As the ETF universe continues to expand, a fundamental shift is underway with investors moving beyond simple market access toward outcome-driven construction. Dina Ting, Head of Global Index Portfolio Management, discusses how different index-based ETF strategies are being used to design portfolios aligned with specific goals rather than just reacting to market noise.
Get ready each week with high-conviction insights that go beyond media headlines.
Estate planning often sounds like something only wealthy families need to worry about. The federal estate tax exemption increased in 2026 under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA)—now shielding estates under $15 million for individuals and $30 million for married couples.
On Saturday, President Trump threatened 100% tariffs on “all Canadian goods and products coming into the U.S.A.,” linking the warning to Canada’s China engagement and the risk of Canada becoming a “drop-off port” for Chinese goods into the U.S.
The OBBBA brings 10 tax changes for 2026. Some provisions benefit taxpayers while others impose new restrictions. Our Bill Cass shares the highlights.
Looking ahead to 2026, Franklin Templeton Fixed Income Municipal Bond Director Ben Barber says there are a few key factors that will likely shape the municipal bond market.
Geopolitical tensions have escalated following President Trump’s renewed intent to acquire Greenland. Franklin Templeton Institute’s Kim Catechis explores the implications.
Major tax legislation passed in 2025 represents the most sweeping changes to the tax code since the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) in 2017. In addition to extending current tax brackets and rates and introducing new tax deductions, the law creates new savings accounts for minors known as Trump Accounts.
The US economy remains resilient. The gross domestic product (GDP) growth estimate from the Atlanta Federal Reserve (Fed) GDPNow model as of January 8 shows 5.4% real growth for the fourth quarter (Q4) of 2025.
The removal of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro under “Operation Absolute Resolve” has materially improved the country’s outlook by breaking a long-standing political and economic impasse that had prevented reform, external engagement and debt resolution.
In 2026 new tax deductions and inflation adjustments impact tax brackets, rates and contribution limits. Our Bill Cass talks about what is changing in 2026 and shares planning considerations.
Geopolitical risks remain elevated as the markets continue to digest the impact of trade tariffs. What does this mean for private markets? Franklin Templeton Institute shares its outlook.
The outlook for Chinese equities in 2026 is bright. Its ability to stand up to US trade demands reflects the narrowing technological gap between the two economies. We anticipate a less confrontational approach towards trade in 2026 as both sides seek to focus on growing their economies.
Franklin Templeton Institute believes tax-free municipal bonds continue to be well positioned in the current market environment.
The “active” in active ETFs simply means there is not an underlying index. This somewhat obvious statement, made last February in my predictions column, was intended to dispel the misconception that active somehow means more risk or more tracking error, which certainly is not the case.
Franklin Equity Group’s Grant Bowers suggests the US economy may be approaching a Goldilocks equilibrium in 2026, supported by stable growth, anchored inflation and policy tailwinds.
Many beneficiaries who inherited retirement accounts after 2019 must begin taking required minimum distributions in 2025 under the SECURE Act's 10-year rule. Our Bill Cass notes that heirs should plan distribution strategies based on their individual tax situations.
Innovation is no longer confined to tech—it’s transforming every sector of the economy, from transportation and health care to energy and retail. Learn more from Franklin Equity Group’s Matt Moberg.
Signed into law in 2022, SECURE 2.0 legislation pursued many of the key themes of the original SECURE Act from 2019, including expanding access to retirement accounts and promoting plan participation.
The Social Security Administration and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services recently announced key figures for 2026. After several years of above-average cost-of-living adjustments for Social Security, beneficiaries will receive a slight increase in the cost-of-living allowance (COLA) in 2026 based on the current inflation environment.
While US investors focus on growth, international markets may remain the best places to find value opportunities in 2026, says Franklin Mutual Series.
This year, Americans will give more than $500 billion to charity, according to the National Philanthropic Trust. While meeting philanthropic goals is important for donors, these gifts may also provide valuable tax benefits.
Hints of reforms to ease foreign-ownership limits in Saudi Arabia set off the sharpest rally for its equity market in years this autumn, reigniting investor curiosity.
