Talking Markets With Franklin Templeton Investments

We speak with Jeff Schulze, Investment Strategist at ClearBridge Investments and architect of their Anatomy of a Recession program, about how the Federal Reserve’s latest moves are impacting the odds of a recession in the US. Plus, what it would take for the Fed to reverse course and make a dovish pivot. And, how much is a recession already baked into the markets?

Franklin Equity Group’s Renee Anderson and Matt Moberg cover investing in innovation during market volatility. We hear how business fundamentals and valuations look right now. Plus, from electric vehicles and renewable energy, to the metaverse, blockchain and more—a breakdown of which innovation themes have the most upside and challenges.

Rapidly changing economic and market conditions could lead to a shift in strategy for income investors. Ed Perks, chief investment officer of Franklin Templeton Investment Solutions, breaks down the macro environment and shares the fixed income sectors he believes are now attractive, in this conversation with our Josh Greco.

How deteriorating economic conditions make a US recession more likely. Plus, is a so-called soft-landing still even possible? And, a look at data from previous bear markets for clues on how long this one may last, and whether the S&P 500 has already hit bottom. Talking about it all is Jeff Schulze, Investment Strategist at ClearBridge Investments and architect of their Anatomy of a Recession program.

Thought leaders from Franklin Templeton and our Specialist Investment Managers discuss how the largest Fed hike in nearly three decades, along with the possibility of subsequent significant hikes, could impact US markets and the economy. Plus, which developed and emerging markets face the most challenging economic and investing environments. And, why history shows investors worried about inflation should consider small cap companies.

While inflation and rising interest rates are putting pressure on the municipal bond market,  the environment for investors seeking income and other benefits from munis may be setting up well for the second half of the year and beyond. Talking about it all is Ben Barber, Director of Municipal Bonds with Franklin Templeton Fixed Income, and Josh Greco of Franklin Templeton Investment Solutions.

Putting the selloff in equity markets in perspective. Why the pendulum has shifted so strongly negative, and is there any bottom in sight? Plus, where investors looking for diversification could go, beyond equities and fixed income. And, a cautionary tale about cryptocurrencies. Talking about it all is our Wylie Tollette and Stephen Dover.  

Jeff Schulze, Investment Strategist at ClearBridge Investments and architect of ClearBridge’s Anatomy of a Recession program, provides his views on why growing fears of a US recession may be overblown, at least near-term.

With uncertainty mounting on many fronts globally, we hear how investment strategies are changing with a focus on taking risk down, while still identifying investment opportunities. Our Head of the Franklin Templeton Institute, Stephen Dover, talks about it all with Gene Podkaminer, Head of Research for Franklin Templeton Investment Solutions, Francis Scotland, Director of Global Macro Research for Brandywine Global, and Michael Hasenstab, Chief Investment officer of Templeton Global Macro.

Can the Fed play catch-up and reverse rising inflation in the United States? Or, could growth actually slow on its own, so less action is needed? Plus, an inversion in the US Treasury yield curve usually is a recession warning, but hear why that may not be the case, at least for this year. Sonal Desai, Chief Investment Officer of Franklin Templeton Fixed Income, and John Bellows, a Portfolio Manager at Western Asset, join the head of the Franklin Templeton Investment Institute, Stephen Dover, for this conversation.

The wild ride up and back down for oil prices. Have oil prices peaked, along with gasoline? Or, will we see further rises in oil and prices at the pump? Plus, what’s being done to ramp up oil production globally. And, how many different grades of oil around the world make the situation even more challenging. Stephen Dover, Head of the Franklin Templeton Investment Institute, talks about it all with Franklin Equity Group’s Frederick Fromm.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has led to a humanitarian crisis and new geopolitical concerns, while also affecting global economies and capital markets around the world. Talking about it all with our Stephen Dover is Kim Catechis from the Franklin Templeton Investment Institute; Andreas Billmeier, European Economist with Western Asset, Scott Glasser, Chief investment Officer at ClearBridge Investments; and Michael Hasenstab, Chief Investment Officer of Templeton Global Macro.

With higher rates appearing inevitable, fixed income investors must weigh a range of maturities, sectors and credit quality along the yield curve, including low duration strategies less exposed to rate hikes. Plus, how inflation and policy decisions fit into the equation. And, where there could be opportunity at the shorter end of the yield curve. Our Stephen Dover joins Walter Kilcullen of Western Asset Management and Franklin Templeton Fixed Income’s Reema Agarwal to talk about it all.

Volatility dominated equity and fixed income markets to start 2022. What’s behind it and how long will it last? Plus, a look at investment opportunities that could arise in this environment. Putting it all in perspective with our Stephen Dover is Mark Lindbloom of Western Asset and Scott Glasser of ClearBridge Investments.

Sonal Desai, Chief Investment Officer, Franklin Templeton Fixed Income, and John Bellows, Portfolio Manager, Western Asset join the Head of the Franklin Templeton Investment Institute, Stephen Dover to debate whether inflation is a passing phase or a longer-term threat. Plus, how inflation outlooks could lead to opportunities for fixed income investors.

Jeff Schulze, Investment Strategist at ClearBridge Investments, provides his latest look at the health of the US economy. We hear about the number one factor driving consumer sentiment down to recessionary levels, three reasons why inflation may not last long term, and what may lie ahead after the Federal Reserve begins to taper and raise interest rates.

Tracy Chen, Portfolio Manager with Brandywine Global, and Tim Wang, Head of Investment Research for Clarion Partners, join Head of the Franklin Templeton Investment Institute, Stephen Dover, to take a closer look at how the pandemic has had a major impact on real estate markets, and what it could mean for real estate investors in the US and China. 

Ed Perks, CIO of Franklin Templeton Investment Solutions and Gene Podkaminer, Head of Research for Franklin Templeton Investment Solutions, discuss with Stephen Dover, head of the Franklin Templeton Investment Institute, cross-asset class allocation views and implementation ideas for 2022, considering growth, inflation, rates, and valuation.

Bill Zox and John McClain, portfolio managers with Brandywine Global, join Amer Hasan to discuss how current market and economic conditions could benefit high yield investors, the opportunities and risks right now, and why the asset class is often overlooked or misunderstood.

Templeton Global Macro CIO Michael Hasenstab and Director of Global Macro Research for Brandywine, Francis Scotland, speak with our Stephen Dover about the direction of China, variables that could determine whether labor and inflation concerns will last more long-term, what may be driving energy prices up, beyond just supply and demand, and views on the dollar vs other currencies around the world.