Beyond Bulls & Bears

Energy Markets in View
Equity

Energy Markets in View

Consumers were feeling the pinch of higher energy prices even before Russia invaded Ukraine. Energy prices have surged to multi-year or record highs amid the war, and many are wondering if they still have further to go. Here, Franklin Equity Group’s Frederick Fromm shares his latest views on investing in the sector.

Is the Energy Price Surge “Transitory” or a Longer-Lasting Trend?
Equity

Is the Energy Price Surge “Transitory” or a Longer-Lasting Trend?

Energy prices have surged to multi-year highs amid the global economic recovery from COVID-19, contributing to larger-than-anticipated jumps in measures of headline inflation. While some policymakers had suggested inflationary forces would prove “transitory,” today many are questioning that thesis. Franklin Equity Group Portfolio Manager Frederick Fromm outlines what has been impacting energy prices, whether he sees the recent price rise as sustainable, and where he is finding investment opportunities within the sector.

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: Putting Inflation Concerns in Perspective
Perspectives

PODCAST: Putting Inflation Concerns in Perspective

In our latest "Talking Markets" podcast, Franklin Templeton’s Chief Market Strategist, Stephen Dover, speaks with our Gene Podkaminer, Western Asset’s Mark Lindbloom, and ClearBridge Investments’ Michael Clarfeld about interest rates, deficits, inflation concerns, commodity prices, rising US Treasury yields, and the global rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Water Disruption: Investment Risk from Multiple Angles
Perspectives

Water Disruption: Investment Risk from Multiple Angles

Water itself isn’t just an economic policy issue and risk arising from population growth and climate change. Water is impacting the day-to-day operations of investee companies and how they are thinking through their own business models and business risk.

The Glistening Project: Why Some Investors Are Looking Again at Gold
Equity

The Glistening Project: Why Some Investors Are Looking Again at Gold

For some investors, increasing exposure to gold has been a knee-jerk reaction to bouts of heightened financial market volatility. Franklin Equity Group’s Steve Land says there’s more to gold than that. And he explains why he’s positive about both the prospects for gold and for gold equities.

Why Gold-Mining Stocks Could Regain Some Luster
Equity

Why Gold-Mining Stocks Could Regain Some Luster

“It seems to us that gold’s inability to hold a rally over the last 18 months has created fatigue with investors. As a result, many investors have felt they should sell into rallies. However, given the overall global macroeconomic backdrop, this view may be creating an interesting opportunity for longer-term investors.” – Steve Land, Franklin Equity Group

An Exciting Time for the Energy Sector
Equity

An Exciting Time for the Energy Sector

"Our general takeaway is that energy sector opportunities in 2017 and 2018 are likely to be more idiosyncratic and company-specific, whereas in the recent past they’ve been driven more by the macro commodity price environment. As fundamental, bottom-up investors, this is an environment we welcome.” Fred Fromm, Franklin Equity Group

Oil-Price Pessimism May Be Presenting Opportunities
Equity

Oil-Price Pessimism May Be Presenting Opportunities

While still volatile, oil prices have been edging higher in recent weeks after falling to the lowest levels since the global financial crisis of ...

A Golden Opportunity?
Equity

A Golden Opportunity?

Precious metals and mining stocks generally struggled in 2015 amid multi-year lows for both precious and industrial metals prices, but 2016 is off ...