nq-fut113014.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:  11/30/14

 

 

Item 1. Schedule of Investments.

 

 


 

Franklin Universal Trust        
 
Statement of Investments, November 30, 2014 (unaudited)      
 
 
  Country Shares   Value
Common Stocks 43.0%        
Energy 1.7%        
Spectra Energy Corp. United States 92,350 $ 3,498,218
Materials 1.7%        
BHP Billiton PLC, ADR Australia 25,185   1,189,991
Freeport-McMoRan Inc., B United States 80,380   2,158,203
NewPage Holdings Inc. United States 2,400   217,200
        3,565,394
Transportation 0.1%        
aCEVA Holdings LLC United Kingdom 179   161,487
Utilities 39.5%        
Alliant Energy Corp. United States 40,000   2,514,800
American Electric Power Co. Inc. United States 75,000   4,316,250
CenterPoint Energy Inc. United States 169,800   4,065,012
CMS Energy Corp. United States 65,000   2,151,500
Consolidated Edison Inc. United States 42,000   2,652,300
Dominion Resources Inc. United States 100,000   7,255,000
DTE Energy Co. United States 25,000   2,036,500
Duke Energy Corp. United States 80,060   6,476,854
Edison International United States 75,000   4,767,000
Entergy Corp. United States 50,000   4,195,000
Exelon Corp. United States 55,000   1,989,350
FirstEnergy Corp. United States 60,000   2,212,800
Great Plains Energy Inc. United States 70,000   1,831,900
NextEra Energy Inc. United States 50,000   5,219,500
PG&E Corp. United States 50,000   2,525,000
Pinnacle West Capital Corp. United States 70,000   4,426,100
PPL Corp. United States 80,000   2,842,400
Public Service Enterprise Group Inc. United States 45,000   1,880,100
Sempra Energy United States 50,000   5,586,500
The Southern Co. United States 87,250   4,138,268
UIL Holdings Corp. United States 40,000   1,592,000
Westar Energy Inc. United States 60,000   2,345,400
Wisconsin Energy Corp. United States 40,000   1,976,000
Xcel Energy Inc. United States 60,000   2,036,400
        81,031,934
Total Common Stocks (Cost $48,066,614)       88,257,033
Convertible Preferred Stocks 0.2%        
Transportation 0.2%        
aCEVA Holdings LLC, cvt. pfd., A-1 United Kingdom 6   7,200
aCEVA Holdings LLC, cvt. pfd., A-2 United Kingdom 388   349,569
Total Convertible Preferred Stocks (Cost $587,093)       356,769
Preferred Stocks (Cost $290,000) 0.1%        
Diversified Financials 0.1%        
GMAC Capital Trust I, 8.125%, pfd. United States 11,600   306,704
    Principal Amount*    
Corporate Bonds 82.1%        
Automobiles & Components 1.1%        
The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., senior note, 6.50%, 3/01/21 United States 1,100,000   1,174,250
bInternational Automotive Components Group SA, senior secured note, 144A, 9.125%,        
6/01/18 United States 1,100,000   1,164,625
        2,338,875
Banks 3.1%        
CIT Group Inc., senior note,        
5.375%, 5/15/20 United States 500,000   533,125
5.00%, 8/15/22 United States 1,200,000   1,242,000
b 144A, 6.625%, 4/01/18 United States 300,000   328,125
cCitigroup Inc., junior sub. bond, M, 6.30% to 5/15/24, FRN thereafter, Perpetual United States 1,100,000   1,095,600

 

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


 

