating to investment securities, available-for-sale aggregated by length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position were as follows:

(in millions)		Less Than 12 Months								12 Months or Greater								Total
		Fair Value				Gross Unrealized Losses				Fair Value				Gross Unrealized Losses				Fair Value				Gross Unrealized Losses
as of December 31, 2018
Debt securities		$	10.7			$	(2.0	)		$	—			$	—			$	10.7			$	(2.0	)
as of September 30, 2018
Sponsored funds		$	48.8			$	(2.1	)		$	21.0			$	(0.5	)		$	69.8			$	(2.6	)
Debt and other equity securities		10.9				(1.8		)		—				—				10.9				(1.8		)
Total		$	59.7			$	(3.9	)		$	21.0			$	(0.5	)		$	80.7			$	(4.4	)

Note 6 – Fair Value Measurements

The disclosures below include details of the Company’s fair value measurements, excluding those of consolidated investment products. See Note 7 – Consolidated Investment Products for information related to fair value measurements of the assets and liabilities of these entities.

The assets and liability measured at fair value on a recurring basis were as follows: 

(in millions)		Level 1				Level 2				Level 3				NAV as a Practical Expedient				Total
as of December 31, 2018
Assets
Equity securities, at fair value
Sponsored funds		$	286.2			$	—			$	—			$	23.5			$	309.7
Other equity securities		21.2				0.3				0.7				87.8				110.0
Debt securities
Trading		2.5				61.2				16.1				—				79.8
Available-for-sale		—				10.7				0.3				—				11.0
Life settlement contracts		—				—				11.9				—				11.9
Total Assets Measured at Fair Value		$	309.9			$	72.2			$	29.0			$	111.3			$	522.4
Liability
Contingent consideration liability		$	—			$	—			$	40.0			$	—			$	40.0

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(in millions)		Level 1				Level 2				Level 3				Total
as of September 30, 2018
Assets
Investment securities, trading
Sponsored funds		$	248.1			$	—			$	—			$	248.1
Debt and other equity securities		26.6				50.5				20.5				97.6
Investment securities, available-for-sale
Sponsored funds		178.6				—				—				178.6
Debt and other equity securities		4.4				10.8				0.3				15.5
Life settlement contracts		—				—				11.8				11.8
Total Assets Measured at Fair Value		$	457.7			$	61.3			$	32.6			$	551.6
Liability
Contingent consideration liability		$	—			$	—			$	38.7			$	38.7

Level 1 assets consist primarily of sponsored funds and other equity securities for which the fair values are based on published NAV or quoted market prices. Level 2 assets consist of debt and equity securities for which the fair values are determined using independent third-party broker or dealer price quotes. Level 3 assets consist of debt and equity securities and life settlement contracts for which the fair values are based on discounted cash flows using significant unobservable inputs.

The fair value of the contingent consideration liability is determined using the net present value of anticipated future cash flows based on estimated future revenue and profits and timing of payments.

Investments for which fair value was estimated using reported NAV as a practical expedient primarily consist of nonredeemable private debt, equity and infrastructure funds. These investments are expected to be returned through distributions over the life of the funds as a result of liquidations of the funds’ underlying assets. The expected weighted-average life for $54.1 million of the investments was 2.1 years at December 31, 2018. The liquidation period for a $50.0 million investment in a nonredeemable private debt fund is unknown. The Company’s unfunded commitments to these funds totaled $5.0 million at December 31, 2018.

Changes in the Level 3 assets and liability were as follows: 

		2018								2017
(in millions)		Investments				Contingent Consideration Liability				Investments				Contingent Consideration Liability
for the three months ended December 31,
Balance at beginning of period		$	32.6			$	(38.7	)		$	199.9			$	(51.0	)
Total realized and unrealized gains (losses)
Included in investment and other income (losses), net		2.8				—				1.2				—
Included in general, administrative and other expense		—				(1.3		)		—				(4.0		)
Purchases		—				—				5.3				—
Sales		(4.3		)		—				—				—
Transfers out of Level 3		(2.1		)		—				—				—
Foreign exchange revaluation and other		—				—				3.7				(7.0		)
Balance at End of Period		$	29.0			$	(40.0	)		$	210.1			$	(62.0	)
Change in unrealized gains (losses) included in net income (loss) relating to assets and liability held at end of period		$	2.8			$	(1.3	)		$	1.2			$	(4.0	)

There were no transfers into Level 3 during the three months ended December 31, 2018 and 2017.

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Valuation techniques and significant unobservable inputs used in the Level 3 fair value measurements were as follows:

(in millions)
as of December 31, 2018		Fair Value				Valuation Technique		Significant Unobservable Inputs		Range (Weighted Average 1)
Debt securities, trading		$	16.1			Discounted cash flow		Discount rate		4.0%–12.7% (6.3%)
								Risk premium		2.0%–6.0% (2.9%)
Life settlement contracts		11.9				Discounted cash flow		Life expectancy		20–113 months (59)
								Discount rate		8.0%–20.0% (13.2%)
Contingent consideration liability		40.0				Discounted cash flow		Discount rate		12.3%

^{__________________} 

1	Based on the relative fair value of the instruments.

(in millions)
as of September 30, 2018		Fair Value				Valuation Technique		Significant Unobservable Inputs		Range (Weighted Average)
Investment securities, trading – debt and other equity securities		$	20.5			Discounted cash flow		Discount rate		4.1%–12.3% (5.8%)
								Risk premium		2.0%–6.7% (3.6%)
Life settlement contracts		11.8				Discounted cash flow		Life expectancy		20–115 months (61)
								Discount rate		8.0%–20.0% (13.1%)
Contingent consideration liability		38.7				Discounted cash flow		Discount rate		13.0%

If the relevant significant inputs used in the discounted cash flow valuations were independently higher (lower) as of December 31, 2018, the resulting fair value of the assets or liability would be lower (higher).

Financial instruments that were not measured at fair value were as follows:

(in millions)		Fair Value Level		December 31, 2018								September 30, 2018
				Carrying Value				Estimated Fair Value				Carrying Value				Estimated Fair Value
Financial Assets
Cash and cash equivalents		1		$	6,430.7			$	6,430.7			$	6,610.8			$	6,610.8
Other investments
Time deposits		2		15.1				15.1				12.3				12.3
Equity securities		3		28.6				28.6				81.8				103.6
Financial Liability
Debt		2		$	697.7			$	675.2			$	695.9			$	671.1

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Note 7 – Consolidated Investment Products

Consolidated investment products (“CIPs”) consist of mutual and other investment funds, limited partnerships and similar structures, substantially all of which are sponsored by the Company, and include both voting interest entities and variable interest entities. The Company had 57 and 53 CIPs as of December 31, 2018 and September 30, 2018.

The balances related to CIPs included in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets were as follows:

(in millions)		December 31, 2018				September 30, 2018
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents		$	228.2			$	299.8
Receivables		81.7				114.2
Investments, at fair value		2,040.2				2,109.4
Other assets		—				1.0
Total Assets		$	2,350.1			$	2,524.4
Liabilities
Accounts payable and accrued expenses		$	28.9			$	68.0
Debt		32.7				32.6
Other liabilities		—				9.3
Total liabilities		61.6				109.9
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests		932.3				1,043.6
Stockholders’ Equity
Franklin Resources, Inc.’s interests		1,052.1				1,092.6
Nonredeemable noncontrolling interests		304.1				278.3
Total stockholders’ equity		1,356.2				1,370.9
Total Liabilities, Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests and Stockholders’ Equity		$	2,350.1			$	2,524.4

The CIPs did not have a significant impact on net income (loss) attributable to the Company during the three months ended December 31, 2018 and 2017.

The Company has no right to the CIPs’ assets, other than its direct equity investments in them and investment management and other fees earned from them. The debt holders of the CIPs have no recourse to the Company’s assets beyond the level of its direct investment, therefore the Company bears no other risks associated with the CIPs’ liabilities.

Investment products are typically consolidated when the Company makes an initial investment in a newly launched investment entity. They are typically deconsolidated when the Company no longer has a controlling financial interest due to redemptions of its investment or increases in third-party investments. The Company’s investments in these products subsequent to deconsolidation are accounted for as either equity method investments or equity securities measured at fair value with changes recognized in earnings depending on the structure of the product and the Company’s role and level of ownership.

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Investments

Investments of CIPs consisted of the following:

(in millions)		December 31, 2018				September 30, 2018
Investment securities, trading		$	1,570.5			$	1,651.8
Other equity securities		329.6				311.0
Other debt securities		140.1				146.6
Total		$	2,040.2			$	2,109.4

Investment securities, trading consist of debt and equity securities that are traded in active markets. Other equity securities consist of equity securities of entities in emerging markets and fund products. Other debt securities consist of debt securities of entities in emerging markets and other debt instruments.

Fair Value Measurements

Assets and liabilities of CIPs measured at fair value on a recurring basis were as follows: 

(in millions)		Level 1				Level 2				Level 3				NAV as a Practical Expedient				Total
as of December 31, 2018
Assets
Investments
Equity securities		$	155.4			$	233.8			$	193.6			$	137.5			$	720.3
Debt securities		0.3				1,179.5				140.1				—				1,319.9
Total Assets Measured at Fair Value		$	155.7			$	1,413.3			$	333.7			$	137.5			$	2,040.2

(in millions)		Level 1				Level 2				Level 3				NAV as a Practical Expedient				Total
as of September 30, 2018
Assets
Investments
Equity securities		$	270.7			$	154.8			$	199.7			$	113.8			$	739.0
Debt securities		0.6				1,219.5				150.3				—				1,370.4
Total Assets Measured at Fair Value		$	271.3			$	1,374.3			$	350.0			$	113.8			$	2,109.4
Liabilities
Other liabilities		$	0.6			$	8.7			$	—			$	—			$	9.3

Level 1 assets consist of equity and debt securities for which the fair values are based on quoted market prices. Level 2 assets consist of debt and equity securities for which the fair values are determined using independent third-party broker or dealer price quotes. Level 3 assets consist of equity and debt securities of entities in emerging markets and other debt instruments for which the fair values are determined using significant unobservable inputs in either a market-based or income-based approach.

Investments for which fair value was estimated using reported NAV as a practical expedient consist of nonredeemable real estate and private equity funds. These investments are expected to be returned through distributions over the life of the funds as a result of liquidations of the funds’ underlying assets over a weighted-average period of 4.0 years and 3.5 years at December 31, 2018 and September 30, 2018. The CIPs’ unfunded commitments to these funds totaled $62.8 million and $1.9 million, of which the Company was contractually obligated to fund $19.0 million and $0.4 million based on its ownership percentage in the CIPs, at December 31, 2018 and September 30, 2018.

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Changes in Level 3 assets were as follows: 

		2018												2017
(in millions)		Equity Securities				Debt Securities				Total  Level 3 Assets				Equity Securities				Debt Securities				Total  Level 3 Assets
for the three months ended December 31,
Balance at beginning of period		$	199.7			$	150.3			$	350.0			$	160.7			$	135.4			$	296.1
Realized and unrealized gains (losses) included in investment and other income (losses), net		11.4				(8.2		)		3.2				1.9				0.1				2.0
Purchases		9.7				8.2				17.9				11.1				—				11.1
Sales		(0.1		)		(6.2		)		(6.3		)		(14.9		)		—				(14.9		)
Settlements		(1.0		)		(0.1		)		(1.1		)		—				—				—
Transfers into Level 3		0.1				—				0.1				—				—				—
Transfers out of Level 3		(25.4		)		(3.6		)		(29.0		)		—				—				—
Foreign exchange revaluation		(0.8		)		(0.3		)		(1.1		)		0.8				0.7				1.5
Balance at End of Period		$	193.6			$	140.1			$	333.7			$	159.6			$	136.2			$	295.8
Change in unrealized gains (losses) included in net income (loss) relating to assets held at end of period		$	11.7			$	(1.4	)		$	10.3			$	1.0			$	0.1			$	1.1

Valuation techniques and significant unobservable inputs used in Level 3 fair value measurements were as follows:

(in millions)
as of December 31, 2018		Fair Value				Valuation Technique		Significant Unobservable Inputs		Range (Weighted Average 1)
Equity securities		$	165.3			Market comparable companies		EBITDA multiple		5.0–13.6 (9.1)
		28.3				Discounted cash flow		Discount rate		8.0%–16.5% (13.8%)
Debt securities		116.6				Discounted cash flow		Discount rate		7.0%–14.8% (10.8%)
								Loss-adjusted discount rate		3.0%–22.7% (13.2%)
		23.5				Comparable trading multiple		Price-to-earnings ratio		10.0
								Enterprise value/ EBITDA multiple		20.9

^{__________________} 

1	Based on the relative fair value of the instruments.

(in millions)
as of September 30, 2018		Fair Value				Valuation Technique		Significant Unobservable Inputs		Range (Weighted Average)
Equity securities		$	171.9			Market comparable companies		EBITDA multiple		5.0–13.6 (9.3)
		27.8				Discounted cash flow		Discount rate		8.0%–16.5% (14.1%)
Debt securities		111.0				Discounted cash flow		Discount rate		7.0%–14.8% (10.8%)
								Loss-adjusted discount rate		3.0%–22.7% (12.0%)
		33.9				Comparable trading multiple		Price-to-earnings ratio		10.0
								Enterprise value/ EBITDA multiple		20.9
		5.4				Market pricing		Private sale pricing		$42 per $100 of par

If the relevant significant inputs used in the market-based valuations were independently higher (lower) as of December 31, 2018, the resulting fair value of the securities would be higher (lower). If the relevant significant inputs used in the discounted cash flow valuations were independently higher (lower) as of December 31, 2018, the resulting fair value of the securities would be lower (higher).

