n-qfutpe053115_sec.htm - Generated by SEC Publisher for SEC Filing

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549

 

FORM N-Q

 

QUARTERLY SCHEDULE OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS OF

REGISTERED MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANY

 

 

Investment Company Act file number 811-05569

 

Franklin Universal Trust

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

 

One Franklin Parkway, San Mateo, CA  94403-1906

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

 

Craig S. Tyle, One Franklin Parkway, San Mateo, CA  94403-1906

(Name and address of agent for service)

 

Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (650) 312-2000

 

Date of fiscal year end: 8/31

 

Date of reporting period: 5/31/15

 

 

Item 1. Schedule of Investments.


 

Franklin Universal Trust        
 
Statement of Investments, May 31, 2015 (unaudited)        
 
 
  Country Shares   Value
Common Stocks 42.5%        
Energy 1.6%        
Spectra Energy Corp. United States 92,350 $ 3,247,950
Materials 1.4%        
BHP Billiton PLC, ADR Australia 25,185   1,065,577
Freeport-McMoRan Inc., B United States 80,380   1,579,467
aSouth32 Ltd., ADR Australia 10,074   83,312
aVerso Corp. United States 4,527   3,667
        2,732,023
Transportation 0.1%        
aCEVA Holdings LLC United Kingdom 179   130,087
Utilities 39.4%        
Alliant Energy Corp. United States 40,000   2,452,000
American Electric Power Co. Inc. United States 75,000   4,221,750
CenterPoint Energy Inc. United States 169,800   3,458,826
CMS Energy Corp. United States 65,000   2,219,100
Consolidated Edison Inc. United States 42,000   2,597,280
Dominion Resources Inc. United States 100,000   7,052,000
DTE Energy Co. United States 25,000   1,980,750
Duke Energy Corp. United States 80,060   6,062,944
Edison International United States 75,000   4,560,750
Entergy Corp. United States 50,000   3,823,500
Exelon Corp. United States 55,000   1,860,650
FirstEnergy Corp. United States 60,000   2,140,800
Great Plains Energy Inc. United States 70,000   1,824,900
NextEra Energy Inc. United States 50,000   5,117,000
PG&E Corp. United States 50,000   2,673,500
Pinnacle West Capital Corp. United States 70,000   4,264,400
PPL Corp. United States 80,000   2,776,800
Public Service Enterprise Group Inc. United States 45,000   1,918,350
Sempra Energy United States 50,000   5,373,500
The Southern Co. United States 87,250   3,811,952
UIL Holdings Corp. United States 40,000   2,027,600
Westar Energy Inc. United States 60,000   2,200,200
Wisconsin Energy Corp. United States 40,000   1,931,200
Xcel Energy Inc. United States 60,000   2,043,000
        78,392,752
Total Common Stocks (Cost $47,714,968)       84,502,812
Convertible Preferred Stocks 0.1%        
Transportation 0.1%        
aCEVA Holdings LLC, cvt. pfd., A-1 United Kingdom 6   6,000
aCEVA Holdings LLC, cvt. pfd., A-2 United Kingdom 388   281,597
Total Convertible Preferred Stocks (Cost $587,093)       287,597
    Principal Amount*    
Corporate Bonds 84.1%        
Automobiles & Components 1.5%        
bFiat Chrysler Automobiles NV, senior note, 144A, 5.25%, 4/15/23 United Kingdom 1,700,000   1,713,813
The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., senior note, 6.50%, 3/01/21 United States 1,100,000   1,175,625
        2,889,438
Banks 3.2%        
CIT Group Inc., senior note,        
5.375%, 5/15/20 United States 500,000   531,875
5.00%, 8/15/22 United States 1,200,000   1,236,000
b 144A, 6.625%, 4/01/18 United States 300,000   324,000
cCitigroup Inc., junior sub. bond, M, 6.30% to 5/15/24, FRN thereafter, Perpetual United States 1,100,000   1,105,500
cJPMorgan Chase & Co., junior sub. bond,        
R, 6.00% to 8/01/23, FRN thereafter, Perpetual United States 900,000   920,250
V, 5.00% to 7/30/19, FRN thereafter, Perpetual United States 800,000   791,000

 

Quarterly Statement of Investments | See Notes to Statement of Investments.


 

