Beyond Bulls & Bears

Age of AI
Equity

Age of AI

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a key pillar of the digital transformation theme, which is driving significant disruption and spurring new growth. Grant Bowers, portfolio manager with Franklin Equity Group, offers a unique perspective of the challenges and benefits of this evolving and disruptive technology.

Alts Angle: Will 2023 be a good vintage year for private markets?
Alternatives

Alts Angle: Will 2023 be a good vintage year for private markets?

What does winemaking have to do with private markets? Like good wines, the best vintages in private markets often come from challenging environments, according to Franklin Templeton Institute’s Tony Davidow. Read more:

K2 Hedge Fund Strategy Outlook: Second quarter 2023
Alternatives

K2 Hedge Fund Strategy Outlook: Second quarter 2023

Given current market uncertainties, K2 Advisors remains defensive in terms of market outlook and beta positioning. Read the team’s latest hedge fund strategy outlook.

Quick Thoughts: From a deep dive into the banking sector
Perspectives

Quick Thoughts: From a deep dive into the banking sector

Beyond the near-term turmoil, there may need to be a re-evaluation of the regional banking model in the United States, according to a recent panel hosted by Stephen Dover, Head of Franklin Templeton Institute. The panel discussed the latest developments and investment implications—including a move to money market funds.

Quick Thoughts: Alternative investments outlook post-SVB
Alternatives

Quick Thoughts: Alternative investments outlook post-SVB

Silicon Valley Bank was a “vital cog” in the private market ecosystem, which leads to many questions—and opportunities—across the alternative investments landscape. Franklin Templeton Institute’s Stephen Dover offers his thoughts.

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.

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.

Quick thoughts: Read, write, own—how Web3 can restore trust in markets and society
Alternatives

Quick thoughts: Read, write, own—how Web3 can restore trust in markets and society

“Web1” represents static websites, and “Web2” represents the shift in the delivery of the internet to user-centric, dynamic web offerings and platforms. Head of Franklin Templeton Institute Stephen Dover offers some perspective at the dawn of “Web3.”

Quick thoughts: An expanding universe in a volatile world—A focus on private real estate and private credit
Alternatives

Quick thoughts: An expanding universe in a volatile world—A focus on private real estate and private credit

According to a recent webinar hosted by the Franklin Templeton Institute, private markets offer opportunities in the current challenging environment. Stephen Dover, head of Franklin Templeton Institute, shares his key takeaways from the webinar.

Real estate investment opportunities amid macro uncertainties
Alternatives

Real estate investment opportunities amid macro uncertainties

Macro uncertainties and tightening financial conditions are pressuring the real estate investment market. Tim Wang, Head of Investment Research for Clarion Partners, discusses the challenges and opportunities in this current environment.

Inflation hedges: Fact and fantasy
Multi-Asset

Inflation hedges: Fact and fantasy

Equity markets have clearly taken notice of rising inflation—and not in a good way. Here, Gene Podkaminer and Chris Ratkovsky of Franklin Templeton Investment Solutions explore how different investments have performed during various inflation scenarios, which strategies or asset classes might provide an inflation hedge, and whether a “soft landing” economic scenario is possible.

Investing in infrastructure: Why now?
Alternatives

Investing in infrastructure: Why now?

Infrastructure has recently seen increased attention as broad equities have been weaker in 2022 due to inflation, rising interest rates, global supply chain disruptions from COVID-19 and the war in Ukraine. Shane Hurst, Portfolio Manager with ClearBridge Investments, discusses the opportunities and potential income benefits for investors in the space today.