Beyond Bulls & Bears

Alternative Allocations: Opportunities in commercial real estate
Alternatives

Alternative Allocations: Opportunities in commercial real estate

While the financial media has focused on the headwinds for commercial real estate and the challenges the office and retail sectors face, this narrative ignores the differences across sectors and the potential opportunities available in today’s market environment, according to Franklin Templeton Institute’s Tony Davidow.

Using avoided emissions to build the case for investing in climate change
Equity

Using avoided emissions to build the case for investing in climate change

Activities that help companies avoid emissions are an attractive investment opportunity, according to Templeton Global Equity Group Portfolio Manager Craig Cameron. By actively seeking opportunities to reduce emissions, he says investors can align themselves with sustainability goals that contribute to a low-carbon economy.

Notes from the Trading Desk – Europe
Equity

Notes from the Trading Desk – Europe

Last week, global equities retreated from recent highs. The European Central Bank’s global banking forum, the US Fed’s annual banking stress test, European Union CPI releases, China PMI and Japan CPI and Industrial Production reports could be key catalysts this week for the markets.

Notes from the Trading Desk – Europe
Equity

Notes from the Trading Desk – Europe

Global equities entered bull market territory last week. Investors took the weaker inflation data and the first Fed pause in a year as a positive, looking past Fed commentary about future rate hikes. Chinese stimulus hopes also helped to buoy global investor sentiment last week, with rhetoric suggesting further measures will be taken to boost China’s economy.

Alternative Allocations: The growth and diversification of secondaries
Alternatives

Alternative Allocations: The growth and diversification of secondaries

Secondary funds, commonly referred to as secondaries or continuation transactions, purchase existing interests from limited partners (LPs) or assets from primary private equity fund investors. Although once considered a niche strategy, secondaries have matured and now represent a vital cog in the private equity ecosystem, according to Franklin Templeton Institute’s Tony Davidow. Read more:

Notes from the Trading Desk – Europe
Equity

Notes from the Trading Desk – Europe

Focus shifts quite firmly this week to some key central bank policy decisions. On Wednesday, the Federal Reserve holds its policy meeting. on Thursday, the European Central Bank meets, and on Friday, we have the Bank of Japan rate decision.

REITs: Ever changing, ever valuable
Equity

REITs: Ever changing, ever valuable

Until recently, office buildings were the pinnacle of commercial real estate—skyscrapers stretched perception and awed as symbols of prestige and value. Malls were the buttressed center of communities, where young people reliably gathered to hang out at the video arcade and their families would do what Americans do best: consume. What happens when behaviors change? Franklin Equity Group Portfolio Managers Blair Schmicker and Daniel Scher reflect on the ever-evolving landscape of commercial real estate, and the answer to that question might surprise you.

PODCAST Anatomy of a Recession update: US labor market cracks emerging?
Perspectives

PODCAST Anatomy of a Recession update: US labor market cracks emerging?

In this conversation with Jeff Schulze, head of economic and market research at ClearBridge Investments, we focus on the US employment market and consumption, receive an update on the ClearBridge Recession Risk Dashboard, and discuss the on-again, off-again, soft-landing narrative.

Promoting a greener future: The power of sustainable investing
Fixed Income

Promoting a greener future: The power of sustainable investing

Why should investors care about sustainable investing? Franklin Templeton Fixed Income’s Head of Sustainable Investments David Zahn and Senior Sustainability Manager Kasper Hanus weigh in on how FTFI thinks responsible investing and investment returns aren’t mutually exclusive goals.

Quick Thoughts: Positioning for a timely opportunity in munis
Fixed Income

Quick Thoughts: Positioning for a timely opportunity in munis

As markets continue to respond to an uncertain macroeconomic environment, the current fundamentals in the municipal bond market are creating an investment opportunity to capture strong after-tax total returns according to Stephen Dover, Head of Franklin Templeton Institute.

On My Mind: Debt ceiling to markets—I’ll be back!
Fixed Income

On My Mind: Debt ceiling to markets—I’ll be back!

The debt ceiling crisis has been averted—but this short-term relief might come at the cost of greater future peril. Franklin Templeton Fixed Income CIO Sonal Desai analyzes the debt-ceiling resolution and delves into the potential longer-term risks that rising public debt poses to financial markets.

Alts Angle: Disruption creates opportunities
Alternatives

Alts Angle: Disruption creates opportunities

The collapse of Silicon Valley Bank will likely lead to tighter credit conditions as banks pull back from lending. Private credit managers are poised to fill the void that banks have left, and can negotiate favorable terms, according to Franklin Templeton Institute’s Tony Davidow.