Beyond Bulls & Bears

Alts Angle: Rethinking retirement with alternative investments
Alternatives

Alts Angle: Rethinking retirement with alternative investments

After a challenging 2022, many advisors and investors began to question their traditional retirement approach to investing. Tony Davidow, Senior Alternative Investment Strategist with Franklin Templeton Institute, illustrates the potential impact of adding alternative investments to pursue growth and income—as well as seek to dampen volatility—during the accumulation and distribution phases of retirement.

Quick Thoughts: The tapestry of debt and what we need to do to unravel it
Perspectives

Quick Thoughts: The tapestry of debt and what we need to do to unravel it

Thoughts on the current US debt challenge and the long-term implications for markets and the economy from Stephen Dover, Head of Franklin Templeton Institute.

UK equities—shifting to a more positive narrative
Equity

UK equities—shifting to a more positive narrative

UK equities have fallen out of fashion in recent years—not helped by a slew of negative headlines. However, Martin Currie’s Ben Russon believes it is time to change the narrative to a more positive one, and shares the reasons for his optimism.

Tumultuous times: Understanding the macroeconomic landscape
Fixed Income

Tumultuous times: Understanding the macroeconomic landscape

Fixed income sectors that eliminate credit risk seem to be pricing in a recession while sectors willing to take credit risk seem to be much more optimistic. Franklin Templeton Fixed Income CIO Sonal Desai and Portfolio Manager Rick Klein tell us what they think these diverging views imply.

An overview of US state budgets and municipal bonds
Fixed Income

An overview of US state budgets and municipal bonds

As COVID-era funding boosts come to a close, US state and local governments are facing some challenges. However, they have many tools with which to tackle them, according to Jennifer Johnston, Franklin Templeton Fixed Income’s Director of Research, Municipal Bonds. She provides her latest outlook.

Notes from the Trading Desk – Europe
Equity

Notes from the Trading Desk – Europe

The clock continues to count down to the US Federal government’s debt default deadline.

Quick Thoughts: What to do when stuff happens
Multi-Asset

Quick Thoughts: What to do when stuff happens

When markets turn volatile, it’s not time to despair. Stephen Dover, Head of Franklin Templeton Institute, offers some judicious perspective on how to turn volatility into opportunity.

Age of AI
Equity

Age of AI

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a key pillar of the digital transformation theme, which is driving significant disruption and spurring new growth. Grant Bowers, portfolio manager with Franklin Equity Group, offers a unique perspective of the challenges and benefits of this evolving and disruptive technology.

Notes from the Trading Desk – Europe
Equity

Notes from the Trading Desk – Europe

The US debt ceiling deadline looms, and bipartisan talks failed to yield much progress. The two sides remain far apart in terms of resolving the potential crisis. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has warned the federal government could default as soon as 1 June, and that this could undermine the US and global economy.

Quick Thoughts: Preparing for a pause
Perspectives

Quick Thoughts: Preparing for a pause

There is a disconnect between the Fed’s message regarding taking a pause in hiking interest rates this year and the market’s expectations of rate cuts. Stephen Dover, Head of Franklin Templeton Institute, shares the views of the company’s investment leaders regarding the likely path for interest rates as well as how investors can best position themselves in this uncertain environment.

A continued focus on fixed income versus equities
Multi-Asset

A continued focus on fixed income versus equities

The longer-term risks of sticky inflation, monetary policy changes and slowing economic growth continue to challenge the markets. Within this uncertain backdrop, Franklin Income Investors’ Ed Perks shares his latest outlook and the investment opportunities he sees across fixed income and equities.

On My Mind: The Fed fights inflation, the markets fight the Fed
Fixed Income

On My Mind: The Fed fights inflation, the markets fight the Fed

Markets want to believe policy interest rates will soon fall—but inflation and growth data tell a very different story, argues Franklin Templeton Fixed Income CIO Sonal Desai.