Franklin Universal Trust      
 
Statement of Investments, November 30, 2014 (unaudited) (continued)    
cJPMorgan Chase & Co., junior sub. bond,      
R, 6.00% to 8/01/23, FRN thereafter, Perpetual United States 900,000 911,250
V, 5.00% to 7/30/19, FRN thereafter, Perpetual United States 800,000 789,600
Royal Bank of Scotland Group PLC, sub. note,      
6.125%, 12/15/22 United Kingdom 900,000 986,063
5.125%, 5/28/24 United Kingdom 400,000 410,000
      6,295,763
Capital Goods 2.0%      
bAbengoa Finance SAU, senior note, 144A,      
8.875%, 11/01/17 Spain 1,500,000 1,470,938
7.75%, 2/01/20 Spain 150,000 137,250
Navistar International Corp., senior note, 8.25%, 11/01/21 United States 900,000 930,375
Oshkosh Corp., senior note, 5.375%, 3/01/22 United States 500,000 516,250
TransDigm Inc.,      
senior sub. bond, 6.50%, 7/15/24 United States 200,000 205,000
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 600,000 606,000
      4,068,813
Commercial & Professional Services 1.6%      
ADS Waste Holdings Inc., senior note, 8.25%, 10/01/20 United States 1,500,000 1,582,500
bAlgeco Scotsman Global Finance PLC, senior secured note, first lien, 144A, 8.50%,      
10/15/18 United Kingdom 700,000 724,938
bIHS Inc., senior note, 144A, 5.00%, 11/01/22 United States 300,000 306,000
United Rentals North America Inc., senior bond, 5.75%, 11/15/24 United States 600,000 624,000
      3,237,438
Consumer Durables & Apparel 2.8%      
KB Home,      
senior bond, 7.50%, 9/15/22 United States 1,100,000 1,185,250
senior note, 4.75%, 5/15/19 United States 200,000 199,500
senior note, 7.00%, 12/15/21 United States 300,000 321,000
M/I Homes Inc., senior note, 8.625%, 11/15/18 United States 200,000 209,500
Standard Pacific Corp., senior note, 6.25%, 12/15/21 United States 700,000 736,750
bTaylor Morrison Communities Inc./Monarch Communities Inc., senior note, 144A,      
7.75%, 4/15/20 United States 492,000 528,900
5.25%, 4/15/21 United States 400,000 404,000
5.625%, 3/01/24 United States 700,000 693,000
Toll Brothers Finance Corp., senior bond, 5.625%, 1/15/24 United States 700,000 743,750
Visant Corp., senior note, 10.00%, 10/01/17 United States 900,000 810,000
      5,831,650
Consumer Services 3.6%      
b1011778 BC ULC/New Red Finance Inc., secured note, second lien, 144A, 6.00%,      
4/01/22 Canada 1,000,000 1,030,000
b24 Hour Holdings III LLC, senior note, 144A, 8.00%, 6/01/22 United States 700,000 635,250
Caesars Entertainment Operating Co. Inc., senior secured note, first lien,      
11.25%, 6/01/17 United States 1,200,000 966,000
9.00%, 2/15/20 United States 300,000 240,000
b,dFontainebleau Las Vegas, senior secured note, first lien, 144A, 11.00%, 6/15/15 United States 1,600,000 8,000
bLandry's Inc., senior note, 144A, 9.375%, 5/01/20 United States 900,000 961,875
MGM Resorts International, senior note,      
6.875%, 4/01/16 United States 1,200,000 1,275,000
7.50%, 6/01/16 United States 800,000 858,960
Pinnacle Entertainment Inc., senior note, 6.375%, 8/01/21 United States 500,000 523,750
bScientific Games International Inc.,      
senior note, 144A, 10.00%, 12/01/22 United States 500,000 470,000
senior secured note, first lien, 144A, 7.00%, 1/01/22 United States 400,000 404,500
      7,373,335
Diversified Financials 2.9%      
bAerCap Ireland Capital Ltd./AerCap Global Aviation Trust, senior note, 144A, 5.00%,      
10/01/21 Netherlands 500,000 520,937
Ally Financial Inc.,      
senior bond, 5.125%, 9/30/24 United States 500,000 511,250
senior note, 5.50%, 2/15/17 United States 600,000 632,250

 


 

