FRANKLIN RESOURCES INC
10-Q, 1997-05-14
INVESTMENT ADVICE
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                                FORM 10-Q
                    SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                          Washington, D.C. 20549
(Mark One)
          [X] QUARTERLY REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 or 15(d) OF THE
                         SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For Quarterly Period Ended March 31, 1997

                                    OR

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

        For the transition period from _________ to______________

Commission File No. 1-9318

                         FRANKLIN RESOURCES, INC.
          (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

                               Delaware 13-2670991
                   (State or other jurisdiction (IRS Employer
           of incorporation or organization) Identification No.)

              777 Mariners Island Blvd., San Mateo, CA 94404
                 (Address of Principal Executive Offices)
                                (Zip Code)

                              (415) 312-2000
           (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
           ---------------------------------------------------
           (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.

YES   X    NO ______

            APPLICABLE ONLY TO ISSUERS INVOLVED IN BANKRUPTCY
               PROCEEDINGS DURING THE PRECEDING FIVE YEARS:
     Indicate by check mark whether the  registrant  has filed all documents and
reports  required  to be filed by  Sections  12,  13 or 15(d) of the  Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 subsequent to the  distribution of securities  under a plan
confirmed by a court. YES _____ NO ______
                  APPLICABLE ONLY TO CORPORATE ISSUERS:

Outstanding:126,079,301  shares, common stock, par value $.10 per share at April
30, 1997.



<PAGE>



PART I -FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.    Condensed Financial Statements


FRANKLIN RESOURCES, INC.
Consolidated Statements of Income
Unaudited
                                         Three months         Six months
                                             ended               ended
                                           March 31            March 31
(In thousands, except per share          1997      1996     1997      1996
data)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Operating revenues:
   Investment management fees         $308,266 $215,916  $583,940 $418,144
   Underwriting and
    distribution fees                  180,285  152,910   316,771  271,946
   Shareholder servicing fees           28,797   22,051    53,625   42,847
   Banking/finance, net and other        4,528    2,924     7,579    3,478
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total operating revenues         521,876  393,801   961,915  736,415
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Operating expenses:
   Underwriting and distribution       184,167  149,171   327,085  265,232
   Employee related                    106,783   81,726   206,354  158,588
   General and administrative           54,439   39,396   100,429   69,588
   Advertising and promotion            23,406   17,286    42,072   32,811
   Amortization of intangible assets     9,057    4,530    16,402    9,371
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total operating expenses         377,852  292,109   692,342  535,590
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Operating income                       144,024  101,692   269,573  200,825

Other income/(expenses):
   Investment and other income           6,087    9,989    25,695   20,654
   Interest expense                     (5,756)  (3,419)  (13,929)  (6,042)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Other income/(expenses), net         331    6,570    11,766   14,612
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Income before taxes on income          144,355  108,262   281,339  215,437
Taxes on income                         42,944   33,050    83,699   66,274
===========================================================================
Net income                            $101,411  $75,212  $197,640 $149,163
===========================================================================

Earnings per share:
   Primary                               $0.80    $0.60     $1.56    $1.19
   Fully diluted                         $0.80    $0.60     $1.56    $1.19
Dividends per share                      $0.08    $0.07     $0.16    $0.14







The  accompanying  notes are an integral  part of these  consolidated  financial
statements.


<PAGE>


FRANKLIN RESOURCES, INC.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
Unaudited




                                                     As of          As of
                                                  March 31      September 30
(In thousands)                                       1997           1996

- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

ASSETS:
Current assets:
   Cash and cash equivalents                         $286,388     $483,975
   Receivables:
      Fees from Franklin Templeton funds              169,092      133,453
      Other                                            40,014       54,727
   Investment securities, available for sale          192,641      174,156
   Prepaid expenses and other                          14,427        9,952
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total current assets                            702,562      856,263
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Banking/Finance assets:
   Cash and cash equivalents                           14,968       18,214
   Loans receivable, net                              317,378      345,399
   Investment securities, available for sale           19,981       25,325
   Other assets                                         3,689        4,660
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total banking/finance assets                    356,016      393,598
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Other assets:
   Deferred sales commissions, net                     42,228       24,316
   Property and equipment, net                        168,561      161,613
   Intangible assets, net of $90,441 and $74,027
    accumulated amortization, respectively          1,241,874      641,983

   Receivable from banking/finance group              208,417      236,532
   Other assets                                        71,040       59,862
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total other assets                            1,732,120    1,124,306
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

       Total assets                                $2,790,698   $2,374,167
===========================================================================







The  accompanying  notes are an integral  part of these  consolidated  financial
statements.

