Sponsored by

Franklin Templeton Investments

Investing in Social Infrastructure: a Dual-Return Opportunity

Social infrastructure is real estate that maintains and strengthens social services, for example: healthcare, education and other civic facilities and social housing. Such projects were once the sole province of European governments, but funding gaps and rising demand have left a multibillion-euro shortfall. There is now an opportunity for institutional investors to participate in the social infrastructure sector and potentially make a dual return: long-term stable, inflation-linked cashflows as well as the impact return of social and environmental benefits to communities.

About Franklin Templeton Investments

Everything we do at Franklin Templeton is focused on delivering better client outcomes. It’s why we’ve built a world-class investment firm that aims to offer the best of both worlds: global strength and boutique specialisation.

We bring together an unmatched collection of independent specialist investment managers to provide our clients deep expertise and specialisation—within and across asset classes, investment styles, and geographies. We boast extensive multi-asset capabilities. And we offer hundreds of strategies across active, smart beta and passive approaches—in a full range of vehicles. All this gives us the ability to provide options best-suited to the unique needs of every client, institutional or individual.

Specialisation and customisation backed by the strength and resources of one of the world’s largest independent asset managers. Reliable, technology-driven, and tailored service. A commitment to doing what’s right for clients at all times. These are among the reasons we’re one of the world’s largest asset managers with clients in more than 160 countries, and over £2.0 trillion in assets under management.*

*As of 31/3/21. Assets under management represent combined assets of Franklin Templeton, Legg Mason, and subsidiary investment management groups. Franklin Templeton acquired Legg Mason on 31/7/20.

mallowstreet University Dinner: Why US Municipal Bonds Are Now Interesting to UK Investors

These are challenging times to generate a liability-friendly return within a limited risk budget. However, US taxable municipal bonds, ‘munis’, are offering competitive yield and high credit quality. In addition, their low correlation with other asset classes and long duration make them particularly well-suited to insurers. Yields on 10-year AAA and AA taxable munis compare favourably to gilts, even after deducting currency hedging costs. In addition, the muni bond market has a proven track record of low volatility, near zero default rates and offers liquidity and diversity.

This mallowstreet University dinner offers the opportunity to learn more about munis from Franklin Templeton’s US-based specialist team, and to discuss the practicalities for UK investors.

This dinner is available exclusively for pension fund decision makers and their advisors and is eligible for CPD accreditation.

Speakers

Chris Franta Vice President, Director - US Fixed Income Product Management
Christopher Franta is Vice President and Director for the US Product Management team which includes the US Taxable and Tax-Exempt Fixed Income Strategies at Franklin Templeton Investments. Mr. Franta has over thirteen years of experience in the investment industry.
Prior to joining the Franklin Templeton Fixed Income Group in 2010, Mr. Franta worked at PIMCO, where he most recently served as a product specialist responsible for developing and servicing the municipal, short-duration, and income-oriented fixed income products.
Mr. Franta holds a bachelor's degree in finance from the University of Arizona. He is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) charterholder and holds FINRA Series 3, 7 and Series 66 licenses.

Program

6:30 PM Guest arrival

Welcome drinks
7:00 PM Seated for dinner
9:00 PM End

mallowstreet University Dinner: Why US Municipal Bonds Are Now Interesting to UK Investors

Speakers

Program

6:30 PM Guest arrival

7:00 PM Seated for dinner

9:00 PM End