August 2019 Archives - Beyond Bulls & Bears

Alternatives

Meet the Manager: John Levy

Because an intern didn’t show up for work, John Levy, Director of Impact, Franklin Real Asset Advisors, got his foot in the door at Franklin Templeton. Now, 14 years later, he’s leading the firm’s efforts in impact investing, helping the company prove itself as a leader in the space. Get to know John.

John Levy, CFA | August 29, 2019

Equity

Three Reasons to Consider Dividend Growers

“As long-term investors, our strategy is to invest in rising dividends companies, or companies with a demonstrated track record of substantial and sustainable dividend growth.”– Nick Getaz and Matt Quinlan, Franklin Equity Group

Nick Getaz, CFA | August 22, 2019

Fixed Income

Why European Fixed Income Can Still Have Value Even with Negative Yield

“We believe that with the combination of an expected ECB rate cut in September and a positively shaped yield curve, European bonds could still remain attractive in global terms.” - John Beck, Director Fixed Income, London, Franklin Templeton

John Beck | August 16, 2019

Equity

US Market Volatility and Sleepless Summertime Nights

“In our view, the biggest growth driver for both the US and global economy is the digital transformation that is taking place at all levels—individual, enterprise and government.” – Grant Bowers, Franklin Equity Group

Grant Bowers | August 15, 2019

Fixed Income

Yield Curve Hysteria

The inversion of the Treasury yield curve has recently gotten a lot of attention in the financial press as being a harbinger of economic malaise ahead. Our Fixed Income CIO Sonal Desai says these conclusions are misguided.

Sonal Desai, Ph.D. | August 14, 2019

Equity

PODCAST: Health Care Sector Innovation and Insight

The biopharma industry has the potential to save lives with dramatic breakthroughs in new therapeutic drugs. In our latest “Talking Markets” podcast, our Head of Equities Stephen Dover speaks with analysts Steven Kornfeld and Krzysztof Musialik about health care innovations, particularly in the area of biopharma. They point out that in some cases, emerging markets are actually leading the way.

Stephen H. Dover, CFA | August 13, 2019

Multi-Asset

Trade Tensions Flare: Where Do We Go from Here?

Market volatility has been on the rise as US-China trade tensions continue to flare and recent central bank activity has created more questions than answers. As such, many investors have been on edge. Franklin Templeton Multi-Asset Solutions CIO Ed Perks, and Gene Podkaminer, Head of Multi-Asset Research Strategies, present the team’s latest thoughts on where the global economy is headed—and how investors should think about risk today. They say the persistent uncertainty calls for a cautious and nimble stance.

Edward D. Perks, CFA | August 09, 2019

Fixed Income

Adrift: Has Monetary Policy Become Unanchored?

In light of the Federal Reserve’s recent interest-rate cut, our Fixed Income CIO Sonal Desai takes a look at how US central bank thinking seems to have changed, and whether there’s a risk of having interest rates too close to zero. She argues deflation risks are overblown and looser monetary policy will lead to increased financial market distortions.

Sonal Desai, Ph.D. | August 08, 2019

Alternatives

Impact Investing in Practice: Social Infrastructure

To understand how impact management can be applied in practice, our Franklin Real Asset Advisors team, in collaboration with consulting firm Tideline, took an example from the real estate sector and considered the specific demands of social infrastructure. The third post of this three-part series explores why social infrastructure can be seen as a natural fit for most impact investors.

John Levy, CFA | August 06, 2019