Beyond Bulls & Bears

Quick Thoughts: Kicking the can down the road
Equity

Quick Thoughts: Kicking the can down the road

While interest rates were left unchanged at the January Fed meeting as expected, there were some interesting hints about future monetary policy. Stephen Dover, Head of Franklin Templeton Institute, opines.

US economy: Ending 2023 on an unexpected high
Fixed Income

US economy: Ending 2023 on an unexpected high

US gross domestic product surprised to the upside in the fourth quarter of 2023, primarily led by US consumers and the government. Franklin Fixed Income Economist Nikhil Mohan sees the growth mix remaining largely the same in 2024.

ECB in little rush to cut rates
Fixed Income

ECB in little rush to cut rates

The European Central Bank left interest rates unchanged, without conveying any urgency to start cutting rates in the next few months. David Zahn, Franklin Templeton Fixed Income’s Head of European Fixed Income, weighs in on the implications for investors—and why lengthening duration may make sense.

On My Mind: Catch me if you can—Markets outrun the Fed
Fixed Income

On My Mind: Catch me if you can—Markets outrun the Fed

The Federal Reserve has fueled market conviction that the good old days of extremely low interest rates and abundant liquidity are soon to return. Our Franklin Templeton Fixed Income CIO Sonal Desai sees this reaction as an excess of dovish enthusiasm that sets the stage for more volatility. She shares her latest insights on the policy outlook and the implications for investors.

2024 municipal bond market outlook: Increased optimism for the year ahead
Fixed Income

2024 municipal bond market outlook: Increased optimism for the year ahead

A year of significant monetary policy tightening is coming to a close, making Franklin Templeton Fixed Income optimistic about muni bonds in the year ahead. Get the team’s 2024 muni-bond outlook.

On My Mind: Miracle on 20th Street
Fixed Income

On My Mind: Miracle on 20th Street

Markets cheered a “dovish” December Federal Reserve meeting, seen as an early gift to investors. But has the battle against inflation been won? Franklin Templeton Fixed Income CIO Sonal Desai weighs in.

Growing green: Cultivating a sustainable future through an ecosystem service valuation
Fixed Income

Growing green: Cultivating a sustainable future through an ecosystem service valuation

The Franklin Templeton Fixed Income team believes that sustainable investing will be a dominant investment trend in the coming years, with structural tailwinds that could help improve financial returns.

Quick Thoughts: Investment Ideas—The case for fixed income in 2024
Fixed Income

Quick Thoughts: Investment Ideas—The case for fixed income in 2024

Stephen Dover, Head of Franklin Templeton Institute, recently sat down with Franklin Templeton Fixed Income Portfolio Manager Josh Lohmeier and Western Asset Portfolio Manager Mark Lindbloom to discuss the fixed income landscape—and why they believe 2024 will be a good year for fixed income investors.

Discovering sources of alpha and diversification in fixed income
Fixed Income

Discovering sources of alpha and diversification in fixed income

In an economic environment characterized by rising interest rates and a forecasted slowdown, the fixed income asset class has emerged as a beacon of opportunity. Recently, Katie Klingensmith, Senior Vice President – Investment Strategist at Brandywine Global, moderated a panel of fixed income portfolio managers to explore these opportunities, discuss strategies to generate alpha and share their outlook as we approach the end of the year. Here are her key takeaways from this conversation.

On My Mind: The Fed and markets—Same as it ever was
Fixed Income

On My Mind: The Fed and markets—Same as it ever was

A dovish nudge in the Federal Reserve's (Fed’s) November press conference pushed markets to again price a significant monetary easing as early as mid-2024. Our Franklin Templeton Fixed Income CIO Sonal Desai sees this market reaction as an excess of exuberance that sets the stage for more volatility. She shares her latest insights on the policy outlook and the implications for investors.

Portfolio construction for alpha generation and risk mitigation
Fixed Income

Portfolio construction for alpha generation and risk mitigation

In this period of higher interest rates, the quest to capture alpha and mitigate risk in corporate credit requires a more refined approach. Josh Lohmeier of Franklin Templeton Fixed Income uncovers a dynamic portfolio construction process that is adaptable to various kinds of investors and repeatable in different types of environments.

Sustainable Resource Nexus: Analyzing the convergence of food-water-energy on financial markets
Fixed Income

Sustainable Resource Nexus: Analyzing the convergence of food-water-energy on financial markets

Franklin Templeton Fixed Income’s Ashley Allen and Bryant Dieffenbacher discuss sustainable investing and what the convergence of food, water and energy means for investors.