Beyond Bulls & Bears

Energy Markets in View
Equity

Energy Markets in View

Consumers were feeling the pinch of higher energy prices even before Russia invaded Ukraine. Energy prices have surged to multi-year or record highs amid the war, and many are wondering if they still have further to go. Here, Franklin Equity Group’s Frederick Fromm shares his latest views on investing in the sector.

Is the Energy Price Surge “Transitory” or a Longer-Lasting Trend?
Equity

Is the Energy Price Surge “Transitory” or a Longer-Lasting Trend?

Energy prices have surged to multi-year highs amid the global economic recovery from COVID-19, contributing to larger-than-anticipated jumps in measures of headline inflation. While some policymakers had suggested inflationary forces would prove “transitory,” today many are questioning that thesis. Franklin Equity Group Portfolio Manager Frederick Fromm outlines what has been impacting energy prices, whether he sees the recent price rise as sustainable, and where he is finding investment opportunities within the sector.

Shortages, Resurgent Demand and Rising Inflation Expectations Lift Commodities
Equity

Shortages, Resurgent Demand and Rising Inflation Expectations Lift Commodities

Commodities prices have been moving higher this spring amid rising demand and rising inflation expectations globally as economies emerge from the pandemic. Franklin Equity Group’s Fred Fromm takes a look at the implications for equity investors in the space.

PODCAST: Putting Inflation Concerns in Perspective
Perspectives

PODCAST: Putting Inflation Concerns in Perspective

In our latest "Talking Markets" podcast, Franklin Templeton’s Chief Market Strategist, Stephen Dover, speaks with our Gene Podkaminer, Western Asset’s Mark Lindbloom, and ClearBridge Investments’ Michael Clarfeld about interest rates, deficits, inflation concerns, commodity prices, rising US Treasury yields, and the global rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Water Disruption: Investment Risk from Multiple Angles
Perspectives

Water Disruption: Investment Risk from Multiple Angles

Water itself isn’t just an economic policy issue and risk arising from population growth and climate change. Water is impacting the day-to-day operations of investee companies and how they are thinking through their own business models and business risk.

The Glistening Project: Why Some Investors are Looking Again at Gold
Equity

The Glistening Project: Why Some Investors are Looking Again at Gold

For some investors, increasing exposure to gold has been a knee-jerk reaction to bouts of heightened financial market volatility. Franklin Equity Group’s Steve Land says there’s more to gold than that. And he explains why he’s positive about both the prospects for gold and for gold equities.

Oil-Price Pessimism May Be Presenting Opportunities
Equity

Oil-Price Pessimism May Be Presenting Opportunities

Although investors’ overall sentiment toward commodities and natural resources equities improved in the latter half of the first quarter, they seemed to generally remain skeptical that commodity markets were on the mend. We see this scenario as potentially laying the groundwork for further gains going forward.

A Golden Opportunity?

A Golden Opportunity?

We continue to see attractive investment opportunities in gold and precious metals equities, with many companies trading well below what it would cost to build their existing mines today. We believe many gold companies are also well-positioned to survive a weak price environment.

MENA Markets: More Than Just About Oil

MENA Markets: More Than Just About Oil

We believe emotion may have gripped the markets and driven prices lower…a recovery should be in the cards, and likely sooner rather than later.