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Financial instruments of CIPs that were not measured at fair value were as follows:

(in millions)		Fair Value Level		December 31, 2018								September 30, 2018
				Carrying Value				Estimated Fair Value				Carrying Value				Estimated Fair Value
Financial Asset
Cash and cash equivalents		1		$	228.2			$	228.2			$	299.8			$	299.8
Financial Liability
Debt		3		$	32.7			$	32.6			$	32.6			$	32.4

Debt

Debt of CIPs totaled $32.7 million and $32.6 million at December 31, 2018 and September 30, 2018. The debt had fixed and floating interest rates ranging from 3.07% to 7.90% with a weighted-average effective interest rate of 6.81% at December 31, 2018, and from 3.07% to 7.88% with a weighted-average effective interest rate of 6.79% at September 30, 2018. The debt matures in fiscal year 2019. 

Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests

Changes in redeemable noncontrolling interests of CIPs were as follows:

(in millions)
for the three months ended December 31,		2018				2017
Balance at beginning of period		$	1,043.6			$	1,941.9
Net income (loss)		(15.4		)		11.5
Net subscriptions and other		22.8				254.7
Net deconsolidations		(118.7		)		—
Balance at End of Period		$	932.3			$	2,208.1

Note 8 – Nonconsolidated Variable Interest Entities

Variable interest entities (“VIEs”) for which the Company is not the primary beneficiary consist of sponsored funds and other investment products in which the Company has an equity ownership interest. The Company’s maximum exposure to loss from these VIEs consists of equity investments and investment management and other fee receivables as follows: 

(in millions)		December 31, 2018				September 30, 2018
Investments		$	228.0			$	161.8
Receivables		133.1				140.1
Total		$	361.1			$	301.9

While the Company has no contractual obligation to do so, it routinely makes cash investments in the course of launching sponsored funds. The Company also may voluntarily elect to provide its sponsored funds with additional direct or indirect financial support based on its business objectives. The Company did not provide financial or other support to its sponsored funds during the three months ended December 31, 2018. During fiscal year 2018, the Company purchased $32.6 million of certain equity and debt securities from two sponsored funds. None of the purchases occurred during the three months ended December 31, 2017.

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Note 9 – Taxes on Income

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Tax Act”), which was enacted into law in the U.S. in December 2017, includes various changes to the tax law, including a permanent reduction in the corporate income tax rate to 21% and assessment of a one-time transition tax on the deemed repatriation of post-1986 undistributed foreign subsidiaries’ earnings. The Company completed its analysis of the Tax Act impact during the quarter ended December 31, 2018 with no significant adjustment to the provisional amounts previously recorded. The transition tax liability of $982.8 million at December 31, 2018 is net of an $87.6 million tax benefit related to U.S. taxation of deemed foreign dividends. This benefit may be reduced or eliminated by future regulation or legislation. The transition tax liability may also be adjusted in the future upon issuance of state legislative updates on tax reform and the completion of the Company’s tax return filings for fiscal year 2018.

Note 10 – Commitments and Contingencies

Legal Proceedings

In July 2016, a former employee filed a class action lawsuit captioned Cryer v. Franklin Resources, Inc., et al. in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California against Franklin, the Franklin Templeton 401(k) Retirement Plan (“Plan”) Investment Committee (“Investment Committee”), and unnamed Investment Committee members. The plaintiff asserts a claim for breach of fiduciary duty under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (“ERISA”), alleging that the defendants selected mutual funds sponsored and managed by the Company (the “Funds”) as investment options for the Plan when allegedly lower-cost and better performing non-proprietary investment vehicles were available. The plaintiff also claims that the total Plan costs, inclusive of investment management and administrative fees, are excessive. The plaintiff alleges that Plan losses exceed $79.0 million and seeks, among other things, damages, disgorgement, rescission of the Plan’s investments in the Funds, attorneys’ fees and costs, and pre- and post-judgment interest.

In November 2017, a second former employee, represented by the same law firm, filed another class action lawsuit relating to the Plan in the same court, captioned Fernandez v. Franklin Resources, Inc., et al. The plaintiff filed an amended complaint in February 2018, naming the same defendants as those named in the Cryer action, as well as the Franklin Board of Directors, the Plan Administrative Committee, individual current and former Franklin directors, and individual current and former Investment Committee members. The plaintiff in this second lawsuit asserts the same ERISA breach of fiduciary duty claim asserted in the Cryer action, as well as claims for alleged prohibited transactions by virtue of the Plan’s investments in the Funds and for an alleged failure to monitor the performance of the Investment Committee. The plaintiff alleges that Plan losses exceed $60.0 million and seeks the same relief sought in the Cryer action. In April 2018, the court consolidated the Fernandez action with the existing Cryer action.

While management strongly believes that the claims asserted in the consolidated litigation are without merit, in order to avoid protracted litigation, on December 3, 2018, Franklin elected to enter into an agreement-in-principle to resolve the matter for a cash payment of $13.9 million, which the Company accrued as of December 31, 2018. In addition, Franklin agreed, among other Plan changes, to increase its existing matching contributions from 75% to 85% for eligible participant salary deferrals for a period of three years. The agreement is subject to court approval.

The Company is from time to time involved in other litigation relating to claims arising in the normal course of business. Management is of the opinion that the ultimate resolution of such claims will not materially affect the Company’s business, financial position, results of operations or liquidity. In management’s opinion, an adequate accrual has been made as of December 31, 2018 to provide for any probable losses that may arise from such matters for which the Company could reasonably estimate an amount.

Other Commitments and Contingencies

At December 31, 2018, there were no material changes in the other commitments and contingencies as reported in the Company’s Form 10-K for fiscal year 2018.

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Note 11 – Stock-Based Compensation

Stock and stock unit award activity was as follows:

(shares in thousands)		Time-Based Shares			Performance- Based Shares			Total Shares			Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value
for the three months ended December 31, 2018
Nonvested balance at October 1, 2018		2,678			1,813			4,491			$	39.08
Granted		3,305			890			4,195			30.79
Vested		(251	)		(606	)		(857	)		38.07
Forfeited/canceled		(51	)		(163	)		(214	)		39.86
Nonvested Balance at December 31, 2018		5,681			1,934			7,615			$	34.61

Total unrecognized compensation expense related to nonvested stock and stock unit awards was $211.0 million at December 31, 2018. This expense is expected to be recognized over a remaining weighted-average vesting period of 2.1 years.

Note 12 – Other Income (Expenses)

Other income (expenses) consisted of the following: 

		Three Months Ended December 31,
(in millions)		2018				2017
Investment and Other Income (Losses), Net
Dividend income		$	25.6			$	4.7
Interest income		9.0				23.8
Gains (losses) on investments, net		(15.8		)		0.6
Income (losses) from investments in equity method investees		(37.6		)		35.2
Gains (losses) on investments of CIPs, net		(49.0		)		16.0
Rental income		4.9				3.7
Foreign currency exchange gains (losses), net		4.7				(2.9		)
Other, net		(0.9		)		0.2
Total		(59.1		)		81.3
Interest Expense		(6.4		)		(10.8		)
Other Income (Expenses), Net		$	(65.5	)		$	70.5

Substantially all dividend income was generated by investments in nonconsolidated funds. Interest income was primarily generated by cash equivalents and debt securities. Gains (losses) on investments, net consists primarily of realized and unrealized gains (losses) on trading investment securities and other equity securities measured at fair value through profit and loss.

Proceeds from the sale of available-for-sale securities were $16.0 million for the three months ended December 31, 2017. There were no sales of available-for-sale securities in the current fiscal year.

Net losses recognized on trading investment securities and other equity securities that were held by the Company at December 31, 2018 were $12.1 million, and net gains recognized on trading investment securities that were held by the Company at December 31, 2017 were $1.3 million. Net gains (losses) recognized on trading investment securities of CIPs that were held at December 31, 2018 and 2017 were $(31.2) million and $20.0 million.

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Note 13 – Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) by component were as follows:

(in millions)		Currency Translation Adjustments				Unrealized Losses on Defined Benefit Plans				Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Investments				Total
for the three months ended December 31, 2018
Balance at October 1, 2018		$	(372.9	)		$	(4.2	)		$	6.5			$	(370.6	)
Adoption of new accounting guidance		—				—				(8.0		)		(8.0		)
Other comprehensive loss
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications, net of tax		(14.4		)		(0.4		)		—				(14.8		)
Reclassifications to net investment and other income (losses), net of tax		(0.2		)		—				—				(0.2		)
Total other comprehensive loss		(14.6		)		(0.4		)		—				(15.0		)
Balance at December 31, 2018		$	(387.5	)		$	(4.6	)		$	(1.5	)		$	(393.6	)

(in millions)		Currency Translation Adjustments				Unrealized Losses on Defined Benefit Plans				Unrealized Gains on Investments				Total
for the three months ended December 31, 2017
Balance at October 1, 2017		$	(281.0	)		$	(6.0	)		$	2.2			$	(284.8	)
Other comprehensive income (loss)		15.8				(1.1		)		3.5				18.2
Balance at December 31, 2017		$	(265.2	)		$	(7.1	)		$	5.7			$	(266.6	)

There were no reclassifications from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for the three months ended December 31, 2017.

Note 14 – Subsequent Event

On January 29, 2019, the Company offered a voluntary buyout to certain U.S. employees who meet specific criteria related to age and years of service. The impact of this voluntary termination plan is unknown but is expected to result in increased compensation and benefits expense during the remainder of fiscal year 2019.

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

In this section, we discuss and analyze the results of operations and financial condition of Franklin Resources, Inc. (“Franklin”) and its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”). In addition to historical information, we also make statements relating to the future, called “forward-looking” statements, which are provided under the “safe harbor” protection of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are generally written in the future tense and/or are preceded by words such as “will,” “may,” “could,” “expect,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “seek,” “estimate” or other similar words. Moreover, statements that speculate about future events are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve a number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that could cause actual results and outcomes to differ materially from any future results or outcomes expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. You should carefully review the “Risk Factors” section set forth below, which describes these risks, uncertainties and other important factors in more detail.

While forward-looking statements are our best prediction at the time that they are made, you should not rely on them and are cautioned against doing so. Forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations and assumptions regarding our business, the economy and other future conditions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict. They are neither statements of historical fact nor guarantees or assurances of future performance. Factors or events that could cause our actual results to differ may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all of them. If a circumstance occurs after the date of this Form 10-Q that causes any of our forward-looking statements to be inaccurate, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, we do not have an obligation, and we undertake no obligation, to announce publicly the change to our expectations, or to make any revision to our forward-looking statements, unless required by law.

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The following discussion should be read in conjunction with our Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018 (“fiscal year 2018”) filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, and the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included elsewhere in this Form 10-Q.

OVERVIEW

We are a global investment management organization and derive our operating revenues and net income from providing investment management and related services to investors in jurisdictions worldwide through our investment products which include our sponsored funds, as well as institutional and high net-worth separate accounts. In addition to investment management, our services include fund administration, sales and distribution, marketing, shareholder servicing and other services. Our products and investment management and related services are distributed or marketed to investors globally under various distinct brand names, including: Franklin^®, Templeton^®, Franklin Mutual Series^®, Franklin Bissett^®, Fiduciary Trust™, Darby^®, Balanced Equity Management^®, K2^®, LibertyShares^® and Edinburgh Partners™. We offer a broad product mix of equity, multi-asset/balanced, fixed income and cash management funds and accounts, including alternative investment products, which meet a wide variety of specific investment needs of individual and institutional investors. We also provide sub-advisory services to certain investment products sponsored by other companies which may be sold to investors under the brand names of those other companies or on a co-branded basis.

The level of our revenues depends largely on the level and relative mix of assets under management (“AUM”). As noted in the “Risk Factors” section set forth below, the amount and mix of our AUM are subject to significant fluctuations and can negatively impact our revenues and income. The level of our revenues also depends on mutual fund sales, the number of shareholder transactions and accounts, and the fees charged for our services, which are based on contracts with our funds or our clients. These arrangements could change in the future.

During our first fiscal quarter, the global equity markets experienced sharp declines as the S&P 500 Index and MSCI World Index decreased 13.5% and 13.3% amid ongoing concerns about slowing economic growth, global trade tensions and rising interest rates, among other things. The global bond markets were positive as the Bloomberg Barclays Global Aggregate Index increased 1.2% during the quarter.

Our total AUM at December 31, 2018 was $649.9 billion, 9% lower than at September 30, 2018 and 14% lower than at December 31, 2017. Simple monthly average AUM (“average AUM”) for the three months ended December 31, 2018 decreased 9% from the same period in the prior fiscal year.

Uncertainties regarding the global economy remain for the foreseeable future. As we continue to confront the challenges of the current economic and regulatory environments, we remain focused on the investment performance of our products and on providing high quality service to our clients. We continuously perform reviews of our business model. While we remain focused on expense management, we will also seek to attract, retain and develop employees and invest strategically in systems and technology that will provide a secure and stable environment. We will continue to seek to protect and further our brand recognition while developing and maintaining broker-dealer and client relationships. The success of these and other strategies may be influenced by the factors discussed in the “Risk Factors” section set forth below.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

		Three Months Ended December 31,								Percent Change
(in millions, except per share data)		2018				2017
Operating revenues		$	1,411.5			$	1,615.5			(13	%)
Operating income		411.5				581.1				(29	%)
Net income (loss) attributable to Franklin Resources, Inc.		275.9				(583.3		)		NM
Diluted earnings (loss) per share		$	0.54			$	(1.06	)		NM
Operating margin 1		29.2		%		36.0		%

^{__________________} 

1	Defined as operating income divided by total operating revenues.

Operating income decreased $169.6 million for the three months ended December 31, 2018, as compared to the same period in the prior fiscal year, as operating revenues decreased 13% and operating expenses decreased 3%. The net loss attributable to Franklin Resources, Inc. for the three months ended December 31, 2017 included an estimated income tax charge of $1.1 billion resulting from enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017.