<PAGE>


FRANKLIN RESOURCES, INC.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
Unaudited



                                                     As of          As of
                                                   March 31      September 30
(Dollars in thousands)                               1997            1996

- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:

Current liabilities:
   Accrued employee related                           $81,625      $77,935
   Commissions payable                                 37,670       28,067
   Income taxes payable                                33,425       27,673
   Short-term debt                                    150,420          427
   Other                                               48,606       48,099
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total current liabilities                       351,746      182,201
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Banking/finance liabilities:
   Deposits of account holders:
       Interest bearing                               106,928      125,124
       Non-interest bearing                             6,673        6,095
Payable to parent                                     208,417      236,532
Other liabilities                                       1,802        1,725
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total banking/finance liabilities               323,820      369,476
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Other Liabilities:
   Long-term debt                                     443,492      399,462
   Other liabilities                                   26,465       22,437
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total other liabilities                         469,957      421,899
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

       Total liabilities                            1,145,523      973,576
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Stockholders' equity:
   Preferred stock, $1.00 par value,
     1,000,000 shares authorized; none issued              -            -

   Common stock, $.10 par value, 500,000,000 shares 
     authorized;  126,231,299 and
     82,264,982 shares issued; 126,231,299 and
     80,272,131 shares outstanding, respectively       12,623        8,226

   Capital in excess of par value                      91,344      101,226
   Retained earnings                                1,542,564    1,370,513
   Less cost of treasury stock                             -       (90,301)
   Other                                              (1,356)       10,927
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total stockholders' equity                    1,645,175    1,400,591
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

       Total liabilities and stockholders'
        equity                                     $2,790,698   $2,374,167
===========================================================================




The  accompanying  notes are an integral  part of these  consolidated  financial
statements.

<PAGE>



FRANKLIN RESOURCES, INC.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Unaudited



                                                         Six months ended
                                                             March 31
(In thousands)                                           1997         1996
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income                                          $197,640      $149,163

Adjustments  to  reconcile   net  income  to  net  cash  provided  by  operating
    activities:
Increase in receivables, prepaid expenses and
   other current assets                              (39,322)      (18,221)
Increase in deferred sales commissions, net          (17,912)      (15,748)
Increase in other current liabilities                  4,572        30,285
Increase (decrease) in income taxes payable            5,752        (1,179)
Increase in commissions payable                        9,603         5,493
Increase (decrease) in accrued employee related       29,411       (11,136)
Depreciation and amortization                         29,837        19,839
Realized gains on disposition of investments and
other assets                                         (10,662)       (5,411)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash provided by operating activities            208,919       153,085
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Purchase of investments                              (57,694)      (41,919)
Liquidation of investments                            45,249        35,852
Purchase of banking/finance investments               (8,072)      (36,850)
Liquidation of banking/finance investments            13,416        33,929
Originations of banking/finance loans receivable     (53,920)      (21,382)
Collections of banking/finance loans receivable       84,862        77,239
Purchase of property and equipment                   (18,863)      (19,985)
Acquisition of assets and liabilities of Heine                  
  Securities Corporation                            (550,717)            -
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash provided by (used in) investing
  activities                                        (545,739)        26,884
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Decrease in bank deposits                            (17,618)      (20,168)
Exercise of common stock options                       2,280         1,009
Dividends paid on common stock                       (18,944)      (16,973)
Purchase of treasury stock                            (7,945)      (50,682)
Issuance of debt                                     371,081        65,440
Payments on debt                                    (101,182)      (82,712)
Purchase of option rights from subordinated
  debenture holders                                  (91,685)            -
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash provided by (used in) financing
  activities                                         135,987      (104,086)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents    (200,833)       75,883
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of the
period                                               502,189       261,699
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash and cash equivalents, end of the period        $301,356      $337,582
===========================================================================

Supplemental disclosure of non-cash information:
    Value of stock issued for Heine acquisition      $65,588             -
    Value of stock issued for redemption of
     debentures                                      $75,015             -
    Value of common stock issued in other
     transactions                                    $30,848       $18,040

The  accompanying  notes are an integral  part of these  consolidated  financial
statements.

