US interest rates - Beyond Bulls & Bears

Equity

As Rates Rise, Financials Can Shine

Mutual Series’ analysts see value opportunities in the financials sector as the interest-rate environment turns more favourable in the United States and European banks see greater clarity about the impact of the Russia-Ukraine war.

Andrew Dinnhaupt, CFA | March 17, 2022

Multi-Asset

The Fed: Walking a Tightrope in 2022

The US Federal Reserve is walking a tightrope—if it acts too quickly it risks hampering growth and market volatility, but if it acts too slowly it risks spiraling price increases. Franklin Templeton Investment Solutions weighs in on the Fed’s dilemma. They provide their monetary policy expectations and offer insight into investments they currently favour in their portfolios—and ones they don’t.

Gene Podkaminer, CFA | January 28, 2022

Fixed Income

On My Mind: The Fed Speaks Loudly and Carries a Big Stick

Can the US economy withstand the shock of the coronavirus? Our Sonal Desai says the nation’s central bank is doing its part to help.

Sonal Desai, Ph.D. | March 15, 2020

Fixed Income

On My Mind: The Fed Will Hike Again—Because It Can

While the financial markets seem to be betting on a very extended pause in the US Federal Reserve’s multiyear tightening cycle, Franklin Templeton Fixed Income Group Chief Investment Officer Sonal Desai has another idea. Here, she makes the case that interest-rate hikes may still be on the table this year.

Sonal Desai, Ph.D. | February 13, 2019

Fixed Income

The US Yield Curve: Should We Fear Inversion?

There has been a lot of talk this year about the flattening of the US yield curve—which is a graphical representation of the spread between short- and long-term interest-rate instruments. Our senior investment leaders make a case that the “predictive power” of the yield curve when it comes to the US economy may not really be so predictive this time around.

October 19, 2018

Fixed Income

Then and Now: Mortgage-Backed Securities Post-Financial Crisis

“As the Fed stops buying, we expect that will leave a greater supply of mortgage-backed securities for the market to absorb. Now, the question is, who’s going to be the marginal buyer of MBS?” – Paul Varunok, Franklin Templeton Fixed Income Group

Paul W. Varunok | September 14, 2018

Multi-Asset

Revisiting Corporate Credit amidst Market Volatility

“We are seeing firsthand how thriving corporate profitability has supported select corporate bonds at the fundamental level, seemingly in defiance of more aggressive US Federal Reserve policy and political and geopolitical challenges.” – Ed Perks, CIO of Franklin Templeton Multi-Asset Solutions

Edward D. Perks, CFA | July 31, 2018

Equity

Can Anything Throw the Nine-Year-Old US Bull Off its Stride?

On March 9, the US equity bull market turned nine. After such a long run, many investors may now be wondering, what could cause a US equity market downturn?

March 19, 2018

Equity

Shedding Light on the US Utilities Sector

“We see many reasons to be optimistic about [US] utilities today as we look out over the next 10, 20 or 30 years. In our view, most companies have established constructive regulatory relationships and should be able to adjust to the higher cost of capital assumptions that would develop due to rising interest rates.” – John Kohli, Franklin Equity Group

December 28, 2017

Fixed Income

Why Fixed-Income Investors Shouldn’t Fret About Fed Tightening

We view Fed tightening with a positive lens and believe there are still plenty of potential opportunities within the fixed-income landscape for investors.

Christopher J. Molumphy, CFA | March 15, 2017

Two Pillars Support US Growth: Consumers and Corporates

While we believe the current strength in the dollar will likely persist going forward, we don’t see it as a meaningful detractor from earnings growth for many companies over the long term.

June 12, 2015