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Diluted earnings per share of $0.54 for the three months ended December 31, 2018 includes the impact of a 7% decrease in diluted average common shares outstanding primarily resulting from repurchases of shares of our common stock during the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2018. The diluted loss per share in the prior year reflects a $1.94 per share impact of the estimated income tax charge.

ASSETS UNDER MANAGEMENT

AUM by investment objective was as follows:

(in billions)		December 31, 2018				December 31, 2017				Percent Change
Equity
Global/international		$	166.0			$	212.0			(22	%)
United States		97.1				109.4				(11	%)
Total equity		263.1				321.4				(18	%)
Multi-Asset/Balanced		124.8				142.7				(13	%)
Fixed Income
Tax-free		62.0				69.4				(11	%)
Taxable
Global/international		147.7				163.7				(10	%)
United States		42.2				50.0				(16	%)
Total fixed income		251.9				283.1				(11	%)
Cash Management		10.1				6.6				53	%
Total		$	649.9			$	753.8			(14	%)

AUM at December 31, 2018 decreased 14% from December 31, 2017 as a $70.7 billion decrease from net market change, distributions and other and $43.0 billion of net outflows were partially offset by $9.8 billion from an acquisition.

Average AUM and the mix of average AUM by investment objective are shown below.

(in billions)		Average AUM								Percent Change			Mix of Average AUM
for the three months ended December 31,		2018				2017							2018			2017
Equity
Global/international		$	179.4			$	210.0			(15	%)		26	%		28	%
United States		106.4				108.7				(2	%)		16	%		14	%
Total equity		285.8				318.7				(10	%)		42	%		42	%
Multi-Asset/Balanced		132.1				143.0				(8	%)		19	%		19	%
Fixed Income
Tax-free		62.7				70.1				(11	%)		9	%		9	%
Taxable
Global/international		149.7				164.1				(9	%)		22	%		22	%
United States		43.4				50.3				(14	%)		7	%		7	%
Total fixed income		255.8				284.5				(10	%)		38	%		38	%
Cash Management		9.5				6.5				46	%		1	%		1	%
Total		$	683.2			$	752.7			(9	%)		100	%		100	%

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Components of the change in AUM are shown below. Net market change, distributions and other includes appreciation (depreciation), distributions to investors that represent return on investments and return of capital, foreign exchange revaluation and net cash management.

(in billions)		Three Months Ended December 31,								Percent Change
		2018				2017
Beginning AUM		$	717.1			$	753.2			(5	%)
Long-term sales		21.7				28.1				(23	%)
Long-term redemptions		(42.4		)		(39.4		)		8	%
Long-term net exchanges		(0.5		)		(0.1		)		400	%
Long-term reinvested distributions		13.9				9.1				53	%
Net flows		(7.3		)		(2.3		)		217	%
Net market change, distributions and other		(59.9		)		2.9				NM
Ending AUM		$	649.9			$	753.8			(14	%)

Components of the change in AUM by investment objective were as follows:

(in billions)		Equity								Multi-Asset/ Balanced				Fixed Income												Cash Management				Total
for the three months ended December 31, 2018		Global/ International				United States								Tax-Free				Taxable Global/ International				Taxable United States
AUM at October 1, 2018		$	194.4			$	115.2			$	138.9			$	63.9			$	150.6			$	44.8			$	9.3			$	717.1
Long-term sales		4.3				4.0				2.8				1.6				7.4				1.6				—				21.7
Long-term redemptions		(9.7		)		(6.3		)		(6.8		)		(3.9		)		(12.1		)		(3.6		)		—				(42.4		)
Long-term net exchanges		(0.4		)		0.1				(0.2		)		(0.2		)		0.2				—				—				(0.5		)
Long-term reinvested distributions		4.4				5.0				1.9				0.5				1.8				0.3				—				13.9
Net flows		(1.4		)		2.8				(2.3		)		(2.0		)		(2.7		)		(1.7		)		—				(7.3		)
Net market change, distributions and other		(27.0		)		(20.9		)		(11.8		)		0.1				(0.2		)		(0.9		)		0.8				(59.9		)
AUM at December 31, 2018		$	166.0			$	97.1			$	124.8			$	62.0			$	147.7			$	42.2			$	10.1			$	649.9

(in billions)		Equity								Multi-Asset/ Balanced				Fixed Income												Cash Management				Total
for the three months ended December 31, 2017		Global/ International				United States								Tax-Free				Taxable Global/ International				Taxable United States
AUM at October 1, 2017		$	209.8			$	107.2			$	143.3			$	71.0			$	165.0			$	50.6			$	6.3			$	753.2
Long-term sales		5.9				3.6				3.5				1.5				11.1				2.5				—				28.1
Long-term redemptions		(11.6		)		(5.5		)		(5.8		)		(3.2		)		(10.2		)		(3.1		)		—				(39.4		)
Long-term net exchanges		0.1				—				0.1				(0.2		)		(0.3		)		0.2				—				(0.1		)
Long-term reinvested distributions		2.0				3.4				1.7				0.5				1.2				0.3				—				9.1
Net flows		(3.6		)		1.5				(0.5		)		(1.4		)		1.8				(0.1		)		—				(2.3		)
Net market change, distributions and other		5.8				0.7				(0.1		)		(0.2		)		(3.1		)		(0.5		)		0.3				2.9
AUM at December 31, 2017		$	212.0			$	109.4			$	142.7			$	69.4			$	163.7			$	50.0			$	6.6			$	753.8

AUM decreased $67.2 billion during the three months ended December 31, 2018 due to $59.9 billion of net market change, distributions and other, and $7.3 billion of net outflows. Net market change, distributions and other primarily consists of $43.5 billion of market depreciation, $15.8 billion of long-term distributions and a $1.4 billion decrease from foreign exchange revaluation. The market depreciation occurred primarily in equity and multi-asset/balanced products, partially offset by appreciation in global/international fixed income products, and reflected sharp declines in global equity markets as evidenced by decreases of 13.5% and 13.3% in the S&P 500 Index and MSCI World Index and slightly positive returns in global fixed income markets as evidenced by a 1.2% increase in the Bloomberg Barclays Global Aggregate Index. The net outflows included $1.4 billion from a multi-asset/balanced fund. Long-term sales decreased 23% to $21.7 billion, as compared to the prior-year period, primarily due

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to lower sales of global/international products. Long-term redemptions increased 8% to $42.4 billion with increases in all investment objectives except global/international equity products.

AUM increased $0.6 billion during the three months ended December 31, 2017 due to $2.9 billion of net market change, distributions and other, substantially offset by $2.3 billion of net outflows. Net market change, distributions and other primarily consists of $13.4 billion of market appreciation net of $11.5 billion of long-term distributions. The market appreciation occurred primarily in equity products and reflected positive returns in global equity markets as evidenced by increases of 6.6% and 5.6% in the S&P 500 Index and MSCI World Index. The net outflows occurred most significantly in global/international equity products. Included in the net outflows were outflows of $0.9 billion from two global/international fixed income funds with global macro strategies and $0.7 billion from an institutional separate account, and inflows of $1.3 billion in a global/international fixed income fund that introduced a new share class structure during fiscal year 2017 and $1.1 billion in an institutional separate account.

Average AUM by sales region was as follows:

		Three Months Ended December 31,								Percent Change
(in billions)		2018				2017
United States		$	458.6			$	499.0			(8	%)
International
Europe, Middle East and Africa		93.3				109.0				(14	%)
Asia-Pacific		88.5				94.9				(7	%)
Canada		27.9				31.8				(12	%)
Latin America 1		14.9				18.0				(17	%)
Total international		224.6				253.7				(11	%)
Total		$	683.2			$	752.7			(9	%)

^{__________________} 

1	Includes North America-based advisers serving non-resident clients.

The percentage of average AUM in the United States sales region was 67% and 66% for the three months ended December 31, 2018 and 2017.

The region in which investment products are sold may differ from the geographic area in which we provide investment management and related services to the products.

Investment Performance Overview

A key driver of our overall success is the long-term investment performance of our investment products. A standard measure of the performance of these products is the percentage of AUM exceeding benchmarks and peer group medians. Our global/international fixed income products generated notable long-term results with at least 90% of AUM exceeding the benchmark and peer group median comparisons for the ten-year period. Higher relative investment performance by these products during the three months ended December 31, 2018 resulted in significant increases from September 30, 2018 to the benchmark and peer group median comparisons for the one-year period. The performance of our multi-asset/balanced products significantly exceeded the peer group medians for the three- and ten-year periods, but has lagged in the five-year comparison and against the benchmarks for the one- and five-year periods, reflecting the performance of a fund that represents 67% of this category. Higher relative investment performance by this fund during the three months ended December 31, 2018 resulted in significant increases from September 30, 2018 to the benchmark comparisons for the three- and ten-year periods and the peer group median comparison for the one-year period. The performance of our tax-free and U.S. taxable fixed income, as well as of our equity products, has mostly lagged the benchmarks and peer group medians during the periods presented.

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The performance of our products against benchmarks and peer group medians is presented in the table below.

		Benchmark Comparison 1,2												Peer Group Comparison 1,3
		% of AUM Exceeding Benchmark												% of AUM in Top Two Peer Group Quartiles
as of December 31, 2018		1-Year			3-Year			5-Year			10-Year			1-Year			3-Year			5-Year			10-Year
Equity
Global/international		12	%		15	%		20	%		26	%		49	%		29	%		22	%		33	%
United States		44	%		40	%		21	%		33	%		88	%		69	%		63	%		37	%
Total equity		25	%		25	%		21	%		29	%		65	%		45	%		39	%		35	%
Multi-Asset/Balanced		5	%		72	%		5	%		70	%		71	%		92	%		15	%		98	%
Fixed Income
Tax-free		17	%		38	%		44	%		20	%		43	%		45	%		45	%		47	%
Taxable
Global/international		72	%		68	%		52	%		90	%		78	%		83	%		73	%		95	%
United States		5	%		31	%		12	%		60	%		32	%		36	%		24	%		8	%
Total fixed income		48	%		55	%		43	%		62	%		61	%		65	%		57	%		62	%

^{__________________} 

1	AUM measured in the 1-year benchmark and peer group rankings represents 88% and 86% of our total AUM as of December 31, 2018.

2	The benchmark comparisons are based on each fund’s return as compared to a market index that has been selected to be generally consistent with the investment objectives of the fund.

3

The peer group rankings are sourced from Lipper, a Thomson Reuters Company, Morningstar or eVestment and various international third-party providers in each fund’s market and were based on an absolute ranking of returns. © 2018 Morningstar, Inc. All rights reserved. The information herein: (1) is proprietary to Morningstar and/or its content providers; (2) may not be copied or distributed; and (3) is not warranted to be accurate, complete or timely. Neither Morningstar nor its content providers are responsible for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information.

For products with multiple share classes, rankings for all share classes with applicable history in their respective time periods are included. Rankings for most institutional separate accounts are as of the prior quarter-end due to timing of availability of information. Private equity funds, certain privately-offered emerging market and real estate funds, cash management funds and certain hedge and other funds are not included. Certain other funds and products were also excluded because of limited benchmark or peer group data. Had this data been available, the results may have been different. These results assume the reinvestment of dividends, are based on data available as of January 14, 2019 and are subject to revision. While we remain focused on achieving strong long-term performance, our future benchmark and peer group rankings may vary from our past performance.

OPERATING REVENUES

The table below presents the percentage change in each operating revenue category.

(in millions)		Three Months Ended December 31,								Percent Change
		2018				2017
Investment management fees		$	971.8			$	1,113.6			(13	%)
Sales and distribution fees		354.8				417.8				(15	%)
Shareholder servicing fees		55.1				54.9				0	%
Other		29.8				29.2				2	%
Total Operating Revenues		$	1,411.5			$	1,615.5			(13	%)

Investment Management Fees

Investment management fees are generally calculated under contractual arrangements with our investment products and the products for which we provide sub-advisory services as a percentage of AUM. Annual fee rates vary by investment objective and type of services provided. Fee rates for products sold outside of the U.S. are generally higher than for U.S. products.

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Investment management fees decreased $141.8 million for the three months ended December 31, 2018 primarily due to a 9% decrease in average AUM, a lower effective investment management fee rate and a $15.5 million decrease from a change in presentation of certain fees from investment management fees to distribution fees upon adoption of new revenue recognition accounting guidance on October 1, 2018. The decrease in average AUM occurred primarily in the global/international and multi-asset/balanced investment objectives, and across all sales regions, most significantly in the U.S. and Europe, Middle East and Africa.

Our effective investment management fee rate (annualized investment management fees divided by average AUM) decreased to 56.9 basis points for the three months ended December 31, 2018, from 59.2 basis points for the same period in the prior fiscal year. The rate decrease was primarily due to a lower weighting of AUM in the global/international equity investment objective, which generally has the highest fee rates, along with a higher mix of AUM in lower fee products within the U.S. and Europe, Middle East and Africa sales regions for this investment objective, and the $15.5 million decrease from the change in presentation of certain fees discussed above.

