Beyond Bulls & Bears

On Post-Pandemic Growth and Inflation, Equity Prospects and Income-Seeking Strategies
Multi-Asset

On Post-Pandemic Growth and Inflation, Equity Prospects and Income-Seeking Strategies

Ed Perks, CIO of Franklin Templeton Investment Solutions, outlines what factors should likely support economic growth, how he views inflation, why US equities remain attractive, and where income-seeking investors should look for potential opportunities.

On My Mind: Now Let’s Get Those Jobs Back
Fixed Income

On My Mind: Now Let’s Get Those Jobs Back

COVID-19 has taken a toll on human lives as well as the global economy, with the latest US employment figures revealing a shocking number of job losses in April. Franklin Templeton Fixed Income CIO Sonal Desai weighs in on the situation, saying the next few weeks will likely prove crucial in shaping the course of the labor market for the remainder of this year.

Putting Equity-Market Turbulence into Context
Multi-Asset

Putting Equity-Market Turbulence into Context

Many equity investors were no doubt happy to put 2018 in the rear-view mirror. The heightened volatility in the fourth quarter of the year in particular took many investors by surprise—but what is often missing in the discussions about the volatility is that it didn’t stem from a broad deterioration in economic fundamentals, according to Ed Perks, CIO, Franklin Templeton Multi-Asset Solutions. And, he notes investors had become so used to low levels of volatility that 2018 actually marked a return to “normal levels.”

A Dovish Fed Rate Hike
Fixed Income

A Dovish Fed Rate Hike

The US Federal Reserve raised interest rates for the fourth time this year, but with critics starting to question the central bank’s actions, will it take a tightening pause in 2019? Franklin Templeton Fixed Income Group’s Michael Materasso weighs in.

US Equity Market: Are Things as Good as They’ll Get?
Equity

US Equity Market: Are Things as Good as They’ll Get?

The US equity market’s ascent paused in October as investors digested rising rates, slowing global growth and the persistent question: “Are things as good as they’ll get?” As many observers expect further turbulence ahead, Franklin Equity Group’s Grant Bowers shares his view on US equities, the economy, and how to stay focused on long-term investing in a volatile market.

Hasenstab: Focus on Fundamentals in US, Emerging Markets
Fixed Income

Hasenstab: Focus on Fundamentals in US, Emerging Markets

“If you have a three-month time horizon, EM investing is very difficult. If you have a couple-year horizon, you can exploit these panic sell-offs that are not fundamental in nature.” - Michael Hasenstab

Fed Gives US Interest Rates Another Bump in June
Fixed Income

Fed Gives US Interest Rates Another Bump in June

The US Federal Reserve continued its tightening path at its June policy meeting, raising its benchmark interest rate for the second time this year and seventh time since December 2015. Chris Molumphy, chief investment officer, Franklin Templeton Fixed Income Group, offers us a snapshot of the US monetary policy landscape in the wake of the meeting.

Seeing the Big Picture in Market Corrections
Equity

Seeing the Big Picture in Market Corrections

While we don’t know when the equity market’s recent volatility will settle down, it’s important to consider the big-picture, fundamental backdrop for the market, and not get caught up in short-term sentiment swings, according to Franklin Templeton’s head of equities, Stephen Dover. And, he believes the fundamental backdrop still looks solid.

US Equities: Policy Smoke or Solid Pillars?
Equity

US Equities: Policy Smoke or Solid Pillars?

"We continue to see potential opportunities in many sectors of the market, but one area we are particularly excited about is the technology sector. Even more exciting and less obvious are the behind-the-scenes, technology-driven transformations taking place in many industries outside of the technology sector." - Grant Bowers, Franklin Equity Group