Beyond Bulls & Bears

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.

Quick Thoughts: Wall Street and Main Street Disconnect
Equity

Quick Thoughts: Wall Street and Main Street Disconnect

Our Head of Equities, Stephen Dover, gives his take on how COVID-19 has accelerated economic changes and explains what may have caused the stock markets’ second-quarter ascent.

Responsible Investing in a Traditional Asset Class
Fixed Income

Responsible Investing in a Traditional Asset Class

In the municipal bond market, the issuance of green bonds has provided an attractive solution for investors interested in socially responsible investments while also receiving the tax-exempt income benefit municipal bonds offer. Franklin Templeton’s Municipal Bond team provides an overview of green bonds, including potential benefits and risk considerations.

“Build Back Better”: COVID-19 Brings the “S” From ESG Into Focus
Perspectives

“Build Back Better”: COVID-19 Brings the “S” From ESG Into Focus

Dislocations resulting from the pandemic shine a light on environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues, which can be used as an additional tool to identify leading companies from the laggards, according to Franklin Templeton’s Global Head of ESG, Julie Moret.

Coronavirus Pandemic Shifts Focus to ESG
Equity

Coronavirus Pandemic Shifts Focus to ESG

The coronavirus pandemic has highlighted the importance of financial market risks that fit within the realm of environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors—namely disaster preparedness and health risks. Templeton Global Equity Group’s Maarten Bloemen argues we will see recently highlighted ESG considerations more acutely on the radar of investors, while other issues previously on the backburner due to coronavirus—such as climate change—will likely come back to the spotlight as this is a long-term structural issue which will need to be addressed. He opines on the state of ESG investing and where he sees values.