House Call

Equities

• We are constructive on US equities and have established a year-end target range of 7400-7800 for the S&P 500, driven by 15+% year-over-year (Y/Y) earnings-per-share growth. We are in a catalyst void right now as we await third-quarter earnings. Consensus expectations for 2026 now sit at $365.89, up 11.50% Y/Y. For 2027 the consensus earnings estimate is $416.83, representing a 14% Y/Y growth rate versus 2026. (See our Global Investment Management Survey for more on earnings and our forecasts.)
• If we assume the consensus earnings estimates are reasonably correct, that puts the tape at 21x this year’s earnings and 18x 2027 estimates. The long-term historical forward multiple is about 17x. Portfolio managers are now focusing their efforts on corporate earnings power for calendar year 2027. I can’t make a strong argument that the tape is “cheap” here, but I also can’t make the argument that an 18x forward multiple is rich either. Bond yields are the biggest risk here. Higher yields will likely put pressure on the multiple.
• We are in the “volatility window.” A combination of higher oil prices, higher 10-year bond yields globally, seasonality, midterm elections and a big move on the books from the March lows to the August highs (23.74% for the S&P 500) are conspiring to create a higher volatility level in the near term. Equity implied volatility, as measured by the Cboe VIX index, remains subdued. The duck is calm on the surface (the S&P 500 is less than 2% from its all-time high), yet the duck’s feet are paddling like crazy. Violent rotations.
• What does history tell us about the stock market when the Fed raises rates? Our Strategist Taylor Topousis has done some research on this. Here are the key takeaways: From 1994, when the Fed began to announce policy decisions, median S&P 500 returns three months from the initial hike were -3.7%. Every hiking cycle since 1994 has had a drawdown of at least 7%. This fits with our call for volatility. A year later median returns for the S&P 500 were +6.5%. The Russell 1000 Growth and Russell 1000 Value Indexes were tied at 4.5% each and the Russell 2000 Index leads all players at +12.7%. The MSCI EAFE was positive out one year at +5.2%. The MSCI EM Index was also positive out one year at 1.8%.
• Additionally, please see our latest white paper on what to expect from equities in the intermediate term. Market Strategist Lukasz Kalwak and I provide a look at seasonal volatility, midterm election years, liquidity, fundamentals and what we historically see in the third year of a presidential cycle. Don’t miss this piece: “Broadening Delivered. Now Prepare for Volatility.”
• Bottom line: We think it’s prudent to have a diversified equity playbook that includes US large-, mid- and small-cap exposure with a balance of growth and value. The same can be said for ex-US equity exposure; emerging markets and Japanese stocks look attractive. That involves reducing concentration and spreading one’s bets. We think buying on pullbacks makes sense. Volatility is your friend.

Fixed Income

• We expect the 10-year US Treasury bond yield in the range of 4.25%–4.75% for the year. As of this writing, the last trade was 5.09%, and we are reviewing our forecast. Right now, it sure feels wrong. Franklin Templeton Fixed Income CIO Sonal Desai is of the mind that we are in a higher-for-longer yield regime. When Sonal talks, I listen. Have a game plan to use higher yields to your advantage. Current yield levels generally approximate the forward five-year annualized return stream. The risk/reward is improving with higher yields. We believe a dollar-cost-averaging approach makes sense.
• Implied Treasury volatility is high. The ICE Bank of America MOVE Index is a proxy for fixed income volatility. When rate vol spikes, it can really spike. And when it does, the median MOVE reading back to 2020 is 140. The last trade was 95. So if history is any guide, interest-rate volatility could continue to push higher. It is unsettling to markets when one of the most liquid markets in the world gets violent.
• Using data going back to 1994, our Senior Analyst Lukasz Labedzki tells us that when the Fed raises rates, US 10-year bond yields moved higher by 15 basis points a year out. US 2-year yields moved higher at the median by 80 basis points a year out and the 2-10s curve flattened by a median of 87 bps a year out. We are seeing history repeat, right now.
• We expect short duration fixed income mandates and corporate credit to outperform cash again this year. Considering our views on US 10-year yields, we do not expect duration to be a significant driver of total return this year. Rather, all-in yield capture seems to be the play, although recent spread widening might create an opportunity for additional total return. Clipping coupons looks attractive.
• Credit spreads remain well behaved in the face of higher yields. Investment-grade spreads, as proxied by the Bloomberg US Corporate 1-3 Year Option-Adjusted Spread (OAS), are now 45 bps over comparable Treasuries. Investment-grade spreads are still only a few basis points from five-year tights. High-yield spreads, as proxied by the Bloomberg US Corporate HY OAS, are now 274 bps over. These are both relatively tight levels from a historical perspective, reflecting a strong fundamental backdrop with corporate profitability being the main driver.
• We are bullish on municipal bonds and find taxable-equivalent yields to be attractive, along with robust fundamentals. Importantly, municipal bonds can offer potential diversification benefits in the form of low correlations to various equity markets, relative to most taxable fixed income mandates. The market is on pace for another year of record supply; however, tight spreads in taxable bonds have helped the markets absorb these high supply levels.

Sentiment

• The percentage of bullish investors in the latest AAII survey (the week ending September 23) is 33%, a low reading. The percentage of bearish investors in the AAII survey is 48%. The wall of worry is still in place.
• Bull markets peak on euphoria. I don’t think we are there yet.

We will continue to analyze the markets and offer insights again next week.

Source of data (except where noted) is Bloomberg and Franklin Templeton Institute, as of September 24, 2026. Important data provider notices and terms are available at www.franklintempletondatasources.com.

The Franklin Templeton Institute Global Investment Management Survey is a biannual outlook survey designed to give a view across our investment teams. The Franklin Templeton Institute identifies the median across the survey answers and develops the outlook. The survey received responses from around 200 portfolio managers, directors of research and chief investment officers, representing participation across equity, private equity, fixed income, private debt, real estate, digital assets, hedge funds and secondary private markets. Each of our investment teams is independent and has its own views.

© Franklin Templeton

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