Monthly AUM Updates, New ETF's, Leadership Changes, and Quarterly Dividends - Research Report on Franklin Templeton Investments, State Street, Blackstone, Unum, and Assurant

NEW YORK, July 16, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

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Today, Wall Street Reports announced new research reports highlighting Franklin Resources Inc. (NYSE: BEN), State Street Corp. (NYSE: STT), The Blackstone Group (NYSE: BX), Unum Group (NYSE: UNM), and Assurant Inc. (NYSE: AIZ). Today's readers may access these reports free of charge - including full price targets, industry analysis and analyst ratings - via the links below.

Franklin Resources Inc. Research Report

On July 9, 2013, Franklin Resources Inc. (Franklin Templeton Investments) reported its preliminary month-end assets under management (AUM) by the Company's subsidiaries at June 30, 2013. The Company reported total AUM of $815 billion, marking a rise of 15.3% YoY. The Company's total equity increased 12.5% YoY to $313.5 billion. Tax-free fixed-income investments were $79.1 billion, compared to $80.1 billion at June 30, 2012; while total fixed-income assets were $365.7 billion, compared to $319.5 billion at June 30, 2012. The Full Research Report on Franklin Resources Inc. - including full detailed breakdown, analyst ratings and price targets - is available to download free of charge at: [http://www.wsreports.com/r/full_research_report/2b07_BEN]

State Street Corp. Research Report

On July 9, 2013, State Street Global Advisors (SSgA), the asset management arm of State Street Corp. (State Street), announced the availability of the SPDR Russell 2000 ETF, which began trading on NYSE Arca on the same day. Changes to the indexes, names and tickers of three US equity SPDR ETFs also became effective on July 9, 2013. James Ross, Senior Managing Director and Global Head of SPDR Exchange Traded Funds at SSgA, said, "Our ETF leadership drives our commitment to continually reviewing the SPDR offering to ensure it provides our clients with access to a broad range of asset classes and strategies. The Russell indexes are strong US equity benchmarks that are backed by a transparent, rules-based methodology that is accurate and replicable." The Full Research Report on State Street Corp. - including full detailed breakdown, analyst ratings and price targets - is available to download free of charge at: [http://www.wsreports.com/r/full_research_report/182d_STT]

The Blackstone Group Research Report

On July 9, 2013, The Blackstone Group (Blackstone) announced that Shelly Lazarus has joined the Company's Board of Directors. Blackstone informed that in 1971, Lazarus joined Ogilvy & Mather and became its Chief Executive Officer in 1996, and Chairman in 1997, and currently serves as Ogilvy's Chairman Emeritus. According to Stephen A. Schwarzman, Blackstone's Chairman and CEO, "We could not be more pleased that Shelly has agreed to serve on Blackstone's Board. Her remarkable understanding of marketing and client management, her pioneering work in advertising, and her broad perspective on business and finance will be of great value to our organization." Additionally Shelly Lazarus, stated "I am delighted to join the Board of one of the world's leading alternative asset management firms. I look forward to working with Blackstone's management team as they continue to grow the firm and expand into new products and markets." The Full Research Report on The Blackstone Group - including full detailed breakdown, analyst ratings and price targets - is available to download free of charge at: [http://www.wsreports.com/r/full_research_report/a4fc_BX]

Unum Group Research Report

On July 8, 2013, Unum Group (Unum) announced the appointment of Kate Miller as Unum's Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer. According to the Company, in this new role, Miller will guide the implementations of new technology, oversee application development initiatives and continue to keep Unum's technology strategy aligned with its business goals. According to Chris Jerome, Unum's Executive Vice President of Global Services, "With her leadership experience, strong consultative and relationship skills and track record of transformation, Kate is an outstanding choice to lead the execution of our long-term technology vision." Unum informed that Miller will succeed Kathy Owen and report to Jerome from July 15, 2013. The Full Research Unum Group - including full detailed breakdown, analyst ratings and price targets - is available to download free of charge at: [http://www.wsreports.com/r/full_research_report/539e_UNM]

Assurant Inc. Research Report

On July 11, 2013, Assurant Inc. (Assurant) announced that the Company's Board of Directors has declared a quarterly dividend of $0.25 per share of common stock. The dividend will be payable on September 10, 2013 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on August 26, 2013. As stated by Robert Pollock, Assurant's President and CEO, "Our dividend reinforces Assurant's strong track record of returning capital to our shareholders. We continue to successfully execute our strategy of disciplined capital management while maintaining our focus on profitable growth." The Company stated that its future dividend declarations will be based upon the Company's earnings, financial condition, cash requirements, future prospects and other factors, and will be made at the discretion of the Company's Board of Directors. The Full Research Report on Assurant Inc. - including full detailed breakdown, analyst ratings and price targets - is available to download free of charge at: [http://www.wsreports.com/r/full_research_report/8209_AIZ]

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SOURCE Wall Street Reports