Franklin Universal Trust      
 
Statement of Investments, November 30, 2014 (unaudited) (continued)    
E*TRADE Financial Corp., senior note,      
6.375%, 11/15/19 United States 800,000 860,000
5.375%, 11/15/22 United States 300,000 303,750
GMAC Inc., sub. note, 8.00%, 12/31/18 United States 200,000 229,000
Navient Corp., senior note,      
8.45%, 6/15/18 United States 900,000 1,019,250
5.50%, 1/15/19 United States 800,000 827,000
4.875%, 6/17/19 United States 300,000 301,500
bNeuberger Berman Group LLC/Finance Corp., senior note, 144A, 5.875%, 3/15/22 United States 700,000 743,750
      5,948,687
Energy 20.1%      
Access Midstream Partner LP/ACMP Finance Corp., senior note, 6.125%, 7/15/22 United States 200,000 213,000
BreitBurn Energy Partners LP/BreitBurn Finance Corp.,      
senior bond, 7.875%, 4/15/22 United States 700,000 626,500
senior note, 8.625%, 10/15/20 United States 600,000 588,000
bCalifornia Resources Corp.,      
senior bond, 144A, 6.00%, 11/15/24 United States 400,000 358,750
senior note, 144A, 5.50%, 9/15/21 United States 400,000 361,000
Carrizo Oil & Gas Inc., senior note,      
7.50%, 9/15/20 United States 300,000 306,000
b 144A, 7.50%, 9/15/20 United States 500,000 510,000
CGG SA, senior note,      
7.75%, 5/15/17 France 203,000 201,477
6.50%, 6/01/21 France 600,000 540,000
6.875%, 1/15/22 France 600,000 573,000
Chaparral Energy Inc., senior note,      
9.875%, 10/01/20 United States 800,000 828,000
8.25%, 9/01/21 United States 200,000 193,000
7.625%, 11/15/22 United States 300,000 276,000
CHC Helicopter SA, senior secured note, first lien, 9.25%, 10/15/20 Canada 1,350,000 1,404,844
Chesapeake Energy Corp., senior note,      
6.625%, 8/15/20 United States 1,700,000 1,882,750
4.875%, 4/15/22 United States 300,000 298,500
Clayton Williams Energy Inc., senior note, 7.75%, 4/01/19 United States 1,200,000 1,170,000
bCompressco Partners LP/Finance Corp., senior note, 144A, 7.25%, 8/15/22 United States 300,000 276,000
CONSOL Energy Inc., senior note,      
8.25%, 4/01/20 United States 300,000 316,875
6.375%, 3/01/21 United States 300,000 313,500
b 144A, 5.875%, 4/15/22 United States 800,000 801,000
bDrill Rigs Holdings Inc., secured note, 144A, 6.50%, 10/01/17 United States 1,100,000 979,000
Energy Transfer Equity LP,      
senior bond, 5.875%, 1/15/24 United States 200,000 213,000
senior note, 7.50%, 10/15/20 United States 1,500,000 1,728,750
Energy XXI Gulf Coast Inc., senior note, 9.25%, 12/15/17 United States 1,300,000 1,170,000
bEnQuest PLC, senior note, 144A, 7.00%, 4/15/22 United Kingdom 600,000 477,000
EPL Oil & Gas Inc., senior note, 8.25%, 2/15/18 United States 800,000 736,000
Goodrich Petroleum Corp., senior note, 8.875%, 3/15/19 United States 1,200,000 867,000
Halcon Resources Corp., senior note,      
9.75%, 7/15/20 United States 1,000,000 770,000
8.875%, 5/15/21 United States 400,000 310,000
9.25%, 2/15/22 United States 200,000 159,000
bKinder Morgan Finance Co. LLC, senior secured note, 144A, 6.00%, 1/15/18 United States 1,000,000 1,115,000
Kodiak Oil & Gas Corp., senior note,      
8.125%, 12/01/19 United States 700,000 756,000
5.50%, 1/15/21 United States 200,000 202,500
Linn Energy LLC/Finance Corp., senior note,      
8.625%, 4/15/20 United States 1,000,000 910,000
7.75%, 2/01/21 United States 700,000 626,500
6.50%, 9/15/21 United States 100,000 87,000
Martin Midstream Partners LP/Martin Midstream Finance Corp., senior note, 7.25%,      
2/15/21 United States 1,000,000 995,000
bMemorial Resource Development Corp., senior note, 144A, 5.875%, 7/01/22 United States 500,000 476,250
Midstates Petroleum Co. Inc./LLC, senior note, 9.25%, 6/01/21 United States 700,000 584,500
bMurray Energy Corp., senior secured note, 144A, 8.625%, 6/15/21 United States 700,000 712,250

 


 

