Franklin Templeton Focuses On Illiquid, Systematic Strategies With New Launch

Franklin Templeton has launched the Franklin Global Targeted Strategies Fund, a multi-strategy fund for U.K. investors that can invest in systematic strategies such as smart beta and style premia as well as illiquid strategies including private credit, private equity and catastrophe bonds. Brendan Walsh, one of the fund’s portfolio managers, said this decision was driven by both investor demand and the current market environment with low interest rates, flat curves, as well a longer-than-usual business cycle making it challenging for investors to profitably trade a long-term macro view.