Beyond Bulls & Bears

Will Italy still have ECB support in wake of elections?
Fixed Income

Will Italy still have ECB support in wake of elections?

Our Head of European Fixed Income, David Zahn, weighs in on the potential market implications of the outcome of the recent Italian elections.

Quick thoughts: Why the US dollar matters
Perspectives

Quick thoughts: Why the US dollar matters

Why is the US dollar so strong? And what does the strengthening dollar mean for investors, the global economy and inflation? Stephen Dover, Head of Franklin Templeton Institute, explains.

Municipal markets continue to feel the pressure this year, yet fundamentals remain stable
Fixed Income

Municipal markets continue to feel the pressure this year, yet fundamentals remain stable

The municipal bond market has not been immune to bouts of volatility hitting the markets this year, but there are still pockets of opportunity, according to Franklin Templeton Fixed Income’s Director of Municipal Bonds, Ben Barber. He points to improving technical conditions, stable fundamentals and inexpensive valuations that make the asset class look compelling.

Notes from the Trading Desk – Europe
Equity

Notes from the Trading Desk – Europe

The Federal Reserve (Fed), the Bank of England (BoE), the Swiss National Bank (SNB), Norges Bank and the Riksbank all raised interest rates last week and paved the way for further hikes at upcoming meetings.

Student loan forgiveness plan and Inflation Reduction Act: Are these new policies inflationary or deflationary?
Multi-Asset

Student loan forgiveness plan and Inflation Reduction Act: Are these new policies inflationary or deflationary?

Inflation is top of mind for consumers and market participants. In the United States, many are questioning whether student loan forgiveness will make inflation worse, and if the recently passed “Inflation Reduction Act” will offer relief. Franklin Templeton Investment Solutions’ Gene Podkaminer and Spencer Walling weigh in on whether these new policies will worsen the current inflationary environment, or prove to provide a deflationary impulse for the economy.

On my mind: Staying on message
Fixed Income

On my mind: Staying on message

The Fed delivered another 75 bps rate hike and reiterated its Jackson Hole message: reducing inflation is now its one and only priority. But the Fed's forecasts still seem too optimistic, and this could feed extended uncertainty and volatility in markets. Our Fixed Income CIO Sonal Desai shares her thoughts.

Liz Truss to be new British prime minister
Fixed Income

Liz Truss to be new British prime minister

David Zahn, Franklin Templeton's Head of European Fixed Income, offers some initial thoughts on the market implications of the election of new UK Prime Minister Liz Truss. 

Dimensions & Insights: Diverse and inclusive practices unlock opportunities
Perspectives

Dimensions & Insights: Diverse and inclusive practices unlock opportunities

Diversity & Inclusion (D&I) practices unlock opportunities that might otherwise go unnoticed. Companies with greater ethnic and cultural diversity outperform in productivity and profitability and gain the ability to find and unlock innovations from anyone, anywhere. Our Chief Diversity Officer Regina Curry believes the debate is long over—the business case for D&I is proven and compelling.

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.

Notes from the Trading Desk – Europe
Equity

Notes from the Trading Desk – Europe

Energy prices continue to be a focus for the markets. European gas prices have edged back towards their year-to-date highs. In addition, relatively low water levels in the Rhine are not helping sentiment and could continue to dampen German economic growth.

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.

US equities: Opportunities amid turbulence
Equity

US equities: Opportunities amid turbulence

Franklin Equity Group Portfolio Manager Grant Bowers shares his outlook on inflation and recessionary risks and where he’s finding opportunities in US equities amid recent market volatility.