Beyond Bulls & Bears

K2 Advisors Second Quarter Hedge-Fund Strategy Outlook
Alternatives

K2 Advisors Second Quarter Hedge-Fund Strategy Outlook

With a broad-based economic reopening coming closer into focus, investors are planning for the next stage in the cycle. Our K2 Advisors team believes geographical, asset class and sector rotations will be key to driving returns over the next 12 months. Brooks Ritchey and Robert Christian provide the team’s second quarter hedge-fund strategy outlook.

Take the Time to Love ETF Liquidity
LibertyShares

Take the Time to Love ETF Liquidity

Is it time to give newer or smaller exchange-traded funds (ETFs) a look? David Mann, our Head of Global ETFs Capital Markets, makes the case as he opines on his favorite subject—liquidity.

Time for Social Security’s Shot in the Arm
Perspectives

Time for Social Security’s Shot in the Arm

The COVID-19 pandemic has been devastating for individuals and economies around the world. Gail Buckner, our personal retirement and financial planning strategist, shares her thoughts on how the pandemic has affected a key source of income for many elderly Americans—Social Security—and why it’s time to take action to shore up the program.

Quick Thoughts: Be an Ally to Women Entrepreneurs and Herstory
Perspectives

Quick Thoughts: Be an Ally to Women Entrepreneurs and Herstory

Chief Market Strategist Stephen Dover believes addressing gender parity issues is not only the right thing to do, but it also creates greater outcomes and returns. Women as investment leaders, entrepreneurs, and venture capital decisionmakers are fundamental for a more sustainable world. By managing gender biases, wealth, and social networks, we can be an ally for gender parity.

Single-Country Allocation: Viewing the Opportunity Through Three Lenses
LibertyShares

Single-Country Allocation: Viewing the Opportunity Through Three Lenses

The case for disaggregating international exposure by allocating to single countries remains strong, according to Dina Ting, Head of Global Index Portfolio Management, Franklin Templeton Exchange-Traded Funds. She outlines three investment lenses that shape her team’s views.

High Yield in View: Automobiles and Semiconductors
Fixed Income

High Yield in View: Automobiles and Semiconductors

COVID-19 caused ripple effects throughout many industries and sectors, including automobiles. An already-challenging lockdown environment that forced vehicle production shutdowns also saw shortages of parts—namely semiconductors—which continue to linger. Franklin Templeton Fixed Income Analyst Aleck Beach outlines the implications for investors.

Asia at the Forefront: The World’s Uneven Emergence from COVID-19
Fixed Income

Asia at the Forefront: The World’s Uneven Emergence from COVID-19

There is significant variation in how countries have handled the pandemic, managed fiscal and monetary policy, and supported their economies, according to Templeton Global Macro. While the euro area and the US contend with deepening fiscal deficits and excessive monetary accommodation, areas of Asia are in stronger fiscal shape, with greater growth potential, robust trade dynamics and current account surpluses.

In the Know: Is Crypto a Speculative Play, or Here to Stay?
Alternatives

In the Know: Is Crypto a Speculative Play, or Here to Stay?

In the past few years, cryptocurrencies have certainly attracted speculators given their dramatic price moves, but is there a long-term case for crypto from a practical standpoint, and for more traditional investors? We posed these and other questions to Franklin Equity Group Research Analyst Anthony Hardy, who shares his thoughts.

Come Together: Why Merger Arbitrage Strategies Deserve Renewed Attention
Equity

Come Together: Why Merger Arbitrage Strategies Deserve Renewed Attention

Despite historically high market valuations, merger and acquisition activity remains subdued. Franklin Mutual Series CIO Christian Correa explains why corporate mergers have slowed, and why he thinks merger arbitrage strategies are worth paying attention to as activity in this area picks up.

Coming Out of COVID-19: A Look at Interest Rates and Inflation in Europe
Fixed Income

Coming Out of COVID-19: A Look at Interest Rates and Inflation in Europe

There is hope that economies will see a more sustainable and robust recovery this year, given unprecedented levels of monetary and fiscal stimulus and as more individuals are vaccinated against COVID-19. But one question for investors is what happens next—will inflation and higher interest rates be a consequence? Our Head of European Fixed Income David Zahn shares his views.