Beyond Bulls & Bears

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.

Flash Insights: Food for Thought—February CPI continues to prove stubborn
Fixed Income

Flash Insights: Food for Thought—February CPI continues to prove stubborn

Stubborn core and supercore inflation will mean that the Fed will want some more evidence that their preferred measures of inflation are moving sustainably lower according to Nikhil Mohan, Franklin Fixed Income economist. Read our latest views.

Franklin Templeton Fixed Income Macro Views: Just a little patience
Fixed Income

Franklin Templeton Fixed Income Macro Views: Just a little patience

Franklin Templeton Fixed Income economists are seeing evidence of sticky inflation across the Group of Three (G3) nations. While central banks in the United States and eurozone are gauging when to embark on monetary easing, the Bank of Japan will likely hike in April. All three will continue to monitor wages (and their impact on services inflation) and the balance of risks to economic growth.

Meet the Manager: Lloyd Nemerever
Fixed Income

Meet the Manager: Lloyd Nemerever

Having a degree in mathematics and an interest in improving processes has led Lloyd Nemerever, Head of Municipal Bonds SMA Strategies, to a successful career in investment management. Find out about innovations in the municipal bond market space that Lloyd is excited about and get to know more about him in this Q&A.

US economy: Ending 2023 on an unexpected high
Fixed Income

US economy: Ending 2023 on an unexpected high

US gross domestic product surprised to the upside in the fourth quarter of 2023, primarily led by US consumers and the government. Franklin Fixed Income Economist Nikhil Mohan sees the growth mix remaining largely the same in 2024.

ECB in little rush to cut rates
Fixed Income

ECB in little rush to cut rates

The European Central Bank left interest rates unchanged, without conveying any urgency to start cutting rates in the next few months. David Zahn, Franklin Templeton Fixed Income’s Head of European Fixed Income, weighs in on the implications for investors—and why lengthening duration may make sense.

On My Mind: Catch me if you can—Markets outrun the Fed
Fixed Income

On My Mind: Catch me if you can—Markets outrun the Fed

The Federal Reserve has fueled market conviction that the good old days of extremely low interest rates and abundant liquidity are soon to return. Our Franklin Templeton Fixed Income CIO Sonal Desai sees this reaction as an excess of dovish enthusiasm that sets the stage for more volatility. She shares her latest insights on the policy outlook and the implications for investors.