Performance-based investment management fees were $4.1 million and $1.8 million for the three months ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, with the increase primarily due to fees earned from a real estate fund.

Our product offerings and global operations are diverse. As such, the impact of future changes in AUM on investment management fees will be affected by the relative mix of investment objective, geographic region, distribution channel and investment vehicle of the assets.

Sales and Distribution Fees

Sales and distribution fees primarily consist of upfront sales commissions and ongoing distribution fees. Sales commissions are earned from the sale of certain classes of sponsored funds at the time of purchase (“commissionable sales”) and may be reduced or eliminated depending on the amount invested and the type of investor. Therefore, sales fees will change with the overall level of gross sales, the size of individual transactions, and the relative mix of sales between different share classes and types of investors.

Our sponsored mutual funds and certain other products generally pay us distribution fees in return for sales, marketing and distribution efforts on their behalf. The majority of U.S.-registered mutual funds, with the exception of certain money market funds, have adopted distribution plans under Rule 12b-1 (the “Rule 12b-1 Plans”) promulgated under the Investment Company Act of 1940. The Rule 12b-1 Plans permit the funds to pay us for marketing, marketing support, advertising, printing and sales promotion services relating to the distribution of their shares, subject to the Rule 12b-1 Plans’ limitations on amounts based on daily average AUM. Similar arrangements exist for the distribution of non-U.S. funds.

We pay substantially all of our sales and distribution fees to the financial advisers and other intermediaries who sell our funds on our behalf. See the description of sales, distribution and marketing expenses below.

Sales and distribution fees by revenue driver are presented below.

(in millions)		Three Months Ended December 31,								Percent Change
		2018				2017
Asset-based fees		$	302.4			$	340.8			(11	%)
Sales-based fees		49.6				74.3				(33	%)
Contingent sales charges		2.8				2.7				4	%
Sales and Distribution Fees		$	354.8			$	417.8			(15	%)

Asset-based distribution fees decreased $38.4 million for the three months ended December 31, 2018 primarily due to a $42.5 million decrease from a 12% decrease in the related average AUM and a $13.8 million decrease from a lower mix of U.S. Class C assets which have higher fee rates than other share classes. The decreases were partially offset by a $15.5 million increase from a change in presentation of certain fees to distribution fees from investment management fees upon adoption of new revenue recognition accounting guidance on October 1, 2018.

Sales-based fees decreased $24.7 million for the three months ended December 31, 2018 primarily due to a $25.3 million decrease from a 38% decrease in total commissionable sales. Commissionable sales represented 7% and 9% of total sales for the three months ended December 31, 2018 and 2017.

Contingent sales charges are earned from investor redemptions within a contracted period of time. These charges are levied only on certain shares sold without a front-end sales charge, and vary with the mix of redemptions of these shares.

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Shareholder Servicing Fees

Substantially all shareholder servicing fees are earned from our sponsored funds for providing transfer agency services, which include providing shareholder statements, transaction processing, customer service and tax reporting. These fees are primarily determined based on a percentage of AUM and either the number of transactions in shareholder accounts or the number of shareholder accounts, while fees from certain funds are based only on AUM.

Shareholder servicing fees increased $0.2 million for the three months ended December 31, 2018, primarily due to a $2.2 million increase from the recognition of certain fund reimbursements as revenue upon adoption of new revenue recognition accounting guidance on October 1, 2018. This increase was substantially offset by fee decreases primarily resulting from lower levels of related AUM.

Other

Other revenue increased $0.6 million for the three months ended December 31, 2018 primarily due to higher interest and dividend income from consolidated investment products (“CIPs”).

OPERATING EXPENSES

The table below presents the percentage change in each operating expense category.

		Three Months Ended December 31,								Percent Change
(in millions)		2018				2017
Sales, distribution and marketing		$	444.5			$	528.7			(16	%)
Compensation and benefits		355.0				332.5				7	%
Information systems and technology		60.9				55.0				11	%
Occupancy		31.2				29.4				6	%
General, administrative and other		108.4				88.8				22	%
Total Operating Expenses		$	1,000.0			$	1,034.4			(3	%)

Sales, Distribution and Marketing

Sales, distribution and marketing expenses primarily relate to services provided by financial advisers, broker-dealers and other third parties to our sponsored funds, including marketing support services. Substantially all sales expenses are incurred from the same commissionable sales transactions that generate sales fee revenues and are determined as a percentage of sales. Substantially all distribution expenses are incurred from assets that generate distribution fees and are determined as a percentage of AUM. Marketing support expenses are based on AUM, sales or a combination thereof. Also included is the amortization of deferred sales commissions related to up-front commissions on shares sold without a front-end sales charge. The deferred sales commissions are amortized over the periods in which commissions are generally recovered from related revenues.

Sales, distribution and marketing expenses by cost driver are presented below.

		Three Months Ended December 31,								Percent Change
(in millions)		2018				2017
Asset-based expenses		$	370.3			$	440.6			(16	%)
Sales-based expenses		52.5				69.0				(24	%)
Amortization of deferred sales commissions		21.7				19.1				14	%
Sales, Distribution and Marketing		$	444.5			$	528.7			(16	%)

Asset-based expenses decreased $70.3 million for the three months ended December 31, 2018 primarily due to a $54.3 million decrease from a 12% decrease in the related average AUM and a $14.4 million decrease from a lower mix of U.S. Class C assets which have higher expense rates than other share classes. Distribution expenses are generally not directly correlated with distribution fee revenues due to certain international fee structures that do not provide full recovery of distribution costs.

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Sales-based expenses decreased $16.5 million for the three months ended December 31, 2018 primarily due to a $22.6 million decrease from a 38% decrease in total commissionable sales. The decrease was partially offset by a $4.2 million increase from the recognition of sales commissions on U.S. Class C shares as expense at the time of sale, which is consistent with the treatment of contract costs with a useful life of one year or less under new revenue recognition accounting guidance adopted on October 1, 2018. The commissions relate to shares sold without a front-end sales charge and were deferred and amortized over one year in prior periods.

Amortization of deferred sales commissions increased $2.6 million for the three months ended December 31, 2018 primarily due to higher sales of non-U.S. shares sold without a front-end sales charge, partially offset by the change in accounting for U.S. Class C shares discussed above which resulted in no further deferral and amortization. The unamortized deferred Class C commission balance of $9.1 million at September 30, 2018 was reversed against retained earnings upon adoption of the new accounting guidance.

Compensation and Benefits

Compensation and benefit expenses increased $22.5 million for the three months ended December 31, 2018 due to increases of $14.8 million in salaries, wages and benefits and $7.7 million in variable compensation. Salaries, wages and benefits increased primarily due to increases of $8.2 million from higher average staffing levels and $5.8 million for annual salary increases that were effective December 1, 2018 and 2017. Variable compensation increased primarily due to increases of $4.6 million for retention bonuses related to acquisitions and $1.1 million related to product performance fees.

Variable compensation as a percentage of compensation and benefits was 33% for the three months ended December 31, 2018 and 2017. At December 31, 2018, our global workforce had increased to approximately 9,700 employees from approximately 9,500 at December 31, 2017.

We continue to place a high emphasis on our pay for performance philosophy. As such, any changes in the underlying performance of our investment products or changes in the composition of our incentive compensation offerings could have an impact on compensation and benefit expenses going forward. However, in order to attract and retain talented individuals, our level of compensation and benefit expenses may increase more quickly or decrease more slowly than our revenue.

Information Systems and Technology

Information systems and technology expenses increased $5.9 million for the three months ended December 31, 2018 primarily due to higher technology consulting and external data service costs.

Details of capitalized information systems and technology costs are shown below.

		Three Months Ended December 31,
(in millions)		2018				2017
Net carrying value at beginning of period		$	106.2			$	102.1
Additions, net of disposals		9.5				16.0
Amortization		(11.8		)		(12.2		)
Net Carrying Value at End of Period		$	103.9			$	105.9

Occupancy

We conduct our worldwide operations using a combination of leased and owned facilities. Occupancy expenses include rent and other facilities-related costs including depreciation and utilities.

Occupancy expenses increased $1.8 million for the three months ended December 31, 2018 primarily due to higher rent expense.

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General, Administrative and Other

General, administrative and other operating expenses primarily consist of fund-related service fees payable to external parties, professional fees, advertising and promotion, travel and entertainment, and other miscellaneous expenses.

General, administrative and other operating expenses increased $19.6 million for the three months ended December 31, 2018 primarily due to a $13.9 million litigation settlement and higher professional fees and third-party service and fund administration fees, partially offset by lower CIPs expenses. Professional fees increased $7.3 million primarily related to the imminent acquisition of Benefit Street Partners L.L.C. Third-party fees primarily for sub-advisory and fund administration services increased $7.1 million, including $2.2 million from the recognition of certain payments reimbursed by funds as expense upon adoption of new revenue recognition accounting guidance on October 1, 2018. These increases were partially offset by a $6.0 million decrease in CIPs expenses.

We are committed to investing in advertising and promotion in response to changing business conditions, and to advance our products where we see continued or potential new growth opportunities. As a result of potential changes in our strategic marketing campaigns, the level of advertising and promotion expenses may increase more rapidly, or decrease more slowly, than our revenues.

OTHER INCOME (EXPENSES)

Other income (expenses) consisted of the following:

		Three Months Ended December 31,								Percent Change
(in millions)		2018				2017
Investment and other income (losses), net		$	(59.1	)		$	81.3			NM
Interest expense		(6.4		)		(10.8		)		(41	%)
Other Income (Expenses), Net		$	(65.5	)		$	70.5			NM

Investment and other income (losses), net consists primarily of income (losses) from equity method investees, gains (losses) on investments held by the Company and investments of CIPs, dividend and interest income, rental income and foreign currency exchange gains (losses).

Other income (expenses), net decreased $136.0 million for the three months ended December 31, 2018, primarily due to lower market valuations which resulted in losses from equity method investees, investments held by CIPs and investments held by the Company, as compared to gains from each in the prior year. Lower interest income also contributed to the decrease, which was partially offset by higher dividend income. Equity method investees generated losses of $37.6 million as compared to income of $35.2 million in the prior year, primarily due to losses on investments held by a global equity fund as compared to gains in the prior year. Investments of CIPs generated net losses of $49.0 million as compared to net gains of $16.0 million in the prior year. The losses were primarily from lower market valuations of holdings by various global/international equity and fixed income funds, a multi-asset/balanced fund and a U.S. fixed income fund. Investments held by the Company generated net losses of $15.8 million as compared to net gains of $0.6 million in the prior year. The losses include $8.4 million from trading investment securities and $7.5 million from equity securities that were classified as available-for-sale or carried at cost prior to the adoption of new financial instruments accounting guidance on October 1, 2018 which requires the changes in fair value of these securities to be recognized in earnings. The losses primarily resulted from lower market valuations of various nonconsolidated funds and other debt and equity securities. Interest income decreased $14.8 million primarily due to lower levels of cash equivalents and debt securities, partially offset by higher interest rates. The decreases were partially offset by a $20.9 million increase in dividend income primarily due to higher investments in, and yields on, money market funds.

Significant portions of the net gains (losses) of CIPs are offset in noncontrolling interests in our consolidated statements of income.

Our investments in sponsored funds include initial cash investments made in the course of launching mutual fund and other investment product offerings, as well as investments for other business reasons. The market conditions that impact our AUM similarly affect the investment income earned or losses incurred on our investments in sponsored funds.

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Our cash, cash equivalents and investments portfolio by investment objective and accounting classification at December 31, 2018, excluding third-party assets of CIPs, was as follows:

		Accounting Classification 1																Total Direct Portfolio
(in millions)		Cash and Cash Equivalents and Other 2				Equity Securities, at Fair Value				Equity Method Investments				Direct Investments in CIPs
Cash and Cash Equivalents		$	6,430.7			$	—			$	—			$	—			$	6,430.7
Investments
Equity
Global/international		3.7				111.5				592.2				88.3				795.7
United States		25.4				7.8				11.5				5.5				50.2
Total equity		29.1				119.3				603.7				93.8				845.9
Multi-Asset/Balanced		4.4				18.4				52.0				139.4				214.2
Fixed Income
Tax-free		—				0.2				4.1				—				4.3
Taxable
Global/international		81.6				98.3				160.0				619.5				959.4
United States		31.3				183.5				—				199.2				414.0
Total fixed income		112.9				282.0				164.1				818.7				1,377.7
Total investments		146.4				419.7				819.8				1,051.9				2,437.8
Total Cash and Cash Equivalents and Investments		$	6,577.1			$	419.7			$	819.8			$	1,051.9			$	8,868.5

 

^{______________} 

1	See Note 1 – Significant Accounting Policies in the notes to consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of Part II of our Form 10-K for fiscal year 2018 for information on investment accounting classifications.

2	Other consists of $90.8 million of debt securities and $11.9 million of investments in life settlement contracts, both of which are measured at fair value, and $43.7 million of investments carried at adjusted cost.

TAXES ON INCOME

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Tax Act”), which was enacted into law in the U.S. in December 2017, includes various changes to the tax law, including a permanent reduction in the corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21% effective January 1, 2018 and assessment of a one-time transition tax on the deemed repatriation of post-1986 undistributed foreign subsidiaries’ earnings. We completed our analysis of the Tax Act impact during the quarter ended December 31, 2018 with no significant adjustment to the provisional amounts previously recorded. The transition tax liability of $982.8 million at December 31, 2018 is net of an $87.6 million tax benefit related to U.S. taxation of deemed foreign dividends. This benefit may be reduced or eliminated by future regulation or legislation. The transition tax liability may also be adjusted in the future upon issuance of state legislative updates on tax reform and the completion of our tax return filings for fiscal year 2018.

