Beyond Bulls & Bears

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.

Alternative Allocations: Alternative Investment Outlook
Alternatives

Alternative Allocations: Alternative Investment Outlook

Franklin Templeton’s Tony Davidow discusses the impact of various factors on traditional and alternative investments, highlighting the challenges and opportunities in private commercial real estate, private credit, and private equity.

K2 Hedge Fund Strategy Outlook: First Quarter 2024
Alternatives

K2 Hedge Fund Strategy Outlook: First Quarter 2024

Interest rates in most parts of the world appear to be stabilizing, as inflation trends continue to decline from the high levels seen in the summer of 2022. Learn more about the implications for hedge fund strategies from K2 Advisors.

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.

PODCAST Anatomy of a Recession Update: New year, new dynamic
Equity

PODCAST Anatomy of a Recession Update: New year, new dynamic

As 2024 kicks off, we sit down with ClearBridge Investment's Jeff Schulze for an update on the Recession Risk Dashboard that has recently seen some indicator moves from red to yellow and learn whether recent US economic and labor data have impacted his views on the likelihood of a soft landing.

Alternative Allocations: Opportunities in secondaries
Alternatives

Alternative Allocations: Opportunities in secondaries

In the latest episode of our Alternative Allocations podcast, Franklin Templeton Institute’s Tony Davidow discusses the secondaries market in private equities with Taylor Robinson, partner of Lexington Partners.

Ozempic can’t help your overweight in big tech: Global ETF diversification ideas for 2024
ETFs

Ozempic can’t help your overweight in big tech: Global ETF diversification ideas for 2024

The start of a new year brings a chance for reflection and re-evaluation. For investors, a chance to rebalance. Franklin Templeton ETFs’ Dina Ting and Marcus Weyerer highlight the pitfalls of overweight exposure to mega tech stocks and where in the world to look for diversification in 2024.

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.

Quick Thoughts: Five surprises for 2024
Perspectives

Quick Thoughts: Five surprises for 2024

As we near the end of 2023, Head of Franklin Institute Stephen Dover reviews how his forecasts for the year panned out and shares the themes his team is watching out for in 2024.

US equity outlook: Opportunities for active management
Equity

US equity outlook: Opportunities for active management

If 2023 was the year of the “Magnificent Seven,” 2024 may be a year where small-, mid- and large-cap companies will take the spotlight, according to Franklin Equity Group.

Notes from the Trading Desk – Europe
Equity

Notes from the Trading Desk – Europe

Global equities marched higher again last week. The key driver behind the equity market moves was the Fed’s signalling of rate cuts in 2024, with the message that inflation had surprised to the downside taken as dovish.