<PAGE>



                         FRANKLIN RESOURCES, INC.
                Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
                              March 31, 1997
                               (Unaudited)


1.  Basis of Presentation

The unaudited interim  consolidated  financial statements of Franklin Resources,
Inc. (the  "Company")  included herein have been prepared in accordance with the
instructions  to  Form  10-Q  pursuant  to  the  rules  and  regulations  of the
Securities and Exchange Commission. Certain information and footnote disclosures
normally included in financial  statements prepared in accordance with generally
accepted  accounting  principles have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such
rules and regulations. In the opinion of management, all appropriate adjustments
necessary to a fair presentation of the results of operations have been made for
the periods shown.  All adjustments are of a normal  recurring  nature.  Certain
prior  year  amounts  have  been   reclassified   to  conform  to  current  year
presentation. The number of shares used for purposes of calculating earnings per
share and all per share data have been  adjusted  for all periods  presented  to
reflect a three-for-two  stock dividend paid on January 15, 1997.  Stockholders'
equity  as of  September  30,  1996  has  not  been  restated.  These  financial
statements  should be read in conjunction with the Company's  audited  financial
statements for the year ended September 30, 1996.

2.  Debt

During October 1996,  the Company  issued $270.8 million in commercial  paper as
part of the Heine transaction (see Note 3. "Acquisition" below).

During  December 1996, the holders of the option rights related to the Company's
$150  million  of  subordinated  debentures  exercised  their  rights to receive
approximately  2.4 million  shares of the  Company's  common stock in return for
approximately  $75 million of the  subordinated  debentures.  In  addition,  the
Company  purchased  the  remaining $75 million of  subordinated  debentures  and
associated option rights,  representing  approximately 2.4 million shares,  from
the holders  for  approximately  $165.8  million  plus  accrued  interest.  This
transaction  was  financed  in part  through  the  issuance  of $100  million in
medium-term notes, maturing in years 1998 through 1999 with coupon rates ranging
from  6.02%  to  6.19%.  No  material  gain  or  loss  was  recognized  on  this
transaction.

At March 31, 1997,  the Company had interest rate swap  agreements,  maturing in
years 1998  through  2000,  which  effectively  fixed  interest  rates on $295.0
million of commercial  paper.  The fixed rates of interest  ranged from 6.24% to
6.65%. These financial instruments are placed with major financial institutions.
The  creditworthiness  of the counterparties is subject to continuous review and
full  performance  is  anticipated.  At March 31, 1997,  any potential loss from
failure of the counterparties to perform is deemed to be immaterial. As of March
31, 1997, the weighted average effective interest rate,  including the effect of
interest-rate  swap  agreements,  was 6.18% on  approximately  $595.0 million of
outstanding  commercial paper and medium-term  notes.  Through its interest rate
swap  agreements  and its  medium-term  note program,  the Company has fixed the
rates of interest it pays on $515 million of its outstanding debt.

3.    Acquisition

On November 1, 1996,  the Company  acquired the assets and  liabilities of Heine
Securities Corporation ("Heine"), the former investment advisor to Mutual Series
Fund, Inc. and other funds and private accounts ("Mutual"). One of the Company's
subsidiaries,  Franklin  Mutual  Advisers,  Inc.  ("FMAI"),  now  serves  as the
investment  adviser to  Mutual.  This  transaction  (the  "Acquisition")  had an
aggregate value of  approximately  $616 million.  Heine received $550 million in
cash and 1.1 million  pre-split  shares of the Company's  common stock which may
not be sold for two  years  and which are  subject  to other  restrictions.  The
Acquisition  has been  accounted  for using the purchase  method of  accounting.
Intangibles purchased in the Acquisition,  principally management contracts, are
being amortized over approximately 34 years.

4.    Statement of Financial  Accounting  Standards No. 128, "Earnings per
Share"

In February 1997, the Financial  Accounting  Standards Board issued Statement of
Financial  Accounting  Standards  No. 128,  "Earnings  per Share." The Statement
specifies the computation, presentation and disclosure requirements for earnings
per share for  entities  with  publicly  held  common  stock.  In  summary,  the
Statement  will require the Company to change its  presentation  of earnings per
share from  primary  and fully  diluted to basic and diluted for its fiscal year
ending  September  30, 1998. At that time,  all prior period  earnings per share
data will be restated. The impact on reported earnings per share is not expected
to be material as the  Company's  common  stock  equivalents  are not  currently
material.


