SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 13D
Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Aspen Technology, Inc.
(Name of Issuer)
Common Stock (par Value $.10)
(Title of Class of Securities)
045327103
(CUSIP Number)
Leslie M. Kratter
Franklin Advisers Inc.
One Franklin Parkway
San Mateo, California 94403-1906
(650) 312-4018
(Name, Address and Telephone Number of Person Authorized to
Receive Notices and Communications)
July 31, 2003
(Date of Event which Requires Filing of this Statement)
If the filing person has previously filed a statement on Schedule 13G to report
the acquisition which is the subject of this Schedule 13D, and is filing this
schedule because of Rule 13d-l(b)(3) or (4), check the following box [X].
*The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting person's
initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of securities, and
for any subsequent amendment containing information which would alter the
disclosures provided in a prior cover page.
The information required in the remainder of this cover page shall not be deemed
to be "filed" for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 ("Act") or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act
but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, see the
Notes).
1. NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
S.S. OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON
Franklin Advisers, Inc.
2. CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX
IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (a)[
] (b)[X]
3. SEC USE ONLY
4. SOURCE OF FUNDS
See Item 3
5. CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS
2(d) OR 2(e) [ ]
6. CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
California
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH
7. SOLE VOTING POWER
3,907,612 (See Item 5)
8. SHARED VOTING POWER
9. SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
3,907,612 (See Item 5)
10. SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
11. AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
3,907,612 (See Item 5)
12. CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW 11 EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES [ ]
13. PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW 11
9.95%
14. TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON
IA
1. NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
S.S. OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON
Franklin Resources, Inc.
2. CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX
IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (a)[
] (b)[X]
3. SEC USE ONLY
4. SOURCE OF FUNDS
See Item 3
5. CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS
2(d) OR 2(e) [ ]
6. CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
Delaware
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH
7. SOLE VOTING POWER
(See Item 5)
8. SHARED VOTING POWER
(See Item 5)
9. SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
(See Item 5)
10. SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
(See Item 5)
11. AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
4,635,066 (See Item 5)
12. CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW 11 EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES [ ]
13. PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW 11
11.8%
14. TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON
HC
1. NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
S.S. OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON
Charles B. Johnson
2. CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX
IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (a)[
] (b)[X]
3. SEC USE ONLY
4. SOURCE OF FUNDS
See Item 3
5. CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS
2(d) OR 2(e) [ ]
6. CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
USA
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH
7. SOLE VOTING POWER
(See Item 5)
8. SHARED VOTING POWER
(See Item 5)
9. SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
(See Item 5)
10. SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
(See Item 5)
11. AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
4,635,066 (See Item 5)
12. CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW 11 EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES [ ]
13. PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW 11
11.8%
14. TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON
HC
1. NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
S.S. OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON
Rupert H. Johnson, Jr.
2. CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX
IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (a)[
] (b)[X]
3. SEC USE ONLY
4. SOURCE OF FUNDS
See Item 3
5. CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS
2(d) OR 2(e) [ ]
6. CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
USA
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH
7. SOLE VOTING POWER
(See Item 5)
8. SHARED VOTING POWER
(See Item 5)
9. SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
(See Item 5)
10. SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
(See Item 5)
11. AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
4,635,066 (See Item 5)
12. CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW 11 EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES [ ]
13. PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW 11
11.8%
14. TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON
HC
Item 1. Security and Issuer
The securities to which this statement relates are shares of Common Stock, par
value $.10 per share (the "Shares"), of Aspen Technology, Inc., a Delaware
corporation (the "Issuer"). The principal executive offices of the Issuer are
located at Aspen Technology, Inc., Ten Canal Park, Cambridge Massachusetts
02141.
Item 2. Identity and Background
(a) Name:
Franklin Advisers Inc. ("FAI")
(b) State of Organization:
California
(c) Principal Business:
An investment adviser registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange
Commission and investment adviser to a number of the open-end investment
companies in the Franklin Templeton Group of Funds.
Address of Principal Business/Principal Office:
One Franklin Parkway
San Mateo, CA 94403-1906
(d) Criminal Convictions:
None
(e) Civil Proceedings:
None
Item 2. Identity and Background
(a) Name:
Franklin Resources, Inc. ("FRI")
(b) State of Organization:
Delaware
(c) Principal Business:
A diversified financial services holding company whose primary business is
providing, through operating subsidiaries, management, administrative, and
distribution services to the open and closed- end investment companies
comprising the Franklin Templeton Group of Funds, managed accounts and other
investment products.
