Beyond Bulls & Bears

Notes from the Trading Desk – Europe
Equity

Notes from the Trading Desk – Europe

Focus shifts quite firmly this week to some key central bank policy decisions. On Wednesday, the Federal Reserve holds its policy meeting. on Thursday, the European Central Bank meets, and on Friday, we have the Bank of Japan rate decision.

REITs: Ever changing, ever valuable
Equity

REITs: Ever changing, ever valuable

Until recently, office buildings were the pinnacle of commercial real estate—skyscrapers stretched perception and awed as symbols of prestige and value. Malls were the buttressed center of communities, where young people reliably gathered to hang out at the video arcade and their families would do what Americans do best: consume. What happens when behaviors change? Franklin Equity Group Portfolio Managers Blair Schmicker and Daniel Scher reflect on the ever-evolving landscape of commercial real estate, and the answer to that question might surprise you.

PODCAST Anatomy of a Recession update: US labor market cracks emerging?
Perspectives

PODCAST Anatomy of a Recession update: US labor market cracks emerging?

In this conversation with Jeff Schulze, head of economic and market research at ClearBridge Investments, we focus on the US employment market and consumption, receive an update on the ClearBridge Recession Risk Dashboard, and discuss the on-again, off-again, soft-landing narrative.

Promoting a greener future: The power of sustainable investing
Fixed Income

Promoting a greener future: The power of sustainable investing

Why should investors care about sustainable investing? Franklin Templeton Fixed Income’s Head of Sustainable Investments David Zahn and Senior Sustainability Manager Kasper Hanus weigh in on how FTFI thinks responsible investing and investment returns aren’t mutually exclusive goals.

Quick Thoughts: Positioning for a timely opportunity in munis
Fixed Income

Quick Thoughts: Positioning for a timely opportunity in munis

As markets continue to respond to an uncertain macroeconomic environment, the current fundamentals in the municipal bond market are creating an investment opportunity to capture strong after-tax total returns according to Stephen Dover, Head of Franklin Templeton Institute.

On My Mind: Debt ceiling to markets—I’ll be back!
Fixed Income

On My Mind: Debt ceiling to markets—I’ll be back!

The debt ceiling crisis has been averted—but this short-term relief might come at the cost of greater future peril. Franklin Templeton Fixed Income CIO Sonal Desai analyzes the debt-ceiling resolution and delves into the potential longer-term risks that rising public debt poses to financial markets.

Alts Angle: Disruption creates opportunities
Alternatives

Alts Angle: Disruption creates opportunities

The collapse of Silicon Valley Bank will likely lead to tighter credit conditions as banks pull back from lending. Private credit managers are poised to fill the void that banks have left, and can negotiate favorable terms, according to Franklin Templeton Institute’s Tony Davidow.

Notes from the Trading Desk – Europe
Equity

Notes from the Trading Desk – Europe

Inflation appears to be continuing to cool in the eurozone. Whilst some European Central Bank (ECB) officials welcomed it, they did continue to push the hawkish messaging last week. Comments suggest officials are still committed to a June hike, and there remains a strong possibility of a hike in July too, as they continue to fight inflation.

Alts Angle: Rethinking retirement with alternative investments
Alternatives

Alts Angle: Rethinking retirement with alternative investments

After a challenging 2022, many advisors and investors began to question their traditional retirement approach to investing. Tony Davidow, Senior Alternative Investment Strategist with Franklin Templeton Institute, illustrates the potential impact of adding alternative investments to pursue growth and income—as well as seek to dampen volatility—during the accumulation and distribution phases of retirement.

Quick Thoughts: The tapestry of debt and what we need to do to unravel it
Perspectives

Quick Thoughts: The tapestry of debt and what we need to do to unravel it

Thoughts on the current US debt challenge and the long-term implications for markets and the economy from Stephen Dover, Head of Franklin Templeton Institute.

UK equities—shifting to a more positive narrative
Equity

UK equities—shifting to a more positive narrative

UK equities have fallen out of fashion in recent years—not helped by a slew of negative headlines. However, Martin Currie’s Ben Russon believes it is time to change the narrative to a more positive one, and shares the reasons for his optimism.

Tumultuous times: Understanding the macroeconomic landscape
Fixed Income

Tumultuous times: Understanding the macroeconomic landscape

Fixed income sectors that eliminate credit risk seem to be pricing in a recession while sectors willing to take credit risk seem to be much more optimistic. Franklin Templeton Fixed Income CIO Sonal Desai and Portfolio Manager Rick Klein tell us what they think these diverging views imply.