Beyond Bulls & Bears

Quick Thoughts: GOP clean sweep? What it might mean for markets
Perspectives

Quick Thoughts: GOP clean sweep? What it might mean for markets

With the 2024 US election a focal point for investors, Franklin Templeton Institute’s Stephen Dover outlines the possible economic and market impacts of a Republican ”clean sweep” in November.

Quick Thoughts: Surprise in France—What are the implications?
Equity

Quick Thoughts: Surprise in France—What are the implications?

A major shift is happening in France, as the left-wing unity prevails in the Assembly elections, signaling potential changes ahead. Here’s a look at how this could reshape France's political and economic landscape, from Franklin Templeton Institute’s Stephen Dover.

Quick Thoughts: French first-round elections
Perspectives

Quick Thoughts: French first-round elections

Thoughts on the first round of the French elections and why governing France will likely prove challenging from Franklin Templeton Institute’s Stephen Dover.

Quick Thoughts: Investment Ideas—Getting cash off the sidelines
Fixed Income

Quick Thoughts: Investment Ideas—Getting cash off the sidelines

Is it time to move out of cash? Stephen Dover, Head of Franklin Templeton Institute, recently hosted a discussion with Julien Scholnick, Portfolio Manager, Western Asset Management, and Joanne Driscoll, Portfolio Manager and Head of Short-Term Liquid Markets, Putnam Investments, to answer this question and examine the opportunities within the fixed income space.

Quick Thoughts: Spring cleaning
Multi-Asset

Quick Thoughts: Spring cleaning

Stocks, bonds, currencies and commodities have made significant moves in the past few months. Find out what factors to consider when deploying or redeploying capital from Franklin Templeton Institute’s Stephen Dover.

Quick Thoughts: Investment Ideas—Is cash at a tipping point?
Fixed Income

Quick Thoughts: Investment Ideas—Is cash at a tipping point?

Stephen Dover, Head of Franklin Templeton Institute, recently hosted a discussion with Michael Buchanan, Co-Chief Investment Officer, Western Asset Management, and Brendan Circle, Portfolio Manager, Franklin Income Investors. The group considered the current market environment as it pertains to cash in client portfolios. Has cash reached a tipping point?

Quick Thoughts: Kicking the can down the road
Equity

Quick Thoughts: Kicking the can down the road

While interest rates were left unchanged at the January Fed meeting as expected, there were some interesting hints about future monetary policy. Stephen Dover, Head of Franklin Templeton Institute, opines.

Quick Thoughts: Five surprises for 2024
Perspectives

Quick Thoughts: Five surprises for 2024

As we near the end of 2023, Head of Franklin Institute Stephen Dover reviews how his forecasts for the year panned out and shares the themes his team is watching out for in 2024.

Quick Thoughts: Investment Ideas—The case for fixed income in 2024
Fixed Income

Quick Thoughts: Investment Ideas—The case for fixed income in 2024

Stephen Dover, Head of Franklin Templeton Institute, recently sat down with Franklin Templeton Fixed Income Portfolio Manager Josh Lohmeier and Western Asset Portfolio Manager Mark Lindbloom to discuss the fixed income landscape—and why they believe 2024 will be a good year for fixed income investors.

Quick Thoughts: Should we fear the rapid rise of interest rates?
Fixed Income

Quick Thoughts: Should we fear the rapid rise of interest rates?

Term premiums have been on the rise, but should investors be concerned? Stephen Dover, Head of Franklin Templeton Institute, explains what term premiums are, and why they are worth paying attention to.

Quick Thoughts: Quiet shifts in corporate debt may explain this year’s big economic surprise
Fixed Income

Quick Thoughts: Quiet shifts in corporate debt may explain this year’s big economic surprise

The resilience of US growth, earnings and markets has been the big surprise of 2023. Stephen Dover, Head of Franklin Templeton Institute, opines on the factors at play—and whether they will last.

Quick Thoughts: Artificial intelligence—A primer
Alternatives

Quick Thoughts: Artificial intelligence—A primer

Looking at the potential benefits, risks and societal changes of artificial intelligence from an investment lens with Stephen Dover, Head of Franklin Templeton Institute.