BE
BEN
Sep 30, 2023
Quarter ended Sep 30, 2023 · FY2023 Q4

Franklin Resources, Inc. stock research

Franklin Resources (BEN) Free Cash Flow — Quarter Ended Sep 30, 2023

Free cash flow improved sequentially but weakened compared to the same quarter last year. The cash conversion rate strengthened from the prior quarter, though it remained below the year-ago level.

Free cash flow takeaway

A quick read on the company's cash generation and what it means for investors.

Free cash flow improved sequentially but weakened compared to the same quarter last year. The cash conversion rate strengthened from the prior quarter, though it remained below the year-ago level.

  • Revenue was stable sequentially, while operating cash flow increased and capital expenditure decreased, leading to higher free cash flow and an improved free cash flow margin. Compared to the same quarter last year, revenue was slightly higher, but operating cash flow and free cash flow were lower, resulting in a weakened margin.
  • Compared to the prior quarter, free cash flow and margin improved, driven by higher operating cash flow and lower capital expenditure. Versus the same quarter last year, free cash flow and margin declined, as operating cash flow decreased despite slightly higher revenue.

FCF snapshot

Quarterly and TTM cash-flow metrics with the minimum valuation context.

TTM free cash flow

$940.4M

Trailing twelve-month free cash flow.

Quarter free cash flow

$737.2M

Free cash flow in the selected fiscal quarter.

Operating cash flow

$764.5M

Cash generated by operations before capital spending.

CapEx

$27.3M

Capital spending and related asset purchases.

FCF margin

37.1%

The share of revenue converted into free cash flow.

Cash flow trend

A short quarterly history shows whether FCF is scaling with revenue or only spiking for one period.

PeriodRevenueOperating CFCapExFCFFCF margin
2022-12-31$2.0B-$256.3M$27.4M-$283.7M-14.4%
2023-03-31$1.9B-$73.3M$15.4M-$88.7M-4.6%
2023-06-30$2.0B$654.3M$78.7M$575.6M29.2%
2023-09-30$2.0B$764.5M$27.3M$737.2M37.1%

Cash conversion quality

Checks that separate high-quality free cash flow from accounting noise or working-capital timing.

FCF / net income249.5%Shows whether accounting earnings convert into cash.
CapEx / revenue1.4%Lower capital intensity usually supports FCF margin.
Net cashn/aCash and equivalents minus total debt.

Recent events shaping cash flow

Near-term business events that help explain the free cash flow result.

Supportive

Operating Cash Flow Improvement

Operating cash flow increased sequentially, which was the primary factor behind the improvement in free cash flow and margin. This occurred even as revenue remained flat.

The sequential rise in operating cash flow directly boosted free cash flow and margin for the quarter.

What the cash flow says

How to interpret the company's free cash flow beyond the headline number.

Revenue was stable sequentially, while operating cash flow increased and capital expenditure decreased, leading to higher free cash flow and an improved free cash flow margin. Compared to the same quarter last year, revenue was slightly higher, but operating cash flow and free cash flow were lower, resulting in a weakened margin.

Compared to the prior quarter, free cash flow and margin improved, driven by higher operating cash flow and lower capital expenditure. Versus the same quarter last year, free cash flow and margin declined, as operating cash flow decreased despite slightly higher revenue.

Monitor the trend in operating cash flow, as it declined year-over-year despite stable revenue.