Every Third Friday | ETF monthly talks by Franklin Templeton

This month, as anticipated in the last episode, we will focus on the opportunities related to small and mid companies, with a look at the US market that goes beyond the Magnificent Seven.Indeed, after a period of market dominance by mega-cap companies, the question arises spontaneously: is it time to look beyond the S&P 500?The answer comes this November from Marcus Weyerer, CFA, Director of ETF Investment Strategy EMEA at Franklin Templeton ETFs, and Greg Herneman, Client Portfolio Manager at Clearbridge Investments. They will explain their view on the future performance of SMIDs and detail the benefits of diversification and an active approach, which may prove crucial in this current context.

This month, we’re focusing on the U.S. equity market. While we’ve certainly seensome volatility earlier this year, equities have shown resilience, and investors havelargely treated market dips as buying opportunities. Under the surface, valuationsappear healthier, capital spending is rising year-on-year, and an expected interestrate cutting cycle supports growth prospects.Joining us is Marcus Weyerer, CFA, Director of ETF Investment StrategyEMEA at Franklin Templeton ETFs, alongside ETF capital markets associate OliverHurditch, who will share insights from Franklin Templeton’s Capital Markets Desk,explain how ETF adoption and flows toward mega-cap names are shaping themarket.

September brought fresh turbulence to global markets: weaker US jobs data fueled expectations of faster Fed cuts, while Europe faced renewed debt concerns after France’s downgrade. Against this backdrop, China is sending mixed but striking signals—GDP growth revised higher, a 90-day tariff truce with the US, and equity markets rallying both onshore and offshore.Yet questions remain: can innovation in AI, semiconductors and rare earths keep powering the momentum, or will real estate stress and rising debt weigh it down? Since January, Chinese ETFs in Europe have already attracted more than $3 billion in flows, proof that investors are watching closely.In this episode, Marcus Weyerer, CFA, Director of ETF Investment Strategy EMEA at Franklin Templeton ETFs, decodes the macro outlook, while Rafaelle Lennox, Head of UCITS ETF Product Strategy at Franklin Templeton, dives into A-shares, key market drivers, and the ETF strategies helping investors build efficient access to China today.Let’s dive in!

The market never stops amazing us—just as the S&P 500 hits new highs, behind the scenes, Washington and Brussels rewrite the rules of global trade in real time. Tariffs snap into place. Sanctions loom. And investors? They’re left wondering: Is this rally built to last, or are we dancing on a volcano?Today’s episode is all about connecting the dots between geopolitics, record-breaking markets, and the ETF strategies that can help you stay ahead. So, let’s find out what this means for investors, both in the short term and beyond.Joining me today are two experts who’ll help us navigate these market currents: first, Marcus Weyerer, CFA, Director of ETF Investment Strategist EMEA at Franklin Templeton ETFs, will break down what these geopolitical shocks mean for your portfolio, beyond the headlines. Then, Caroline Baron, head of ETF Distribution - EMEA, will reveal where money is flowing in ETFs right now—and how to position yourself before volatility kicks in.

This month’s geopolitical whirlwind isn’t just noise—it’s a stress test for portfolios. We could say that it's no news, but investors are starting to worry. To decode what this means, both in the short term and beyond, we'll speak with three experts who will help us navigate the market. First, Marcus Weyerer, CFA, Director of ETF Investment Strategy EMEA at Franklin Templeton ETFs, will unpack the latest market moves. Then, David Evans, ETF Product Specialist at Franklin Templeton, will spotlight how values-based investing could shape portfolios with our guest Alessandro Caffi, Head of Investments at the Italian Bishops Conference, representing the Catholic church and dioceses in Italy.

This month, the world served up a geopolitical whirlwind. We could say that it is no news. As tensions rise, the US-China tariff battle is far from over. With the clock ticking towards July 9th, when all tariffs are set to be unveiled, the global economic landscape is bracing for the impact of these critical decisions. But it’s not just trade wars—regional security is heating up as well. We’ll also be turning our focus to Israel's recent strikes on Iran, which add another layer of complexity to the Middle East’s volatile situation and were a game-changer, not because of oil prices that barely budget, but because it revealed markets now price geopolitics in seconds, not weeks. Yet, markets shrugged it off. Is this resilience or complacency? To decode what this means for investors—both in the short term and beyond we will talk with two experts who’ll help us navigate these market currents: first, Marcus Weyerer, CFA, Director of ETF Investment Strategist EMEA at Franklin Templeton ETFs, will unpack the latest moves analysing not only the situation in the middle est, but also in the emerging markets. Then, Raffaelle Lennox, Head of UCITS ETF Product Strategy at Franklin Templeton, will spotlight specific ETF opportunities emerging in this landscape. Let’s dive in!"

This month uncertainty was, once again, the main character in the market. Even if Trump opened the possibility to discuss tariffs with China, accepting a pause for the next ninenty days and debating the possibility of reducing US duties by a further 20% if there will be a significant reductions in the flow of fentanyl into the States, emerging markets are sending mixed signals: India’s stock markets are hitting record highs, even as geopolitical tensions with Pakistan simmer. The Bse Sensex index, which includes thirty large companies listed on the Bombay stock exchange, for example rose 0.2 per cent; the Nifty 50, which includes the fifty largest capitalised Indian companies on the Mumbai stock exchange, also gained 0.2 per cent. Meanwhile, China’s recovery remains uneven.So where should investors focus—short-term risks or long-term opportunities?  In this new episode Marcus Weyerer, CFA, Director of ETF Investment Strategist EMEA at Franklin Templeton ETFs, will unpack the latest moves with a vertical look on India’s economiclandscape and its future. Then Rafaelle Lennox, Head of UCITS ETF Product Strategy, will spotlight specific ETF opportunities emerging in this landscape and what it means for EM investing.

Over the past few weeks, political headlines have once again thrown financial markets off balance —this time, reacting sharply to President Trump’s so-called 'Liberation Day' comments and the escalating trade tensions between the U.S. and China. After months where investors had priced a 'Goldilocks' scenario with steady growth, tame inflation, and a Fed on hold, now, reality is setting in. But the path forward isn’t binary. We’re stuck between two narratives: Is this just another high-stakes bluff to force concessions? Or are we witnessing a more profound shift of the model? In this episode two experts will help us navigate these market currents: first, Marcus Weyerer, CFA, Director of ETF Investment Strategy EMEA at Franklin Templeton ETFs, will unpack the latest moves and what to watch in the coming weeks. Then, Jason Xavier, Head of EMEA & Asia ETF Capital Markets, will spotlight specific ETF opportunities emerging in this landscape.

Matilde Sperlinga, We Wealth's journalist, presents the new ETF podcast in partnership with Franklin Templeton