Asset Allocation

The markets sure had a lot to process this year – from surprisingly resilient economic data, to the Fed kicking off its easing cycle to an unprecedented presidential election season.

Strong 2024 performance may be tough to replicate given tight credit spreads, but we still have a favorable view on corporate bond investments given the strong economy.

On the latest edition of Market Week in Review, Investment Strategist BeiChen Lin discussed the ouster of France’s prime minister and the potential market implications. He also provided an update on the health of the U.S. economy.

Last week we processed robust economic data and growing clarity on Federal Reserve policy, instilling a consensus view for a strong market that is now well reflected in positioning.

Amid concerns about the impact of rising deficits on U.S. Treasuries, it helps to differentiate bond investments by maturity, credit rating, and global relative value.

As the office buildings market faces headwinds, investors look to alternative sectors.

We believe municipal bonds currently offer a compelling balance of risk and reward for investors in higher tax brackets.

A significant valuation gap has emerged between the top-performing megacap stocks and the rest of the market, creating potential opportunity.

Financial markets often move in cycles where enthusiasm drives prices higher, sometimes far beyond what fundamentals justify.

Just a few short years (months?) ago, few would have believed it possible. But it happened: Bitcoin has traded above $100,000 for the first time ever.

Investment themes are highly dynamic, shouldn’t your investment process be too? Learn about a systematic framework to help with identifying and investing across the themes driving markets.

CEO Ali Dibadj highlights the three macro drivers that investors must navigate in 2025 and beyond, as well as the importance of actively positioning for a brighter investment future.

Five of Franklin Templeton’s specialist investment managers provide their annual outlooks for the global economy and key asset classes, including global equities; global fixed income; global infrastructure; the macro fixed income environment; municipal bond market; high yield bond market; small cap equities; U.S. dollar; U.S. economy; and U.S. equities.

Our Cash Indicator methodology acts as a plan in case of an emergency. This is analogous to the multiple safety systems in a modern automobile, which includes an airbag. Importantly, each of these systems work together to potentially help smooth the ride.

Historical trends are being permanently broken in real time as mega forces, like the rise of artificial intelligence (AI), transform economies.

How to unlock value in a complex market landscape.

The explosive growth of the ETF industry has attracted a full range of new entrants this year — from smaller individuals to the largest hedge funds in the world. More and more fund managers are making their foray into the world of ETFs.

We are all familiar with this SEC-required warning that “past performance does not predict future performance.”

Assets in money market funds reached an all-time high of $7 trillion this past month. Now that rates are moving lower, money market yields may not be as attractive to many investors and assets may gradually leave money funds.

We launched QuantStreet a little over three years ago, and our first accounts went live as of December 2021.

We compare investor risk-taking behaviors at the start of the bull market with those nearly 16 years later. We also analyze key market areas that can offer essential diversification to help manage overall portfolio risk.

While politics garner headlines, fundamentals drive the market over the long term.

The Fed could be ‘slower to lower,' while the Trend continues to rise, with an overly optimistic Crowd due to seasonality and post-election trends.

International markets are expected to clear the hurdles of uncertain trade policy, tighter fiscal policy and slower than average economic growth to support solid overall returns.

Astoria rounds up its 10 ETFs for 2025, providing unique thought leadership and actionable investment ideas.

Expectations for solid corporate earnings drove our U.S. and Japanese equity overweights this year. They have delivered, showing that fundamentals are key. Earnings strength could matter more to equity investors in 2025 over valuations.

Trump's election win spurred market optimism, driving rallies in equities, crypto, and cyclical sector.

Policy changes could reshape return potential for companies across the US market. Here’s how investors can start thinking about the challenges ahead.

It’s been nearly two years since generative artificial intelligence (AI) took the world by storm, with the release of large language models like ChatGPT, Copilot, and Gemini dazzling humankind with their ability to interpret human requests and respond with the desired output.

Wholesale elimination of tax exemption isn’t likely, but certain types of muni bonds could be targets.

Another election season has come to an end. While there are opposing feelings about the outcome of the election, I think everyone agrees that they are happy it is over.

The U.S. economy faces growing risks, from a surging Federal deficit to geopolitical uncertainty. Investors must assess how these factors could ignite market instability and take proactive steps to safeguard their portfolios.

As students across the country start to prepare for year-end exams, there are valuable lessons we can take from the classroom.

AI can be a powerful tool, but one that demands thoughtful, measured implementation. Taking thoughtful steps now to integrate and innovate with AI will keep you competitive. Turn your back on it and you’re probably not in business in the long run.

Some post-election stock market excitement has receded, but the story of strong breadth—which predated the election—has not changed and continues to support the market for now.

Going into Thanksgiving week, we are reassured of two things we already knew about artificial intelligence, but that could play a role in portfolio allocation decisions for the new year.

On whole, EM growth has been resilient, while inflation has fallen closer to normal levels.

Following President Trump’s re-election, the S&P 500 has seen an impressive surge, climbing past 6,000 and sparking significant optimism in the financial markets. Unsurprisingly, the rush by perma-bulls to make long-term predictions is remarkable.

For most of the last fifty years, fixed income investing has been characterized by owning some combination of Municipals, Corporates, Treasuries and Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities.

As we look through our financial lens and reflect upon everything that has transpired in 2024, we have compiled a list of the top ten economic and market-oriented things that we are most grateful for this year.

This week’s data and market momentum solidified the case for a resilient U.S. economy, defying concerns of an imminent slowdown. Initial jobless claims dropped to a five-month low, reinforcing the strength of the labor market, while GDP growth projections hover around an impressive 2.5%.

Some retirees say they could have planned better for lifetime income—helpful insight for current participants.

This week, at the North American Blockchain Summit in Dallas, Texas, I had the distinct privilege of moderating a fireside chat with former Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

Treasury inflation-protected securities can help buffer a portfolio against inflation. However, it's important to understand their unique characteristics and complex nature.

It is important for savers to understand guaranteed and non-guaranteed options when looking at retirement solutions offered within a 401(k) plan. Our Mike Dullaghan shares the highlights and talks about the need for personalized strategies.

Many of the myths and controversies surrounding the equity risk premium (ERP) are rooted in semantics: The same term is used for multiple purposes.

In 2025, Social Security will see a 2.5% cost-of-living adjustment. At the same time, Medicare Part B premiums and the annual deductible will increase.

Why the equity market rally following the U.S. presidential election could continue into year-end.