As year-end approaches, it’s a good idea for taxpayers to get a sense of their projected income for the year. This can drive important decisions on whether it might make sense to reduce or increase income (if possible) based on current circumstances.
Open enrollment is a crucial time to review and choose employee benefits. It's an opportunity to make informed decisions that can significantly impact your financial and health well-being.
We see the global economy as undergoing a period of “global rewiring” on a number of fronts—evolving patterns and relationships that we anticipate affecting certain economies and markets for some time to come. Such rewiring could cover relationships between countries or developments within particular regions or economies.
Review investments, estimate income, maximize retirement savings and consider charitable donations are among many year-end planning ideas. Our Bill Cass shares a helpful checklist to use as a guide when planning.
Though deemed to be “Modern” portfolio theory (MPT), the primary framework used to construct diversified portfolios and deliver risk-adjusted investment returns is now well over 50 years old. Enhancements have helped keep MPT’s 60% equity and 40% bond allocation formula relevant for decades.
The centerpiece of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) is the extension of current income tax rates and brackets that were due to expire at the end of the year.
Medicare open enrollment, which is underway and runs until December 7, allows individuals to change or sign up for plans, potentially saving money and/or improving their coverage. Our Bill Cass shares the key things you need to know.
The recent US government shutdown likely triggered immediate ripple effects across the workplace and has implications for retirement savers.
As a result of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, the lifetime exclusion for gifts and estates will increase permanently to $15 million next year with annual inflation adjustments to follow.
Three things to watch this month from Franklin Templeton Emerging Markets Equity: China's Golden Week, tariffs on India and the likelihood of a year-end market rally.
From harvesting pollen for industrial use to commercially available drone delivery to osmotic power plants—Franklin Equity Group’s Matt Moberg highlights some of the most exciting innovations in the latest “Innovation Insights Quarterly.”
Physical artificial intelligence (AI), the convergence of robotics and AI, is here. With autonomous vehicles and industrial automation moving into mainstream adoption, Matt Cioppa from Franklin Equity Group explains why this could represent a generational opportunity for long-term investors.
Social Security is a key component of a comprehensive retirement income plan. As a result, making the right decisions around claiming benefits is critical for long-term success in retirement. Married couples in particular need to think carefully about how to best access benefits based on their individual needs and circumstances.
Artificial intelligence is becoming more ingrained in our daily lives-but not everywhere.
Medicare provides health coverage for more than 60 million individuals. Understanding the details about enrollment periods and plan coverage is critical to getting the right plan for retirement. Our Bill Cass shares the highlights of the program.
The Federal Reserve cut interest rates, but uncertainty is high and the FOMC is deeply divided on where policy should go next.
With German fiscal spending rising, interest rates low and reforms continuing, European value stocks have the potential to shine despite the current political uncertainties, says Franklin Mutual Series.
ClearBridge Investments believes accelerating policy-driven investment and AI-driven data center growth are unlocking a multi-decade growth opportunity for listed utilities globally.
The US Federal Reserve’s (Fed) recent interest-rate cut is a shift in monetary policy that could signal a change in how retirement plan sponsors view capital preservation strategies.
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) solidifies the current tax rate schedule, introduces new tax changes for individuals and businesses, and offers opportunities tax-smart strategies. Our Bill Cass shares some planning considerations for 2025 and beyond.
Since the first rate cut of this cycle in August of 2024, the S&P 500 has risen by roughly 16%, broadly in line with historical performance during prior expansionary easing episodes.
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act offers valuable tax benefits specifically for businesses. Our Bill Cass discusses the highlights of the new law and how business owners may benefit.
Global macro conditions remain constructive for risk assets, according to Franklin Templeton Investment Solutions. Get the team’s views across global assets in the latest “Allocation Views.”
Franklin Templeton Emerging Markets Equity discusses recent developments in emerging markets, specifically examining the impact of tariffs on Indian exports, the resurgence of Chinese equities and potential US Federal Reserve interest-rate cuts that could benefit emerging markets.