Franklin Universal Trust      
 
Statement of Investments, May 31, 2015 (unaudited) (continued)    
Royal Bank of Scotland Group PLC, sub. note,      
6.125%, 12/15/22 United Kingdom 900,000 992,250
5.125%, 5/28/24 United Kingdom 400,000 410,250
      6,311,125
Capital Goods 2.7%      
bAbengoa Finance SAU, senior note, 144A, 8.875%, 11/01/17 Spain 1,050,000 1,108,406
bBombardier Inc., senior bond, 144A, 7.50%, 3/15/25 Canada 1,700,000 1,632,000
Navistar International Corp., senior note, 8.25%, 11/01/21 United States 900,000 904,500
Oshkosh Corp., senior note, 5.375%, 3/01/22 United States 500,000 523,750
TransDigm Inc.,      
senior sub. bond, 6.50%, 7/15/24 United States 200,000 205,000
b senior sub. bond, 144A, 6.50%, 5/15/25 United States 100,000 102,500
senior sub. note, 6.00%, 7/15/22 United States 200,000 203,000
bZachry Holdings Inc., senior note, 144A, 7.50%, 2/01/20 United States 600,000 601,500
      5,280,656
Commercial & Professional Services 0.9%      
bAlgeco Scotsman Global Finance PLC, senior secured note, first lien, 144A, 8.50%,      
10/15/18 United Kingdom 300,000 298,125
bAnna Merger Sub Inc., senior note, 144A, 7.75%, 10/01/22 United States 500,000 511,875
bIHS Inc., senior note, 144A, 5.00%, 11/01/22 United States 300,000 303,750
United Rentals North America Inc., senior bond, 5.75%, 11/15/24 United States 600,000 612,750
      1,726,500
Consumer Durables & Apparel 2.5%      
KB Home,      
senior bond, 7.50%, 9/15/22 United States 1,100,000 1,160,500
senior note, 4.75%, 5/15/19 United States 200,000 200,000
senior note, 7.00%, 12/15/21 United States 300,000 313,500
M/I Homes Inc., senior note, 8.625%, 11/15/18 United States 200,000 208,500
bTaylor Morrison Communities Inc./Monarch Communities Inc., senior note, 144A,      
5.25%, 4/15/21 United States 400,000 404,000
5.875%, 4/15/23 United States 500,000 508,125
5.625%, 3/01/24 United States 700,000 691,250
Toll Brothers Finance Corp., senior bond, 5.625%, 1/15/24 United States 700,000 756,000
Visant Corp., senior note, 10.00%, 10/01/17 United States 900,000 762,750
      5,004,625
Consumer Services 4.6%      
b1011778 BC ULC/New Red Finance Inc.,      
secured note, second lien, 144A, 6.00%, 4/01/22 Canada 1,000,000 1,039,500
senior secured note, first lien, 144A, 4.625%, 1/15/22 Canada 500,000 501,875
b24 Hour Holdings III LLC, senior note, 144A, 8.00%, 6/01/22 United States 700,000 570,500
dCaesars Entertainment Operating Co. Inc., senior secured note, first lien, 11.25%,      
6/01/17 United States 1,000,000 807,500
b,dFontainebleau Las Vegas, senior secured note, first lien, 144A, 11.00%, 6/15/15 United States 1,600,000 8,080
bInternational Game Technology PLC, senior secured bond, 144A, 6.50%, 2/15/25 United Kingdom 1,700,000 1,608,625
bLandry's Inc., senior note, 144A, 9.375%, 5/01/20 United States 900,000 973,125
MGM Resorts International, senior note,      
6.875%, 4/01/16 United States 1,200,000 1,248,000
7.50%, 6/01/16 United States 800,000 840,160
bSabre GLBL Inc., first lien, 144A, 5.375%, 4/15/23 United States 1,200,000 1,227,000
bWynn Macau Ltd., senior note, 144A, 5.25%, 10/15/21 Macau 400,000 392,000
      9,216,365
Diversified Financials 3.1%      
bAerCap Ireland Capital Ltd./AerCap Global Aviation Trust, senior note, 144A, 5.00%,      
10/01/21 Netherlands 500,000 531,250
Ally Financial Inc., senior note, 5.50%, 2/15/17 United States 600,000 628,500
E*TRADE Financial Corp., senior note,      
5.375%, 11/15/22 United States 300,000 313,500
4.625%, 9/15/23 United States 400,000 403,000
Navient Corp., senior note,      
8.45%, 6/15/18 United States 900,000 1,010,250
5.50%, 1/15/19 United States 800,000 832,000
4.875%, 6/17/19 United States 800,000 806,000
bNeuberger Berman Group LLC/Finance Corp., senior note, 144A, 5.875%, 3/15/22 United States 700,000 755,125

 


 

Franklin Universal Trust      
 
Statement of Investments, May 31, 2015 (unaudited) (continued)    
 