Franklin Universal Trust      
 
Statement of Investments, November 30, 2014 (unaudited) (continued)    
Oasis Petroleum Inc., senior note,      
7.25%, 2/01/19 United States 200,000 190,000
6.50%, 11/01/21 United States 400,000 389,000
6.875%, 3/15/22 United States 400,000 378,000
6.875%, 1/15/23 United States 200,000 189,000
bOcean Rig UDW Inc., senior note, 144A, 7.25%, 4/01/19 United States 400,000 347,250
Offshore Group Investment Ltd.,      
senior bond, first lien, 7.125%, 4/01/23 United States 700,000 497,000
senior secured note, first lien, 7.50%, 11/01/19 United States 700,000 561,750
PBF Holding Co. LLC, first lien, 8.25%, 2/15/20 United States 1,200,000 1,266,000
Penn Virginia Corp., senior note, 8.50%, 5/01/20 United States 700,000 656,250
Penn Virginia Resource Partners LP/Penn Virginia Resource Finance Corp., senior      
note,      
8.375%, 6/01/20 United States 390,000 425,100
6.50%, 5/15/21 United States 400,000 416,000
QEP Resources Inc., senior note,      
5.375%, 10/01/22 United States 700,000 668,500
5.25%, 5/01/23 United States 400,000 378,000
QR Energy LP/QRE Finance Corp. LLC, senior note, 9.25%, 8/01/20 United States 1,000,000 1,151,200
b,eQuicksilver Resources Inc., secured note, second lien, 144A, FRN, 7.00%, 6/21/19 United States 1,000,000 857,500
bRegency Energy Partners LP/Regency Energy Finance Corp., senior note, 144A,      
8.375%, 6/01/19 United States 1,100,000 1,157,750
Sabine Pass Liquefaction LLC, first lien,      
5.625%, 2/01/21 United States 1,000,000 1,027,500
6.25%, 3/15/22 United States 200,000 212,750
5.625%, 4/15/23 United States 500,000 512,500
Samson Investment Co., senior note, 9.75%, 2/15/20 United States 1,400,000 815,500
Sanchez Energy Corp., senior note,      
7.75%, 6/15/21 United States 900,000 891,000
b 144A, 6.125%, 1/15/23 United States 300,000 270,750
bUltra Petroleum Corp., senior bond, 144A, 6.125%, 10/01/24 United States 1,100,000 1,006,500
W&T Offshore Inc., senior note, 8.50%, 6/15/19 United States 1,200,000 1,050,000
      41,227,746
Food, Beverage & Tobacco 3.1%      
Constellation Brands Inc.,      
senior bond, 4.75%, 11/15/24 United States 400,000 409,000
senior note, 4.25%, 5/01/23 United States 500,000 499,400
Del Monte Corp., senior note, 7.625%, 2/15/19 United States 1,072,000 1,052,570
bDole Food Co. Inc., senior secured note, 144A, 7.25%, 5/01/19 United States 800,000 803,000
bJBS USA LLC/Finance Inc.,      
senior bond, 144A, 5.875%, 7/15/24 United States 600,000 612,750
senior note, 144A, 8.25%, 2/01/20 United States 300,000 321,000
senior note, 144A, 7.25%, 6/01/21 United States 700,000 747,250
Post Holdings Inc., senior note,      
7.375%, 2/15/22 United States 800,000 810,000
b 144A, 6.75%, 12/01/21 United States 500,000 492,500
b 144A, 6.00%, 12/15/22 United States 100,000 94,500
WhiteWave Foods Co., senior note, 5.375%, 10/01/22 United States 500,000 526,250
      6,368,220
Health Care Equipment & Services 5.5%      
Alere Inc.,      
senior note, 7.25%, 7/01/18 United States 900,000 956,250
senior sub. note, 6.50%, 6/15/20 United States 100,000 103,250
bAmSurg Corp., senior note, 144A, 5.625%, 7/15/22 United States 200,000 206,000
Aviv Healthcare Properties LP/Aviv Healthcare Capital Corp., senior note,      
7.75%, 2/15/19 United States 1,000,000 1,053,750
6.00%, 10/15/21 United States 100,000 106,875
CHS/Community Health Systems Inc.,      
senior note, 8.00%, 11/15/19 United States 900,000 965,250
senior note, 7.125%, 7/15/20 United States 400,000 423,500
senior note, 6.875%, 2/01/22 United States 200,000 212,750
senior secured note, 5.125%, 8/15/18 United States 600,000 618,750
DaVita HealthCare Partners Inc.,      
senior bond, 5.125%, 7/15/24 United States 400,000 411,000

