Beyond Bulls & Bears

High Yield Bonds in View: Energy
Fixed Income

High Yield Bonds in View: Energy

Much has changed since the oil-market collapse in the early pandemic days of 2020, when prices actually turned negative. Franklin Templeton Fixed Income Research Analyst/Portfolio Manager Bryant Dieffenbacher looks back at industry developments since then, and outlines opportunities he sees in the high-yield energy bond market today.

Notes from the Trading Desk—Europe
Equity

Notes from the Trading Desk—Europe

Equities globally were lackluster last week, with Europe underperforming amid a position-driven selloff. Outside of the obvious continuing focus on the pandemic and vaccine rollouts, there was little in the way of broad market themes, which in turn saw focus shifting to technical factors and company specifics amidst the first-quarter earnings season.

Quick Thoughts: Why Our Managers Disagree on Inflation, Rates, and Growth
Perspectives

Quick Thoughts: Why Our Managers Disagree on Inflation, Rates, and Growth

Multiple leadership and diverse views steer how we invest in our global economy. Our recent macroeconomic investment roundtable with three of our autonomous investment managers found commonalities and disagreements on the path for global economic growth. All agreed that global growth will be significant this year, but there is some disagreement as to how persistent it will be. Our Chief Market Strategist Stephen Dover believes when thinking about fixed income investing, it is important to think beyond rising interest rates and focus on the many ways to obtain total return.

On My Mind: A Tale of Two Recoveries
Fixed Income

On My Mind: A Tale of Two Recoveries

While a global recovery has now become the base case for financial markets, differences between countries and regions on the path toward normalcy are significant and seem set to widen. In the latest edition of our Fixed Income CIO Sonal Desai’s “On My Mind” series, she evaluates the differences in policy decisions, both on the fiscal front as well as in vaccination campaigns, and how the resulting differing paths will shape the map of investment opportunities.

PODCAST: Anatomy of a Recession: Expecting an Economic Boom
Equity

PODCAST: Anatomy of a Recession: Expecting an Economic Boom

Jeff Schulze, investment strategist at ClearBridge Investments, a specialist investment manager of Franklin Templeton, discusses why expectations for gross domestic product growth in the United States are soaring, how high the 10-year Treasury could rise, and why not to fear inflation long term.

Notes from the Trading Desk—Europe
Equity

Notes from the Trading Desk—Europe

The spread of COVID-19 infections in continental Europe and how governments are managing it continues to contribute heavily to the market push and pull we’ve seen in recent weeks and months.

Biotech Innovations Remain at Forefront
Equity

Biotech Innovations Remain at Forefront

The first quarter of 2021 was challenging for investors in biotechnology, but Franklin Equity Group Portfolio Managers Evan McCulloch, Wendy Lam and Akiva Felt believe the second half of the year will likely bring welcome tailwinds for the industry. They offer an update on investment opportunities they see, and why they believe biotech companies will remain at the forefront through the pandemic period and beyond.

Notes from the Trading Desk—Europe
Equity

Notes from the Trading Desk—Europe

Equities in the United States and Europe continued their grind higher in a holiday-shortened week, which led to lighter volumes and newflow last week. Concerns over rising COVID-19 cases were a concern in a number of countries.

Quick Thoughts: The American Jobs Plan is Not Just an Infrastructure Plan
Perspectives

Quick Thoughts: The American Jobs Plan is Not Just an Infrastructure Plan

The American Jobs Plan is not only the biggest traditional infrastructure proposal in over 50 years, but if approved, it will also fund significant investments in human and environmental infrastructure. However, its implications include significant changes to corporate and individual tax rates. Chief Market Strategist Stephen Dover believes environmentally aware investing will likely substantially increase and fossil-fuel companies will likely lose. He says the wise investor will look at how infrastructure is changing.

Secular Tailwinds Prevail Across Market Cycles
Equity

Secular Tailwinds Prevail Across Market Cycles

With global equities trading near record highs, many investors are questioning the potential for continued gains going forward. Franklin Equity Group's Matt Moberg believes we are still experiencing a rich backdrop to invest in innovation as many discrete advancements are becoming economically viable in the economy today. 

PODCAST: Pandemic Lessons Learned: ESG Strategies for a Sustainable Recovery
Alternatives

PODCAST: Pandemic Lessons Learned: ESG Strategies for a Sustainable Recovery

Our latest "Talking Markets" podcast examines post-pandemic shifts in priorities and behaviors for companies and investors using environmental, social, and corporate governance strategies.