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

GENERAL

Franklin  Resources,  Inc. and its  majority-owned  subsidiaries (the "Company")
derives  substantially  all  of  its  revenue  and  net  income  from  providing
investment  management and administration,  distribution and related services to
the  Franklin  Templeton  Group's  mutual  funds,  managed  accounts  and  other
investment products.  The Company's revenues are derived largely from the amount
and composition of assets under  management.  The Company has a diversified base
of assets under  management and a full range of investment  management  products
and services to meet the needs of a variety of individuals and institutions.

I.  Material Changes in Results of Operations

Results of operations

                    Three months ended    Six months ended
                         March 31             March 31
                                   %                     %
(In millions)         1997  1996 Change  1997    1996 Change
- --------------------------------------------------------------
Net income          $101.4 $75.2  35%   $197.6 $149.2   32%
Earnings per
share:
    Primary           $.80  $.60  33%   $1.56    $1.19  31%
    Fully-diluted     $.80  $.60  33%   $1.56    $1.19  31%

Operating margin       28%   26%          28%      27%
- --------------------------------------------------------------

Net income for the quarter and six months  ended  March 31,  1997  increased  as
compared  to  the  same  periods  in  1996  principally  due to an  increase  in
investment  management  fees as a  result  of  increased  average  assets  under
management.  Previously  reported  earnings per share have been restated for the
three- and six-month periods to reflect the three-for-two stock dividend paid on
January 15, 1997.

Operating revenues will continue to be dependent upon the amount and composition
of assets  under  management,  mutual fund sales,  and the number of mutual fund
investors and institutional clients. Operating expenses are expected to increase
with the  Company's  ongoing  expansion,  the  increase in  competition  and the
Company's commitment to constantly improve its products and services.

The contributions to the Company's operating profit from its non-U.S. operations
increased for the quarter and six months ended March 31, 1997,  principally as a
result of increased fee revenues from investment management services provided by
its foreign subsidiaries. This trend will continue to be dependent on the amount
and composition of assets managed by the Company's non-U.S. subsidiaries.  There
have  been  no  significant   changes  to  the  Company's  limited  exposure  to
fluctuations in global currency markets.

Assets under management



                                         As of March 31       %
(In billions)                            1997     1996     Change
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------

Franklin Templeton Group:
Fixed-income funds:
    Tax-free                            $43.1    $41.5       4%
    U.S. government fixed-income
        (primarily GNMA's)               15.2     15.8      (4%)
    Taxable  and   tax-free   money
     funds                                3.2      3.0       7%
    Global/international
     fixed-income                         2.9      2.8       4%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
        Total fixed-income funds         64.4     63.1       2%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------

Equity/income funds:
    Global/international equity          58.0     41.3      40%
    U.S. equity/income                   41.7     17.9     136%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
        Total equity/income funds        99.7     59.2      68%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------

Total   Franklin   Templeton   fund
 assets                                 164.1    122.3      34%

Franklin  Templeton   institutional
 assets                                  25.8     19.1      35%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------

Total Franklin Templeton Group         $189.9   $141.4      34%
======================================================================


Changes in assets under management


                                  Three months ended      Six months ended
                                       March 31               March 31
                                                     %                      %
(In billions)                     1997     1996   Change   1997     1996  Change
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Assets under management -
 beginning                       180.9   $135.1    34%   $151.5   $130.8     16%
Mutual acquisition                   -        -     -      18.6        -      -
Sales & reinvestments, net of
    underwriting commissions      14.1      9.9    42%     25.8     17.3     49%
Redemptions                       (7.6)    (5.1)   49%    (16.1)   (10.1)    59%
Market appreciation                2.5      1.5    67%     10.1      3.4    197%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Assets under management -
  ending                        $189.9   $141.4    34%   $189.9   $141.4     34%
================================================================================
Monthly average assets under
  management                    $186.8   $139.1    34%   $176.5   $135.6     30%
===============================================================================

The Company's  assets under  management  were $189.9  billion at March 31, 1997,
which  included  $21.8  billion in Mutual  assets,  an increase of $38.4 billion
(25%) from  September 30, 1996 and an increase of $48.5 billion (34%) from March
31, 1996. These increases were the result of net sales,  market appreciation and
the Acquisition.