 


 

Franklin Universal Trust      
 
Statement of Investments, November 30, 2014 (unaudited) (continued)    
senior note, 5.75%, 8/15/22 United States 500,000 530,000
ExamWorks Group Inc., senior note, 9.00%, 7/15/19 United States 800,000 856,000
HCA Inc.,      
senior note, 6.50%, 2/15/16 United States 1,400,000 1,471,750
senior note, 5.875%, 5/01/23 United States 800,000 847,000
senior secured note, 5.875%, 3/15/22 United States 600,000 654,000
Tenet Healthcare Corp., senior note,      
8.125%, 4/01/22 United States 1,000,000 1,120,000
b 144A, 5.00%, 3/01/19 United States 300,000 296,250
b 144A, 5.50%, 3/01/19 United States 400,000 404,000
      11,236,375
Materials 9.9%      
ArcelorMittal, senior note, 6.00%, 3/01/21 Luxembourg 900,000 947,659
bArdagh Packaging Finance PLC, senior note, 144A, 9.125%, 10/15/20 Luxembourg 500,000 541,250
bArdagh Packaging Finance PLC/Ardagh MP Holdings USA Inc., senior note, 144A,      
6.25%, 1/31/19 Luxembourg 200,000 201,000
7.00%, 11/15/20 Luxembourg 88,235 90,221
6.75%, 1/31/21 Luxembourg 200,000 205,375
6.00%, 6/30/21 Luxembourg 500,000 497,500
bBarminco Finance Pty. Ltd., senior note, 144A, 9.00%, 6/01/18 Australia 800,000 699,000
bBlueScope Steel Ltd./BlueScope Steel Finance, senior note, 144A, 7.125%, 5/01/18 Australia 1,400,000 1,459,500
bCemex Finance LLC, senior secured note, 144A, 6.00%, 4/01/24 Mexico 600,000 600,375
bCemex SAB de CV,      
first lien, 144A, 5.70%, 1/11/25 Mexico 1,100,000 1,075,250
senior secured note, 144A, 9.00%, 1/11/18 Mexico 400,000 425,250
bConstellium NV, senior note, 144A, 5.75%, 5/15/24 Netherlands 400,000 394,250
bEldorado Gold Corp., senior note, 144A, 6.125%, 12/15/20 Canada 1,000,000 995,000
bFirst Quantum Minerals Ltd., senior note, 144A,      
6.75%, 2/15/20 Canada 631,000 608,915
7.00%, 2/15/21 Canada 631,000 615,225
bFMG Resources (August 2006) Pty. Ltd., senior note, 144A,      
6.875%, 2/01/18 Australia 444,444 418,333
8.25%, 11/01/19 Australia 300,000 278,625
bIneos Finance PLC, senior secured note, 144A, 7.50%, 5/01/20 Switzerland 800,000 848,500
bIneos Group Holdings SA, senior note, 144A,      
6.125%, 8/15/18 Switzerland 300,000 296,280
5.875%, 2/15/19 Switzerland 200,000 194,875
bNOVA Chemicals Corp., senior bond, 144A, 5.00%, 5/01/25 Canada 1,100,000 1,139,875
Novelis Inc., senior note, 8.75%, 12/15/20 Canada 700,000 763,000
Olin Corp., senior bond, 5.50%, 8/15/22 United States 800,000 818,000
b,f Owens-Brockway Glass Container Inc., senior note, 144A, 5.00%, 1/15/22 United States 600,000 608,250
bPolymer Group Inc., senior note, 144A, 6.875%, 6/01/19 United States 800,000 785,000
bRain CII Carbon LLC/CII Carbon Corp., second lien, 144A, 8.25%, 1/15/21 United States 500,000 517,500
Reynolds Group Issuer Inc./LLC/SA,      
first lien, 5.75%, 10/15/20 United States 500,000 516,875
senior note, 8.50%, 5/15/18 United States 1,000,000 1,035,000
senior note, 9.00%, 4/15/19 United States 200,000 209,500
senior note, 9.875%, 8/15/19 United States 100,000 108,250
senior note, 8.25%, 2/15/21 United States 700,000 734,125
bSealed Air Corp., senior note, 144A,      
6.50%, 12/01/20 United States 400,000 442,000
8.375%, 9/15/21 United States 300,000 339,000
bSteel Dynamics Inc.,      
senior bond, 144A, 5.50%, 10/01/24 United States 500,000 526,250
senior note, 144A, 5.125%, 10/01/21 United States 400,000 415,000
      20,350,008
Media 9.1%      
bAnna Merger Sub Inc., senior note, 144A, 7.75%, 10/01/22 United States 500,000 513,750
Cablevision Systems Corp., senior note, 8.625%, 9/15/17 United States 700,000 794,500
CCO Holdings LLC/CCO Holdings Capital Corp., senior bond, 5.25%, 9/30/22 United States 800,000 799,000
CCOH Safari LLC, senior bond, 5.75%, 12/01/24 United States 700,000 706,125
Clear Channel Worldwide Holdings Inc.,      
senior note, 6.50%, 11/15/22 United States 500,000 523,750
senior sub. note, 7.625%, 3/15/20 United States 700,000 732,200