Our effective income tax rate was 24.9% and 187.8% for the three months ended December 31, 2018 and 2017. The rate decrease was primarily due to the prior year impact of the transition tax, net of the tax benefit from the revaluation of net deferred tax liabilities at the lower statutory rate, and the current year impact of the lower 21% statutory rate as compared to a blended statutory rate of 24.5% in the prior year.

The effective income tax rate for future reporting periods will continue to reflect the relative contributions of earnings by jurisdictions. Changes in tax rates or tax legislation in these jurisdictions may affect our effective income tax rate and net income.

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LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Cash flows were as follows: 

		Three Months Ended December 31,
(in millions)		2018				2017
Operating cash flows		$	266.0			$	320.4
Investing cash flows		(110.3		)		(58.6		)
Financing cash flows		(396.1		)		(51.1		)

Net cash provided by operating activities decreased during the three months ended December 31, 2018 primarily due to activities of CIPs which had a decrease in accounts payable as compared to an increase in the prior year, partially offset by a decrease in receivables as compared to an increase in the prior year. Net cash used in investing activities increased primarily due to higher net purchases of investments and net purchases of investments of CIPs as compared to net liquidations in the prior year. Net cash used in financing activities increased primarily due to lower net subscriptions in CIPs by noncontrolling interests and higher repurchases of common stock.

The assets and liabilities of CIPs attributable to third-party investors do not impact our liquidity and capital resources. We have no right to the CIPs’ assets, other than our direct equity investment in them and investment management and other fees earned from them. The debt holders of the CIPs have no recourse to our assets beyond the level of our direct investment, therefore we bear no other risks associated with the CIPs’ liabilities. Accordingly, the assets and liabilities of CIPs, other than our direct investments in them, are excluded from the amounts and discussion below.

Our liquid assets and debt consisted of the following: 

(in millions)		December 31, 2018				September 30, 2018
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents		$	6,430.7			$	6,610.8
Receivables		723.9				733.7
Investments		1,985.0				2,130.6
Total Liquid Assets		$	9,139.6			$	9,475.1
Liability
Debt		$	697.7			$	695.9

Liquidity

Liquid assets consist of cash and cash equivalents, receivables and certain investments. Cash and cash equivalents at December 31, 2018 primarily consist of money market funds and deposits with financial institutions. Liquid investments consist of direct investments in redeemable CIPs, investments in sponsored and other funds, other equity and debt securities and time deposits with maturities greater than three months.

We utilize a significant portion of our liquid assets to satisfy operational and regulatory requirements and fund capital contributions relating to our products. Certain of our subsidiaries are required by our internal policy or regulation to maintain minimum levels of capital which are partially maintained by retaining cash and cash equivalents. As a result, such subsidiaries may be restricted in their ability to transfer cash to their parent companies. At December 31, 2018, our subsidiaries held $3,340.4 million of liquid assets to satisfy operational and regulatory requirements and capital contributions to our products, as compared to $3,382.6 million held at September 30, 2018. Included in these amounts were liquid assets restricted by regulatory requirements from transfer to Franklin and other subsidiaries of $242.8 million at December 31, 2018 and $252.6 million at September 30, 2018. Should we require more capital than is available for use, we could elect to reduce the level of discretionary activities, such as share repurchases, or we could raise capital through debt or equity issuance. These alternatives could result in increased interest expense or other dilution to our earnings.

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Capital Resources

We believe that we can meet our present and reasonably foreseeable operating cash needs and future commitments through existing liquid assets, continuing cash flows from operations, the ability to issue debt or equity securities and borrowing capacity under our uncommitted private placement program.

In prior fiscal years, we issued senior unsecured unsubordinated notes for general corporate purposes, to redeem outstanding notes and to finance an acquisition. At December 31, 2018, $699.3 million of the notes were outstanding with an aggregate face value of $700.0 million. The notes were issued at fixed interest rates and consist of $300.0 million at 2.800% per annum which mature in 2022 and $400.0 million at 2.850% per annum which mature in 2025.

Interest on the notes is payable semi-annually. The notes contain an optional redemption feature that allows us to redeem each series of notes prior to maturity in whole or in part at any time, at a make-whole redemption price. The indentures governing the notes contain limitations on our ability and the ability of our subsidiaries to pledge voting stock or profit participating equity interests in our subsidiaries to secure other debt without similarly securing the notes equally and ratably. The indentures also include requirements that must be met if we consolidate or merge with, or sell all of our assets to, another entity. We were in compliance with all debt covenants at December 31, 2018.

At December 31, 2018, we had $500.0 million of short-term commercial paper available for issuance under an uncommitted private placement program which has been inactive since 2012.

Our ability to access the capital markets in a timely manner depends on a number of factors, including our credit rating, the condition of the global economy, investors’ willingness to purchase our securities, interest rates, credit spreads and the valuation levels of equity markets. If we are unable to access capital markets in a timely manner, our business could be adversely impacted.

Uses of Capital

We expect that our main uses of cash will be to invest in and grow our business, repurchase shares of our common stock, invest in our products, fund property and equipment purchases, pay operating expenses of the business, enhance technology infrastructure and business processes, pay stockholder dividends and income taxes, and repay and service debt.

We declare dividends on a quarterly basis. We declared regular dividends of $0.26 and $0.23 per share during the three months ended December 31, 2018 and 2017. We currently expect to continue paying comparable regular dividends on a quarterly basis to holders of our common stock depending upon earnings and other relevant factors.

We maintain a stock repurchase program to manage our equity capital with the objective of maximizing shareholder value. Our stock repurchase program is effected through regular open-market purchases and private transactions in accordance with applicable laws and regulations, and is not subject to an expiration date. The size and timing of these purchases will depend on price, market and business conditions and other factors. We repurchased 10.7 million shares of our common stock at a cost of $326.9 million during the three months ended December 31, 2018, and 4.6 million shares at a cost of $200.0 million in the prior-year period. At December 31, 2018, 61.0 million shares remained available for repurchase under the authorization approved by our Board of Directors in April 2018.

We invested $6.5 million, net of redemptions, into our sponsored products during the three months ended December 31, 2018, and redeemed $91.3 million, net of investments, in the prior-year period.

On October 24, 2018, we entered into an acquisition agreement with a purchase consideration of approximately $683 million in cash.

The funds that we manage have their own resources available for purposes of providing liquidity to meet shareholder redemptions, including securities that can be sold or provided to investors as in-kind redemptions, and lines of credit. While we have no contractual obligation to do so, we may voluntarily elect to provide the funds with direct or indirect financial support based on our business objectives. We did not provide financial or other support to our sponsored funds during the three months ended December 31, 2018. During fiscal year 2018, we purchased $32.6 million of certain equity and debt securities from two sponsored funds. None of these purchases occurred during the three months ended December 31, 2017.

CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS, COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITY

At December 31, 2018, there were no material changes in our contractual obligations, commitments, contingent liability and federal transition tax liability as reported in our Form 10‑K for fiscal year 2018.

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CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Our consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, which require the use of estimates, judgments, and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the periods presented. These estimates, judgments, and assumptions are affected by our application of accounting policies. Actual results could differ from the estimates. The following are updates to our critical accounting policies disclosed in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in our Form 10-K for fiscal year 2018.

Consolidation

We consolidate our subsidiaries and investment products in which we have a controlling financial interest. We have a controlling financial interest when we own a majority of the voting interest in a voting interest entity (“VOE”) or are the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity (“VIE”). Substantially all of our VIEs are investment products and our variable interests consist of our equity ownership interests in and investment management fees earned from these products. As of December 31, 2018, we were the primary beneficiary of 32 investment product VIEs.

Fair Value Measurements

A substantial amount of our investments is recorded at fair value or amounts that approximate fair value on a recurring basis. We use a three-level fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value based on whether the inputs to those valuation techniques are observable or unobservable.

As of December 31, 2018, Level 3 assets represented 14% of total assets measured at fair value, substantially all of which related to CIPs’ investments in equity and debt securities. There was one Level 3 liability, a contingent consideration liability which was the only liability measured at fair value. There were $31.1 million of transfers out of and insignificant transfers into Level 3 during the three months ended December 31, 2018.

We adopted new accounting guidance on October 1, 2018 that requires substantially all equity investments in nonconsolidated entities to be measured at fair value with changes recognized in earnings, except for those accounted for using the equity method of accounting. The policy description for equity securities measured at fair value and their fair value methodologies is as follows.

Equity securities, at fair value consist of investments in nonconsolidated sponsored funds and other equity securities. Changes in the fair value of the investments are recognized as gains and losses in earnings. The fair value of funds is determined based on their published net asset value (“NAV”) or estimated using NAV as a practical expedient. The fair value of equity securities other than funds is determined using independent third-party broker or dealer price quotes or based on discounted cash flows using significant unobservable inputs.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

Subsequent to our annual impairment tests as of August 1, 2018, there were no impairments to goodwill or indefinite-lived intangible assets. We monitored market conditions, including changes in our AUM and weighted-average cost of capital, and their potential impact on the assumptions used in the annual calculations of fair value to determine whether circumstances have changed that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of the reporting unit below its carrying value, or indicate that the indefinite-lived intangible assets might be impaired. We also monitored fluctuations of our common stock per share price to evaluate our market capitalization relative to the reporting unit as a whole.

While we believe that the assumptions used to estimate fair value in our impairment tests are reasonable and appropriate, future changes in the assumptions could result in recognition of impairment.

Revenues

We earn revenue primarily from providing investment management and related services to our customers, which are generally investment products or investors in separate accounts. In addition to investment management, services include fund administration, sales and distribution, and shareholder servicing. Revenues are recognized when our obligations related to the services are satisfied and it is probable that a significant reversal of the revenue amount would not occur in future periods. The obligations are satisfied over time as the services are rendered, except for the sales and distribution obligations for the sale of shares of sponsored funds, which are satisfied on trade date. Multiple services included in customer contracts are accounted for separately when the obligations are determined to be distinct.

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Fees from providing investment management and fund administration services (“investment management fees”), other than performance-based investment management fees, are determined based on a percentage of AUM, primarily on a monthly basis using daily average AUM, and are recognized as the services are performed over time. Performance-based investment management fees are generated when we exceed performance targets established in customer contracts. These fees are recognized when the amount is no longer probable of significant reversal and may relate to investment management services that were provided in prior periods.

Sales and distribution fees primarily consist of upfront sales commissions and ongoing distribution fees. Sales commissions are based on contractual rates for sales of certain classes of sponsored funds and are recognized on trade date. Distribution service fees are determined based on a percentage of AUM, primarily on a monthly basis using daily average AUM. As the fee amounts are uncertain on trade date they are recognized over time as the amounts become known and may relate to sales and distribution services provided in prior periods.

Shareholder servicing fees are primarily determined based on a percentage of AUM on a monthly basis using daily average AUM and either the number of transactions in shareholder accounts or the number of shareholder accounts, while fees from certain investment products are based only on AUM. These fees are recognized as the services are performed over time.

AUM is generally based on the fair value of the underlying securities held by our investment products and is calculated using fair value methods derived primarily from unadjusted quoted market prices, unadjusted independent third-party broker or dealer price quotes in active markets, or market prices or price quotes adjusted for observable price movements after the close of the primary market in accordance with the Company’s global valuation and pricing policy. The fair values of securities for which market prices are not readily available are valued internally using various methodologies which incorporate significant unobservable inputs as appropriate for each security type. As of December 31, 2018, our total AUM by fair value hierarchy level was 49% Level 1, 50% Level 2 and 1% Level 3. As substantially all of our AUM is valued based on observable market prices or inputs, market risk is the most significant risk underlying the valuation of our AUM.

NEW ACCOUNTING GUIDANCE

See Note 2 – New Accounting Guidance in the notes to consolidated financial statements in Item 1 of Part I of this Form 10‑Q.

RISK FACTORS

Volatility and disruption of the capital and credit markets, and adverse changes in the global economy, may significantly affect our results of operations and may put pressure on our financial results. The capital and credit markets may from time to time experience volatility and disruption worldwide. Declines in global financial market conditions have in the past resulted in significant decreases in our assets under management (“AUM”), revenues and income, and future declines may further negatively impact our financial results. Such declines have had and may in the future have an adverse impact on our results of operations. We may need to modify our business, strategies or operations and we may be subject to additional constraints or costs in order to compete in a changing global economy and business environment.

