Explore our thinking about today's financial markets
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Tapping into the growth potential of small-cap stocks
February 23, 2021 | DCIO Only
Investors may want to consider the potential of small-cap stocks as they review allocations amid changing economic cycles.
Capital Markets Outlook
Recovery math: Square root of K = 0
October 7, 2020 | Capital Markets Outlook
The recovery has continued, but it could flatten out in the absence of more policy support.
Fixed Income Outlook
Bond investors chase yields amid vaccine rollout
January 27, 2021 | Fixed Income Outlook
Global financial markets trended higher during the fourth quarter, powered by the emergence of COVID-19 vaccines and continuing stimulus policies.
Equity Outlook
What would the end of the pandemic mean for the bull market?
October 2, 2020 | Equity Outlook
We explore what makes this recession unique, why vaccine progress could be disruptive to markets, and the potential impact of the U.S. presidential election on various industries.
Tapping into the growth potential of small-cap stocks
Investors may want to consider the potential of small-cap stocks as they review allocations amid changing economic cycles.
In election 2020, what matters to markets stays the same
In this election season, the focus for investors may be on political winners and losers, but what stock markets focus on remains the same.
China leads, other emerging markets lag
China is leading the economic recovery among emerging-market countries, buoyed by stimulus and stringent COVID-19 measures.
U.S. economy remains a centerpiece in 2020 vote
Fiscal policy will be a key focus for investors after the November election.
VIX futures hint at post-election uncertainty
When there is election uncertainty the VIX can experience a “kink” to price indicating idiosyncratic risk.
The future is happening faster now
We rarely see as much disruption as we have seen in 2020, and we believe this offers investment opportunities.
Perspective on keeping perspective
Five months into our pandemic environment, financial professionals are looking for ways to keep their work in perspective.
Deglobalization creates new winners in China
The trade war, pandemic, and the Made in China 2025 initiative are resulting in a deglobalization trend and opportunities in China.
Staying at home increases spending on homes
As the economy continues to be challenged by the COVID-19 pandemic, we are seeing two notable trends in the U.S. housing industry.
V-shaped recovery proving elusive
The U.S. and global economic recoveries are unlikely to be “V-shaped” as businesses and consumers remain wary of returning to pre-pandemic behavior.
Vaccine is a wild card for the economy
A vaccine for the coronavirus will be supportive of risky assets even if the economic benefits take longer to materialize.
The role of asset allocation in glide path selection
Knowing the investments and how they are combined in a glide path is crucial in target-date fund selection.
Company diversity and social justice
Company diversity is a step toward equity and equity is a step toward inclusion, which is important to company success.
Disruptive change: A growth driver for small companies
Disruptive change is often the force that enables small companies to compete against their larger peers.
Sustainability research: A week in the life of our team
Our research includes discussions with company managements, other researchers and investors, industry and subject experts, and non-profit organizations.
Behavioral shifts bring investment opportunities
Many businesses that have been resilient and strong during the COVID-19 crisis are likely to become even stronger in the aftermath.
Coronavirus tests limits of U.S. stimulus plans
The coronavirus pandemic is testing the limits of fiscal and monetary policy responses from Congress and the Federal Reserve to boost the economy and calm financial markets.
Sustainable value: Gender diversity on corporate boards
Diversity in companies — including gender diversity — can have a positive impact on company performance and strategic ability.
ESG issues alive in healthcare
Our team analyzes medical costs and access as ESG issues affecting human well-being and sustainable economic development.
What’s next for the hard-hit financials sector?
The financials sector has been among the hardest hit from the COVID-19-induced equity market selloff, but there are reasons for optimism.
Perspectives on COVID-19
Putnam’s health-care analysts and portfolio managers offer their outlooks and perspectives on key aspects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Oil’s wild ride and what lies ahead
Demand for oil has collapsed as the coronavirus pandemic devastates the global economy and curbs much of the need for fuel from companies and consumers.
Navigating bond yields
The trajectory of bonds yields will depend on the Federal Reserve's policies and fiscal stimulus amid a sharp global economic downturn.
Investing for growth in volatile markets
Putnam portfolio managers discuss managing risk and finding investment opportunities in challenging markets.