Fixed income funds  represented 34% of total assets under management as of March
31,  1997,  down from 45% a year ago  primarily as a result of the impact of the
Mutual assets on the Company's product mix.

Equity/income funds grew to 53% of total assets under management as of March 31,
1997,  up from 42% a year ago.  This  increase was  primarily  the result of the
addition of $21.6  billion of Mutual  assets under  management  to the Company's
equity/income product mix. However, U.S.  equity/income funds,  excluding Mutual
assets,  increased  16% from  levels a year ago due to net  sales  and to market
appreciation.   Global/international   equity  funds'  assets  under  management
increased 39% from levels a year ago.

Institutional assets,  comprised  predominately of  global/international  equity
portfolios,  represented  14% of total assets under  management  as of March 31,
1997,  the same  percentage as a year ago,  even though they  increased 35% from
levels a year ago. The Company remains strongly  committed to the  institutional
asset  market and intends to continue to expand the services it provides in this
area.


Operating revenue

                               Three months ended       Six months ended
                                    March 31                March 31
                                                %                      %
(In millions)                   1997    1996 Change     1997   1996  Change
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investment management fees    $308.3  $215.9   43%    $583.9 $418.1   40%
Underwriting and
 distribution fees             180.3   152.9   18%     316.8  271.9   17%
Shareholder servicing fees      28.8    22.1   30%      53.6   42.8   25%
Banking/finance, net and
  other                          4.5     2.9   55%       7.6    3.5   117%
=============================================================================
   Total operating revenues   $521.9  $393.8   33%    $961.9  $736.4   31%
=============================================================================

The Company's  revenues from investment  management  fees are derived  primarily
from contractual fixed-fee  arrangements that are based upon the level of assets
under  management of open-end and  closed-end  investment  companies and managed
accounts. Under various investment management agreements,  annual rates vary and
generally  decline as the average net assets of the  portfolios  exceed  certain
threshold levels.  Investment management services provided to Franklin Templeton
Group  are   reviewed   and   approved   annually  by  each   fund's   Board  of
Directors/Trustees. There have been no significant changes in the management fee
structures  for  the  Franklin  Templeton  Group  in the  period  under  review.
Investment  management  fees  increased  primarily  as a result of a 34% and 30%
increase  in  monthly  average  assets  under  management  and a  shift  in  the
composition of average  assets under  management to higher fee equity and income
funds for the three- and six-month periods ended March 31, 1997.

Revenues from  underwriting  commissions  are earned  primarily from fund sales.
Most sales of Franklin  Templeton funds include a sales  commission,  of which a
significant portion is reallowed to selling intermediaries. Certain subsidiaries
of the Company act as  distributors  for its sponsored  mutual funds and receive
distribution  fees,  including 12b-1 fees, from those funds in reimbursement for
distribution  expenses  incurred  up  to a  maximum  allowed  by  each  fund.  A
significant   portion   of   distribution   fees  are   reallowed   to   selling
intermediaries.  Distribution fees are typically based on levels of assets under
management.

Underwriting and  distribution  fees increased 18% and 17% over the same periods
in the previous  fiscal year  primarily as a result of increased  retail  mutual
fund  sales  partially  offset by a  decrease  in  effective  commission  rates.
Effective  commission  rates  declined as relative  sales of products with lower
commission rates such as Class II shares and annuity products increased.

Shareholder  servicing  fees are generally  fixed charges per account which vary
with the  particular  type of fund and the service being  rendered.  Shareholder
servicing  fees  increased  primarily  as a result of an  increase  in  Franklin
Templeton  retail fund  shareholder  accounts to 6.1 million,  or 17%,  from 5.2
million a year ago. The increase in  shareholder  servicing fees was also due to
an increase in the average annual  shareholder  servicing fees of  approximately
$3.20 per account,  for  approximately  122 of the Company's U.S.  mutual funds,
consisting of approximately 4.9 million  shareholder  accounts  effective in the
second quarter of fiscal year 1997.

