Beyond Bulls & Bears

Flood-risk mitigation in Slovenia: A case study
Fixed Income

Flood-risk mitigation in Slovenia: A case study

Climate change adaptation is becoming increasingly necessary. For asset managers, it is imperative to know which issuers are well prepared for future risk events. Using Slovenia’s flood-risk mitigation efforts as an example, we explain why a thorough understanding of both potential risks and relevant mitigation measures is a cornerstone of best-in-class impact investing.

Quick Thoughts: Rate cuts will come—eventually
Perspectives

Quick Thoughts: Rate cuts will come—eventually

At its recently concluded meeting, the Federal Open Market Committee left the fed funds rate unchanged and issued a hawkish message. Franklin Templeton Institute discusses the changes in the Fed’s expected timing for possible future rate cuts.

Flash Insights: June FOMC meeting—erring on the side of caution
Fixed Income

Flash Insights: June FOMC meeting—erring on the side of caution

The Federal Reserve exercised caution at its June meeting, signaling only one interest rate cut in 2024. Policymakers will need to see more than just “modest further progress” on inflation before easing can begin, according to Franklin Templeton Fixed Income Economist Nikhil Mohan.

EU election ushers in uncertainty and volatility
Fixed Income

EU election ushers in uncertainty and volatility

The European Parliament election resulted in expected gains for far-right parties—and an unexpected decision by French President Emmanuel Macron to call a national election on June 30. David Zahn, Franklin Templeton’s Head of European Fixed Income, discusses why the campaign in France will contribute to market volatility and may be pivotal for the European Union (EU).

PODCAST Anatomy of a Recession Update: Profit margins and credit spreads improve
Equity

PODCAST Anatomy of a Recession Update: Profit margins and credit spreads improve

In May, the Recession Risk Dashboard saw two individual indicator upgrades, including a move from yellow to green. In or latest "Talking Markets" podcast, we speak with ClearBridge Investments' Jeff Schulze about the positive momentum we've seen in the dashboard and get his perspective on the current global landscape.

Equities near all-time highs—Where do we go from here?
Multi-Asset

Equities near all-time highs—Where do we go from here?

As equity markets near all-time highs, Franklin Templeton Investment Solutions believes that equity overbought signals have emerged. They examine forward equity returns after being at, and near, historical peaks, and what these outcomes could mean for allocating between stocks and bonds.

Alternative Allocations: Opportunities and allocating to alternatives
Alternatives

Alternative Allocations: Opportunities and allocating to alternatives

Franklin Templeton Institute’s Tony Davidow discusses the appeal of private markets and allocating capital with Ben Webb of Balentine Investments.

ECB begins what may be a slow cutting cycle
Fixed Income

ECB begins what may be a slow cutting cycle

The European Central Bank cut its key benchmark interest rate by 0.25%, while indicating that its future moves will depend on incoming financial and economic data. David Zahn, Franklin Templeton’s Head of European Fixed Income, shares why he thinks the ECB will likely move slowly and discusses the implications for investors.

Franklin Templeton Fixed Income Macro Views: Stuck in a moment
Fixed Income

Franklin Templeton Fixed Income Macro Views: Stuck in a moment

Franklin Templeton Fixed Income economists are seeing increasing divergence in the monetary policy paths across the Group of Three (G3) nations. While sustained disinflation is far from guaranteed in the United States, keeping the US Federal Reserve vigilant, the European Central Bank has embarked on a controlled monetary policy easing cycle. Meanwhile, the Bank of Japan has to weigh the economic benefits of a weak yen against its impact on inflation expectations, in order to decide how far to raise policy rates this year.

Quick Thoughts: What happens when election results are unexpected?
Emerging Markets

Quick Thoughts: What happens when election results are unexpected?

South Africa, Mexico and India all had unexpected election results. Find out what this means for the markets from Franklin Templeton Institute’s Stephen Dover and Kim Catechis.

On My Mind: (r)-stargazing
Fixed Income

On My Mind: (r)-stargazing

Franklin Templeton Fixed Income CIO Sonal Desai discusses where she thinks the real policy rate lies in the United States and how this informs her outlook for US Treasury yields over the medium to long term.

India elections: reduced BJP majority, but growth remains the focus
Emerging Markets

India elections: reduced BJP majority, but growth remains the focus

Regarding India’s elections, is important to focus on the long term, and our Emerging Markets Equity team does not anticipate significant policy changes in Modi’s likely third term.