Beyond Bulls & Bears

PODCAST: Anatomy of a recession—Focusing on the Fed
Equity

PODCAST: Anatomy of a recession—Focusing on the Fed

In our latest "Talking Markets" podcast, Jeff Schulze, Investment Strategist at ClearBridge Investments and architect of their "Anatomy of a Recession" program, speaks about how the Federal Reserve’s latest moves are impacting the odds of a recession in the United States. Plus, what it would take for the Fed to reverse course and make a dovish pivot, and how much a recession is already baked into the markets.

Jeffrey Schulze, CFA |
US retirement legislation and regulation bulletin: Third quarter 2022
Perspectives

US retirement legislation and regulation bulletin: Third quarter 2022

We believe it is important to keep you informed on the latest proposals and regulations impacting the retirement industry, as well as implications to your business. As such, we are pleased to share the latest edition of the Retirement Legislation and Regulation Bulletin, prepared by our partners at Davis & Harman LLP.

Michael L. Hadley |
Brazil elections: Brace for volatility but look for opportunities
ETFs

Brazil elections: Brace for volatility but look for opportunities

Brazilian equity markets may remain volatile following the country’s inconclusive presidential elections. However, Franklin Templeton’s Marcus Weyerer and Dina Ting see long-term investor opportunities—such as renewable energy—arising in Latin America’s largest economy even as the dust settles.

Marcus Weyerer, CFA |
Quick thoughts: Arugula is the new popcorn—a conversation on food innovation
Perspectives

Quick thoughts: Arugula is the new popcorn—a conversation on food innovation

Feeding a growing global population requires innovation in food and agricultural technologies. Learn about how investors have a role to play.

Stephen H. Dover, CFA |
Dimensions & Insights: Your growth story includes DEI
Perspectives

Dimensions & Insights: Your growth story includes DEI

Today’s extremely competitive environment requires diverse thinking and problem solving to find great opportunities. Diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) practices create a platform for differentiation for firm performance and add to an asset manager’s bottom line. Chief Executive Officer Jenny Johnson and Chief Diversity Officer Regina Curry believe thinking more holistically about embedding DEI in company practices and processes produce the best outcomes and more company growth.

Regina Curry |
Will Italy still have ECB support in wake of elections?
Fixed Income

Will Italy still have ECB support in wake of elections?

Our Head of European Fixed Income, David Zahn, weighs in on the potential market implications of the outcome of the recent Italian elections.

David Zahn, CFA, FRM |
A lesson in ratios and ETF liquidity
ETFs

A lesson in ratios and ETF liquidity

In the midst of back-to-school season, David Mann opines on the real-life applications of mysterious middle-school math and exchange-traded funds.

David Mann |
Quick thoughts: Why the US dollar matters
Perspectives

Quick thoughts: Why the US dollar matters

Why is the US dollar so strong? And what does the strengthening dollar mean for investors, the global economy and inflation? Stephen Dover, Head of Franklin Templeton Institute, explains.

Stephen H. Dover, CFA |
Municipal markets continue to feel the pressure this year, yet fundamentals remain stable
Fixed Income

Municipal markets continue to feel the pressure this year, yet fundamentals remain stable

The municipal bond market has not been immune to bouts of volatility hitting the markets this year, but there are still pockets of opportunity, according to Franklin Templeton Fixed Income’s Director of Municipal Bonds, Ben Barber. He points to improving technical conditions, stable fundamentals and inexpensive valuations that make the asset class look compelling.

Ben Barber, CFA |
Student loan forgiveness plan and Inflation Reduction Act: Are these new policies inflationary or deflationary?
Multi-Asset

Student loan forgiveness plan and Inflation Reduction Act: Are these new policies inflationary or deflationary?

Inflation is top of mind for consumers and market participants. In the United States, many are questioning whether student loan forgiveness will make inflation worse, and if the recently passed “Inflation Reduction Act” will offer relief. Franklin Templeton Investment Solutions’ Gene Podkaminer and Spencer Walling weigh in on whether these new policies will worsen the current inflationary environment, or prove to provide a deflationary impulse for the economy.

Gene Podkaminer, CFA |
On my mind: Staying on message
Fixed Income

On my mind: Staying on message

The Fed delivered another 75 bps rate hike and reiterated its Jackson Hole message: reducing inflation is now its one and only priority. But the Fed's forecasts still seem too optimistic, and this could feed extended uncertainty and volatility in markets. Our Fixed Income CIO Sonal Desai shares her thoughts.

Sonal Desai, Ph.D. |
You are not first: Making the case for alternatives—particularly commercial real estate—in defined contribution plans
Alternatives

You are not first: Making the case for alternatives—particularly commercial real estate—in defined contribution plans

Despite widespread use in institutional portfolios, alternative investments are not typically found in US defined contribution plans. Drew Carrington, Head of Institutional Defined Contribution at Franklin Templeton, and Tripp Braillard, Head of Defined Contribution Distribution at Clarion Partners, explain why perhaps they should be.

Drew Carrington, CFA |