Beyond Bulls & Bears

REITs: Ever changing, ever valuable
Equity

REITs: Ever changing, ever valuable

Until recently, office buildings were the pinnacle of commercial real estate—skyscrapers stretched perception and awed as symbols of prestige and value. Malls were the buttressed center of communities, where young people reliably gathered to hang out at the video arcade and their families would do what Americans do best: consume. What happens when behaviors change? Franklin Equity Group Portfolio Managers Blair Schmicker and Daniel Scher reflect on the ever-evolving landscape of commercial real estate, and the answer to that question might surprise you.

Alts Angle: Disruption creates opportunities
Alternatives

Alts Angle: Disruption creates opportunities

The collapse of Silicon Valley Bank will likely lead to tighter credit conditions as banks pull back from lending. Private credit managers are poised to fill the void that banks have left, and can negotiate favorable terms, according to Franklin Templeton Institute’s Tony Davidow.

Alts Angle: Rethinking retirement with alternative investments
Alternatives

Alts Angle: Rethinking retirement with alternative investments

After a challenging 2022, many advisors and investors began to question their traditional retirement approach to investing. Tony Davidow, Senior Alternative Investment Strategist with Franklin Templeton Institute, illustrates the potential impact of adding alternative investments to pursue growth and income—as well as seek to dampen volatility—during the accumulation and distribution phases of retirement.

Age of AI
Equity

Age of AI

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a key pillar of the digital transformation theme, which is driving significant disruption and spurring new growth. Grant Bowers, portfolio manager with Franklin Equity Group, offers a unique perspective of the challenges and benefits of this evolving and disruptive technology.

Alts Angle: Will 2023 be a good vintage year for private markets?
Alternatives

Alts Angle: Will 2023 be a good vintage year for private markets?

What does winemaking have to do with private markets? Like good wines, the best vintages in private markets often come from challenging environments, according to Franklin Templeton Institute’s Tony Davidow. Read more:

K2 Hedge Fund Strategy Outlook: Second quarter 2023
Alternatives

K2 Hedge Fund Strategy Outlook: Second quarter 2023

Given current market uncertainties, K2 Advisors remains defensive in terms of market outlook and beta positioning. Read the team’s latest hedge fund strategy outlook.

Quick Thoughts: From a deep dive into the banking sector
Perspectives

Quick Thoughts: From a deep dive into the banking sector

Beyond the near-term turmoil, there may need to be a re-evaluation of the regional banking model in the United States, according to a recent panel hosted by Stephen Dover, Head of Franklin Templeton Institute. The panel discussed the latest developments and investment implications—including a move to money market funds.

Quick Thoughts: Alternative investments outlook post-SVB
Alternatives

Quick Thoughts: Alternative investments outlook post-SVB

Silicon Valley Bank was a “vital cog” in the private market ecosystem, which leads to many questions—and opportunities—across the alternative investments landscape. Franklin Templeton Institute’s Stephen Dover offers his thoughts.

K2 Hedge Fund Strategy Outlook: First quarter 2023
Alternatives

K2 Hedge Fund Strategy Outlook: First quarter 2023

The first half of 2023 is looking volatile, presenting an opportunity for tactical managers focused on equity selection, according to K2 Advisors. Read the team’s latest outlook.

Fasten your seatbelts
Alternatives

Fasten your seatbelts

Benefit Street Partners explores how best to capitalize on the bumps that are creating the beginnings of another fertile special situations investment environment.

Alternative investments: The case for real estate
Alternatives

Alternative investments: The case for real estate

Public and private real estate investments present a compelling opportunity in the current environment of high inflation and rising interest rates, according to Daniel Scher and Blair Schmicker from Franklin Equity Group. They explain the potential diversification benefits of these alternative assets.

Quick thoughts: Read, write, own—how Web3 can restore trust in markets and society
Alternatives

Quick thoughts: Read, write, own—how Web3 can restore trust in markets and society

“Web1” represents static websites, and “Web2” represents the shift in the delivery of the internet to user-centric, dynamic web offerings and platforms. Head of Franklin Templeton Institute Stephen Dover offers some perspective at the dawn of “Web3.”