The amount and mix of our AUM are subject to significant fluctuations. Fluctuations in the amount and mix of our AUM may be attributable in part to market conditions outside of our control that have had, and in the future could have, a negative impact on our revenues and income. We derive substantially all of our operating revenues and net income from providing investment management and related services to investors in jurisdictions worldwide through our investment products which include our sponsored funds, as well as institutional and high net-worth separate accounts. In addition to investment management, our services include fund administration, sales, distribution, marketing, shareholder servicing, and other services. The level of our revenues depends largely on the level and mix of AUM. Our investment management fee revenues are primarily based on a percentage of the value of AUM and vary with the nature and strategies of our products. Any decrease in the value or amount of our AUM because of market volatility or other factors, such as a decline in the price of stocks, in particular market segments or in the securities market generally, negatively impacts our revenues and income. We are subject to significant risk of asset volatility from changes in the global financial, equity, debt and commodity markets. Individual financial, equity, debt and commodity markets may be adversely affected by financial, economic, political, electoral, diplomatic or other instabilities that are particular to the country or region in which a market is located, including without limitation local acts of terrorism, economic crises, political protests, insurrection or other business, social or political crises. Global economic conditions, exacerbated by war, terrorism, natural disasters or financial crises, changes in the equity, debt or commodity marketplaces, changes in currency exchange rates, interest rates, inflation rates, the yield curve, defaults by trading counterparties, bond defaults, revaluation and bond market liquidity risks, geopolitical risks, the imposition of economic sanctions and other factors that are difficult to predict, affect the mix, market values and levels of our AUM. For example, changes in financial market prices, currency exchange rates and/or interest rates have in the past and could in the future cause the value of our AUM to decline, which would result in lower investment management fee

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revenues. Changing market conditions could also cause an impairment to the value of our goodwill and other intangible assets. Our funds may be subject to liquidity risks or an unanticipated large number of redemptions as a result of the events or conditions described above, causing the funds to sell securities they hold, possibly at a loss, or draw on any available lines of credit, to obtain cash to maintain sufficient liquidity or settle these redemptions, or settle in-kind with securities held in the applicable fund. We have in the past, and may in the future, at our discretion, provide financial support to our funds to enable them to maintain sufficient liquidity in any such event. Changes in investor preferences regarding our more popular products have in the past and could in the future cause sizable redemptions and lower the value of our AUM, which would result in lower revenue and operating results. Moreover, changing market conditions may cause a shift in our asset mix between international and U.S. assets, potentially resulting in a decline in our revenues and income depending upon the nature of our AUM and the level of management fees we earn based on our AUM. We generally derive higher investment management and distribution fees from our international products than from our U.S. products, and higher sales fees from our U.S. products than from our international products. Additionally, changing market conditions may cause a shift in our asset mix towards fixed income products and away from equity and multi-asset/balanced products, and a related decline in our revenues and income, as we generally derive higher fee revenues and income from our equity and certain multi-asset/balanced products than from our fixed income products. Further, changing market conditions and investor preferences also may cause a shift in our asset mix towards lower fee exchange-traded funds. Increases in interest rates, in particular if rapid, as well as any uncertainty in the future direction of interest rates, may have a negative impact on our fixed income products. Although the shorter duration of the bond investments in many of these products may help mitigate the interest rate risk, rising interest rates or interest rate uncertainty typically decrease the total return on many bond investments due to lower market valuations of existing bonds. Any decrease in the level of our AUM resulting from market declines, interest rate volatility or uncertainty, increased redemptions or other factors could negatively impact our revenues and income.

We are subject to extensive, complex, overlapping and frequently changing rules, regulations, policies, and legal interpretations. There is uncertainty associated with the regulatory environments in which we operate. As described below, our business is subject to extensive and complex, overlapping and/or conflicting, and frequently changing and increasing rules, regulations, policies and legal interpretations in the countries in which we operate. Our regulatory and compliance obligations impose significant operational and cost burdens on us and cover a broad range of requirements related to securities and other financial instruments, investment and advisory matters, accounting, tax, compensation, ethics, data protection, privacy, sanctions programs, and escheatment laws and regulations.

As a U.S. reporting company, we are subject to U.S. federal securities laws, state laws regarding securities fraud, other federal and state laws and rules and regulations of certain regulatory and self-regulatory organizations, including those rules and regulations promulgated by, among others, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and the New York Stock Exchange. As a global investment management organization, certain of our subsidiaries are also subject to the rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”), the National Futures Association, the U.S. Department of Justice (“DOJ”), the U.S. Department of Labor (“DOL”) and the U.S. Department of Treasury. Given our global operations, our subsidiaries are also subject to applicable securities and other laws of various non-U.S. jurisdictions, and to various non-U.S. and cross-border rules and regulations, such as the European Union’s (“EU”) data protection rules under the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (“GDPR”). Our non-U.S. regulators include, among others, the United Kingdom (“U.K.”) Financial Conduct Authority, the Luxembourg Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier, the Canadian provincial and territorial securities regulatory authorities, the Monetary Authority of Singapore, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission, the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission, the Securities and Exchange Board of India, the Japanese Financial Services Agency and various international stock exchanges. Our non-U.S. operations may also be subject to regulation by U.S. regulators, including the SEC, the CFTC and the DOJ (for example, with respect to the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977). We are also subject not only to the sanctions programs administered by the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control, but also to sanctions programs adopted and administered by non-U.S. jurisdictions, including the EU, where our services and products are offered. We are also subject to the laws and regulations of states and other jurisdictions regarding the reporting and escheatment of unclaimed or abandoned property. Further, certain federal and state anti-takeover or business combination laws may impose various disclosure and procedural requirements on the ability of a person to acquire control of us, which may discourage potential merger and acquisition proposals and may delay, deter or prevent a change of control, including through transactions that some stockholders may consider desirable.

Certain of our subsidiaries are registered with the SEC under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, the CFTC and/or registered with or licensed by various non-U.S. regulators. In addition, many of our funds are registered with the SEC under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “Investment Company Act”) or authorized by various European and other non-U.S. regulators pursuant to the EU’s Undertakings for Collective Investment in Transferable Securities (“UCITS”) Directive or under other non-U.S. laws in Europe, Middle East and Africa, Asia-Pacific, Canada and Latin America. These registrations, licenses and authorizations impose numerous obligations, as well as detailed operational requirements, on such subsidiaries and such funds. Our subsidiaries must also comply with complex tax regimes.

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Financial reporting requirements, and the processes, controls and procedures that have been put in place to address them, are often comprehensive and complex. We may be adversely affected as a result of new or revised legislation or regulations or by changes in the interpretation of existing laws and regulations. Political and electoral changes, developments and conflicts may also introduce additional uncertainty. While management has focused attention and resources on our compliance policies, procedures and practices, non-compliance with applicable laws, rules, regulations, conflicts of interest requirements or fiduciary principles, or our inability to keep up with, or adapt to, an ever changing, complex regulatory environment, could result in civil liability, criminal liability and/or sanctions against us, including fines and censures, injunctive relief, suspension or expulsion from a particular jurisdiction or market or the revocation of licenses or charters, any of which could adversely affect our reputation, prospects, revenues and income. Moreover, any potential accounting or reporting error, whether financial or otherwise, if material, could damage our reputation and adversely affect our business.

The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 (the “Dodd-Frank Act”) authorized the establishment of the Financial Stability Oversight Council (“FSOC”), the mandate of which is to identify and respond to threats to U.S. financial stability. Similarly, the U.S. and other members of the G-20 group of nations have empowered the Financial Stability Board (“FSB”) to identify and respond, in a coordinated manner, to threats to global financial stability. The FSOC may designate certain non-bank financial companies as systemically important financial institutions (“SIFIs”), which are subject to supervision and regulation by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. The FSB may designate certain non-bank financial companies as global systemically important financial institutions (“G-SIFIs”); the additional regulatory requirements triggered by any such designation are not yet established. The FSOC and the FSB, as well as other global regulators including the European Commission, are considering what threats to U.S., EU and global financial stability, if any, arise from asset management companies and/or the funds that they sponsor or manage, and whether such threats can be mitigated by treating such entities as SIFIs or G-SIFIs and/or subjecting them to additional regulation. To the extent that we or any of our funds are designated as a SIFI or G-SIFI, such regulation, which could include requirements related to risk-based capital, leverage, liquidity, credit exposure, stress testing, resolution plans, early remediation, and certain risk management requirements, could impact our business. The Dodd-Frank Act, as well as other legislative and regulatory changes, impose other restrictions and limitations on us, resulting in increased scrutiny and oversight of our services and products. We continue to analyze the impact of the Dodd-Frank Act as implementing rules are adopted and become effective. Under the Dodd-Frank Act, which imposes a number of regulations governing derivative transactions, certain categories of swaps are currently required, and further categories of swaps are likely to be required, to be submitted for clearing by a regulated clearing organization and reported on a swap execution facility. The EU and other countries are in the process of implementing similar requirements, and there is some risk that full mutual recognition may not be achieved between the various regimes, and duplication of regulation and transaction costs may result. These and other requirements are likely to impact how we manage our investment strategies because of, among other things, an increase in the costs and expenses of utilizing swaps and other derivatives. In addition, the SEC has adopted rules that have changed the structure and operation for certain types of money market funds, and that will require certain registered funds to adopt liquidity management programs. (Compliance with certain aspects of the latter was required by December 1, 2018, and other aspects are delayed until June 1, 2019, subject to further regulatory update.) The SEC has also proposed a rule that would impose restrictions on the use of derivatives by registered funds. We expect that the complex regulatory requirements and developments applicable to us will cause us to incur additional administrative and compliance costs.

The laws and regulations applicable to our business generally involve restrictions and requirements in connection with a variety of technical, specialized, and expanding matters and concerns. For example, compliance with the Bank Secrecy Act of 1970, anti-money laundering and Know Your Customer requirements, and economic, trade and other sanctions, both domestically and internationally, has taken on heightened importance as a result of efforts to, among other things, limit terrorism and actions that undermine the stability, sovereignty and territorial integrity of countries. At the same time, there has been increased regulation with respect to the protection of customer privacy and the need to secure sensitive customer information. As we continue to address these requirements or focus on meeting new or expanded ones, we may expend a substantial amount of time and resources. Any inability to meet these requirements within the required timeframes may subject us to sanctions or other restrictions by governments and/or regulators that could adversely impact our broader business objectives.

Global regulatory and legislative actions and reforms have made the regulatory environment in which we operate more costly and future actions and reforms could adversely impact our financial condition and results of operations. The U.S. federal securities laws have been augmented substantially and made significantly more complex by, among other measures, the Dodd-Frank Act, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the USA Patriot Act of 2001. Similarly, the securities and related laws outside the U.S. have been augmented substantially and made more complex by measures such as the EU’s Alternative Investment Fund Managers Directive (“AIFMD”) and Markets in Financial Instruments Directive II (“MiFID II”). Although negotiations between the U.K. and EU regarding the U.K.’s proposed withdrawal from the EU (“Brexit”) began in June 2017, it is still unclear what terms may be agreed to in the final outcome and for any transitional period. Ongoing changes in the EU’s regulatory framework applicable to our business, including changes related to Brexit and any other changes in the composition of the EU’s member states, may add further complexity to our global risks and operations. Moreover, the adoption of new laws, regulations or standards

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and changes in the interpretation or enforcement of existing laws, regulations or standards have directly affected, and will continue to affect, our business. With new laws and changes in interpretation of existing requirements, the associated time we must dedicate to and related costs we must incur in meeting the regulatory complexities of our business have increased. In particular, certain provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act and MiFID II still require the adoption of implementing rules. We may be required to invest significant additional management time and resources to address the new regulations being adopted pursuant to the Dodd-Frank Act, MiFID II and other laws. For example, MiFID II requires the “unbundling” of research and execution charges for trading. The industry’s response to the unbundling rules is still evolving and could lead to increased research costs. Outlays associated with meeting regulatory complexities have also increased as we expand our business into new jurisdictions.

As of May 2018, the EU’s GDPR strengthened and unified data protection rules for individuals within the EU. The GDPR also addresses export of personal data outside the EU. The primary objectives of the GDPR are to give citizens control of their personal data and to simplify the regulatory environment for international business by unifying data protection regulation within the EU. Compliance with the stringent data protection rules under the GDPR requires an extensive review of all of our global data processing systems. The failure to comply properly with GDPR rules on a timely basis and to maintain ongoing compliance with such rules may subject us to enforcement proceedings and significant fines and costs. For example, a failure to comply with the GDPR could result in fines up to 20 million Euros or 4% of our annual global revenues, whichever is higher.

Further, pursuant to ongoing efforts to encourage global tax compliance, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development has adopted a global common reporting standard for the automatic exchange of financial information among participating countries (“CRS”), aimed at ensuring that persons with financial assets located outside of their tax residence country pay required taxes. In many cases, intergovernmental agreements between the participating countries will govern implementation of the new CRS rules. CRS will be implemented over a multi-year period and we will continue to monitor the implementing regulations and corresponding intergovernmental agreements to determine our requirements. CRS may subject us to additional reporting, compliance and administrative costs and burdens in jurisdictions where we operate as a qualifying financial institution.

Compliance activities to address these and other new legal requirements have required, and will continue to require, us to expend additional time and resources, and, consequently, we are incurring increased costs of doing business, which potentially negatively impacts our profitability and future financial results. Finally, any further regulatory and legislative actions and reforms affecting the investment management industry, including compliance initiatives, may negatively impact revenues by increasing our costs of accessing or operating in the financial markets or by making certain investment offerings less favorable to our clients.

Failure to comply with the laws, rules or regulations in any of the jurisdictions in which we operate could result in substantial harm to our reputation and results of operations. As with all investment management companies, our activities are highly regulated in almost all countries in which we conduct business. The regulatory environments of the jurisdictions where we conduct our business, or where our products are organized or sold, are complex, uncertain and subject to change. Local regulatory environments may vary widely and place additional demands on our sales, investment, legal and compliance personnel. Failure to comply with the applicable laws, rules, regulations, codes, directives, notices or guidelines in any of our jurisdictions could result in a wide range of penalties and disciplinary actions, including fines, censures and the suspension or expulsion from a particular jurisdiction or market or the revocation of licenses, any of which could adversely affect our reputation and operations. In recent years, the regulatory environments in which we operate have seen significant increased and evolving regulations, which have imposed and may continue to impose additional compliance and operational requirements and costs on us in the applicable jurisdictions. Regulators could also change their policies or laws in a manner that might restrict or otherwise impede our ability to offer our services and products in their respective markets, or we may be unable to keep up with, or adapt to, the ever changing, complex regulatory requirements in such jurisdictions or markets, which could further negatively impact our business.

