Beyond Bulls & Bears

Shortages, Resurgent Demand and Rising Inflation Expectations Lift Commodities
Equity

Shortages, Resurgent Demand and Rising Inflation Expectations Lift Commodities

Commodities prices have been moving higher this spring amid rising demand and rising inflation expectations globally as economies emerge from the pandemic. Franklin Equity Group’s Fred Fromm takes a look at the implications for equity investors in the space.

PODCAST: Consumer Clout Driving ESG Efforts
Multi-Asset

PODCAST: Consumer Clout Driving ESG Efforts

Franklin Equity Group's Sara Araghi, Martin Currie's Zehrid Osmani and Western Asset's Bonnie Wongtrakool speak with Franklin Templeton Chief Market Strategist Stephen Dover about how consumers are more in control than ever before, putting companies and brands under the microscope when it comes to environmental, social and governance factors.

Quick Thoughts: A Very Hot Housing Market Globally
Perspectives

Quick Thoughts: A Very Hot Housing Market Globally

Rising housing prices often reflect a country’s economic growth and health. This may be a type of “good inflation,” but wages and other metrics may not keep pace. Our Chief Market Strategist and Head of Franklin Templeton Investment Institute, Stephen Dover, discusses how the pandemic may have globally fueled inflation in housing and the supply chains that build them.

Bonds for Sale: The Fed Will Sell its ETF Stake
LibertyShares

Bonds for Sale: The Fed Will Sell its ETF Stake

The US Federal Reserve (Fed) recently announced it would begin to sell down its ETF purchases made over the past year. David Mann, our Head of Capital Markets, Global ETFs, revisits the topic with an eye to the future.

Tech Opportunities Abound Amid Economic Reopening
Equity

Tech Opportunities Abound Amid Economic Reopening

As more people are getting vaccinated and economic conditions return to normal, Franklin Equity Group’s Jonathan Curtis says the digital transformation themes that accelerated during the COVID-19 crisis are still just getting started. He still sees plenty of opportunities ahead in the technology sector, despite a recent falloff in investor interest in the first quarter.

Value and Growth: The Indivisible Dichotomy
Equity

Value and Growth: The Indivisible Dichotomy

Franklin Mutual Series’ Director of Research Grace Hoefig sits down with us to explain how value investing involves more than just computing ratios, and why the answer to the age-old question “growth or value” should be “yes.”

Pent-Up Consumer Demand Fuels US Recovery
Equity

Pent-Up Consumer Demand Fuels US Recovery

What are “epicenter stocks” and what role do they play in an economic recovery? Read more from Franklin Equity Group’s Grant Bowers.

PODCAST: Factoring Inflation and Valuations into Stock-Picking Decisions
Equity

PODCAST: Factoring Inflation and Valuations into Stock-Picking Decisions

Our Chief Market Strategist Stephen Dover speaks with portfolio managers Matt Moberg from Franklin Equity Group and Aram Green from ClearBridge Investments on how they factor inflation and valuations into stock-picking decisions. They also cover the impacts private and special purpose acquisition companies are having on markets. And, why some innovative companies and technology that are changing our lives may not make great investments.

Quick Thoughts: The Opportunities in Innovation
Equity

Quick Thoughts: The Opportunities in Innovation

Our recent investing in innovation roundtable confirmed that investing in innovation requires intuitive and fundamental knowledge. Matt Moberg, Senior Vice President and Portfolio Manager for Franklin Equity Group, Aram Green, Portfolio Manager and Managing Director for ClearBridge Investments, and Chief Market Strategist and Head of Franklin Templeton Investment Institute discuss areas to find equity market inefficiencies.

Muni Market View on The American Jobs Plan
Fixed Income

Muni Market View on The American Jobs Plan

US President Joe Biden recently announced an ambitious new $2 trillion infrastructure plan, which touches many areas of the US economy. Jennifer Johnston, director of research, Franklin Templeton Municipal Bonds, outlines some highlights of this sweeping legislation, and how it could impact the muni market.

Quick Thoughts: Blockchain Innovates and Disrupts
Alternatives

Quick Thoughts: Blockchain Innovates and Disrupts

Blockchain has the potential to launch a new global digital renaissance, transforming financial services, supply chains, healthcare, backend offices, and more.

Examining the Environment for Microcap Stocks
Equity

Examining the Environment for Microcap Stocks

The smallest companies in the market may be overlooked by many investors, but can offer big potential. Here, we posed some questions about micro-capitalization (microcap) stocks to Franklin Mutual Series Portfolio Manager Oliver Wong, who explains how they have fared recently and where he’s finding opportunities.