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,...

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.

With changing market conditions, does growth or value have the upper hand, and how does investing in innovation fit into the debate? Plus, we highlight what’s behind the resurgence in small cap stocks. Talking to our Stephen Dover about it all is Matt Moberg, a Portfolio Manager with Franklin Equity Group, Sam Peters, a Portfolio Manager with ClearBridge Investments and Steve Lipper, Senior Investment Strategist and President of Royce Fund Services.

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.

Sonal Desai, CIO, Franklin Templeton Fixed Income; John Bellows, PM, Western Asset; and Gene Podkaminer, Head of Research, Franklin Templeton Investment Solutions, join the head of the Franklin Templeton Investment Institute, Stephen Dover to debate the next moves for inflation, growth and rates, and the challenge of positioning portfolios for a variety of outcomes.

Hear from Jeff Schulze, Investment Strategist at ClearBridge Investments about the Federal Reserve’s timetable for tightening, slow growth, the COVID-19 Delta variant, and the resilience of the US consumer. He explains how all of these variants are factored into determining the risk of recession along with the investment implications.

Franklin Templeton’s Sonal Desai, Martin Currie’s Alastair Reynolds, and ClearBridge’s Pawel Wroblewski join our Kim Catechis to assess the possible investment impacts of major global challenges, including the ongoing pandemic, growing income inequality and climate change.

Katrina Dudley, Portfolio Manager with Franklin Mutual Series and author of the book “Undiversified – The Big Gender Short in Investment Management,” joins Franklin Templeton Chief Market Strategist Stephen Dover to talk about why so many investment teams are lacking gender diversity and what has to happen to close the gender gap in investment, finance and many other careers.

Our Stephen Dover, Yaqub Ahmed and Adam Petryk welcome Advisor Engine’s Chief Operating Officer, Craig Ramsey, to discuss three major trends leading to big changes for wealth management businesses. Plus, how financial advisors can use data and technology to create personalized, goals-based solutions, while also being efficient with their time and having more impactful relationships with their clients.

Franklin Mutual Series’ Katrina Dudley and Manda Hormozi discuss why Europe may be primed for strong economic growth sooner rather than later, and the types of companies that are getting the attention of some investment managers right now.

Our Stephen Dover speaks with Martin Currie’s Alastair Reynolds and Franklin Templeton’s Andrew Ness on why emerging markets are likely to remain resilient, despite near-term challenges resulting from the COVID-19 Delta variant. Plus, where the biggest growth opportunities may be in China despite the government’s recent actions, and thoughts on the inflation debate within emerging markets.

While GDP and earnings growth remain strong, we hear from Jeff Schulze, Investment Strategist at ClearBridge Investments about three potential economic and market risks for the second half of the years. Plus, if a near-term equity market pullback occurs, learn why it may be a buying opportunity.