Beyond Bulls & Bears

High Yield in View: An Update on Autos and Semiconductors
Fixed Income

High Yield in View: An Update on Autos and Semiconductors

The intricacies and knock-on effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the semiconductor and automotive industries continue to present interesting dynamics for investors to navigate. Franklin Templeton Fixed Income Research Analyst Aleck Beach offers his view of the space from a credit lens.

The Fed: Walking a Tightrope in 2022
Multi-Asset

The Fed: Walking a Tightrope in 2022

The US Federal Reserve is walking a tightrope—if it acts too quickly it risks hampering growth and market volatility, but if it acts too slowly it risks spiraling price increases. Franklin Templeton Investment Solutions weighs in on the Fed’s dilemma. They provide their monetary policy expectations and offer insight into investments they currently favor in their portfolios—and ones they don’t.

Quick Thoughts: The Inflation Debate
Perspectives

Quick Thoughts: The Inflation Debate

Disagreements about the outlook for inflation in the new year and beyond continue. Stephen Dover, Head of the Franklin Templeton Investment Institute, recently led a lively debate on the topic with Western Asset’s John Bellows and Franklin Templeton Fixed Income’s Sonal Desai.

ETF Trends to Watch in 2022: Conversions, International Interest and Sustainable Funds
LibertyShares

ETF Trends to Watch in 2022: Conversions, International Interest and Sustainable Funds

With January being a month for prognostications, David Mann, our Head of Global Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) Capital Markets, shares his annual outlook for the ETF industry and key trends he sees taking shape in 2022.

PODCAST: Anatomy of a Recession: Changing Conditions but US Economy Remains Strong
Perspectives

PODCAST: Anatomy of a Recession: Changing Conditions but US Economy Remains Strong

In our latest "Talking Markets" podcast, Jeff Schulze, Investment Strategist at ClearBridge Investments, provides his latest look at the health of the US economy. We hear about the number one factor driving consumer sentiment down to recessionary levels, three reasons why inflation may not last long term, and what may lie ahead after the Federal Reserve begins to taper and raise interest rates. 

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.

K2 Hedge-Fund Strategy Outlook: First Quarter 2022
Alternatives

K2 Hedge-Fund Strategy Outlook: First Quarter 2022

With both the pandemic and inflation proving longer lasting than many had anticipated, what does that mean for central bank policy in the months ahead? The K2 Advisors team ponders the implications for hedge-fund strategies in its first-quarter 2022 outlook.

PODCAST: A Tale of Two Real Estate Markets: US and China
Alternatives

PODCAST: A Tale of Two Real Estate Markets: US and China

Tracy Chen, Portfolio Manager with Brandywine Global, and Tim Wang, Head of Investment Research for Clarion Partners, join Head of the Franklin Templeton Investment Institute, Stephen Dover, to take a closer look at how the pandemic has impacted real estate markets in the United States and China.

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.

Where Are the Workers?
Multi-Asset

Where Are the Workers?

As the Federal Reserve debates its monetary tightening timeline, the labor market is an important factor to watch in the year ahead, according to our Franklin Templeton Investment Solutions team. Read their thoughts on the labor market’s implications for both monetary policy and risk assets.

ETF 2021 Year-End Report Card: The Grades Are in!
LibertyShares

ETF 2021 Year-End Report Card: The Grades Are in!

As another year of living with COVID-19 draws to a close, David Mann, Head of Global Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) Capital Markets, looks back on how the industry has fared in 2021—and how his prior predictions have unfolded.

Quick Thoughts: What Our Managers Think: Positioning Portfolios for 2022
Multi-Asset

Quick Thoughts: What Our Managers Think: Positioning Portfolios for 2022

Stephen Dover, Head of the Franklin Templeton Investment Institute, recently discussed growth, inflation, interest rates, and valuation during our monthly discussion, “What Our Managers Think,” with Ed Perks, Chief Investment Officer, Franklin Templeton Investment Solutions; Gene Podkaminer, Head of Research; and Josh Greco, Head of Institutional Portfolio Management. Below are some of their current views on positioning portfolios for 2022.