Address of Principal Business/Principal Office:
One Franklin Parkway
San Mateo, CA 94403-1906
(d) Criminal Convictions:
None
(e) Civil Proceedings:
None
Item 2. Identity and Background
(a) Name:
Charles B. Johnson
(b) Business Address:
Franklin Resources, Inc.
One Franklin Parkway
San Mateo, California 94403-1906
(c) Principal Business:
Chairman of the Board/Chief Executive Officer/Member - Office of the
Chairman/Director/Principal Shareholder, Franklin Resources, Inc., Parent
Company of a number of investment advisers and administrative companies
providing investment advice and administrative services to the Franklin
Templeton Group of Funds, managed accounts and other investment products.
(d) Criminal Convictions:
None
(e) Civil Proceedings:
None
Item 2. Identity and Background
(a) Name:
Rupert H. Johnson, Jr.
(b) Business Address:
Franklin Resources, Inc.
One Franklin Parkway
San Mateo, California 94403-1906
(c) Principal Business:
Vice Chairman/Member - Office of the Chairman/Director/Principal Shareholder,
Franklin Resources, Inc., Parent Company of a number of investment advisers and
administrative companies providing investment advice and administrative services
to the Franklin Templeton Group of Funds, managed accounts and other investment
products.
Director, FAI
(d) Criminal Convictions:
None
(e) Civil Proceedings:
None
Item 2. Identity and Background
(a) The name, residence or business address, and the principal occupation or
employment and the name, principal business and address of any corporation or
other organization in which such employment is conducted, of each executive
officer and director and each controlling person, if any, of the reporting
persons named above is set forth in Exhibit A hereto. To the best knowledge of
the persons listed in Item 2 hereof, each person listed on Exhibit A is a United
States citizen except where otherwise noted and, during the last five years, no
person listed in Exhibit A attached (i) has been convicted in a criminal
proceeding (excluding traffic violations or similar misdemeanors) or (ii) has
been a party to a civil proceeding of a judicial or administrative body of
competent jurisdiction and as a result of such proceeding was or is subject to,
a judgment, decree or final order enjoining future violations of, or prohibiting
or mandating activities such laws.
Item 3. Source and Amount of Funds or Other Consideration
The securities reported herein were acquired with funds of approximately $31
million (including brokerage commissions). FAI's advisory clients provided all
such funds.
Item 4. Purpose of Transaction
The securities covered by this Statement were acquired by FAI's advisory clients
for the purpose of investment. Neither FAI, nor any executive officer or
director of FAI, has any present plans or intentions to acquire or dispose of
any securities of the Issuer other than on behalf of FAI's clients for the
purpose of investment.
The Issuer's proxy statement solicits shareholder approval of a proposed
preferred stock financing and certain other matters. Franklin Advisers, Inc
("FAI") believes that this proposed financing is excessively dilutive of the
Issuer's equity shareholders and that certain members of management and the
Board of Directors of the Issuer have interests in connection with the proposed
financing that maybe in conflict with the interests of the Issuer's equity
shareholders.
Accordingly FAI intends to vote AGAINST all proposals in the proxy and may
discuss its views with other shareholders of the Issuer.
In the future, FAI may decide to purchase on behalf of its advisory clients'
additional shares of the Common Stock or other securities of the Issuer. In
addition, FAI may cause its advisory clients to dispose of any or all securities
of the Issuer in any manner permitted by applicable securities laws. FAI's
advisory clients reserve the right to exercise any and all of their respective
rights as a stockholder of the Issuer in a manner consistent with their equity
interests.
Other than as described above, neither FAI nor any executive officer or director
of FAI, has any present plans or proposals, which relate to or would result in:
i) an extraordinary corporate transaction, such as a merger, reorganization or
liquidation, involving the Issuer or any of its subsidiaries;
(ii) the sale or transfer of a material amount of assets of the Issuer or any of
its subsidiaries;
(iii) any change in the present board of directors or management of the Issuer,
including any plans or proposals to change the number or term of directors or to
fill any existing vacancies on the board;
(iv) any material change in the present capitalization or dividend policy of the
Issuer;
(v) any other material change in the Issuer's business or corporate structure;
(vi) changes in the Issuer's charter, bylaws or instruments corresponding
thereto or other actions, which may impede the acquisition of control of the
Issuer by any person;
(vii) causing a class of securities of the Issuer to be delisted from a national
securities exchange or to cease to be authorized to be quoted in an inter-dealer
quotation system of a registered national securities association;
(viii) a class of equity security of the Issuer becoming eligible for
termination of registration pursuant to Section 12(g)(4) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934; or
(ix) any action similar to any of those enumerated above.
