Beyond Bulls & Bears

Category: Fixed Income

Quick Thoughts: Investment Ideas—The case for fixed income in 2024
Fixed Income

Quick Thoughts: Investment Ideas—The case for fixed income in 2024

Stephen Dover, Head of Franklin Templeton Institute, recently sat down with Franklin Templeton Fixed Income Portfolio Manager Josh Lohmeier and Western Asset Portfolio Manager Mark Lindbloom to discuss the fixed income landscape—and why they believe 2024 will be a good year for fixed income investors.

Stephen H. Dover, 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 |
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. |
Portfolio construction for alpha generation and risk mitigation
Fixed Income

Portfolio construction for alpha generation and risk mitigation

In this period of higher interest rates, the quest to capture alpha and mitigate risk in corporate credit requires a more refined approach. Josh Lohmeier of Franklin Templeton Fixed Income uncovers a dynamic portfolio construction process that is adaptable to various kinds of investors and repeatable in different types of environments.

Josh Lohmeier |
Quick Thoughts: Should we fear the rapid rise of interest rates?
Fixed Income

Quick Thoughts: Should we fear the rapid rise of interest rates?

Term premiums have been on the rise, but should investors be concerned? Stephen Dover, Head of Franklin Templeton Institute, explains what term premiums are, and why they are worth paying attention to.

Stephen H. Dover, CFA |
Sustainable Resource Nexus: Analyzing the convergence of food-water-energy on financial markets
Fixed Income

Sustainable Resource Nexus: Analyzing the convergence of food-water-energy on financial markets

Franklin Templeton Fixed Income’s Ashley Allen and Bryant Dieffenbacher discuss sustainable investing and what the convergence of food, water and energy means for investors.

Ashley Allen |
Quick Thoughts: Investment Ideas—Is the Muni Comeback Still in the Making?
Fixed Income

Quick Thoughts: Investment Ideas—Is the Muni Comeback Still in the Making?

Making the case for municipal bonds today with Stephen Dover, Head of Franklin Templeton Institute.

Stephen H. Dover, CFA |
Quick Thoughts: Global market outlooks—Too hot, too cold or just right?
Perspectives

Quick Thoughts: Global market outlooks—Too hot, too cold or just right?

The US economy has been more resilient than many pundits had anticipated over the past year—but can this resilience continue? Stephen Dover, Head of Franklin Templeton Institute, recently hosted a discussion with economists from across our firm to explore where the risks and opportunities for investors lie today and into year-end.

Stephen H. Dover, CFA |
What’s next for gilts and the United Kingdom?
Fixed Income

What’s next for gilts and the United Kingdom?

Gilt prices have been struggling this past year due to surging inflation and interest-rate increases. David Zahn, Franklin Templeton Fixed Income’s Head of European Fixed Income, shares his outlook for the UK economy and why he thinks now is a good time to consider investing in gilts.

David Zahn, CFA, FRM |
Stress testing the foundations: Analyzing the vulnerability of US banks to falling commercial real estate values
Fixed Income

Stress testing the foundations: Analyzing the vulnerability of US banks to falling commercial real estate values

The commercial real estate sector’s continued challenges could potentially impact US banks. Franklin Templeton Fixed Income’s Shawn Lyons discusses the ongoing commercial real estate crisis and how US banks are safeguarding themselves against these issues.

Shawn Lyons, CFA |
On My Mind: Restrictive? We’ll know it when we see it.
Fixed Income

On My Mind: Restrictive? We’ll know it when we see it.

The Fed sent a strong signal that interest rates will remain higher for longer, as our Franklin Templeton Fixed Income CIO Sonal Desai has long predicted. The Fed also started to acknowledge that the natural real rate of interest is higher than it thought. She shares her latest insights on the policy outlook and the implications for investors.

Sonal Desai, Ph.D. |
Opportunity in investment-grade credit
Fixed Income

Opportunity in investment-grade credit

Investment-grade credit is currently offering impressive yields, with relatively less risk than other fixed income sectors, according to Josh Lohmeier of Franklin Templeton Fixed Income. He makes a case for investing in the space today.

Josh Lohmeier |