Beyond Bulls & Bears

What to make of the November election—potential implications for high-yield investors
Fixed Income

What to make of the November election—potential implications for high-yield investors

The upcoming November US elections for the president, House of Representatives, and Senate are highly unpredictable. Franklin Templeton Fixed Income’s Glenn Voyles and Brian French discuss what a sweep by either the Republican or Democratic party could present in terms of significant risks and opportunities within high-yield fixed income.

On My Mind: The first cut is the deepest
Fixed Income

On My Mind: The first cut is the deepest

Where does the Fed go next after this week’s 50 basis point interest-rate cut? Thoughts from Franklin Templeton Fixed Income CIO Sonal Desai.

Shifting tides: How the 2024 US election could shape capital markets
Fixed Income

Shifting tides: How the 2024 US election could shape capital markets

What are the potential impacts of the upcoming US election on the economy and capital markets? How will fiscal spending programs affect debt levels? Franklin Templeton Fixed Income Multi-Sector Director Mike Salm shares his thoughts on the US election implications.

Strategic Shifts: Optimizing fixed income allocations as the Fed’s hiking cycle ends
Fixed Income

Strategic Shifts: Optimizing fixed income allocations as the Fed’s hiking cycle ends

With expectations the Federal Reserve will start cutting interest rates at its September meeting, investors are asking, “what should we be doing with our fixed income allocation?” The Franklin Templeton Fixed Income team evaluates historical inflection points for fed funds rates to explore the impact on fixed income sectors and resulting investment opportunities.

Flash Insights: July FOMC meeting—Powell runs ahead of the Committee as usual
Fixed Income

Flash Insights: July FOMC meeting—Powell runs ahead of the Committee as usual

Although the US Federal Reserve left policy rates unchanged at its July meeting, changes to the Federal Open Market Committee statement laid the groundwork for rate cuts. However, as the post-meeting press conference progressed, Chair Jerome Powell’s statement turned from balanced to slightly more dovish, according to Franklin Templeton Fixed Income Economist Nikhil Mohan.

Flash Insights: BoJ delivers on both fronts
Fixed Income

Flash Insights: BoJ delivers on both fronts

The Bank of Japan raised its policy rate to more than a 10-year high on July 31, a decision driven by elevated wage growth and the yen’s weakness, both of which pose upside risks to the inflation outlook. Franklin Templeton Fixed Income economists believe that further rate hikes are likely, both this year and next.

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.

On My Mind: The twin roots of rising rates
Fixed Income

On My Mind: The twin roots of rising rates

Franklin Templeton Fixed Income CIO Sonal Desai discusses why rising investment and persistently loose US fiscal policy are simultaneously pushing in the direction of higher long-term real interest rates.

On My Mind: The Fed, the Treasury and a fistful of dollars
Fixed Income

On My Mind: The Fed, the Treasury and a fistful of dollars

Franklin Templeton Fixed Income CIO Sonal Desai discusses why persistently loose fiscal policy, relentless price pressures and resilient economic growth may cause a problem for the US Federal Reserve—and explains the implications for bond yields.

Meet the Manager: Joanne Driscoll
Perspectives

Meet the Manager: Joanne Driscoll

Morningstar has named Joanne Driscoll, Head of Short Term Liquid Markets for Franklin Templeton Fixed Income, one of its top female fund managers of 2024. Joanne recently joined Franklin Templeton following the company’s merger with Putnam Investments. Get to know more about Joanne in this Q&A.

Flash Insights: March inflation—Yet another reason to delay easing
Fixed Income

Flash Insights: March inflation—Yet another reason to delay easing

March US consumer prices rose faster than expected. The reacceleration in supercore inflation suggests the strong inflation readings at the start of the year may not have been mere blips. Franklin Templeton Fixed Income Economist Nikhil Mohan expects the Federal Reserve will likely begin rate cuts in September, but inflation trends may affect the timing of the cuts.

On My Mind: Fed Chair Powell—I still haven’t found what I’m looking for…
Fixed Income

On My Mind: Fed Chair Powell—I still haven’t found what I’m looking for…

Franklin Templeton Fixed Income CIO Sonal Desai believes that the Fed's March policy meeting was not as dovish as some commentators and market participants have claimed, and that the Fed is still pragmatic and cautious about inflation and rate cuts. In her view, getting inflation down to 2% will be harder and take longer than Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell expects, and she predicts that rate cuts will come only later—in the second half of the year.