bOneMain Financial Holdings Inc., senior note, 144A, 7.25%, 12/15/21 United States 900,000 965,250
      6,244,875
Energy 18.5%      
BreitBurn Energy Partners LP/BreitBurn Finance Corp.,      
senior bond, 7.875%, 4/15/22 United States 700,000 619,500
senior note, 8.625%, 10/15/20 United States 600,000 537,000
California Resources Corp.,      
senior bond, 6.00%, 11/15/24 United States 400,000 370,000
senior note, 5.50%, 9/15/21 United States 400,000 381,000
bCalumet Specialty Products Partners LP/Finance Co., senior note, 144A, 7.75%,      
4/15/23 United States 800,000 832,000
CGG SA, senior note,      
7.75%, 5/15/17 France 203,000 199,955
6.50%, 6/01/21 France 600,000 513,000
6.875%, 1/15/22 France 300,000 254,437
Chaparral Energy Inc., senior note,      
9.875%, 10/01/20 United States 800,000 694,000
8.25%, 9/01/21 United States 200,000 163,000
7.625%, 11/15/22 United States 300,000 241,500
CHC Helicopter SA, senior secured note, first lien, 9.25%, 10/15/20 Canada 1,350,000 1,147,500
Chesapeake Energy Corp., senior note,      
6.625%, 8/15/20 United States 1,700,000 1,793,500
4.875%, 4/15/22 United States 300,000 287,250
Clayton Williams Energy Inc., senior note, 7.75%, 4/01/19 United States 1,200,000 1,134,000
bCompressco Partners LP/Finance Corp., senior note, 144A, 7.25%, 8/15/22 United States 300,000 286,500
CONSOL Energy Inc., senior note,      
5.875%, 4/15/22 United States 800,000 755,500
b 144A, 8.00%, 4/01/23 United States 800,000 829,000
bCrestwood Midstream Partners LP/Crestwood Midstream Finance Corp., senior note,      
144A, 6.25%, 4/01/23 United States 500,000 531,250
bDrill Rigs Holdings Inc., secured note, 144A, 6.50%, 10/01/17 United States 1,100,000 984,500
Energy Transfer Equity LP,      
senior bond, 5.875%, 1/15/24 United States 200,000 213,500
senior note, first lien, 7.50%, 10/15/20 United States 1,500,000 1,721,250
Energy XXI Gulf Coast Inc., senior note, 9.25%, 12/15/17 United States 1,300,000 893,750
bEnQuest PLC, senior note, 144A, 7.00%, 4/15/22 United Kingdom 600,000 505,125
EPL Oil & Gas Inc., senior note, 8.25%, 2/15/18 United States 800,000 566,000
Goodrich Petroleum Corp., senior note, 8.875%, 3/15/19 United States 1,200,000 606,000
Halcon Resources Corp., senior note,      
9.75%, 7/15/20 United States 1,000,000 735,000
8.875%, 5/15/21 United States 400,000 283,000
9.25%, 2/15/22 United States 200,000 140,000
Kodiak Oil & Gas Corp., senior note, 8.125%, 12/01/19 United States 700,000 745,500
Linn Energy LLC/Finance Corp., senior note,      
8.625%, 4/15/20 United States 1,000,000 909,375
7.75%, 2/01/21 United States 700,000 607,250
6.50%, 9/15/21 United States 100,000 80,750
Martin Midstream Partners LP/Martin Midstream Finance Corp., senior note, 7.25%,      
2/15/21 United States 1,000,000 1,000,000
bMemorial Resource Development Corp., senior note, 144A, 5.875%, 7/01/22 United States 500,000 491,250
Midstates Petroleum Co. Inc./LLC, senior note, 9.25%, 6/01/21 United States 700,000 324,625
bMurray Energy Corp., secured note, second lien, 144A, 11.25%, 4/15/21 United States 700,000 677,250
Oasis Petroleum Inc., senior note,      
7.25%, 2/01/19 United States 200,000 206,500
6.50%, 11/01/21 United States 400,000 405,000
6.875%, 3/15/22 United States 400,000 411,000
6.875%, 1/15/23 United States 200,000 204,000
bOcean Rig UDW Inc., senior note, 144A, 7.25%, 4/01/19 United States 400,000 306,000
Offshore Group Investment Ltd.,      
senior bond, first lien, 7.125%, 4/01/23 United States 700,000 493,500
senior secured note, first lien, 7.50%, 11/01/19 United States 700,000 506,625
PBF Holding Co. LLC, first lien, 8.25%, 2/15/20 United States 1,200,000 1,287,000
bPeabody Energy Corp., second lien, 144A, 10.00%, 3/15/22 United States 1,000,000 765,000
Penn Virginia Corp., senior note, 8.50%, 5/01/20 United States 700,000 666,750

 


 