Banking/finance, net and other

                               Three months ended       Six months ended
                                    March 31                March 31
                                                %                      %
(In millions)                   1997    1996 Change     1997   1996  Change
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revenues                        $9.6   $12.2  (21%)    $19.8  $25.1   (21%)
Provision for loan losses         .2    (3.0) (107%)    (1.1)  (8.3)  (87%)
Interest expense                (5.3)   (6.3)  (16%)   (11.1) (13.3)  (17%)
=============================================================================
   Banking/finance, net
    and other                   $4.5    $2.9   55%      $7.6   $3.5   117%
=============================================================================

Compared to the corresponding  periods in the prior year,  banking/finance,  net
and other revenues  increased  principally due to decreases in the provision for
loan  losses.  For the  three-  and  six-month  periods  ended  March 31,  1997,
charge-offs  decreased $2.5 million,  or 45%, and $5.1 million, or 46%, compared
to the same periods a year ago. Delinquencies decreased $11 million, or 50% from
levels of a year ago.  Revenues  decreased  principally due to a 17% decrease in
average  loans  outstanding  during the periods  under review as a result of net
paydowns of dealer auto  loans.  Interest  expense  decreased  in the  six-month
period due to a $17.7  million  reduction in the borrowing  requirements  of the
banking/finance group.

Operating expenses

                               Three months ended       Six months ended
                                    March 31                March 31
                                                %                      %
(In millions)                   1997    1996 Change     1997   1996  Change
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Underwriting and
  distribution                $184.2  $149.2   23%    $327.1 $265.2   23%
Employee related               106.8    81.7   31%     206.4  158.6   30%
General and administrative      54.4    39.4   38%     100.4   69.6   44%
Advertising and promotion       23.4    17.3   35%      42.1   32.8   28%
Amortization of intangibles      9.1     4.5  102%      16.4    9.4   74%
=============================================================================
   Total operating expenses   $377.9  $292.1   29%    $692.3 $535.6   29%
=============================================================================


Increases in operating expenses  principally resulted from the general expansion
of the Company's business and the Acquisition.

Underwriting  and   distribution   expenses   includes  sales   commissions  and
distribution  fees  paid  to  brokers  and  other  third  party  intermediaries.
Generally  distribution  expenses  increased at a greater rate than distribution
revenues because of the relatively higher growth in the sales of Class II shares
and similar products sold primarily by the Company's Canadian subsidiary.

While Class II shares  will  increase  distribution  expenses of the Company and
will utilize the Company's  capital  resources  over the short term, the Company
believes that Class II shares will result in an overall increase in assets under
management by expanding  distribution  of fund shares.  Sales of Class II shares
represented  approximately  16% and 12% of open end U.S.  mutual funds sales for
both  the  three-  and  six-month   periods  ended  March  31,  1997  and  1996,
respectively.

Employee  related  costs  increased  31% and 30% for the  three-  and  six-month
periods  ended March 31, 1997 over the same periods in 1996 as a result of a 15%
increase  in the  number of  employees,  increases  in the  Company's  incentive
compensation related to the Company's increased earnings and additional employee
related costs associated with the Acquisition.

General and  administrative  expenses increased during the periods due to higher
technology  and  facilities  costs  related to the  expansion  of the  Company's
business.

Advertising and promotion  expenses  increased during the comparative three- and
six-month periods mainly due to marketing and promotional efforts related to the
Mutual Series funds.

Amortization of intangibles  increased as a result of approximately $615 million
of additional intangibles related to the Acquisition.

Other income/(expenses)

                               Three months ended       Six months ended
                                    March 31                March 31
                                                %                      %
(In millions)                   1997    1996 Change     1997   1996  Change
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investment and other income     $6.1   $10.0  (39%)    $25.7  $20.7    24%
Interest expense                (5.8)   (3.4)  71%     (13.9)  (6.0)  132%
=============================================================================
   Other
     income/(expenses), net      $.3    $6.6  (95%)    $11.8  $14.6   (19%)
=============================================================================



The decrease in  investment  income for the three months ended March 31, 1997 as
compared to the same period in 1996 was  primarily due to a decrease in dividend
income  as a  result  of the  sale  of a  portion  of the  Company's  investment
portfolio  which was used to fund portions of the  Acquisition.  The increase in
investment  income for the six-month period ended March 31, 1997, as compared to
the same period in 1996,  resulted  from  realized  gains from the sale of those
same investment securities

Interest expense increased for the three- and six-month periods primarily due to
a $194.6 million  increase in commercial  paper and a $100.0 million increase in
medium-term notes outstanding, partially offset by a $150.0 million reduction in
subordinated  debentures.  The  Company's  overall  weighted  average  effective
interest  rate at March 31, 1997,  including  the effect of  interest-rate  swap
agreements,  was 6.18% on $595.0  million of  outstanding  commercial  paper and
medium-term  notes as compared to 6.33% on $450.5 million of debt outstanding at
March 31, 1996.