Changes in tax laws or exposure to additional income tax liabilities could have a material impact on our financial condition, results of operations and liquidity. We are subject to income taxes as well as non-income based taxes, and are subject to ongoing tax audits, in various jurisdictions in which we operate. Tax authorities may disagree with certain positions we have taken and assess additional taxes. We regularly assess the likely outcomes of these audits in order to determine the appropriateness of our tax provision. However, there can be no assurance that we will accurately predict the outcomes of these audits, and the actual outcomes could have a material impact on our net income or financial condition. Changes in tax laws or tax rulings may at times materially impact our effective tax rate. For example, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act enacted into law in the U.S. in December 2017 includes various changes to the tax law, including a permanent reduction in the corporate income tax rate and one-time transition tax on certain non-U.S. earnings.

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Any significant limitation, failure or security breach of our information and cyber security infrastructure, software applications, technology or other systems that are critical to our operations could disrupt our business and harm our operations and reputation. We are highly dependent upon the use of various proprietary and third-party information and security technology, software applications and other technology systems to operate our business. We are also dependent on the continuity and effectiveness of our information and cyber security infrastructure, management oversight and reporting framework, policies, procedures and capabilities to protect our computer and telecommunications systems and the data that reside on or are transmitted through them and contracted third-party systems. We use technology on a daily basis in our business to, among other things, support our business continuity and operations, process and transmit confidential communications, store and maintain data, obtain securities pricing information, process client transactions, and provide reports and other customer services to our clients. Any disruptions, inaccuracies, delays, systems failures, data or privacy breaches, or cyber or other security breaches in these and other processes could subject us to significant client dissatisfaction and losses and damage our reputation. Although we take protective measures, including measures to secure and protect information through system security technology and our internal security procedures, the technology systems we use remain vulnerable to unauthorized access, computer viruses, potential human errors or other events and circumstances that have a security impact, such as an external or internal hacker attack by one or more cyber criminals (including through the use of phishing attacks, malware, ransomware and other methods and activities designed to maliciously obtain and exploit confidential information and to otherwise cause damage) or an authorized employee or vendor inadvertently or recklessly causing us to release confidential information, which could materially harm our operations and reputation.

Potential system disruptions, failures or breaches of the technology systems we use or the security infrastructure we rely upon, and the costs necessary to address them, could result in: significant material financial loss or costs; the unauthorized disclosure or modification of sensitive or confidential client and business information; loss of valuable information; breach of client and vendor contracts; liability for stolen assets, information or identity; remediation costs to repair damage caused by the failure or breach; additional security and organizational costs to mitigate against future incidents; reputational harm; loss of confidence in our business and products; liability for failure to properly and timely review and disclose applicable incidents or provide relevant updated disclosure; regulatory investigations or actions; and/or legal claims, liability and litigation costs resulting from the incident. Moreover, loss or unauthorized disclosure or transfer of confidential customer identification information could further harm our reputation and subject us to liability under laws that protect confidential personal data, resulting in increased costs or a decline in our revenues or common stock price. Further, although we take precautions to password protect and encrypt our laptops and sensitive information on our other mobile electronic devices, if such devices are stolen, misplaced or left unattended, they may become vulnerable to hacking or other unauthorized use, creating a possible security risk and resulting in potentially costly actions by us.

In addition, due to our interconnectivity with third-party vendors, advisors, central agents, exchanges, clearing organizations and other financial institutions, we may be adversely affected if any of them are subject to a successful cyber attack or other information security event, including those arising due to the use of mobile technology or a third-party cloud environment. Most of the software applications that we use in our business are licensed from, and supported, upgraded and maintained by, third-party vendors. Our third-party applications include enterprise cloud storage and cloud computing application services provided and maintained by third-party vendors. A suspension or termination of certain of these licenses or the related support, upgrades and maintenance could cause temporary system delays or interruption that could adversely impact our business. Also, our third-party applications may include confidential and proprietary data provided by vendors and by us. We may be subject to indemnification costs and liability to third parties if we breach any confidentiality obligations regarding vendor data, for losses related to the data, or if data we provide is deemed to infringe upon the rights of others. In addition, the failure to properly manage and operate the data centers we use could have an adverse impact on our business. Although we have in place certain disaster recovery plans, we may experience system delays and interruptions as a result of natural disasters, power failures, acts of war, and third-party failures. Technology is subject to rapid advancements and changes and our competitors may from time to time implement new technologies or more advanced platforms for their services and products, including digital advisers and other advanced electronic systems, which could adversely affect our business if we are unable to remain competitive.

Our business operations are complex and a failure to properly perform operational tasks or the misrepresentation of our services and products, or the termination of investment management agreements representing a significant portion of our AUM, could have an adverse effect on our revenues and income. Through our subsidiaries, we provide investment management and related services to investors globally through our products. In order to be competitive and comply with our agreements, we must properly perform our fund and portfolio administration and related responsibilities, including portfolio recordkeeping and accounting, security pricing, corporate actions, investment restrictions compliance, daily net asset value computations, account reconciliations, and required distributions to fund shareholders. Many of our operations are complex and dependent on our ability to effectively process and monitor a large number of transactions, many of which may occur across numerous markets and currencies at high volumes and frequencies. Although we expend considerable resources on internal controls, supervision, technology and training in an effort to ensure that such transactions do not violate applicable guidelines, rules and regulations or adversely affect our clients, counterparties or us, our operations are ultimately dependent on our employees and subject to potential human errors.

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Our employees and others involved in our business may, from time to time, make mistakes that are not always immediately detected, which may disrupt our operations, cause losses, lead to regulatory fines or sanctions, or otherwise damage our reputation. In addition, any misrepresentation of our services and products in advertising materials, public relations information, social media or other external communications could also adversely affect our reputation and business prospects. Our investment management fees, which represent the majority of our revenues, are dependent on fees earned under investment management agreements that we have with our products. Our revenues could be adversely affected if such agreements representing a significant portion of our AUM are terminated or significantly altered. Further, certain of our subsidiaries may act as general partner for various investment partnerships, which may subject them to liability for the partnerships’ liabilities. If we fail to properly perform and monitor our operations, our business could suffer and our revenues and income could be adversely affected.

We face risks, and corresponding potential costs and expenses, associated with conducting operations and growing our business in numerous countries. We sell our products such as our funds and strategies, and offer our investment management and related services, in many different regulatory jurisdictions around the world, and intend to continue to expand our operations internationally. As we do so, we will continue to face challenges to the adequacy of our resources, procedures and controls to consistently and effectively operate our business. In order to remain competitive, we must be proactive and prepared to implement necessary resources when growth opportunities present themselves, whether as a result of a business acquisition or rapidly increasing business activities in particular markets or regions. Local regulatory environments may vary widely in terms of scope, adequacy and sophistication. Similarly, local distributors, and their policies and practices as well as financial viability, may also vary widely, or be inconsistent or less developed or mature than other more internationally focused distributors. Notwithstanding potential long-term cost savings by increasing certain operations, such as transfer agent and other back-office operations, in countries or regions of the world with lower operating costs, growth of our international operations may involve near-term increases in expenses as well as additional capital costs, such as information systems and technology costs and costs related to compliance with particular regulatory or other local requirements or needs. Local requirements or needs may also place additional demands on sales and compliance personnel and resources, such as meeting local language requirements, while also integrating personnel into an organization with a single operating language. Finding, hiring and retaining additional, well-qualified personnel and crafting and adopting policies, procedures and controls to address local or regional requirements remain a challenge as we expand our operations internationally. Moreover, regulators in non-U.S. jurisdictions could also change their policies or laws in a manner that might restrict or otherwise impede our ability to distribute or authorize products or maintain their authorizations in their respective markets. Any of these local requirements, activities, or needs could increase the costs and expenses we incur in a specific jurisdiction without any corresponding increase in revenues and income from operating in the jurisdiction. Certain laws and regulations both inside and outside the U.S. have included extraterritorial application. This may lead to duplicative or conflicting legal or regulatory burdens and additional costs and risks. In addition, from time to time we enter into joint ventures or take minority stakes in companies in which we typically do not have control. These investments may involve risks, including the risk that the controlling stakeholder or our joint venture partner may have business interests, strategies or goals that are inconsistent with ours, and the risk that business decisions or other actions or omissions of the controlling stakeholder, our joint venture partner or the entity itself may result in liability for us or harm to our reputation or adversely affect the value of our investment in the entity.

We depend on key personnel and our financial performance could be negatively affected by the loss of their services. The success of our business will continue to depend upon our key personnel, including our portfolio and fund managers, investment analysts, investment advisers, sales and management personnel and other professionals as well as our executive officers and business unit heads. Competition for qualified, motivated, and highly skilled executives, professionals and other key personnel in the investment management industry remains significant. Our success depends to a substantial degree upon our ability to find, attract, retain and motivate qualified individuals, including through competitive compensation packages, and upon the continued contributions of these people. Laws and regulations, including those contained in or relating to the EU’s Capital Requirements Directive, those adopted under AIFMD and UCITS and those required to be adopted under the Dodd-Frank Act, could impose restrictions on compensation paid by financial institutions, which could restrict our ability to compete effectively for qualified professionals. As our business develops, we are likely to need to increase the number of individuals that we employ. Moreover, in order to retain certain key personnel, we may be required to increase compensation to such individuals, resulting in additional expense without a corresponding increase in potential revenues. In addition, due to the global nature of our business, our key personnel may from time to time have reasons to travel to regions susceptible to higher risk of civil unrest, organized crime or terrorism, and we may be unable to ensure the safety of our personnel traveling to such regions. There is no assurance that we will be successful in finding, attracting and retaining qualified individuals, and the departure of key investment personnel, in particular, if not replaced, could cause us to lose clients, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and business prospects.

Strong competition from numerous and sometimes larger companies with competing offerings and products could limit or reduce sales of our products, potentially resulting in a decline in our market share, revenues and income. We compete with numerous investment management companies, securities brokerage and investment banking firms, insurance companies, banks and other financial institutions. Our products also compete with products offered by these competitors, as well as with real estate

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investment trusts, hedge funds and other products. The periodic establishment of new investment management companies and other competitors increases the competition that we face. At the same time, consolidation in the financial services industry has created stronger competitors with greater financial resources and broader distribution channels than our own. Competition is based on various factors, including, among others, business reputation, investment performance, product mix and offerings, service quality and innovation, distribution relationships, and fees charged. Further, although we may offer certain types of exchange-traded funds, to the extent that there is a trend among existing or potential clients in favor of lower fee index and other exchange-traded funds, it may favor our competitors who may offer such products that are more established or on a larger scale than we do. Additionally, competing securities broker-dealers, whom we rely upon to distribute and sell certain of our funds and other products, may also sell their own proprietary funds and products, which could limit the distribution of our products. To the extent that existing or potential clients, including securities broker-dealers, decide to invest in or distribute the products of our competitors, the sales of our products as well as our market share, revenues and income could decline. Our ability to attract and retain AUM is also dependent on the relative investment performance of our products, offering a mix of products and strategies that meets investor demands, and our ability to maintain our investment management fees and pricing structure at competitive levels.

Changes in the third-party distribution and sales channels on which we depend could reduce our income and hinder our growth. We derive nearly all of our fund sales through third-party broker-dealers, banks, investment advisers and other financial intermediaries. Increasing competition for these distribution channels and regulatory initiatives have caused our distribution costs to rise and could cause further increases in the future or could otherwise negatively impact the distribution of our products. The SEC has proposed changes to Rule 12b-1 promulgated under the Investment Company Act which, if adopted, could limit our ability to recover expenses relating to the distribution of our U.S.-registered funds. Higher distribution costs lower our income; consolidations in the broker-dealer industry could also adversely impact our income. Moreover, if several of the major financial advisers who distribute our products were to cease operations or limit or otherwise end the distribution of our products, it could have a significant adverse impact on our income. Pursuant to the Dodd-Frank Act, the SEC may establish different standards for broker-dealers in their interaction with retail customers, which could have an impact on sales and/or distribution costs. In April 2018, the SEC proposed rules that would apply to all retail investors and would, among other things: require broker-dealers to act in the best interest of their retail customers when recommending securities and provide additional disclosure about the scope and terms of the relationship; clarify the fiduciary duty that an investment adviser owes to its clients; and require a new short-form disclosure document to inform clients of the nature of their relationships with investment professionals and investment advisers, including differences in the principal types of services offered, the legal standards of conduct that apply to each, the fees a client might pay, and conflicts of interest that may exist. In addition, the U.K., the Netherlands and the EU in MiFID II have adopted regimes which ban, or may limit, the payment of commissions and other inducements to intermediaries in relation to certain sales to retail customers in those jurisdictions, and similar regimes are under consideration in several other jurisdictions. Depending on their exact terms, such regimes may result in existing flows of business moving to less profitable channels or even to competitors providing substitutable products outside the regime. Arrangements with non-independent advisers will also be affected as narrower rules related to the requirement that commissions reflect an enhancement of the service to customers come into effect, along with a prescriptive list of permissible non-monetary benefits. The interpretation of the inducements rules has also resulted in major changes to how fund managers finance investment research with many firms, including ours, opting to pay for third-party investment research for client accounts covered by MiFID II. There is no assurance we will continue to have access to the third-party broker-dealers, banks, investment advisers and other financial intermediaries that currently distribute our products, or continue to have the opportunity to offer all or some of our existing products through them. A failure to maintain strong business relationships with such distributors may also impair our distribution and sales operations. Because we use broker-dealers, banks, investment advisers and other financial intermediaries to sell our products, we do not control the ultimate investment recommendations given to clients. Any inability to access and successfully sell our products to clients through third-party distribution channels could have a negative effect on our level of AUM, income and overall business and financial condition.