Item 5. Interest in Securities of the Issuer
(a-b) FAI's advisory clients are the owners of 3,907,612 shares of the Common
Stock representing approximately 9.95% of the outstanding shares of Common
Stock. Since FAI's advisory contracts with its clients grant to FAI sole
investment power over the securities owned by its advisory clients, FAI may be
deemed to be, for purposes of Rule 13d-3 under the 1934 Act (the "1934 Act"),
the beneficial owner of the securities covered by this statement.
FAI is a wholly owned subsidiary of Franklin Resources, Inc. ("FRI"). Charles B.
Johnson and Rupert H. Johnson, Jr. (the "Principal Shareholders") each own in
excess of 10% of the outstanding Common Stock of FRI and are the principal
shareholders of FRI. FRI and the Principal Shareholders therefore may be deemed
to be, for purposes of Rule 13d-3 under the 1934 Act, the beneficial owner of
securities held by persons and entities advised by FRI or its subsidiaries. FAI,
FRI and the Principal Shareholders each disclaim any economic interest or
beneficial ownership in any of the securities covered by this Statement owned by
advisory clients of FRI subsidiaries.
Furthermore, FRI, FAI, and the Principal Shareholders are of the view that they
are not acting as a "group" for purposes of Section 13(d) under the 1934 Act and
that they are not otherwise required to attribute to each other the "beneficial
ownership" of securities held by any of them or by any persons or entities
advised by FRI subsidiaries.
(c) There were the following transactions in the shares of the Common Stock
within the past sixty days (see Exhibit B).
(d) No person other than respective advisory clients of FAI have the right to
receive or the power to direct the receipt of dividends from, or the proceeds of
the sale of the securities being reported herein.
(e) Not applicable.
Item 6. Contracts, Arrangements, Understandings, or Relationships with Respect
to Securities of the Issuer
Other than as disclosed above, no persons named in Item 2 herein, nor to the
best of such person's knowledge, no person named in Exhibit A hereto, has any
contract, arrangement, understanding or relationship (legal or otherwise) with
any person with respect to any securities of the Issuer, including, but not
limited to, transfer or voting of any securities, finders' fees, joint ventures,
loan or option arrangements, puts or calls, guarantees of profits, division of
profits or losses, or the giving or withholding of proxies.
Item 7. Materials to be Filed as Exhibits
Exhibit A Executive Officers and Directors of Reporting Persons Exhibit B
Summary of transactions within the last sixty days
After reasonable inquiry, and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I certify
that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete, and correct.
July 31,2003
Franklin Resources, Inc.
Charles B. Johnson
Rupert H. Johnson, Jr.
S\ LESLIE M. KRATTER
By: Leslie M. Kratter
Senior Vice President and Secretary, Franklin Resources, Inc.
Attorney in Fact for Charles B. Johnson pursuant to Power of Attorney attached
to this Schedule 13D
Attorney in Fact for Rupert H. Johnson, Jr. pursuant to Power of Attorney
attached to this Schedule 13D
Secretary, Franklin Advisers Inc.
JOINT FILING AGREEMENT
In accordance with Rule 13d-1(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended, the undersigned hereby agree to the joint filing with each
other of the attached statement on Schedule 13D and to all amendments to such
statement and that such statement and all amendments to such statement is made
on behalf of each of them.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned hereby execute this agreement on July 31,
2003.
Franklin Resources, Inc.
Charles B. Johnson
Rupert H. Johnson, Jr.
S\LESLIE M. KRATTER
By: Leslie M. Kratter
Senior Vice President and Secretary, Franklin Resources, Inc.
Attorney in Fact for Charles B. Johnson pursuant to Power of Attorney attached
to this Schedule 13D
Attorney in Fact for Rupert H. Johnson, Jr. pursuant to Power of Attorney
attached to this Schedule 13D
Secretary, Franklin Advisers Inc.
