Beyond Bulls & Bears

    Fixed Income

    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.

    Gene Podkaminer, CFA | August 22, 2022
    Meet the manager: Justin Ma
    Perspectives

    Meet the manager: Justin Ma

    Landing in Franklin Templeton’s Floating Rate Debt Group prior to the global financial crisis, Justin Ma is no stranger to navigating market volatility and challenging environments. Today, he is excited about new applications of data science and quantitative methods to enhance his team’s portfolio management capabilities. Learn more about Justin.

    Justin Ma | August 09, 2022
    PODCAST: Increasing yields, strategy shifts for income investors
    Multi-Asset

    PODCAST: Increasing yields, strategy shifts for income investors

    Rapidly changing economic and market conditions could lead to a shift in strategy for income investors. Ed Perks, chief investment officer of Franklin Templeton Investment Solutions, breaks down the macro environment and shares the fixed income sectors he believes are now attractive, in this conversation with our Josh Greco. 

    Edward D. Perks, CFA | August 04, 2022
    On my mind: Are we there yet?
    Fixed Income

    On my mind: Are we there yet?

    Are we there yet? Fed Chairman Jerome Powell hedged himself carefully at the July press conference; markets heard it as confirming expectations that we are closing in on the terminal rate and that the Fed will likely start cutting again as early as March of next year. Our Fixed Income CIO Sonal Desai is not so sure—here are her thoughts:

    Sonal Desai, Ph.D. | July 27, 2022
    Boris Johnson resigns: What’s next for markets?
    Fixed Income

    Boris Johnson resigns: What’s next for markets?

    Our Head of European Fixed Income, David Zahn, weighs in on the market implications of the resignation of UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

    David Zahn, CFA, FRM | July 11, 2022
    Turbulence ahead
    Perspectives

    Turbulence ahead

    The US Fed just made the biggest interest-rate increase since 1994. Should we be worried? Stephen Dover, Head of Franklin Templeton Institute, discusses the rising risk of a recession.

    Stephen H. Dover, CFA | June 16, 2022
    On my mind: The Fed capitulates
    Fixed Income

    On my mind: The Fed capitulates

    The Fed raised interest rates by 75 basis points in its June policy meeting, acknowledging continued upside surprises on inflation, inflation expectations and wage growth. It also de facto abandoned forward guidance. It was a reminder that economic data eventually rule the day, says Franklin Templeton Fixed Income CIO Sonal Desai. She argues this is a welcome but only partial move to a more realistic stance, and discusses why further hawkish surprises likely lie ahead.

    Sonal Desai, Ph.D. | June 16, 2022
    ECB jumps on the bandwagon to start hiking rates
    Fixed Income

    ECB jumps on the bandwagon to start hiking rates

    The European Central Bank held its June meeting this past week, and while it didn’t raise interest rates this time, it signaled rate hikes would begin in July. David Zahn, our Head of European Fixed Income, offers his take on the meeting, noting the central bank has turned more hawkish than many expected.

    David Zahn, CFA, FRM | June 10, 2022
    Making the case for municipal bonds despite recent volatility
    Fixed Income

    Making the case for municipal bonds despite recent volatility

    The first half of the year has so far been challenging for investors in municipal bonds. Ben Barber, Director, Municipal Bonds, Franklin Templeton Fixed Income, shares his latest outlook and reasons for optimism.

    Ben Barber, CFA | June 01, 2022
    On my mind: Overdue reality check for Fed and markets has barely begun
    Fixed Income

    On my mind: Overdue reality check for Fed and markets has barely begun

    Franklin Templeton Fixed Income Chief Investment Officer Sonal Desai believes investors’ expectations that interest rates will not rise much may be very misguided.

    Sonal Desai, Ph.D. | May 24, 2022
    Credit: This Time Is Different?
    Fixed Income

    Credit: This Time Is Different?

    Credit market volatility this year has been extreme. The Franklin Templeton Investment Solutions team looks back at history to see what to expect from certain fixed income asset classes, noting that history may not repeat. They also examine the likelihood of recession and its possible severity.

    Gene Podkaminer, CFA | May 17, 2022
    PODCAST: Making Sense of the Recent Market Selloffs
    Perspectives

    PODCAST: Making Sense of the Recent Market Selloffs

    Wylie Tollette, Head of Client Investment Solutions with Franklin Templeton Investment Solutions, joins the head of the Franklin Templeton Institute, Stephen Dover, for a conversation on the recent equity market selloff. They discuss why the pendulum has shifted so strongly negative, whether there is any bottom in sight, and where investors looking for diversification could go.

    Wylie Tollette, CFA | May 17, 2022