Beyond Bulls & Bears

US budget season implications for the muni market
Fixed Income

US budget season implications for the muni market

A slowdown in US economic activity this year is likely to impact most states, which could face budget deficits, according to Jennifer Johnston, Franklin Templeton Fixed Income’s Director of Municipal Bond Research. She outlines implications for the muni market.

Notes from the Trading Desk – Europe
Equity

Notes from the Trading Desk – Europe

This week, investor focus is firmly on central bank meetings, with the Federal Reserve’s policy meeting on Wednesday, and Bank of England and European Central Bank on Thursday. These meetings face greater scrutiny, given we have seen signs of inflation peaking in several regions, leading to hopes we may soon see a tilt from some central banks.

K2 Hedge Fund Strategy Outlook: First quarter 2023
Alternatives

K2 Hedge Fund Strategy Outlook: First quarter 2023

The first half of 2023 is looking volatile, presenting an opportunity for tactical managers focused on equity selection, according to K2 Advisors. Read the team’s latest outlook.

Meet the Manager: Ryan Biggs
Perspectives

Meet the Manager: Ryan Biggs

Winning an award for stock-picking in elementary school, Ryan Biggs has extended his wins with a recent recognition from the Business Insider as one of the venture capital industry’s rising stars in 2022. He has also established a “scout program” to help young people get a head start in their careers just like he had received from his mentors. Get to know more about Ryan’s background as well as trends he’s excited about.

Notes from the Trading Desk – Europe
Equity

Notes from the Trading Desk – Europe

Last week was choppy as investors digested central-banker commentary, macro data and corporate earnings. Of note, a number of Federal Reserve speakers stuck to their hawkish narrative and some weak US macro data raised doubts over a “soft landing” for the US economy.

Quick Thoughts: How to avoid making a unicorn skeleton
Multi-Asset

Quick Thoughts: How to avoid making a unicorn skeleton

Stephen Dover, Head of Franklin Templeton Institute, crunches the data to decipher the odds of a US recession this year and the implications for investor portfolios.

On My Mind: Transitory tightening?
Fixed Income

On My Mind: Transitory tightening?

Does the latest US data confirm the battle against inflation has already been won? Franklin Templeton Fixed Income CIO Sonal Desai says markets are overly optimistic.

Mid-Cap ETFs’ Moment
ETFs

Mid-Cap ETFs’ Moment

Dina Ting, our Head of Global Index Portfolio Management, offers her perspective on the allure of multifactor US mid-capitalization strategies for 2023.

Quick Thought: US financial services policies shift to rules, regulations, and executive actions
Perspectives

Quick Thought: US financial services policies shift to rules, regulations, and executive actions

The financial services outlook includes more oversight by the US Congress and states. Regulations and executive actions will likely affect housing policies, digital assets, and ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) investing in 2023.

Notes from the Trading Desk – Europe
Equity

Notes from the Trading Desk – Europe

The new market consensus for Federal Reserve (Fed) rate hikes is for 50 basis points (bps) to be added in the first half of 2023, followed by 200 bps of cuts over the following 18 months. It remains to be seen whether the market will eventually give in and follow the hawkish central bank tones, or whether the central banks will pivot to a more dovish stance than they have adopted until now.

Fasten your seatbelts
Alternatives

Fasten your seatbelts

Benefit Street Partners explores how best to capitalize on the bumps that are creating the beginnings of another fertile special situations investment environment.

Small-cap industrials, large onshoring opportunities
Equity

Small-cap industrials, large onshoring opportunities

Why small-cap industrials companies may be poised to benefit from moving supply chains closer to home—thoughts from Christopher Meeker of Franklin Mutual Series.