In the periods under review, the effective tax rate decreased slightly to 30% of
pretax  income.  The  effective  tax rate will  continue to be reflective of the
relative  contributions  of foreign  earnings  which are  subject to reduced tax
rates and are not currently includable in U.S. taxable income.




II.  Material  Changes  in  Financial  Condition,  Liquidity  and  Capital
Resources

As of March 31,  1997,  stockholders'  equity  increased to  approximately  $1.6
billion  compared  to   approximately   $1.4  billion  at  September  30,  1996,
principally  as a result of increased net income and the issuance of 1.1 million
pre-split shares in connection with the Acquisition.  Cash provided by operating
activities for the six months ended March 31, 1997 increased  $55.8 million from
$153.1  million  for the six  months  ended  March 31,  1996 also as a result of
increased  net income.  During the  six-month  period ended March 31, 1997,  the
Company used net cash of $545.7 million for investing  activities  primarily for
the Acquisition. Net cash provided by financing activities during the period was
$136.0  million  primarily  as a result of the  issuance  of $371.1  million  in
medium-term notes and commercial paper, which was partially offset by payment on
debt of  $101.2  million  and the  purchase  of  option  rights  related  to the
subordinated  debentures  of $91.7  million.  During the period the Company paid
$18.9 million in dividends to  stockholders  and purchased one hundred  thousand
shares of its common stock for $7.9 million.  As of March 31, 1997,  the Company
had 5.6 million shares remaining under its authorized  repurchase  program.  The
Company will  continue  from time to time to purchase its own shares in the open
market and in private  transactions for use in connection with various corporate
employee  incentive programs and when it believes the market price of its shares
merits such action.

At March 31, 1997, the Company held liquid assets of $723.1  million,  including
$301.4  million in cash and cash  equivalents  as compared to $889.9 million and
$502.2  million,  respectively,  at September 30, 1996. The Company  maintains a
$400  million  commercial  paper  program and a $500  million  medium-term  note
program.  The Company has also  established two revolving credit and competitive
auction  facilities as back-up for the commercial  paper  program.  At March 31,
1997, total back-up credit  facilities were $400 million of which,  $150 million
was under a 364-day  revolving  credit  facility.  The  remaining  $250  million
back-up  facility has a five-year  term. At March 31, 1997,  approximately  $400
million was available to the Company under unused credit facilities

Management  expects that the principal  needs for cash will be to fund increased
property and  equipment  acquisitions,  pay  shareholder  dividends,  repurchase
shares  of  the  Company's  common  stock  and  repay  debt  and  advance  sales
commissions for Class II shares and Canadian products.  Management believes that
the Company's existing liquid assets, together with the expected continuing cash
flow from  operations,  its ability to issue stock,  and its borrowing  capacity
under  current  credit  facilities,  will be  sufficient to meet its present and
reasonably foreseeable cash needs.



<PAGE>




Item 6.  Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K.


(a)             The following exhibits are filed as part of the report:

Exhibit        3(i)(a)  Registrant's  Certificate  of  Incorporation,  as  filed
               November 28, 1969, incorporated by reference to Exhibit (3)(i) to
               the  Company's  Annual  Report on Form 10-K for the  fiscal  year
               ended September 30, 1994 (the
               "1994 Annual Report")

Exhibit        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

Exhibit        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

Exhibit        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

Exhibit        (3)(ii)  Registrant's  By-Laws are  incorporated  by reference to
               Exhibit 3(v) to Registrant's  Form 10-Q for the Quarterly  Period
               ended December 31, 1994.