 


 

Franklin Universal Trust      
 
Statement of Investments, November 30, 2014 (unaudited) (continued)    
CSC Holdings LLC, senior note,      
6.75%, 11/15/21 United States 700,000 778,750
b 144A, 5.25%, 6/01/24 United States 200,000 198,750
DISH DBS Corp., senior note,      
7.125%, 2/01/16 United States 1,000,000 1,065,000
6.75%, 6/01/21 United States 700,000 762,125
Gannett Co. Inc.,      
senior bond, 6.375%, 10/15/23 United States 900,000 973,125
senior note, 5.125%, 7/15/20 United States 800,000 830,000
iHeartCommunications Inc.,      
senior secured bond, first lien, 9.00%, 3/01/21 United States 1,300,000 1,272,375
b senior secured note, first lien, 144A, 9.00%, 9/15/22 United States 100,000 97,750
bThe Nielsen Co. (Luxembourg) S.A.R.L., senior note, 144A, 5.50%, 10/01/21 United States 400,000 412,000
bNielsen Finance LLC/Co., senior note, 144A, 5.00%, 4/15/22 United States 500,000 505,625
bRadio One Inc., senior sub. note, 144A, 9.25%, 2/15/20 United States 500,000 480,000
bSirius XM Radio Inc., senior bond, 144A, 6.00%, 7/15/24 United States 800,000 828,000
bUnitymedia KabelBW GmbH, senior bond, 144A, 6.125%, 1/15/25 Germany 600,000 627,375
bUnivision Communications Inc.,      
senior secured bond, 144A, 6.75%, 9/15/22 United States 358,000 395,590
senior secured note, 144A, 6.875%, 5/15/19 United States 1,000,000 1,052,500
senior secured note, 144A, 7.875%, 11/01/20 United States 200,000 216,750
bUPCB Finance III Ltd., senior secured note, 144A, 6.625%, 7/01/20 Netherlands 1,100,000 1,155,000
bVirgin Media Finance PLC, senior bond, 144A, 6.375%, 4/15/23 United Kingdom 300,000 321,000
bVirgin Media Secured Finance PLC, senior secured bond, first lien, 144A, 5.50%,      
1/15/25 United Kingdom 800,000 833,000
bVTR Finance BV, senior secured note, 144A, 6.875%, 1/15/24 Chile 600,000 633,000
bWMG Acquisition Corp.,      
secured note, 144A, 6.00%, 1/15/21 United States 1,190,000 1,222,725
senior note, 144A, 5.625%, 4/15/22 United States 100,000 101,250
      18,831,015
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences 1.9%      
binVentiv Health Inc., senior secured note, 144A, 9.00%, 1/15/18 United States 200,000 206,604
bJaguar Holding Co. II/Merger Sub Inc., senior note, 144A, 9.50%, 12/01/19 United States 400,000 431,500
Par Pharmaceutical Cos. Inc., senior note, 7.375%, 10/15/20 United States 1,600,000 1,692,000
bValeant Pharmaceuticals International Inc., senior note, 144A,      
7.50%, 7/15/21 United States 300,000 325,125
5.625%, 12/01/21 United States 200,000 202,500
bVPI Escrow Corp., senior note, 144A, 6.375%, 10/15/20 United States 1,100,000 1,145,386
      4,003,115
Retailing 0.8%      
bAmerican Builders & Contractors Supply Co. Inc., senior note, 144A, 5.625%, 4/15/21 United States 900,000 911,250
bNew Look Bondco I PLC, secured note, 144A, 8.375%, 5/14/18 United Kingdom 600,000 637,875
      1,549,125
Software & Services 2.5%      
bBMC Software Finance Inc., senior note, 144A, 8.125%, 7/15/21 United States 1,100,000 1,036,750
Equinix Inc., senior bond, 5.375%, 4/01/23 United States 1,300,000 1,311,375
First Data Corp.,      
senior bond, 12.625%, 1/15/21 United States 900,000 1,073,250
senior note, 11.25%, 1/15/21 United States 136,000 155,380
b senior secured bond, 144A, 8.25%, 1/15/21 United States 900,000 967,500
Sterling International Inc., senior note, 11.00%, 10/01/19 United States 500,000 537,500
      5,081,755
Technology Hardware & Equipment 1.2%      
bAlcatel-Lucent USA Inc., senior note, 144A, 6.75%, 11/15/20 France 1,200,000 1,251,000
bBlackboard Inc., senior note, 144A, 7.75%, 11/15/19 United States 700,000 707,000
b,gCommScope Holdings Co. Inc., senior note, 144A, PIK, 6.625%, 6/01/20 United States 400,000 419,000
      2,377,000
Telecommunication Services 7.3%      
CenturyLink Inc., senior bond, 6.75%, 12/01/23 United States 300,000 334,125
bDigicel Group Ltd., senior note, 144A, 8.25%, 9/30/20 Bermuda 900,000 923,625
bDigicel Ltd., senior note, 144A, 6.00%, 4/15/21 Bermuda 500,000 491,250
beAccess Ltd., senior note, 144A, 8.25%, 4/01/18 Japan 700,000 741,562

