Beyond Bulls & Bears

Why Bank Loans Look Attractive in Today’s Market
Fixed Income

Why Bank Loans Look Attractive in Today’s Market

The technical and fundamental picture looks favorable for bank loans for a number of reasons, according to Reema Agarwal, Franklin Templeton Fixed Income’s Director of Floating Rate Debt. She says current spreads look attractive amid what is likely to be a period of monetary policy tightening over the course of the year, and periods of volatility should be considered buying opportunities.

The Supply-Chain Storm: Planes, Cranes, and Automobiles
Multi-Asset

The Supply-Chain Storm: Planes, Cranes, and Automobiles

Supply-chain issues are often cited in the current debate about inflation—and aren’t going away as quickly as consumers and businesses would like. Our Franklin Templeton Investment Solutions team explores how supply chains became stuck, whether they will loosen up in 2022, and the implications for multi-asset investors.

On My Mind: Fed and Inflation: You Can’t Always Get What You Want
Fixed Income

On My Mind: Fed and Inflation: You Can’t Always Get What You Want

The Fed seems to have been caught by surprise by its own policy and says this is not the inflation it was looking for. Sonal Desai, Chief Investment Officer, Franklin Templeton Fixed Income, shares her thoughts on why inflation should not have come as a surprise and why investors need to brace for higher volatility as the Fed adjusts its policy stance.

On My Mind: Inflation: Don’t You (Forget About Me)
Fixed Income

On My Mind: Inflation: Don’t You (Forget About Me)

The US Federal Reserve finally acknowledged inflation is not a “transitory” problem and signaled a greater degree of concern; but investors seem to think that the Fed will blink when markets balk. With consumer inflation at multi-decade highs and COVID-19 risks still alive, what’s next for the monetary policy response—and market implications—as we move into 2022? Our Fixed Income CIO Sonal Desai shares her views.

Muni Impact of US Infrastructure Bill Could Prove Longer Term
Fixed Income

Muni Impact of US Infrastructure Bill Could Prove Longer Term

While the new US infrastructure investment bill didn’t have any initiatives directly targeting the municipal bond market, there are still implications for munis in the longer term, according to our Municipal Bond Director of Research Jennifer Johnston. She explains the ramifications for investors in the space.

PODCAST: High Time for High Yield?
Fixed Income

PODCAST: High Time for High Yield?

In our latest "Talking Markets" podcast, Bill Zox and John McClain, portfolio managers with Brandywine Global, join Amer Hasan to discuss how current market and economic conditions could benefit high yield investors, the opportunities and risks right now, and why the asset class is often overlooked or misunderstood.

Japan: A New Quiver of Arrows?
Multi-Asset

Japan: A New Quiver of Arrows?

With a new Prime Minister taking the helm in Japan, what does the future hold? Franklin Templeton Investment Solutions’ Gene Podkaminer and members of the research team take a look at both local and global trends influencing Japan—and why investors should pay more attention to the country.

PODCAST: Mounting Variables Globally
Fixed Income

PODCAST: Mounting Variables Globally

Templeton Global Macro CIO Michael Hasenstab and Director of Global Macro Research for Brandywine Global, Francis Scotland, speak with our Stephen Dover about the direction of China, variables that could determine whether labor and inflation concerns will last more long term, what may be driving energy prices up, beyond just supply and demand, and views on the US dollar vs other currencies around the world.

On My Mind: To Work, or Not to Work…
Fixed Income

On My Mind: To Work, or Not to Work…

Of all recent economic trends, sluggish employment growth is perhaps the most important for investors to watch, says Franklin Templeton Fixed Income CIO Sonal Desai. She outlines why the labor market response will likely remain lackluster for some time, and discusses the short- and medium-term market implications.

PODCAST: Potential Longer-Term Effects from Current Economic and Investment Challenges
Alternatives

PODCAST: Potential Longer-Term Effects from Current Economic and Investment Challenges

Franklin Templeton’s Sonal Desai, Martin Currie’s Alastair Reynolds, and ClearBridge’s Pawel Wroblewski join our Kim Catechis to assess the possible investment impacts of major global challenges, including the ongoing pandemic, growing income inequality and climate change.

Evergrande and China: A Lehman Moment—or Less “Grande” Than That?
Multi-Asset

Evergrande and China: A Lehman Moment—or Less “Grande” Than That?

With respect to the evolving Evergrande situation in China, our Franklin Templeton Investment Solutions team addresses two main questions: could this be a “Lehman moment,” and what are the global implications of a Chinese property market slowdown?

Greener Post-Election Germany Likely, but Limited Fixed Income Impact
Fixed Income

Greener Post-Election Germany Likely, but Limited Fixed Income Impact

The German election resulted in change in party leadership, but market impact should be limited, according to David Zahn, our Head of European Fixed Income. He shares an overview of the election implications.