FLMB News and Press, Franklin Templeton ETF Trust Liberty Municipal Bond From 05/14/22

Municipals posted another month of negative total returns amid vastly rising interest rates. Supply-and-demand dynamics weighed on the market, but should improve in the coming months. Valuations look increasingly attractive relative to other fixed income asset classes. For f...

Stolen, plundered, looted, and the list goes on. It is what has happened to our portfolios since the beginning of the year. Bonds, equities, you name it. While the Fed’s policies may well help our rate of inflation, now at 9.75%, averaging the PPI and the CPI, I do not see high...

In the long-term cycle of municipal bond fund flows, extended periods of withdrawals can often help improve valuations across the marketplace, creating more appealing entry points to invest. Muni outflow cycles have created an expanded set of opportunities for active fund managers in ...

We’re in the midst of a pretty significant outflow cycle - $20 billion-plus out of the municipal asset class to start the year. The impact on prices has been further compounded by tax-related selling. There’s also an increase in supply on the horizon. Major muni indi...

With U.S. bond market yields rising to levels not seen since 2018–19, market participants appear to be debating whether rates have further room to rise from here or whether the increases now represent a renewed buying opportunity to go long duration. The rise in UST yields thus...

We believe municipal bonds have reached compelling valuations versus U.S. Treasuries, creating a buying opportunity. Historically, 10-year municipal yields have averaged around 85% of comparable U.S. Treasuries, providing attractive after-tax return for investors above the 15% tax rat...

If China were to continue to pursue a Zero Covid policy amidst rising case counts, supply chains originating in Asia could get shut down again. On the food front, wheat is particularly vulnerable to a prolonged conflict, which has been reflected in the performance of wheat futures. ...

Though it has proven far from “transitory,” as the Federal Reserve labeled inflation last summer, we do believe there is anecdotal evidence that inflation may be peaking. Even though inflation was rising last summer, there was little response from the bond market, with y...

Negative total returns accelerated in March as interest rates moved sharply higher. Supply-and-demand dynamics turned less advantageous, and municipals underperformed. The reset in yields and valuations provides a favorable buying opportunity. For further details see: Mu...

Rating agencies reported that upgrades outpaced downgrades in 2021. The decline in the stock market produced concern that pension funding may decline, and the rise in inflation may reduce benefits. The shorter bonds can be sold to take advantage of large outflows from mutual funds...