POWER OF ATTORNEY
CHARLES B. JOHNSON hereby appoints LESLIE M. KRATTER his true and lawful
attorney-in-fact and agent to execute and file with the Securities and Exchange
Commission any Schedule 13D, any amendments thereto or any related documentation
which may be required to be filed in his individual capacity as a result of his
position as an officer, director or shareholder of Franklin Resources, Inc. and
granting unto said attorney-in-fact and agent, full power and authority to do
and perform each and every act and thing which he might or could do in person,
hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorney-in- fact and agent, may
lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
S\CHARLES B. JOHNSON
POWER OF ATTORNEY
RUPERT H. JOHNSON, JR. hereby appoints LESLIE M. KRATTER his true and lawful
attorney-in-fact and agent to execute and file with the Securities and Exchange
Commission any Schedule 13D, any amendments thereto or any related documentation
which may be required to be filed in his individual capacity as a result of his
position as an officer director or shareholder of Franklin Resources, Inc. and
granting unto said attorney-in-fact and agent, full power and authority to do
and perform each and every act and thing which he might or could do in person,
hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorney-in- fact and agent, may
lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
S\RUPERT H. JOHNSON, JR.
Exhibit A
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
Name
Present Principal Occupation/Employment
Residence or Business Address
Penelope S. Alexander
Vice President, HR-US
FRI
James R. Baio
Senior Vice President and CFO
FRI
Jennifer J. Bolt
Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer
FRI
Harmon E. Burns
Vice Chairman/Member - Office of the Chairman/Director
FRI
Lawrence M. Chew
Assistant Secretary
FRI
Charles Crocker
Director FRI
BEI Technologies, Inc.
One Post Street, Suite 2500, San Francisco, CA 94104
Martin L. Flanagan
President/Member President - FRI
President/Director - FAI
FRI
Holly E. Gibson
Vice President, Corp. Communication
FRI
Barbara J. Green
Vice President/Deputy General Counsel
FRI
Donna S. Ikeda
Vice President - Human Resources
FRI
Edward B. Jamieson
Executive Vice President
FAI
Robert D. Joffe
Director FRI
Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP
Worldwide Plaza, 825 Eighth Avenue, New York, NY 10019
Charles B. Johnson
Chairman of the Board/Chief Executive Officer/Member - Office of the
Chairman/Director/Principal Shareholder
FRI
Gregory E. Johnson
President/Member President -FRI
Director - FAI
Rupert H. Johnson, Jr.
Vice Chairman/Member - Office of the Chairman/Director/Principal Shareholder
FRI
Director - FAI
Thomas H. Kean
Director FRI
Drew University
36 Madison Avenue, Madison, NJ 07940
Harry O. Kline
Director - FRI
6501 Red Hook Plaza, #201, St. Thomas, VI 00802
Leslie M. Kratter
Senior Vice President/Secretary FRI
Secretary - FAI
Jack Lemein
Executive Vice President FAI
FAI
Kenneth A. Lewis
Vice President, Finance, CAO and Treasurer FRI
Chauncey Lufkin
Executive Vice President
FAI
James A. McCarthy
Director - FRI
Private Investor
101 California Street, Suite 1400, San Francisco, CA 94111
Christopher Molumphy
Executive Vice President
FAI
Chutta Ratnathicam
Director FRI
CNF, Inc.
3240 Hillview Avenue, Palo Alto, CA 94304
Robert C. Rosselot
Assistant Secretary
FRI
Peter M. Sacerdote
Director - FRI
Limited Partner/Chair of Investment Committee, Goldman, Sachs Group, L.P.,
Investment banking
Goldman, Sachs & Co. 85 Broad Street, New York, NY 10004
Laura Seidman
Assistant Secretary
FRI
Murray L. Simpson
Executive Vice President/General Counsel
FRI
Charles R. Sims
Vice President - FRI
Treasurer FAI
Anne M. Tatlock
Vice Chairman/Member - Office of the Chairman/Director
FRI
Louis E. Woodworth
Director - FRI
Private Investor/President, Alpine Corp.
Alpine Corp., 1505 7th Avenue, Seattle, WA 98119
FRI Franklin Resources, Inc.
One Franklin Parkway
San Mateo, CA 94403-1906
Parent Company of a number of investment advisers and administrative companies
providing investment advice and administrative services to the Franklin
Templeton Group of Funds, managed accounts and other investment products.
FAI Franklin Advisers Inc.
One Franklin Parkway
San Mateo, CA 94403-1906
An investment adviser to a number of the open-end investment companies in the
Franklin Templeton Group of Funds.
Exhibit B
Summary of Transactions Within the last Sixty days
Date Buy/Sell No. of Shares Price
6/19/2003 Sell 134,200 $5.1216
6/24/03 Sell 4,300 $5.0086
7/1/03 Buy 3,000 $4.6480