Franklin Universal Trust      
 
Statement of Investments, May 31, 2015 (unaudited) (continued)    
Penn Virginia Resource Partners LP/Penn Virginia Resource Finance Corp., senior      
note,      
8.375%, 6/01/20 United States 390,000 430,053
6.50%, 5/15/21 United States 400,000 427,250
QEP Resources Inc., senior note,      
5.375%, 10/01/22 United States 700,000 707,000
5.25%, 5/01/23 United States 400,000 402,000
      b,d,e Quicksilver Resources Inc., secured note, second lien, 144A, FRN, 7.00%, 6/21/19 United States 700,000 465,500
bRegency Energy Partners LP/Regency Energy Finance Corp., senior note, 144A,      
8.375%, 6/01/19 United States 1,100,000 1,146,068
Sabine Pass Liquefaction LLC, first lien,      
5.625%, 2/01/21 United States 1,000,000 1,038,125
6.25%, 3/15/22 United States 200,000 211,500
5.625%, 4/15/23 United States 500,000 511,250
Sanchez Energy Corp., senior note,      
7.75%, 6/15/21 United States 900,000 922,500
6.125%, 1/15/23 United States 300,000 286,500
bUltra Petroleum Corp., senior bond, 144A, 6.125%, 10/01/24 United States 1,100,000 1,016,125
W&T Offshore Inc., senior note, 8.50%, 6/15/19 United States 1,200,000 864,000
      36,733,263
Food, Beverage & Tobacco 3.0%      
Constellation Brands Inc.,      
senior bond, 4.75%, 11/15/24 United States 400,000 415,500
senior note, 4.25%, 5/01/23 United States 500,000 506,250
bCott Beverages Inc., senior note, 144A, 6.75%, 1/01/20 United States 600,000 633,000
bDole Food Co. Inc., senior secured note, 144A, 7.25%, 5/01/19 United States 800,000 828,000
bJBS USA LLC/Finance Inc.,      
senior bond, 144A, 5.875%, 7/15/24 United States 600,000 620,250
senior note, 144A, 8.25%, 2/01/20 United States 300,000 321,450
senior note, 144A, 7.25%, 6/01/21 United States 700,000 743,050
Post Holdings Inc., senior note,      
7.375%, 2/15/22 United States 800,000 821,664
b 144A, 6.75%, 12/01/21 United States 500,000 496,250
b 144A, 6.00%, 12/15/22 United States 100,000 93,875
WhiteWave Foods Co., senior note, 5.375%, 10/01/22 United States 500,000 541,250
      6,020,539
Health Care Equipment & Services 4.9%      
Alere Inc.,      
senior note, 7.25%, 7/01/18 United States 900,000 958,500
senior sub. note, 6.50%, 6/15/20 United States 100,000 105,750
AmSurg Corp., senior note, 5.625%, 7/15/22 United States 200,000 205,000
CHS/Community Health Systems Inc.,      
senior note, 8.00%, 11/15/19 United States 900,000 958,500
senior note, 7.125%, 7/15/20 United States 400,000 427,500
senior note, 6.875%, 2/01/22 United States 200,000 214,250
senior secured note, first lien, 5.125%, 8/15/18 United States 600,000 618,750
DaVita HealthCare Partners Inc.,      
senior bond, 5.125%, 7/15/24 United States 400,000 405,000
senior note, 5.75%, 8/15/22 United States 500,000 533,750
HCA Inc.,      
senior note, 6.50%, 2/15/16 United States 1,400,000 1,450,750
senior note, 5.875%, 5/01/23 United States 800,000 866,000
senior secured bond, first lien, 5.875%, 3/15/22 United States 600,000 672,000
Tenet Healthcare Corp., senior note,      
8.125%, 4/01/22 United States 1,000,000 1,092,500
b 144A, 5.00%, 3/01/19 United States 800,000 801,000
b 144A, 5.50%, 3/01/19 United States 400,000 406,500
      9,715,750
Materials 10.5%      
ArcelorMittal, senior note,      
6.25%, 3/01/21 Luxembourg 900,000 953,752
6.125%, 6/01/25 Luxembourg 300,000 305,438
bArdagh Packaging Finance PLC, senior note, 144A, 9.125%, 10/15/20 Luxembourg 500,000 535,000

 


 