Help plan sponsors be strategic fiduciaries
As companies react to the economic shock, advisors can offer ideas to help plan sponsors in their role as strategic fiduciaries for their 401(k) plans.
Social distancing generates recession
A recession is looming in the United States as COVID-19 and social distancing take a toll on economic activity.
Manager insights: Bulls, bears, and bond markets
With the extreme swings in the market over the last few weeks, several of Putnam’s senior fixed-income managers shared their insights on the bond markets.
Equity opportunities in challenging markets
Putnam’s equity investment professionals recently discussed market conditions, their strategies, and their outlooks.
Recessions and the equity market: A framework for investors
In these days of significant market volatility, investors are looking for a framework.
Stable value as an option for DC plans
We outline key considerations for DC plan sponsors considering stable value funds as a capital preservation option.
Manager insights on current volatility
Putnam Investments hosted a webcast featuring insights on current volatility and the COVID-19 pandemic from three senior investment managers.
The Fed reacts to coronavirus economic risks
The Fed made a proactive move to reduce the federal funds rate by 50 basis points.
The impact of coronavirus on markets
The spread of coronavirus infections is having an impact on China’s GDP and on financial market sentiment worldwide.
The SECURE Act opens a new frontier for 401(k)s
The SECURE Act represents significant changes to retirement savings and could drive a expansion of workplace retirement savings plans including 401(k)s.
Solutions to antibiotic resistance
As the focus on natural ingredients intensifies, so has concern about antibiotic use in food production.
SECURE Act expands access to retirement plans
The SECURE Act of 2019 makes many changes to rules governing retirement savings including provisions to expand access to retirement plans.
Millennial money drives 401(k) plan evolution
Growing in number, the Millennial generation is having an impact on the evolution of 401(k) plan design.
Why stable value funds deserve a closer look
Capital preservation strategies are not all alike, and plan sponsors need to carefully evaluate the options including money. market and stable value funds.
Linking impact and performance
Often, the same elements that create environmental and social benefits are driving positive financial performance.
Engaging with allies to advance sustainable investing
We collaborate with institutions to examine and understand the financial impacts of sustainability.
To reduce employee stress, increase wellness
By offering financial wellness programs in the workplace, employers may help employees reduce money-related stress.
Talking sustainability with CEOs
We have ongoing dialogue with the management teams of companies in which we invest, across a wide range of sustainability-related topics.
Bigger tax refunds may help boost retirement savings
Projections of larger tax refunds this year could mean an increase in contributions to retirement savings.
How company diversity can help performance
The potential to improve work performance is perhaps the most intriguing and least understood argument for diversity — and worth examining in more depth.
Use wellness to gain wealth
New research found that a worker who focuses on wellness may save nearly $100,000 more for retirement than someone who does not manage their health well.
October stock market volatility may signal a shift
Recent stock market volatility reflects a process of pricing in the fact that the global growth outlook has diverged.
Calibrate equity allocations with higher savings rates
Evidence of higher savings rates by plan participants make it reasonable to consider lower equity allocations across the glide path of target-date funds.
How to plan more rationally for longevity risk
Longevity risk — the possibility outliving one's money in retirement — is a genuine risk, but data suggests that many people overestimate its likelihood.
Retirement savings receive attention on Capitol Hill
A number of bills to reform retirement savings are alive in the U.S. Congress this year.
Back in black: Higher oil prices to persist
Fueling higher oil prices this year — and counter to market expectations — is a drop in oil inventories ...
Shaping the curve in glide path design
In designing an optimal glide path for a target date fund, it is critical to focus on portfolio size, investor time horizon, and volatility.
Putting savers at the center of retirement plans
In the past decade, investors have poured significant assets into target date funds, but savings in retirement vintages have been shrinking.
Key risks to consider in glide path design
Sequence risk is the key risk that target-date investment managers need to address along the glide path.
Sustainable investing: Assessing the choices
Sustainable investing is growing in popularity, and investors should be thoughtful about choosing from a range of strategies and portfolios.
The views and opinions expressed are those of the speaker, are subject to change with market conditions, and are not meant as investment advice.