Franklin Universal Trust (FT) Total Return Calculator
$10,000 since Dec 2007, with and without reinvesting · data through Oct 2026
$10,000 invested in Franklin Universal Trust (FT) ten years ago, at the end of Oct 2016, was worth $20,914 at the end of Oct 2026 with every dividend reinvested: 7.7% a year, against $41,633 in the S&P 500. Since Dec 2007, $10,000 became $38,730 reinvested (7.5% a year), or $23,280 taking the dividends as cash, $12,687 of it paid out along the way.
FT became
$38,730
S&P 500: $72,756
Return a year
7.5%
S&P 500: 11.1%
Payouts reinvested
$26,774
bought more shares
Worst drop
-47.8%
S&P 500: -48.2%
$10,000, Dec 2007 to Oct 2026
Payouts reinvested · S&P 500 reinvested
| Year | FT total return | Paid out | S&P 500 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 (part) | −3.4% | $2,182 | +11.7% |
| 2025 | +17.0% | $2,507 | +17.7% |
| 2024 | +18.2% | $2,315 | +24.9% |
| 2023 | +6.6% | $2,159 | +26.2% |
| 2022 | −14.0% | $2,215 | −18.2% |
| 2021 | +20.3% | $1,850 | +28.7% |
| 2020 | +1.6% | $1,281 | +18.3% |
| 2019 | +29.4% | $1,278 | +31.2% |
| 2018 | −6.2% | $1,174 | −4.6% |
| 2017 | +13.2% | $1,104 | +21.7% |
| 2016 | +24.9% | $1,216 | +12.0% |
| 2015 | −13.4% | $1,164 | +1.2% |
| 2014 | +10.0% | $1,248 | +13.5% |
| 2013 | +4.9% | $1,026 | +32.3% |
| 2012 | +12.2% | $904 | +16.0% |
| 2011 | +13.4% | $884 | +1.9% |
| 2010 | +17.9% | $848 | +15.1% |
| 2009 | +69.6% | $719 | +26.4% |
| 2008 | −40.7% | $700 | −36.8% |
"Paid out" is what your holding received that year. Month-end prices; no costs or taxes.
Key facts: FT total return
Data as of · Source: SmarterDividends data
- $10,000 invested in Franklin Universal Trust (FT) at the end of Dec 2007, with dividends reinvested, was worth $38,730 at the end of Oct 2026: 7.5% a year, against $72,756 (11.1% a year) in the S&P 500.
- Over the 10 years to Oct 2026, FT turned $10,000 into $20,914 with dividends reinvested, 7.7% a year.
- Over the 5 years to Oct 2026, FT returned 5.0% a year with dividends reinvested (S&P 500: 12.0%).
- Taking FT's dividends as cash instead of reinvesting them, the same $10,000 ended at $23,280, including $12,687 of cash received; reinvesting added $15,450.
- FT's best calendar year in that time was 2009 (69.6%) and its worst 2008 (-40.7%), with dividends reinvested.
Cite this page
SmarterDividends, "Franklin Universal Trust (FT) Total Return Calculator," updated Nov 5, 2026, https://smarterdividends.com/stocks/FT/total-return
FT total return questions
If I invested $10,000 in FT 10 years ago, how much would I have?
About $20,914 at the end of Oct 2026, with every dividend reinvested: 7.7% a year. Taking them as cash, you'd have shares worth $11,024 or so plus the cash you received. The same $10,000 in the S&P 500 became $41,633.
What is FT's total return since Dec 2007?
287% in total, or 7.5% a year, through Oct 2026 with dividends reinvested. The share price alone rose 6%.
How much of FT's return came from dividends?
About 96% of its yearly return since Dec 2007. Reinvesting them, rather than taking cash, left you $15,450 better off on a $10,000 start.
What was FT's worst year?
2008, at -40.7% with dividends reinvested (S&P 500: -36.8%). Its deepest fall from a peak, on month-end values, was -47.8%.
How is total return calculated here?
From month-end prices: the adjusted price counts every dividend reinvested in the month it was paid; the plain price doesn't. The S&P 500 is SPY with its dividends reinvested. No trading costs or taxes.