Franklin Universal Trust      
 
Statement of Investments, May 31, 2015 (unaudited) (continued)    
bArdagh Packaging Finance PLC/Ardagh MP Holdings USA Inc., senior note, 144A,      
6.25%, 1/31/19 Luxembourg 200,000 204,500
7.00%, 11/15/20 Luxembourg 88,235 90,827
6.75%, 1/31/21 Luxembourg 200,000 206,750
6.00%, 6/30/21 Luxembourg 500,000 505,000
bBarminco Finance Pty. Ltd., senior note, 144A, 9.00%, 6/01/18 Australia 800,000 757,000
bBlueScope Steel Ltd./BlueScope Steel Finance, senior note, 144A, 7.125%, 5/01/18 Australia 1,400,000 1,449,000
bCemex Finance LLC, senior secured note, first lien, 144A, 6.00%, 4/01/24 Mexico 600,000 609,000
bCemex SAB de CV, first lien, 144A, 5.70%, 1/11/25 Mexico 1,100,000 1,085,562
bThe Chemours Co.,      
senior bond, 144A, 7.00%, 5/15/25 United States 200,000 204,000
senior note, 144A, 6.625%, 5/15/23 United States 700,000 712,250
bEldorado Gold Corp., senior note, 144A, 6.125%, 12/15/20 Canada 1,000,000 990,000
bFirst Quantum Minerals Ltd., senior note, 144A,      
6.75%, 2/15/20 Canada 631,000 619,958
7.00%, 2/15/21 Canada 1,131,000 1,101,311
bFMG Resources (August 2006) Pty. Ltd., senior secured note, 144A, 9.75%, 3/01/22 Australia 1,800,000 1,910,250
bNOVA Chemicals Corp., senior bond, 144A, 5.00%, 5/01/25 Canada 1,100,000 1,130,250
Novelis Inc., senior note, 8.75%, 12/15/20 Canada 700,000 749,217
bOwens-Brockway Glass Container Inc., senior note, 144A, 5.00%, 1/15/22 United States 600,000 614,250
bPlatform Specialty Products Corp., senior note, 144A, 6.50%, 2/01/22 United States 400,000 422,000
bPolymer Group Inc., senior note, 144A, 6.875%, 6/01/19 United States 800,000 749,000
bRain CII Carbon LLC/CII Carbon Corp., second lien, 144A, 8.25%, 1/15/21 United States 500,000 487,500
Reynolds Group Issuer Inc./LLC/SA,      
first lien, 5.75%, 10/15/20 United States 500,000 523,125
senior note, 8.50%, 5/15/18 United States 1,000,000 1,021,250
senior note, 9.00%, 4/15/19 United States 200,000 209,000
senior note, 9.875%, 8/15/19 United States 100,000 106,313
senior note, 8.25%, 2/15/21 United States 700,000 741,125
bSealed Air Corp., senior note, 144A,      
6.50%, 12/01/20 United States 400,000 448,000
8.375%, 9/15/21 United States 300,000 339,000
Steel Dynamics Inc.,      
senior bond, 5.50%, 10/01/24 United States 500,000 516,875
senior note, 5.125%, 10/01/21 United States 400,000 407,000
Verso Paper Holdings LLC/Inc., senior secured note, first lien, 11.75%, 1/15/19 United States 216,000 158,220
      20,861,723
Media 8.1%      
Cablevision Systems Corp., senior note, 8.625%, 9/15/17 United States 700,000 777,875
CCO Holdings LLC/CCO Holdings Capital Corp., senior bond, 5.25%, 9/30/22 United States 1,700,000 1,729,750
Clear Channel Worldwide Holdings Inc.,      
senior note, 6.50%, 11/15/22 United States 500,000 531,250
senior sub. note, 7.625%, 3/15/20 United States 700,000 742,875
CSC Holdings LLC, senior note,      
6.75%, 11/15/21 United States 700,000 763,875
b 144A, 5.25%, 6/01/24 United States 200,000 196,250
DISH DBS Corp., senior note,      
7.125%, 2/01/16 United States 1,000,000 1,036,875
6.75%, 6/01/21 United States 700,000 749,437
Gannett Co. Inc.,      
senior bond, 6.375%, 10/15/23 United States 900,000 961,875
senior note, 5.125%, 7/15/20 United States 800,000 839,000
iHeartCommunications Inc.,      
senior secured bond, first lien, 9.00%, 3/01/21 United States 1,300,000 1,233,375
senior secured note, first lien, 9.00%, 9/15/22 United States 100,000 94,475
bNielsen Finance LLC/Co., senior note, 144A, 5.00%, 4/15/22 United States 100,000 100,625
bRadio One Inc., senior sub. note, 144A, 9.25%, 2/15/20 United States 500,000 470,000
bSirius XM Radio Inc., senior bond, 144A,      
6.00%, 7/15/24 United States 800,000 832,160
5.375%, 4/15/25 United States 400,000 401,600
bUnitymedia KabelBW GmbH, senior bond, 144A, 6.125%, 1/15/25 Germany 600,000 624,000
bUnivision Communications Inc., senior secured bond, first lien, 144A, 6.75%, 9/15/22 United States 358,000 388,878
bVirgin Media Finance PLC, senior bond, 144A, 6.375%, 4/15/23 United Kingdom 300,000 319,875
bVirgin Media Secured Finance PLC, senior secured bond,      
144A, 5.25%, 1/15/26 United Kingdom 500,000 500,937

 


 

