How the bears are playing Franklin

Traders are positioning for Franklin Resources to continue declining well into next year.

optionMONSTER's Depth Charge market scanner shows that 2,100 April 30 puts were purchased for $0.45 to $0.60 on Friday. Volume was well above the strike's open interest of 1,230 contracts, an indication that new money was put to work.

Long puts lock in the price the price where a stock can be sold, so they make money to the downside. Investors use them to hedge long positions or to speculate on a drop. (See our Coaching section)

BEN fell 5.95 percent to $36.18 on Friday and is down 6 percent in the last month. The asset-management firm reported bearish quarterly numbers on Oct. 22 and is expected to announce its next results on Jan. 28.

Overall option volume in the name was 7 times greater than average on Friday, according to the Depth Charge. Total puts outnumbered calls by a bearish 11-to-1 ratio.

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