-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, Rg8IVfwacIjovmAbwV5I79SUuHwVqDJQB1TYoyLHEyZhWWT+AJkET3jXmpq6Hjty TPph3a2sdtQekmj4EOW55A== 0001067621-06-000007.txt : 20060316 0001067621-06-000007.hdr.sgml : 20060316 20060316154214 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001067621-06-000007 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: SC 13D PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 1 FILED AS OF DATE: 20060316 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20060316 GROUP MEMBERS: ANDREW DAKOS GROUP MEMBERS: BULLDOG INVESTORS SUBJECT COMPANY: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: FRANKLIN UNIVERSAL TRUST CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000833040 IRS NUMBER: 943077602 STATE OF INCORPORATION: MA FISCAL YEAR END: 0831 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: SC 13D SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 005-79684 FILM NUMBER: 06691854 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: ONE FRANKLIN PARKWAY CITY: SAN MATEO STATE: CA ZIP: 94403-1906 BUSINESS PHONE: 650-312-2000 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: ONE FRANKLIN PARKWAY CITY: SAN MATEO STATE: CA ZIP: 94403-1906 FILED BY: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: GOLDSTEIN PHILLIP CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001067621 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: SC 13D BUSINESS ADDRESS: BUSINESS PHONE: 9147475262 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 60 HERITAGE DRIVE CITY: PLEASANTVILLE STATE: NY ZIP: 10570 SC 13D 1 third.txt DATE OF EVENT WHICH REQUIRES FILING OF THIS STATEMENT 3/6/06 1. NAME OF REPORTING PERSON Bulldog Investors, Phillip Goldstein and Andrew Dakos 2. CHECK THE BOX IF MEMBER OF A GROUP a[ ] b[ ] 3. SEC USE ONLY 4. SOURCE OF FUNDS WC 5. CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) AND 2(e) [] 6. CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION USA ________________________________________________________________ 7. SOLE VOTING POWER NA 8. SHARED VOTING POWER NA 9. SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER NA _________________________________________________________ 10. SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER NA 11. AGGREGATE AMOUNT OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON 1,664,100 12. CHECK IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES [] 13. PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY ROW 11 5.95% 14. TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON IA ________________________________________________________________ 1. NAME OF REPORTING PERSON Phillip Goldstein 2. CHECK THE BOX IF MEMBER OF A GROUP a[ ] b[ ] 3. SEC USE ONLY 4. SOURCE OF FUNDS WC 5. CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) AND 2(e) [] 6. CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION USA ________________________________________________________________ 7. SOLE VOTING POWER 378,600 8. SHARED VOTING POWER 43,900 9. SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER 893,800 _________________________________________________________ 10. SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER 770,300 11. AGGREGATE AMOUNT OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON 1,664,100 12. CHECK IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES [] 13. PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY ROW 11 5.95% 14. TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON IA ________________________________________________________________ 1. NAME OF REPORTING PERSON Andrew Dakos 2. CHECK THE BOX IF MEMBER OF A GROUP a[ ] b[ ] 3. SEC USE ONLY 4. SOURCE OF FUNDS WC 5. CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) AND 2(e) [] 6. CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION USA ________________________________________________________________ 7. SOLE VOTING POWER 770,300 8. SHARED VOTING POWER 0 9. SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER 0 _________________________________________________________ 10. SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER 770,300 11. AGGREGATE AMOUNT OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON 770,300 12. CHECK IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES [] 13. PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY ROW 11 2.75% 14. TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON IA ________________________________________________________________ Item 1. SECURITY AND ISSUER This Schedule 13D relates to the shares of Common Stock of Franklin Universal Trust ("FT").The principal executive offices of FT are located at One Franklin Parkway, San Mateo, CA 94403. Item 2. IDENTITY AND BACKGROUND This statement is filed on behalf of Bulldog Investors, Phillip Goldstein, 60 Heritage Drive, Pleasantville, NY 10570 a principal of Bulldog Investors and Andrew Dakos, Park 80 W,Plaza Two, Saddle Brook, NJ 07663, also a principal of Bulldog Investors. Mr.Goldstein and Mr. Dakos are self-employed investment advisors. During the past 5 years none of the above has been convicted in a criminal proceeding, nor been party to a civil proceeding of a judicial or administrative body of competent jurisdiction as a result of which they were or are subject to a judgment, decree or final order enjoining future violations of, or prohibiting or mandating activities subject to,federal or state securities laws or finding any violation with respect to such laws. Each of the above are United States citizens. ITEM 3. SOURCE AND AMOUNT OF FUNDS AND OTHER CONSIDERATIONS Shares of FT have been accumulated on behalf of managed accounts. All funds that have been utilized to purchase such shares are from such accounts or from margin loans from broker dealers where these accounts are held. ITEM 4. PURPOSE OF TRANSACTION On January 19, 2006, the Fund announced that the Board of Directors authorized management to implement an open-market share repurchase program pursuant to which the Fund may purchase, from time to time, up to 10% of the Fund's common stock "to address the Fund's discount to net asset value." The filing persons commend the board for acting to address the Fund's discount and may communicate their views about the share repurchase program to the board. ITEM 5. INTEREST IN SECURITIES OF THE ISSUER As per the proxy statement filed on 01/10/2006 there were 27,924,294 shares of FT outstanding as of 12/16/05. The percentage set forth in item 5 was derived using such number. Bulldog Investors, Phillip Goldstein and Andrew Dakos beneficially own an aggregate of 1,664,100 shares of FT or 5.95% of the outstanding shares. Power to dispose of securities resides solely with Mr. Goldstein for 893,800 shares. Power to vote securities resides solely with Mr. Goldstein for 378,600 shares and jointly for 43,900 shares. Power to dispose of securities resides jointly with Mr. Dakos and Mr. Goldstein for 770,300 shares. Power to vote securities resides solely with Mr. Dakos for 770,300 shares. c) During the past 60 days the following shares of FT were purchased (there were no sales): 3/15/2006 1200 6.1 3/14/2006 12000 6.1 3/14/2006 5000 6.1 3/13/2006 45300 6.06 3/13/2006 14800 6.06 3/13/2006 5000 6.06 3/13/2006 5000 6.05 3/10/2006 40000 6.06 3/9/2006 19500 6.06 3/9/2006 5000 6.07 3/9/2006 2600 6.06 3/8/2006 59900 6.03 3/8/2006 1300 6.03 3/7/2006 5000 6.08 3/7/2006 5000 6.07 3/7/2006 5000 6.07 3/6/2006 40000 6.2 3/3/2006 15000 6.25 3/3/2006 5000 6.25 3/3/2006 1200 6.22 3/2/2006 5000 6.24 3/2/2006 4000 6.25 3/1/2006 5000 6.25 2/27/2006 300 6.25 2/9/2006 5000 6.17 2/8/2006 5500 6.14 2/8/2006 4100 6.15 2/7/2006 3300 6.16 1/27/2006 5000 6.28 d) Beneficiaries of managed accounts are entitled to receive any dividends or sales proceeds. e) NA ITEM 6. CONTRACTS,ARRANGEMENTS,UNDERSTANDINGS OR RELATIONSHIPS WITH RESPECT TO SECURITIES OF THE ISSUER. None. ITEM 7. MATERIAL TO BE FILED AS EXHIBITS Exhibit 1. Joint Filing Agreement After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct. Dated: 3/16/06 By: /s/ Phillip Goldstein Name: Phillip Goldstein By: /s/ Andrew Dakos Name: Andrew Dakos Exhibit 1 Joint Filing Agreement In accordance with Rule 13d-1 (k) (1) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the persons named below agree to the joint filing on behalf of each of them of the Schedule 13D (and all further amendments filed by them) with respect to the shares of FT. Dated: 3/16/06 By: /s/ Phillip Goldstein Name: Phillip Goldstein By: /s/ Andrew Dakos Name: Andrew Dakos -----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----