Our increasing focus on international markets as a source of investments and sales of our products subjects us to increased exchange rate and market-specific political, economic or other risks that may adversely impact our revenues and income generated overseas. While we maintain a significant portion of our operations in the U.S., we also provide services and earn revenues in Europe, Middle East and Africa, Asia-Pacific, Canada, The Bahamas and Latin America. As a result, we are subject to foreign currency exchange risk through our non-U.S. operations. Fluctuations in the exchange rates to the U.S. dollar have affected and may in the future affect our financial results from one period to the next. While we have taken steps to reduce our exposure to foreign exchange risk, for example, by denominating a significant amount of our transactions in U.S. dollars, the situation may change in the future as our business continues to grow outside the U.S. Appreciation of the U.S. dollar has and could in the future moderate revenues from managing our products internationally, or could affect relative investment performance of certain of our products invested in non-U.S. securities. In addition, we have risk associated with the foreign exchange revaluation of U.S. dollar balances held by certain non-U.S. subsidiaries for which the local currency is the functional currency. Separately, management fees that we earn tend to be higher in connection with non-U.S. AUM than with U.S. AUM. Consequently, downturns in international markets have in the past and could in the future have a significant effect on our revenues and income. Moreover, our emerging market portfolios and revenues derived from managing these portfolios are subject to significant risks of loss from financial,

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economic, political and diplomatic developments, currency fluctuations, social instability, changes in governmental policies, expropriation, nationalization, asset confiscation and changes in legislation related to non-U.S. ownership. International trading markets, particularly in some emerging market countries, are often smaller, less liquid, less regulated and significantly more volatile than those in the U.S. As our business continues to grow in non-U.S. markets, any ongoing and future business, economic, political or social unrest affecting these markets, in addition to any direct consequences such unrest may have on our personnel and facilities located in the affected area, may also have a more lasting impact on the long-term investment climate in these and other areas and, as a result, our AUM and the corresponding revenues and income that we generate from them may be negatively affected.

Harm to our reputation or poor investment performance of our products could reduce the level of our AUM or affect our sales, and negatively impact our revenues and income. Our reputation is critical to the success of our business. We believe that our brand names have been, and continue to be, well received both in our industry and with our clients, reflecting the fact that our brands, like our business, are based in part on trust and confidence. If our reputation is harmed, existing clients may reduce amounts held in, or withdraw entirely from, our products or our products may terminate their management agreements with us, which could reduce the amount of our AUM and cause us to suffer a corresponding loss in our revenues and income. Our investment performance, along with achieving and maintaining superior distribution and client service, is also critical to the success of our business. Strong investment performance often stimulates sales of our products. Poor investment performance as compared to third-party benchmarks or competitive products has in the past and could in the future lead to a decrease in sales of our products and stimulate redemptions from existing products, generally lowering the overall level of AUM and reducing the management fees we earn. There is no assurance that past or present investment performance in our products will be indicative of future performance. Any poor investment performance may negatively impact our revenues and income. Reputational harm or poor investment performance may cause us to lose current clients and we may be unable to continue to attract new clients or develop new business. If we fail to address, or appear to fail to address, successfully and promptly the underlying causes of any reputational harm or poor investment performance, we may be unsuccessful in repairing any existing harm to our reputation or performance and our future business prospects would likely be affected.

Our future results are dependent upon maintaining an appropriate level of expenses, which is subject to fluctuation. The level of our expenses is subject to fluctuation and may increase for the following or other reasons: changes in the level and scope of our operating expenses in response to market conditions or regulations; variations in the level of total compensation expense due to, among other things, bonuses, merit increases and severance costs, changes in our employee count and mix, and competitive factors; and/or changes in expenses and capital costs, including costs incurred to maintain and enhance our administrative and operating services infrastructure or to cover uninsured losses, and an increase in insurance expenses including through the assumption of higher deductibles and/or co-insurance liability.

Our ability to successfully manage and grow our business can be impeded by systems and other technological limitations. Our continued success in effectively managing and growing our business depends on our ability to integrate the varied accounting, financial, information, and operational systems on a global basis. Moreover, adapting or developing the existing technology systems we use to meet our internal needs, as well as client needs, industry demands and new regulatory requirements, is also critical for our business. The introduction of new technologies presents new challenges to us. We have an ongoing need to continually upgrade and improve our various technology systems, including our data processing, financial, accounting, shareholder servicing and trading systems. Further, we also must be proactive and prepared to implement technology systems when growth opportunities present themselves, whether as a result of a business acquisition or rapidly increasing business activities in particular markets or regions. These needs could present operational issues or require, from time to time, significant capital spending. It also may require us to reevaluate the current value and/or expected useful lives of the technology systems we use, which could negatively impact our results of operations.

Our inability to successfully recover should we experience a disaster or other business continuity problem could cause material financial loss, loss of human capital, regulatory actions, reputational harm, or legal liability. Should we experience a local or regional disaster or other business continuity problem, such as an earthquake, tsunami, terrorist attack, pandemic or other natural or man-made disaster, our continued success will depend, in part, on the safety and availability of our personnel, our office facilities and infrastructure, and the proper functioning of our technology, computer, telecommunication and other systems and operations that are critical to our business. While our operational size, the diversity of locations from which we operate, and our various back-up systems provide us with an advantage should we experience a local or regional disaster or other business continuity event, we could still experience operational challenges, in particular depending upon how a local or regional event may affect our human capital across our operations or with regard to particular aspects of our operations, such as key executive officers or personnel in our technology group. Moreover, as we grow our operations in new geographic regions, the potential for particular types of natural or man-made disasters; political, economic or infrastructure instabilities; information, technology or security limitations or breaches; or other country- or region-specific business continuity risks increases. Past disaster recovery efforts have demonstrated that even seemingly localized events may require broader disaster recovery efforts throughout our operations and, consequently, we regularly assess and take steps to improve upon our existing business continuity plans and key management succession. However,

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a disaster on a significant scale or affecting certain of our key operating areas within or across regions, or our inability to successfully recover should we experience a disaster or other business continuity problem, could materially interrupt our business operations and cause material financial loss, loss of human capital, regulatory actions, reputational harm, or legal liability.

Regulatory and governmental examinations and/or investigations, litigation and the legal risks associated with our business, could adversely impact our AUM, increase costs and negatively impact our profitability and/or our future financial results. From time to time we receive and respond to governmental or regulatory requests for documents or other information, subpoenas, examinations and investigations in connection with our business activities. In addition, governmental or regulatory examinations or investigations that have been inactive could become active. In addition, from time to time, we are named as a party in litigation. We may be obligated, and under our certificate of incorporation, by-laws and standard form of director indemnification agreement we are obligated under certain conditions, or we may choose, to indemnify directors, officers or employees against liabilities and expenses they may incur in connection with such matters to the extent permitted under applicable law. Even if claims made against us are without merit, litigation typically is an expensive process. Risks associated with legal liability often are difficult to assess or quantify and their existence and magnitude can remain unknown for significant periods of time. Eventual exposures from and expenses incurred relating to any litigation, investigations, examinations and settlements could adversely impact our AUM, increase costs and/or negatively impact our profitability and financial results. Allegations, findings or judgments of wrongdoing by regulatory or governmental authorities or in litigation against us, or settlements with respect thereto, could affect our reputation, increase our costs of doing business and/or negatively impact our revenues, any of which could have a material negative impact on our financial results.

Our ability to meet cash needs depends upon certain factors, including the market value of our assets, operating cash flows and our perceived creditworthiness. Our ability to meet anticipated cash needs depends upon factors such as the market value of our assets, our operating cash flows and our creditworthiness as perceived by lenders. If we are unable to obtain cash, financing or access to the capital markets in a timely manner, we may be forced to incur unanticipated costs or revise our business plans, and our business could be adversely impacted. Further, our access to the capital markets depends significantly on our credit ratings. A reduction in our long- or short-term credit ratings could increase our borrowing costs and limit our access to the capital markets. Volatility in the global financing markets may also impact our ability to access the capital markets should we seek to do so, and may have an adverse effect on investors’ willingness to purchase our securities, interest rates, credit spreads and/or the valuation levels of equity markets.

We are dependent on the earnings of our subsidiaries. Substantially all of our operations are conducted through our subsidiaries. As a result, our cash flow and our ability to fund operations are dependent upon the earnings of our subsidiaries and the distribution of earnings, loans or other payments by our subsidiaries. Our subsidiaries are separate and distinct legal entities and have no obligation to fund our payment obligations, whether by dividends, distributions, loans or other payments. Any payments to us by our subsidiaries could be subject to statutory or contractual restrictions and are contingent upon our subsidiaries’ earnings and business considerations. Certain of our subsidiaries are subject to regulatory restrictions which may limit their ability to transfer assets to their parent companies. Our financial condition could be adversely affected if certain of our subsidiaries are unable to distribute assets to us.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

During the three months ended December 31, 2018, there were no material changes from the market risk disclosures in our Form 10‑K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures.

The Company’s management evaluated, with the participation of the Company’s principal executive and principal financial officers, the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”)) as of December 31, 2018. Based on their evaluation, the Company’s principal executive and principal financial officers concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2018 were designed and are functioning effectively to provide reasonable assurance that the information required to be disclosed by the Company in reports filed under the Exchange Act is (i) recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and (ii) accumulated and communicated to management, including the principal executive and principal financial officers, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

There has been no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that occurred during the Company’s fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2018, that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

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PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings.

For a description of our legal proceedings, please see the description set forth in the “Legal Proceedings” section in Note 10 – Commitments and Contingencies in the notes to the consolidated financial statements in Item 1 of Part I of this Form 10-Q, which is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 1A. Risk Factors.

Our Form 10‑K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018 filed with the SEC includes a discussion of the risk factors identified by us, which are also set forth under the heading “Risk Factors” in Item 2 of Part I of this Form 10-Q. There were no material changes from the Risk Factors as previously disclosed in our Form 10‑K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018.

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.

The following table provides information with respect to the shares of our common stock that we repurchased during the three months ended December 31, 2018.

Month		Total Number of Shares Purchased			Average Price Paid per Share				Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs			Maximum Number of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs
October 2018		6,529,497			$	29.67			6,529,497			65,205,380
November 2018		3,007,274			32.05				3,007,274			62,198,106
December 2018		1,207,422			30.45				1,207,422			60,990,684
Total		10,744,193							10,744,193

Under our stock repurchase program, which is not subject to an expiration date, we can repurchase shares of our common stock from time to time in the open market and in private transactions in accordance with applicable laws and regulations, including without limitation applicable federal securities laws. In order to pay taxes due in connection with the vesting of employee and executive officer stock and stock unit awards, we may repurchase shares under our program using a net stock issuance method. In April 2018, we announced that our Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to 80.0 million additional shares of our common stock under the stock repurchase program.

Item 6. Exhibits.

The exhibits listed on the Exhibit Index to this Form 10-Q are incorporated herein by reference.

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EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit No.			Description
3(i)(a)			Registrant’s Certificate of Incorporation, as filed November 28, 1969, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(i) to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 1994 (File No. 001-09318) (the “1994 Annual Report”)
3(i)(b)			Registrant’s Certificate of Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation, as filed March 1, 1985, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(ii) to the 1994 Annual Report
3(i)(c)			Registrant’s Certificate of Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation, as filed April 1, 1987, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(iii) to the 1994 Annual Report
3(i)(d)			Registrant’s Certificate of Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation, as filed February 2, 1994, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(iv) to the 1994 Annual Report
3(i)(e)			Registrant’s Certificate of Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation, as filed on February 4, 2005, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(i)(e) to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended December 31, 2004 (File No. 001-09318)
3(ii)			Registrant’s Amended and Restated Bylaws (as adopted and effective October 22, 2018), incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed with the SEC on October 24, 2018 (File No. 001-09318)
10.1			Representative Form of Notice of Restricted Stock Award and Restricted Stock Award Agreement (RSA) under the Registrant’s 2002 Universal Stock Incentive Plan, for executive officers of the Registrant (filed herewith)*
10.2			Representative Form of Notice of Restricted Stock Unit Award and Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement (Performance RSU) under the Registrant’s 2002 Universal Stock Incentive Plan, for executive officers of the Registrant (filed herewith)*
10.3			Named Executive Officer Compensation as of September 30, 2018 (filed herewith)*
31.1			Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (filed herewith)
31.2			Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (filed herewith)
32.1			Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (furnished herewith)
32.2			Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (furnished herewith)
101			The following materials from the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 2018, formatted in Extensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL), include: (i) the Consolidated Statements of Income, (ii) the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income, (iii) the Consolidated Balance Sheets, (iv) the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, and (v) related notes (filed herewith)

^{__________________} 

*    Compensatory Plan, Contract or Arrangement

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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 thereunto duly authorized.

 

			FRANKLIN RESOURCES, INC.
Date:	January 30, 2019		By:	/S/ KENNETH A. LEWIS
				Kenneth A. Lewis
				Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President
				(Duly Authorized Officer and Principal Financial Officer)

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