Beyond Bulls & Bears

Technology Investing: Volatility, Valuations and Opportunity
Equity

Technology Investing: Volatility, Valuations and Opportunity

Despite increased volatility due to the Russia-Ukraine war and rising interest rates, Franklin Equity Group’s Jonathan Curtis sees compelling opportunities within high-quality technology companies in an increasingly digital world.

Jonathan Curtis | April 14, 2022
Should Investors “Buy the Dip” in a Time of Geopolitical Crisis?
Multi-Asset

Should Investors “Buy the Dip” in a Time of Geopolitical Crisis?

Many market pundits have advocated a strategy of “buying the dip” after significant selloffs, but does it always make sense to do so? Franklin Templeton Investment Solutions’ Gene Podkaminer and Miles Sampson explore market reactions to geopolitical events and caution against celebrating the success of this strategy too soon.

Gene Podkaminer, CFA | April 13, 2022
Quick Thoughts: Commodities, Wages and Supply Chains—How Geopolitics Are Reshaping the Global Economy
Perspectives

Quick Thoughts: Commodities, Wages and Supply Chains—How Geopolitics Are Reshaping the Global Economy

The war in Ukraine is shifting the conversation on what a post-COVID-19 world will look like. Franklin Templeton Investment Solutions Head of Research Gene Podkaminer, Brandywine Global’s Director of Global Macro Research Francis Scotland, and Templeton Global Macro’s Chief Investment Officer Dr. Michael Hasenstab join Head of Franklin Templeton Investment Institute Stephen Dover for a discussion on the current investment landscape.

Stephen H. Dover, CFA | April 12, 2022
Notes from the Trading Desk – Europe
Equity

Notes from the Trading Desk – Europe

Last week saw lacklustre performance for many equity markets as focus turned to hawkish rhetoric from the Federal Reserve (Fed), COVID-19 concerns in China and uncertainty around the outcome of the French presidential election. In addition, the war in Ukraine continues to grind on with little or no sign of progress in peace talks.

April 11, 2022
K2 Hedge Fund Strategy Outlook: Second Quarter 2022
Alternatives

K2 Hedge Fund Strategy Outlook: Second Quarter 2022

The Russian invasion of Ukraine has added pressure to the inflationary cycle that began in late 2020. Our K2 Advisors team opines on how hedge fund managers are viewing the situation in its second quarter 2022 outlook. 

Brooks Ritchey | April 08, 2022
Notes from the Trading Desk – Europe
Equity

Notes from the Trading Desk – Europe

Markets seem to be looking towards a ceasefire in Ukraine. Reports over the rest of the week showed little hope of any imminent de-escalation, with the crisis appearing to deepen in some areas of the country as Russian forces appeared to regroup, especially in the south and east.

April 04, 2022
Quick Thoughts: Are Central Banks Too Slow to Tackle Inflation?
Fixed Income

Quick Thoughts: Are Central Banks Too Slow to Tackle Inflation?

Are the reserve banks too slow in tackling inflation? Will inflation level off by itself? Will rising rates cause a recession? Stephen Dover, Head of Franklin Templeton Investment Institute, sat down with Franklin Templeton Fixed Income Chief Investment Officer Sonal Desai and Western Asset Portfolio Manager and Research Analyst John Bellows to discuss the investment landscape considering today’s geopolitical and economic challenges.

Stephen H. Dover, CFA | March 31, 2022
Fed Pivot Becomes Fed Prayer
Multi-Asset

Fed Pivot Becomes Fed Prayer

The US Federal Reserve is turning increasingly hawkish—hiking rates fast enough to slow inflation while maintaining economic growth will be a monumental task. The Franklin Templeton Investment Solutions team opines on what to expect from the Fed and gauges whether it is already behind the curve.

Gene Podkaminer, CFA | March 30, 2022
Gold, Inflation and Geopolitical Tensions
Equity

Gold, Inflation and Geopolitical Tensions

Many investors see gold as a sort of haven in times of turmoil, and prices have surged amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Franklin Equity Group Portfolio Manager Steve Land outlines how his team approaches investing in the metals sector, and why smaller gold producers in particular look appealing.

Steve Land | March 28, 2022
Notes from the Trading Desk – Europe
Equity

Notes from the Trading Desk – Europe

It has now been over four weeks since Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine, and there are very few signs that the conflict will be coming to an end soon. But, it still feels like hope is a big driving factor behind relative equity market strength despite the clear headwinds. 

March 28, 2022
On My Mind: The Fed Takes the Red Pill
Fixed Income

On My Mind: The Fed Takes the Red Pill

The Fed struck a hawkish tone at its latest meeting, but Franklin Templeton Fixed Income Chief Investment Officer Sonal Desai believes it still underestimates how far rates will likely need to rise—and so do the markets. She discusses what it will take to get inflation back under control, and how fixed income investors can position for the volatile rising-rate environment ahead.

Sonal Desai, Ph.D. | March 23, 2022
Notes from the Trading Desk – Europe
Equity

Notes from the Trading Desk – Europe

Despite the overall strength last week, stock markets were really at the mercy of the headlines tied to Ukraine, which flip-flopped from one day to the next on the progress of peace talks.

March 21, 2022