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CONTRIBUTORS

Christopher Peel, CFA

Portfolio Manager
Templeton Global Equity Group
Bahamas

James Webb

Sustainability Research Analyst
Templeton Global Equity Group

In our previous paper, we sketched our framework for searching for stocks that fit our definition of attractively priced relative to their long-term fundamental intrinsic value.

We introduced the concept of pockets of pessimism to describe industries or companies where the market’s focus on weak short-term profitability provides an opportunity to invest where long-term valuations look attractive.

Likewise, we described how we aim to steer clear of pockets of optimism, which are areas of the market that we think are expensive, and where we believe investors are overestimating long-term earnings power—two factors which, taken together, can lead to poor long-term returns.

Here, we explore a current example of a pocket of pessimism that we believe has the potential to generate attractive long-term returns—the agricultural machinery industry. In doing so, we hope to shed further light on a philosophy which has been central to our investment approach since the late Sir John Templeton established the first Templeton fund in the early 1950s and demonstrate how the investment team at Templeton Global Equity Group seeks to profit from contrarian value opportunities.

Below we list the high-level characteristics that define a pocket of pessimism. To offer a current example, we present the prevailing conditions of the agricultural machinery industry, which we believe ticks every box. In this paper, we will explain each of these characteristics.

We conclude this paper by suggesting that the agricultural machinery industry heading into 2025 has all the characteristics of one such pocket of pessimism: A confluence of negative short-term factors has led to the underperformance of share prices of equipment manufacturers relative to the broader market.

This reaction may be justified if the reasons for pessimism brought into question the long-term earnings power of these companies. However, we view the turbulence in the market as a temporary slump. This situation creates an attractive investment opportunity, as the market’s emphasis on recent and near-term gloom provides an excellent entry point into an industry with a solid fundamental profile and favorable growth prospects.

WHAT ARE THE RISKS?

All investments involve risks, including possible loss of principal.

Equity securities are subject to price fluctuation and possible loss of principal.

Active management does not ensure gains or protect against market declines.

Special risks are associated with investing in foreign securities, including risks associated with political and economic developments, trading practices, availability of information, limited markets and currency exchange rate fluctuations and policies; investments in emerging markets involve heightened risks related to the same factors. Sovereign debt securities are subject to various risks in addition to those relating to debt securities and foreign securities generally, including, but not limited to, the risk that a governmental entity may be unwilling or unable to pay interest and repay principal on its sovereign debt. To the extent a strategy focuses on particular countries, regions, industries, sectors or types of investment from time to time, it may be subject to greater risks of adverse developments in such areas of focus than a strategy that invests in a wider variety of countries, regions, industries, sectors or investments.

Commodity-related investments are subject to additional risks such as commodity index volatility, investor speculation, interest rates, weather, tax and regulatory developments.

Any companies and/or case studies referenced herein are used solely for illustrative purposes; any investment may or may not be currently held by any portfolio advised by Franklin Templeton. The information provided is not a recommendation or individual investment advice for any particular security, strategy, or investment product and is not an indication of the trading intent of any Franklin Templeton managed portfolio.

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