Beyond Bulls & Bears

K2 Advisors Third Quarter Hedge-Fund Strategy Outlook
Alternatives

K2 Advisors Third Quarter Hedge-Fund Strategy Outlook

Heading into the second half of the year, pandemic concerns are not completely in the rear-view mirror. The speed of recovery may vary among regions due to disparate global vaccine distribution leading to potentially divergent central banks policies, according to K2 Advisors. Brooks Ritchey and Robert Christian provide the team’s third quarter hedge-fund strategy outlook.

Robert Christian |
Retirement Reimagined
Perspectives

Retirement Reimagined

The concept of retirement has changed over the decades—as have the ways of funding it. Franklin Templeton’s “Voice of the American Worker” survey breaks down how the various generations think about retirement, and it’s clear retirement means different things to different people. Our Yaqub Ahmed shares findings from the survey and thoughts on achieving financial wellbeing.

Yaqub Ahmed |
On My Mind: Something Has to Give
Fixed Income

On My Mind: Something Has to Give

There are differing opinions for why US Treasury yields have suddenly dropped. In her latest “On My Mind,” our Fixed Income CIO Sonal Desai outlines three possible scenarios and the logical implications of each; in the current constellation of asset prices, she argues, something does not add up.

Sonal Desai, Ph.D. |
PODCAST: Cryptocurrency, Blockchain, and Digital Assets: Love ‘em, Hate ‘em, but Don’t Ignore ‘em
Perspectives

PODCAST: Cryptocurrency, Blockchain, and Digital Assets: Love ‘em, Hate ‘em, but Don’t Ignore ‘em

Our Chief Market Strategist Stephen Dover explores blockchain and digital assets through an equity-investor lens with Anthony Hardy and Christophe Vande Walle. They discuss the growing implications and why investors and asset managers shouldn’t ignore this space.

Stephen H. Dover, CFA |
Quick Thoughts: Sourcing Income in Bonds, Real Estate, and Multi-Asset Solutions
Perspectives

Quick Thoughts: Sourcing Income in Bonds, Real Estate, and Multi-Asset Solutions

Sir John Templeton famously said that “this time is different” are the four most dangerous words for investors. However, today’s world appears to be truly different, and with that in mind, our Chief Market Strategist, Stephen Dover, brought together Mark Lindbloom, Portfolio Manager, Western Asset; Onay Payne, Portfolio Manager, Clarion Partners; and Ed Perks, CFA, Chief Investment Officer, Franklin Templeton Investment Solutions to discuss and share perspectives on the recovery, growth, and current opportunities for income.

Stephen H. Dover, CFA |
On My Mind – The Fed’s Last Call for the Punchbowl?
Fixed Income

On My Mind – The Fed’s Last Call for the Punchbowl?

The Fed now acknowledges inflation risks are to the upside. With high uncertainty on the inflation and employment outlook, adjusting its exceptionally loose monetary stance at the right time and pace become a very difficult high-wire act. In the latest edition of our Fixed Income CIO Sonal Desai’s “On My Mind” series, she discusses the Fed’s challenge, and where she is finding opportunities in the market.

Sonal Desai, Ph.D. |
Quick Thoughts: New Realities in Emerging Markets
Emerging Markets

Quick Thoughts: New Realities in Emerging Markets

Emerging market (EM) economies are not what they used to be. Our Chief Market Strategist and Head of Franklin Templeton Investment Institute, Stephen Dover, discusses EM disruption, transformation, and digitalization themes, and why he sees a multitude of potential innovation investment opportunities in EM markets today and in the years ahead.

Stephen H. Dover, CFA |
European Fixed Income Finds Central Bank Support
Fixed Income

European Fixed Income Finds Central Bank Support

As Europe’s economy continues to recover from COVID-19, it appears the central bank will remain accommodative, but for how long? Our Head of European Fixed Income David Zahn shares his views.

David Zahn, CFA, FRM |
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.

Frederick Fromm, CFA |
PODCAST: Consumer Clout Driving ESG Efforts
Multi-Asset

PODCAST: Consumer Clout Driving ESG Efforts

Franklin Equity Group's Sara Araghi, Martin Currie's Zehrid Osmani and Western Asset's Bonnie Wongtrakool speak with Franklin Templeton Chief Market Strategist Stephen Dover about how consumers are more in control than ever before, putting companies and brands under the microscope when it comes to environmental, social and governance factors.

Stephen H. Dover, CFA |
Quick Thoughts: A Very Hot Housing Market Globally
Perspectives

Quick Thoughts: A Very Hot Housing Market Globally

Rising housing prices often reflect a country’s economic growth and health. This may be a type of “good inflation,” but wages and other metrics may not keep pace. Our Chief Market Strategist and Head of Franklin Templeton Investment Institute, Stephen Dover, discusses how the pandemic may have globally fueled inflation in housing and the supply chains that build them.

Stephen H. Dover, CFA |
Bonds for Sale: The Fed Will Sell its ETF Stake
LibertyShares

Bonds for Sale: The Fed Will Sell its ETF Stake

The US Federal Reserve (Fed) recently announced it would begin to sell down its ETF purchases made over the past year. David Mann, our Head of Capital Markets, Global ETFs, revisits the topic with an eye to the future.

David Mann |