 


 

Franklin Universal Trust        
 
Statement of Investments, November 30, 2014 (unaudited) (continued)      
Frontier Communications Corp., senior note,        
8.50%, 4/15/20 United States 800,000 920,000  
9.25%, 7/01/21 United States 200,000 235,250  
8.75%, 4/15/22 United States 700,000 808,500  
Intelsat Jackson Holdings SA,        
senior bond, 6.625%, 12/15/22 Luxembourg 500,000 523,750  
senior note, 7.25%, 10/15/20 Luxembourg 200,000 212,750  
senior note, 7.50%, 4/01/21 Luxembourg 1,500,000 1,614,375  
bMillicom International Cellular SA, senior note, 144A, 6.625%, 10/15/21 Luxembourg 900,000 955,125  
Sprint Corp., senior bond,        
7.875%, 9/15/23 United States 500,000 526,250  
7.125%, 6/15/24 United States 200,000 198,750  
bSprint Nextel Corp., senior note, 144A,        
9.00%, 11/15/18 United States 2,000,000 2,320,000  
7.00%, 3/01/20 United States 500,000 552,813  
T-Mobile USA Inc.,        
senior bond, 6.50%, 1/15/24 United States 200,000 205,000  
senior bond, 6.375%, 3/01/25 United States 500,000 508,750  
senior note, 6.542%, 4/28/20 United States 800,000 833,000  
senior note, 6.125%, 1/15/22 United States 100,000 102,125  
bWind Acquisition Finance SA,        
senior note, 144A, 7.375%, 4/23/21 Italy 1,700,000 1,639,437  
senior secured note, first lien, 144A, 4.75%, 7/15/20 Italy 300,000 288,375  
      14,934,812  
Transportation 1.6%        
bFlorida East Coast Holdings Corp.,        
secured note, first lien, 144A, 6.75%, 5/01/19 United States 400,000 410,000  
senior note, 144A, 9.75%, 5/01/20 United States 200,000 202,500  
Hertz Corp., senior note,        
7.50%, 10/15/18 United States 600,000 624,000  
6.75%, 4/15/19 United States 1,000,000 1,037,500  
bStena AB, senior bond, 144A, 7.00%, 2/01/24 Sweden 500,000 491,250  
bStena International SA, secured bond, 144A, 5.75%, 3/01/24 Sweden 500,000 498,750  
      3,264,000  
Utilities 2.0%        
Calpine Corp.,        
senior bond, 5.75%, 1/15/25 United States 1,300,000 1,324,375  
b senior secured bond, first lien, 144A, 7.875%, 1/15/23 United States 408,000 453,900  
bInterGen NV, secured bond, 144A, 7.00%, 6/30/23 Netherlands 1,000,000 967,500  
bNGL Energy Partners LP/NGL Energy Finance Corp., senior note, 144A, 5.125%,        
7/15/19 United States 200,000 194,250  
bNRG Yield Operating LLC, senior bond, 144A, 5.375%, 8/15/24 United States 600,000 610,500  
b,dTexas Competitive Electric Holdings Co. LLC/Texas Competitive Electric Holdings        
Finance Inc., senior secured note, 144A, 11.50%, 10/01/20 United States 700,000 561,750  
      4,112,275  
Total Corporate Bonds (Cost $167,821,174)     168,430,007  
eSenior Floating Rate Interests (Cost $969,835) 0.5%        
Household & Personal Products 0.5%        
Sun Products Corp., Tranche B Term Loan, 5.50%, 3/23/20 United States 977,678 945,903  
    Shares    
Litigation Trusts (Cost $—) 0.0%        
        a,hNewPage Corp., Litigation Trust United States 1,200,000  
Total Investments before Short Term Investments (Cost $217,734,716)     258,296,416  
Short Term Investments (Cost $3,293,750) 1.6%        
Money Market Funds 1.6%        
a,i Institutional Fiduciary Trust Money Market Portfolio United States 3,293,750 3,293,750  
Total Investments (Cost $221,028,466) 127.5%     261,590,166  
Notes Payable (29.3)%     (60,000,000 )