Franklin Universal Trust      
 
Statement of Investments, May 31, 2015 (unaudited) (continued)    
first lien, 144A, 5.50%, 1/15/25 United Kingdom 800,000 822,500
bVTR Finance BV, senior secured note, 144A, 6.875%, 1/15/24 Chile 600,000 626,250
bWMG Acquisition Corp.,      
secured note, 144A, 6.00%, 1/15/21 United States 1,190,000 1,237,600
senior note, 144A, 5.625%, 4/15/22 United States 100,000 102,250
      16,083,587
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences 3.1%      
bConcordia Healthcare Corp., senior note, 144A, 7.00%, 4/15/23 Canada 500,000 504,375
bEndo Finance LLC/Endo Ltd./Endo Finco Inc., senior bond, 144A, 6.00%, 2/01/25 United States 600,000 610,500
bHorizon Pharma Financing Inc., senior note, 144A, 6.625%, 5/01/23 United States 300,000 309,750
bJaguar Holding Co. II/Merger Sub Inc., senior note, 144A, 9.50%, 12/01/19 United States 400,000 430,500
Par Pharmaceutical Cos. Inc., senior note, 7.375%, 10/15/20 United States 1,600,000 1,716,000
bValeant Pharmaceuticals International Inc.,      
senior bond, 144A, 6.125%, 4/15/25 United States 300,000 313,125
senior note, 144A, 7.50%, 7/15/21 United States 300,000 328,950
senior note, 144A, 5.625%, 12/01/21 United States 700,000 728,000
bVPI Escrow Corp., senior note, 144A, 6.375%, 10/15/20 United States 1,100,000 1,176,313
      6,117,513
Real Estate 0.2%      
bFelcor Lodging LP, senior secured bond, 144A, 6.00%, 6/01/25 United States 400,000 412,000
Retailing 1.8%      
bAmerican Builders & Contractors Supply Co. Inc., senior note, 144A, 5.625%, 4/15/21 United States 900,000 924,750
bArgos Merger Sub Inc., senior note, 144A, 7.125%, 3/15/23 United States 300,000 318,750
bFamily Tree Escrow LLC, senior note, 144A, 5.75%, 3/01/23 United States 500,000 529,375
bNetflix Inc., senior bond, 144A, 5.875%, 2/15/25 United States 1,100,000 1,155,000
bNew Look Bondco I PLC, secured note, 144A, 8.375%, 5/14/18 United Kingdom 600,000 628,875
      3,556,750
Software & Services 3.3%      
bBMC Software Finance Inc., senior note, 144A, 8.125%, 7/15/21 United States 1,600,000 1,454,000
Equinix Inc., senior bond, 5.375%, 4/01/23 United States 1,300,000 1,345,500
First Data Corp.,      
senior bond, 12.625%, 1/15/21 United States 900,000 1,056,375
senior note, 11.25%, 1/15/21 United States 136,000 153,000
b senior secured bond, second lien, 144A, 8.25%, 1/15/21 United States 900,000 961,875
bInfor (U.S.) Inc., senior note, 144A, 6.50%, 5/15/22 United States 1,100,000 1,145,540
Sterling International Inc., senior note, 11.00%, 10/01/19 United States 500,000 532,500
      6,648,790
Technology Hardware & Equipment 1.4%      
bAlcatel-Lucent USA Inc., senior note, 144A, 6.75%, 11/15/20 France 1,200,000 1,276,500
bBlackboard Inc., senior note, 144A, 7.75%, 11/15/19 United States 700,000 675,500
b,f CommScope Holdings Co. Inc., senior note, 144A, PIK, 6.625%, 6/01/20 United States 400,000 414,000
b,gCommScope Technologies Finance LLC, senior bond, 144A, 6.00%, 6/15/25 United States 400,000 406,000
      2,772,000
Telecommunication Services 7.0%      
CenturyLink Inc., senior bond,      
6.75%, 12/01/23 United States 300,000 321,562
b 144A, 5.625%, 4/01/25 United States 1,000,000 970,000
bDigicel Group Ltd., senior note, 144A, 8.25%, 9/30/20 Bermuda 900,000 934,875
bDigicel Ltd., senior note, 144A,      
6.00%, 4/15/21 Bermuda 500,000 493,437
6.75%, 3/01/23 Bermuda 300,000 299,009
Frontier Communications Corp., senior note,      
8.50%, 4/15/20 United States 100,000 107,250
8.75%, 4/15/22 United States 300,000 315,000
Intelsat Jackson Holdings SA,      
senior bond, 6.625%, 12/15/22 Luxembourg 500,000 467,500
senior note, 7.25%, 10/15/20 Luxembourg 200,000 203,500
senior note, 7.50%, 4/01/21 Luxembourg 1,500,000 1,528,125
bMillicom International Cellular SA, senior note, 144A, 6.625%, 10/15/21 Luxembourg 900,000 959,625
bSprint Communications Inc., senior note, 144A,      
9.00%, 11/15/18 United States 2,000,000 2,297,500
7.00%, 3/01/20 United States 500,000 553,125

 


 

Franklin Universal Trust          
 
Statement of Investments, May 31, 2015 (unaudited) (continued)        
Sprint Corp., senior bond,          
7.875%, 9/15/23 United States 500,000   509,700  
7.125%, 6/15/24 United States 200,000   194,000  
T-Mobile USA Inc.,          
senior bond, 6.50%, 1/15/24 United States 200,000   211,500  
senior bond, 6.375%, 3/01/25 United States 500,000   524,750  
senior note, 6.542%, 4/28/20 United States 800,000   848,000  
senior note, 6.125%, 1/15/22 United States 100,000   105,125  
bWind Acquisition Finance SA,          
senior note, 144A, 7.375%, 4/23/21 Italy 1,700,000   1,782,875  
senior secured note, first lien, 144A, 4.75%, 7/15/20 Italy 300,000   302,625  
        13,929,083  
Transportation 1.6%          
bFlorida East Coast Holdings Corp.,          
secured note, first lien, 144A, 6.75%, 5/01/19 United States 400,000   400,000  
senior note, 144A, 9.75%, 5/01/20 United States 200,000   191,500  
Hertz Corp., senior note,          
7.50%, 10/15/18 United States 600,000   622,500  
6.75%, 4/15/19 United States 1,000,000   1,037,500  
bStena AB, senior bond, 144A, 7.00%, 2/01/24 Sweden 500,000   485,000  
bStena International SA, secured bond, 144A, 5.75%, 3/01/24 Sweden 500,000   478,955  
        3,215,455  
Utilities 2.2%          
Calpine Corp.,          
senior bond, 5.75%, 1/15/25 United States 1,300,000   1,314,625  
b senior secured bond, first lien, 144A, 7.875%, 1/15/23 United States 354,000   389,179  
bInterGen NV, secured bond, 144A, 7.00%, 6/30/23 Netherlands 1,000,000   955,000  
NGL Energy Partners LP/NGL Energy Finance Corp., senior note, 5.125%, 7/15/19 United States 200,000   199,500  
bNRG Yield Operating LLC, senior bond, 144A, 5.375%, 8/15/24 United States 600,000   621,000  
bPPL Energy Supply LLC, senior bond, 144A, 6.50%, 6/01/25 United States 400,000   408,128  
b,dTexas Competitive Electric Holdings Co. LLC/Texas Competitive Electric Holdings          
Finance Inc., senior secured note, first lien, 144A, 11.50%, 10/01/20 United States 700,000   451,500  
        4,338,932  
Total Corporate Bonds (Cost $168,828,853)       167,078,969  
eSenior Floating Rate Interests (Cost $963,505) 0.5%          
Household & Personal Products 0.5%          
Sun Products Corp., Tranche B Term Loan, 5.50%, 3/23/20 United States 970,664   955,295  
    Shares      
Escrows and Litigation Trusts (Cost $—) 0.0%          
          a,hNewPage Corp., Litigation Trust United States 1,200,000    
Total Investments before Short Term Investments (Cost $218,094,419)       252,824,673  
Short Term Investments (Cost $4,780,731) 2.5%          
Money Market Funds 2.5%          
a,i Institutional Fiduciary Trust Money Market Portfolio United States 4,780,731   4,780,731  
Total Investments (Cost $222,875,150) 129.7%       257,605,404  
Notes Payable (30.2)%       (60,000,000 )
 
