Equity markets are on track for a strong finish to the year, powered by mega-cap growth stocks — the equity MVPs of 2023.
Financial markets have changed dramatically since balanced portfolios were introduced to investors decades ago. As markets evolve and grow more complex, active management plays a greater role in the success of these strategies, which offer a mix of 60% equities and 40% fixed income.
Recent economic data, we believe, suggests sticky inflation with positive GDP growth is more likely in 2024 than a soft landing. We expect that interest rates will stay higher for longer on the back of increased Treasury supply and hawkish Federal Reserve rhetoric.
Inflation has been coming down since its peak in the summer of 2022. Because the U.S. has so far avoided a recession, soft-landing hopes have risen along with the decline in inflation.
There are periods of time in the investing world when contradictions and disagreement among “experts” run rampant. Often, those periods tend to coincide with inflection points in cycles, although you only really know that with the benefit of hindsight, in my opinion.
We see promising potential in countries with younger populations and forward-looking policies, such as India, Indonesia, and Mexico.
Reshoring and nearshoring are key trends for investors in global markets. As geopolitical tensions escalate and more businesses shift operations away from China, investors are considering the impacts of deglobalization.
News of a liquidity crisis at China's largest property developer, Country Garden, has rekindled fears about the scale of the country's real estate problems and potential ripple effects. And Country Garden is not alone.
How long will the Federal Reserve continue quantitative tightening (QT)? How large will its balance sheet be when QT ends? These important questions impact financial market liquidity, the anchor of asset values. We assess the likely path of QT in the years ahead.
A wide range of possible outcomes, a multitude of negative earners, and significantly less Wall Street coverage are just a few of the reasons investors in the small-cap universe should consider active managers who could steer them toward better results.
Today's economic conditions are attractive for BDCs (business development companies), and some benefit from businesses seeking alternative financing sources.
In a potentially positive trend for investors, the number of companies incorporating ESG metrics in their executive compensation plans has been growing.
The first six months of 2023 were full of surprises for investors, not the least of which was a Nasdaq surge of 32% — its best first half since 1983. The S&P 500 Index gained nearly 16% for the first half, powered by mega-cap stocks.
Effective tax planning means thinking about how tax rates might change.
Equity Insights offers research and perspectives from Putnam’s equity team on market trends and opportunities.
Signs of falling inflation have helped risk assets recently, but the relief is likely temporary. Volatility may continue in fixed income markets, as high-interest rates continue to weigh on balance sheets and the market digests the probability of a potential recession.
A member of Putnam's Fixed Income team since 2007, Onsel Gulbiten analyzes macroeconomic issues, including inflation, interest rates, and policy developments.
While we agree with the enthusiasm for AI that has helped the market rally, investors may be better served by patience than by chasing recent risk-on sentiment.
Against the backdrop of the funds' goal of long-term capital appreciation, we aim to generate excellent financial performance that is fueled in part by the strategic sustainability focus of the companies in which we invest.
Going viral entered a whole new dimension with the introduction of ChatGPT late last year. In just six weeks, the artificial intelligence (AI) tool gained 100 million users — and a great deal of media attention.
Stress in the banking sector — whether or not more banks fail — remains an area of concern for us because of potential implications for the Treasury and agency MBS markets.
Structural changes in the world’s energy systems represent significant investment potential across an array of sectors. Analysts on our equity research team offer insights into the impact and opportunities.
The collapse of Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank heightens the Federal Reserve's policy dilemma over fighting inflation while maintaining financial stability. We analyze what the crisis means for the banking system and the economy.
After embarking on a rapid tightening cycle in March 2022, the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) appears poised to pause its interest rate hikes in the middle of this year.
Economic moats, also called business moats, are competitive advantages that help a company maintain long-term profits and market share over competitors.
Fixed-income markets are likely to be volatile given macro-driven risks and the higher cost of borrowing.
Chris Galipeau, Senior Market Strategist of Putnam’s Capital Market Strategies group, recently spoke with Scott M. D’Orsi, CFA, a Portfolio Manager in Putnam’s Fixed Income group on the Active Insights podcast.
To say Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has changed the outlook for financial markets is a vast understatement.
We don’t expect the West to impose widespread sanctions in the event Russia invades Ukraine.
Oil prices have rocketed to seven-year highs due to supply disruptions, rising demand, geopolitical tensions between Russia and Ukraine, and the cold snap in the United States.
Companies are buying raw and intermediate goods at a record pace, which we believe will influence economic growth in 2022.
