Beyond Bulls & Bears

ETF 2021 Predictions: Update
LibertyShares

ETF 2021 Predictions: Update

David Mann, our Head of Global Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) Capital Markets, looks back on some of the ETF industry predictions he and his team made at the start of the year—and it looks like ETF asset growth could be on track to hit new all-time highs.

US Infrastructure Plan and Muni Bond Update
Fixed Income

US Infrastructure Plan and Muni Bond Update

In May, our municipal bond team published some thoughts on US President Joe Biden’s $2 trillion infrastructure package called “The American Jobs Plan.” As this package makes its way through Congress, the team will provide updates—here’s the latest from our Muni Bond Director Jennifer Johnston.

Quick Thoughts: Think Quantum with Cybersecurity
Perspectives

Quick Thoughts: Think Quantum with Cybersecurity

Our Chief Market Strategist Stephen Dover explores how quantum computers will soon unlock and slice through infrastructure and financial systems’ public key cryptography. Many cyberattacks are “Store Now, Decrypt Later” (SNDL) crimes, however, quantum computers will advance decrypting old data, now.

Quick Thoughts: Financial and Infrastructure Cybersecurity
Perspectives

Quick Thoughts: Financial and Infrastructure Cybersecurity

Cyberattacks are projected to exceed US$6 trillion in 2021, with growing threats to our financial systems and infrastructure. We are now entering a new era of the internet with accelerated computing power and innovations, such as quantum computing and artificial intelligence (AI), that threaten all current cybersecurity. Our Chief Market Strategist Stephen Dover offers his take.

K2 Advisors Third Quarter Hedge-Fund Strategy Outlook
Alternatives

K2 Advisors Third Quarter Hedge-Fund Strategy Outlook

Heading into the second half of the year, pandemic concerns are not completely in the rear-view mirror. The speed of recovery may vary among regions due to disparate global vaccine distribution leading to potentially divergent central banks policies, according to K2 Advisors. Brooks Ritchey and Robert Christian provide the team’s third quarter hedge-fund strategy outlook.

Retirement Reimagined
Perspectives

Retirement Reimagined

The concept of retirement has changed over the decades—as have the ways of funding it. Franklin Templeton’s “Voice of the American Worker” survey breaks down how the various generations think about retirement, and it’s clear retirement means different things to different people. Our Yaqub Ahmed shares findings from the survey and thoughts on achieving financial wellbeing.

On My Mind: Something Has to Give
Fixed Income

On My Mind: Something Has to Give

There are differing opinions for why US Treasury yields have suddenly dropped. In her latest “On My Mind,” our Fixed Income CIO Sonal Desai outlines three possible scenarios and the logical implications of each; in the current constellation of asset prices, she argues, something does not add up.

PODCAST: Cryptocurrency, Blockchain, and Digital Assets: Love ‘em, Hate ‘em, but Don’t Ignore ‘em
Perspectives

PODCAST: Cryptocurrency, Blockchain, and Digital Assets: Love ‘em, Hate ‘em, but Don’t Ignore ‘em

Our Chief Market Strategist Stephen Dover explores blockchain and digital assets through an equity-investor lens with Anthony Hardy and Christophe Vande Walle. They discuss the growing implications and why investors and asset managers shouldn’t ignore this space.

Quick Thoughts: Sourcing Income in Bonds, Real Estate, and Multi-Asset Solutions
Perspectives

Quick Thoughts: Sourcing Income in Bonds, Real Estate, and Multi-Asset Solutions

Sir John Templeton famously said that “this time is different” are the four most dangerous words for investors. However, today’s world appears to be truly different, and with that in mind, our Chief Market Strategist, Stephen Dover, brought together Mark Lindbloom, Portfolio Manager, Western Asset; Onay Payne, Portfolio Manager, Clarion Partners; and Ed Perks, CFA, Chief Investment Officer, Franklin Templeton Investment Solutions to discuss and share perspectives on the recovery, growth, and current opportunities for income.

On My Mind – The Fed’s Last Call for the Punchbowl?
Fixed Income

On My Mind – The Fed’s Last Call for the Punchbowl?

The Fed now acknowledges inflation risks are to the upside. With high uncertainty on the inflation and employment outlook, adjusting its exceptionally loose monetary stance at the right time and pace become a very difficult high-wire act. In the latest edition of our Fixed Income CIO Sonal Desai’s “On My Mind” series, she discusses the Fed’s challenge, and where she is finding opportunities in the market.

Quick Thoughts: New Realities in Emerging Markets
Emerging Markets

Quick Thoughts: New Realities in Emerging Markets

Emerging market (EM) economies are not what they used to be. Our Chief Market Strategist and Head of Franklin Templeton Investment Institute, Stephen Dover, discusses EM disruption, transformation, and digitalization themes, and why he sees a multitude of potential innovation investment opportunities in EM markets today and in the years ahead.

European Fixed Income Finds Central Bank Support
Fixed Income

European Fixed Income Finds Central Bank Support

As Europe’s economy continues to recover from COVID-19, it appears the central bank will remain accommodative, but for how long? Our Head of European Fixed Income David Zahn shares his views.