Exhibit 11     Computations of per share earnings

Exhibit 12     Computations of ratios of earnings to fixed charges

Exhibit 27     Financial Data Schedule


(b)   Reports on Form 8-K:

      (i)      Form 8-K  dated  April 24,  1997  reporting  under  Item 5 "Other
               Events" the filing of an earnings press release by the Registrant
               on April 23, 1997 and including  said press release as an Exhibit
               under Item 7 "Financial Statements and Exhibits".




<PAGE>


                               SIGNATURES


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.
                    Registrant


Date: May 14, 1997  /S/ Martin L. Flanagan

                    MARTIN L. FLANAGAN
                    Senior Vice President,
                    Treasurer and Chief
                    Financial Officer



<PAGE>




                                INDEX TO EXHIBITS


Exhibit

Exhibit        3(i)(a)  Registrant's  Certificate  of  Incorporation,  as  filed
               November 28, 1969, incorporated by reference to Exhibit (3)(i) to
               the  Company's  Annual  Report on Form 10-K for the  fiscal  year
               ended September 30, 1994 (the "1994 Annual Report")

Exhibit        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

Exhibit        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

Exhibit        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

Exhibit        (3)(ii)  Registrant's  By-Laws are  incorporated  by reference to
               Exhibit 3(v) to Registrant's  Form 10-Q for the Quarterly  Period
               ended December 31, 1994.

Exhibit 11     Computations of per share earnings

Exhibit 12     Computations of ratios of earnings to fixed charges.

Exhibit 27     Financial Data Schedule





<PAGE>


                                                                      Exhibit 11

COMPUTATIONS OF PER SHARE EARNINGS

Earnings  per share are based on net  income  divided by the  average  number of
shares  outstanding  including common stock equivalents  during the period.  The
number of shares used for purposes of calculating earnings per share and all per
share  data  have  been  adjusted  for  all  periods   presented  to  reflect  a
three-for-two stock dividend paid on January 15, 1997.

                                Three months ended     Six months ended
                                      March 31              March 31
                                     Restated               Restated
(Dollars and shares in            1997      1996        1997       1996
  thousands)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------

Average outstanding shares     126,137   120,517     125,804    120,876
Common stock equivalents:
    Primary                        350     3,860         544      3,952
    Fully diluted                  370     4,081         569      4,073

Total shares:
    Primary                    126,487   124,377     126,348    124,828
    Fully diluted              126,507   124,598     126,373    124,949

Net income                    $101,411   $75,212    $197,640   $149,163

Earnings per share:
    Primary                       $.80      $.60       $1.56      $1.19
    Fully diluted                 $.80      $.60       $1.56      $1.19

<PAGE>


                                                                      Exhibit 12

COMPUTATIONS OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

                                     Three months ended    Six months ended
                                          March 31             March 31

(Dollars in thousands)                 1997      1996       1997       1996
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Income before taxes                $144,355  $108,262   $281,339   $215,437
Add fixed charges:
    Interest                          9,448     7,537     21,617     14,902
    Interest factor on rent           2,337     2,063      4,429      3,950
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total fixed charges                  11,785     9,600     26,046     18,852
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Earnings before fixed charges
   and taxes on income             $156,140  $117,862   $307,385   $234,289
============================================================================

Ratio of earnings to fixed
  charges                              13.2      12.3       11.8       12.4
============================================================================

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE>  5
<LEGEND>
THE SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL  INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM REGISTRANT'S
FINANCIAL  STATEMENTS  FOR THE QUARTER  ENDED MARCH 31, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN
ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>  1,000
       
<S>                                         <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                               6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                           SEP-30-1997
<PERIOD-END>                                MAR-31-1997
<CASH>                                        301,356
<SECURITIES>                                  192,641
<RECEIVABLES>                                 209,106
<ALLOWANCES>                                        0
<INVENTORY>                                         0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                              702,562
<PP&E>                                        168,561
<DEPRECIATION>                                      0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              2,790,698
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                         351,746
<BONDS>                                             0
                               0
                                         0
<COMMON>                                       12,623
<OTHER-SE>                                  1,632,552
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                2,790,698
<SALES>                                             0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                              961,915
<CGS>                                               0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                 692,342
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                    0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                    0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             13,929
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               281,339
<INCOME-TAX>                                   83,699
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                 0
<DISCONTINUED>                                      0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                     0
<CHANGES>                                           0
<NET-INCOME>                                  197,640
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    1.56
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    1.56
        

</TABLE>


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