Other Assets, less Liabilities 0.5%       1,079,239  
Net Assets 100.0%     $ 198,684,643  

 

* The principal amount is stated in U.S. dollars unless otherwise indicated.
a Non-income producing.
b Security was purchased pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933 and may be sold in transactions exempt from registration only to qualified institutional buyers
or in a public offering registered under the Securities Act of 1933. These securities have been deemed liquid under guidelines approved by the Fund's Board of Trustees. At
May 31, 2015, the aggregate value of these securities was $80,020,961, representing 40.28% of net assets.
c Perpetual security with no stated maturity date.
d Defaulted security or security for which income has been deemed uncollectible.


 

Franklin Universal Trust
Statement of Investments, May 31, 2015 (unaudited) (continued)
e The coupon rate shown represents the rate at period end.
f Income may be received in additional securities and/or cash.
g Security purchased on a when-issued basis.
h Security has been deemed illiquid because it may not be able to be sold within seven days.
i Institutional Fiduciary Trust Money Market Portfolio is an affiliated open-end management investment company.

ABBREVIATIONS

Selected Portfolio

ADR - American Depositary Receipt
FRN - Floating Rate Note
PIK - Payment-In-Kind


 

Franklin Universal Trust

Notes to Statement of Investments (unaudited)

1. ORGANIZATION

Franklin Universal Trust (Fund) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as a closed-end management investment company and applies the specialized accounting and reporting guidance in U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.

2. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENT VALUATION

The Fund's investments in financial instruments are carried at fair value daily. Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. The Fund calculates the net asset value (NAV) per share at the close of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), generally at 4 p.m. Eastern time (NYSE close) on each day the NYSE is open for trading. Senior Fixed Rate Notes are carried at cost. Under compliance policies and procedures approved by the Fund’s Board of Trustees (the Board), the Fund’s administrator has responsibility for oversight of valuation, including leading the cross-functional Valuation and Liquidity Oversight Committee (VLOC). The VLOC provides administration and oversight of the Fund's valuation policies and procedures, which are approved annually by the Board. Among other things, these procedures allow the Fund to utilize independent pricing services, quotations from securities and financial instrument dealers, and other market sources to determine fair value.

Equity securities listed on an exchange or on the NASDAQ National Market System are valued at the last quoted sale price or the official closing price of the day, respectively. Foreign equity securities are valued as of the close of trading on the foreign stock exchange on which the security is primarily traded or as of the NYSE close, whichever is earlier. The value is then converted into its U.S. dollar equivalent at the foreign exchange rate in effect at the NYSE close on the day that the value of the security is determined. Over-the-counter (OTC) securities are valued within the range of the most recent quoted bid and ask prices. Securities that trade in multiple markets or on multiple exchanges are valued according to the broadest and most representative market. Certain equity securities are valued based upon fundamental characteristics or relationships to similar securities. Investments in open-end mutual funds are valued at the closing NAV.

Debt securities generally trade in the OTC market rather than on a securities exchange. The Fund's pricing services use multiple valuation techniques to determine fair value. In instances where sufficient market activity exists, the pricing services may utilize a market-based approach through which quotes from market makers are used to determine fair value. In instances where sufficient market activity may not exist or is limited, the pricing services also utilize proprietary valuation models which may consider market characteristics such as benchmark yield curves, credit spreads, estimated default rates, anticipated market interest rate volatility, coupon rates, anticipated timing of principal repayments, underlying collateral, and other unique security features in order to estimate the relevant cash flows, which are then discounted to calculate the fair value. Securities denominated in a foreign currency are converted into their U.S. dollar equivalent at the foreign exchange rate in effect at the NYSE close on the date that the values of the foreign debt securities are determined.


 

The Fund has procedures to determine the fair value of financial instruments for which market prices are not reliable or readily available. Under these procedures, the VLOC convenes on a regular basis to review such financial instruments and considers a number of factors, including significant unobservable valuation inputs, when arriving at fair value. The VLOC primarily employs a market-based approach which may use related or comparable assets or liabilities, recent transactions, market multiples, book values, and other relevant information for the investment to determine the fair value of the investment. An income-based valuation approach may also be used in which the anticipated future cash flows of the investment are discounted to calculate fair value. Discounts may also be applied due to the nature or duration of any restrictions on the disposition of the investments. Due to the inherent uncertainty of valuations of such investments, the fair values may differ significantly from the values that would have been used had an active market existed. The VLOC employs various methods for calibrating these valuation approaches including a regular review of key inputs and assumptions, transactional back-testing or disposition analysis, and reviews of any related market activity.

