Franklin Universal Trust Announces Executive Changes, Effective August 1, 2020

Franklin Universal Trust (Fund) is a closed-end management investment company. The Fund's primary investment objective is to provide high, current income consistent with preservation of capital. Its secondary objective is growth in income through dividend increases and capital appreciation. It invests primarily in two asset classes: high yield bonds and utility stocks. Within the high yield portion of the portfolio, it uses fundamental research to invest in a diversified portfolio of bonds. Within the utility portion of the portfolio, it focuses on companies with attractive dividend yields and with a history of increasing their dividends. The Fund invests in various industrial sectors, such as Electric Utilities, independent power and renewable electricity producers, metals and mining, multi utilities, oil, gas and consumable fuels, auto components, beverages, biotechnology, building products, communications equipment, and others. Franklin Advisers, Inc. is its investment manager.