Beyond Bulls & Bears

Month: November 2023

Attractive income opportunities for uncertain markets
Multi-Asset

Attractive income opportunities for uncertain markets

In a turnaround from last year, there is renewed interest in the fixed income asset class as yields have risen. Ed Perks, CIO of Franklin Income Investors, shares his analysis of recent macro developments and where he sees opportunities for income.

Edward D. Perks, CFA |
Alternative Allocations: Alternatives by Franklin Templeton—access granted
Alternatives

Alternative Allocations: Alternatives by Franklin Templeton—access granted

Franklin Templeton recently hosted due diligence meetings with financial advisors where Tony Davidow, Senior Alternatives Investment Strategist, led discussions focused on alternative investments. He believes that advisor adoption is just beginning and that there are three primary drivers that could help alternatives grow at a rapid pace.

Tony Davidow, CIMA® |
Year in review: 2023 ETF predictions report card
ETFs

Year in review: 2023 ETF predictions report card

What were the big ETF trends of 2023? David Mann, Global Head of ETF Product & Capital Markets, reviews some of his predictions for this year—and how they panned out.

David Mann |
Using single-country ETFs as part of a tax-loss harvesting strategy
ETFs

Using single-country ETFs as part of a tax-loss harvesting strategy

With the holiday season underway, it’s time again to give thanks for tax-loss harvesting opportunities! Dina Ting, Franklin Templeton’s Head of Global Index Portfolio Management, sheds light on the benefits of single-country ETF allocations against what has been a rocky macro backdrop and discusses ways to re-evaluate potential opportunities in terms of tax-loss decision-making.

Dina Ting, CFA |
The new FAFSA: What every advisor, parent and student should know
Education

The new FAFSA: What every advisor, parent and student should know

Recent legislative changes will impact the student financial aid process and could create stress and confusion. Dr. Peter Mazareas, author, college financing expert and Co-Founder of Invite Education, shares some need-to-know information for parents, students, and financial advisors.

Peter Mazareas, Ph.D. |
Workplace Retirement Voice: Personalization in retirement plans is paramount
Perspectives

Workplace Retirement Voice: Personalization in retirement plans is paramount

Individuals are increasingly looking for more tailored investment solutions, so it makes sense for plan fiduciaries to consider a more personalized approach, according to John Kutz, National Retirement Plan Strategist. He says personalization may be the ticket to better retirement outcomes.

John M. Kutz |
Quick Thoughts: Inflation—the final mile
Perspectives

Quick Thoughts: Inflation—the final mile

In the context of fighting inflation, the “‘final mile”’ represents the successful and sustainable achievement of a central bank’s inflation target. Stephen Dover, Head of Franklin Templeton Institute, opines on the Fed’s ability to reach it.

Stephen H. Dover, CFA |
Alternative Allocations: Democratizing alternative investments
Alternatives

Alternative Allocations: Democratizing alternative investments

In the latest episode of the Alternative Allocations podcast series, Franklin Templeton’s Tony Davidow has an insightful conversation with the firm’s CEO, Jenny Johnson, regarding the burgeoning opportunities in alternative investments, especially in the current financial climate. They also discuss the importance of educating advisors and investors to help them use available tools appropriately.

Tony Davidow, CIMA® |
PODCAST Anatomy of a Recession update: How long will consumers keep spending?
Equity

PODCAST Anatomy of a Recession update: How long will consumers keep spending?

We speak with ClearBridge Investments’ Jeff Schulze about a topic on many investors' minds: the 10-year US Treasury yield and the path of monetary policy. He also shares his views on the latest US retail sales data and whether consumer resilience will last into 2024.

Jeffrey Schulze, CFA |
Discovering sources of alpha and diversification in fixed income
Fixed Income

Discovering sources of alpha and diversification in fixed income

In an economic environment characterized by rising interest rates and a forecasted slowdown, the fixed income asset class has emerged as a beacon of opportunity. Recently, Katie Klingensmith, Senior Vice President – Investment Strategist at Brandywine Global, moderated a panel of fixed income portfolio managers to explore these opportunities, discuss strategies to generate alpha and share their outlook as we approach the end of the year. Here are her key takeaways from this conversation.

Katie Klingensmith |
Evolution & Revolution: The future of investment and wealth management— insights from Franklin Templeton’s Innovation Forum and inaugural Industry Advisory Services Annual Survey
Perspectives

Evolution & Revolution: The future of investment and wealth management— insights from Franklin Templeton’s Innovation Forum and inaugural Industry Advisory Services Annual Survey

Franklin Templeton recently hosted its annual Innovation Forum that brought together leading minds in investment, fintech and digital assets. The forum, which was anchored by its inaugural Industry Advisory Services Annual Survey, covered topics ranging from artificial intelligence, blockchain and the future of investing.

Sandy Kaul |
On My Mind: The Fed and markets—Same as it ever was
Fixed Income

On My Mind: The Fed and markets—Same as it ever was

A dovish nudge in the Federal Reserve's (Fed’s) November press conference pushed markets to again price a significant monetary easing as early as mid-2024. Our Franklin Templeton Fixed Income CIO Sonal Desai sees this market reaction as an excess of exuberance that sets the stage for more volatility. She shares her latest insights on the policy outlook and the implications for investors.

Sonal Desai, Ph.D. |