Trading in securities on foreign securities stock exchanges and OTC markets may be completed before the daily NYSE close. In addition, trading in certain foreign markets may not take place on every NYSE business day. Occasionally, events occur between the time at which trading in a foreign security is completed and the close of the NYSE that might call into question the reliability of the value of a portfolio security held by the Fund. As a result, differences may arise between the value of the Fund’s securities as determined at the foreign market close and the latest indications of value at the close of the NYSE. In order to minimize the potential for these differences, the VLOC monitors price movements following the close of trading in foreign stock markets through a series of country specific market proxies (such as baskets of American Depositary Receipts, futures contracts and exchange traded funds). These price movements are measured against established trigger thresholds for each specific market proxy to assist in determining if an event has occurred that may call into question the reliability of the values of the foreign securities held by the Fund. If such an event occurs, the securities may be valued using fair value procedures, which may include the use of independent pricing services.

When the last day of the reporting period is a non-business day, certain foreign markets may be open on those days that the NYSE is closed, which could result in differences between the value of the Fund’s portfolio securities on the last business day and the last calendar day of the reporting period. Any significant security valuation changes due to an open foreign market are adjusted and reflected by the Fund for financial reporting purposes.

3. INCOME TAXES

At May 31, 2015, the cost of investments and net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) for income tax purposes were as follows:

Cost of investments $ 223,122,604  
 
Unrealized appreciation $ 43,871,925  
Unrealized depreciation   (9,389,125 )
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) $ 34,482,800  

 

4.      FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

 

The Fund follows a fair value hierarchy that distinguishes between market data obtained from independent sources (observable inputs) and the Fund’s own market assumptions (unobservable inputs). These inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund’s financial instruments and are summarized in the following fair value hierarchy:

The input levels are not necessarily an indication of the risk or liquidity associated with financial instruments at that level.

For movements between the levels within the fair value hierarchy, the Fund has adopted a policy of recognizing the transfers as of the date of the underlying event which caused the movement.

A summary of inputs used as of May 31, 2015, in valuing the Fund’s assets carried at fair value, is as follows:

    Level 1   Level 2   Level 3     Total
Assets:                  
Investments in Securities:                  
Equity Investments:a                  
Transportation $ - $ 417,684 $   - $ 417,684
Other Equity Investmentsb   84,372,725   -     -   84,372,725
Corporate Bonds   -   167,070,889     8,080   167,078,969
Senior Floating Rate Interests   -   955,295     -   955,295
Escrow s and Litigation Trusts   -   -     - c -
Short Term Investments   4,780,731   -     -   4,780,731
Total Investments in Securities $ 89,153,456 $ 168,443,868 $   8,080 $ 257,605,404

 

aIncludes common and convertible preferred stocks.
bFor detailed categories, see the accompanying Statement of Investments.
cIncludes security determined to have no value at May 31, 2015.

5. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

The Fund has evaluated subsequent events through the issuance of the Statement of Investments and determined that no events have occurred that require disclosure.

For additional information on the Fund's significant accounting policies, please refer to the Fund's most recent semiannual or annual shareholder report.


 

 

Item 2. Controls and Procedures.

 

(a) Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures.  The Registrant maintains disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the Registrant’s filings under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the periods specified in the rules and forms of the Securities and Exchange Commission.  Such information is accumulated and communicated to the Registrant’s management, including its principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.  The Registrant’s management, including the principal executive officer and the principal financial officer, recognizes that any set of controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives.

 

Within 90 days prior to the filing date of this Quarterly Schedule of Portfolio Holdings on Form N-Q, the Registrant had carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the Registrant’s management, including the Registrant’s principal executive officer and the Registrant’s principal financial officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures.  Based on such evaluation, the Registrant’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that the Registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective.

 

(b) Changes in Internal Controls.  There have been no changes in the Registrant’s internal controls or in other factors that could materially affect the internal controls over financial reporting subsequent to the date of their evaluation in connection with the preparation of this Quarterly Schedule of Portfolio Holdings on Form N-Q.

 

 

Item 3. Exhibits.

 

(a) Certification pursuant to Section 30a-2 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 of Laura F. Fergerson, Chief Executive Officer - Finance and Administration, and Gaston Gardey, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer.

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

Franklin Universal Trust

 

 

 

By /s/Laura F. Fergerson

      Laura F. Fergerson

      Chief Executive Officer –

 Finance and Administration

Date July 27, 2015

 


 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

 

 

By /s/Laura F. Fergerson

      Laura F. Fergerson

      Chief Executive Officer –

 Finance and Administration

Date July 27, 2015

 

 

 

By /s/Gaston Gardey

      Gaston Gardey

      Chief Financial Officer and

 Chief Accounting Officer

Date July 27, 2015