Beyond Bulls & Bears

An overview of US state budgets and municipal bonds
Fixed Income

An overview of US state budgets and municipal bonds

As COVID-era funding boosts come to a close, US state and local governments are facing some challenges. However, they have many tools with which to tackle them, according to Jennifer Johnston, Franklin Templeton Fixed Income’s Director of Research, Municipal Bonds. She provides her latest outlook.

Notes from the Trading Desk – Europe
Equity

Notes from the Trading Desk – Europe

The clock continues to count down to the US Federal government’s debt default deadline.

Quick Thoughts: What to do when stuff happens
Multi-Asset

Quick Thoughts: What to do when stuff happens

When markets turn volatile, it’s not time to despair. Stephen Dover, Head of Franklin Templeton Institute, offers some judicious perspective on how to turn volatility into opportunity.

Age of AI
Equity

Age of AI

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a key pillar of the digital transformation theme, which is driving significant disruption and spurring new growth. Grant Bowers, portfolio manager with Franklin Equity Group, offers a unique perspective of the challenges and benefits of this evolving and disruptive technology.

Notes from the Trading Desk – Europe
Equity

Notes from the Trading Desk – Europe

The US debt ceiling deadline looms, and bipartisan talks failed to yield much progress. The two sides remain far apart in terms of resolving the potential crisis. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has warned the federal government could default as soon as 1 June, and that this could undermine the US and global economy.

Quick Thoughts: Preparing for a pause
Perspectives

Quick Thoughts: Preparing for a pause

There is a disconnect between the Fed’s message regarding taking a pause in hiking interest rates this year and the market’s expectations of rate cuts. Stephen Dover, Head of Franklin Templeton Institute, shares the views of the company’s investment leaders regarding the likely path for interest rates as well as how investors can best position themselves in this uncertain environment.

A continued focus on fixed income versus equities
Multi-Asset

A continued focus on fixed income versus equities

The longer-term risks of sticky inflation, monetary policy changes and slowing economic growth continue to challenge the markets. Within this uncertain backdrop, Franklin Income Investors’ Ed Perks shares his latest outlook and the investment opportunities he sees across fixed income and equities.

On My Mind: The Fed fights inflation, the markets fight the Fed
Fixed Income

On My Mind: The Fed fights inflation, the markets fight the Fed

Markets want to believe policy interest rates will soon fall—but inflation and growth data tell a very different story, argues Franklin Templeton Fixed Income CIO Sonal Desai.

PODCAST Anatomy of a Recession update: The dominoes are falling
Equity

PODCAST Anatomy of a Recession update: The dominoes are falling

Jeff Schulze, Head of Economic and Market Research at ClearBridge Investments, provides us with an update on the Recession Risk Dashboard, a current view of those lagged effects, and perspective on first quarter earnings. In addition: the debt ceiling and perspective on the latest Fed meeting.

Notes from the Trading Desk – Europe
Equity

Notes from the Trading Desk – Europe

There is plenty to focus on this week, with some key macro data coming out (US CPI), the US debt ceiling in focus (Biden-Congress talks), and the Bank of England decision (Thursday). In addition, the concerns around the US regional banks will no doubt remain a driver for markets.

Fed pause won’t save the day
Multi-Asset

Fed pause won’t save the day

If the Fed pauses, will that revive risk assets? Tom Nelson and Miles Sampson of Franklin Templeton Investment Solutions weigh in on the investment implications of the latest US central bank actions.

Is Japan springing into bloom?
ETFs

Is Japan springing into bloom?

Japan’s business and government leaders have undertaken efforts to revitalize the country’s economy. Dina Ting, Franklin Templeton ETFs’ Head of Global Index Portfolio Management, discusses some of these positive developments.