 


 

Franklin Universal Trust    
Statement of Investments, November 30, 2014 (unaudited) (continued)    
Other Assets, less Liabilities 1.8%   3,623,165
Net Assets 100.0% $ 205,213,331

 

* 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
November 30, 2014, the aggregate value of these securities was $70,177,079, representing 34.20% of net assets.
c Perpetual security with no stated maturity date.
d Defaulted security or security for which income has been deemed uncollectible.
e The coupon rate shown represents the rate at period end.
f Security purchased on a when-issued basis.
g Income may be received in additional securities and/or cash.
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 amended, 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 portfolio 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.

Also, 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 November 30, 2014, the cost of investments and net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) for income tax purposes were as follows:

Cost of investments $ 221,228,913  
 
Unrealized appreciation $ 47,517,552  
Unrealized depreciation   (7,156,299 )
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) $ 40,361,253  
 
 
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 November 30, 2014, 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                  
Materials $ 3,348,194 $ 217,200 $ - $ 3,565,394  
Transportation   -   -   518,256   518,256  
Other Equity Investmentsb   84,836,856   -   -   84,836,856  
Corporate Bonds   -   168,422,007   8,000   168,430,007  
Senior Floating Rate Interests   -   945,903   -   945,903  
Litigation Trusts   -   -   - c - c
Short Term Investments   3,293,750   -   -   3,293,750  
Total Investments in Securities $ 91,478,800 $ 169,585,110 $ 526,256 $ 261,590,166  

 

aIncludes common, preferred and convertible preferred stocks.
bFor detailed categories, see the accompanying Statement of Investments.
cIncludes security determined to have no value at November 30, 2014.

A reconciliation of assets in which Level 3 inputs are used in determining fair value is presented when there are significant Level 3 financial instruments at the end of the period.

5. NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

In June 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2014-11, Transfers and Servicing (Topic 860), Repurchase-to-Maturity Transactions, Repurchase Financings, and Disclosures. The ASU changes the accounting for certain repurchase agreements and expands disclosure requirements related to repurchase agreements, securities lending, repurchase-to-maturity and similar transactions. The ASU is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2014. Management is currently evaluating the impact, if any, of applying this provision.

6. 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 January 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 January 27, 2015

 

 

 

 

 

By /s/GASTON GARDEY

   Gaston Gardey

   Chief Financial Officer and

   Chief Accounting Officer

 Date January 27, 2015