Michael McCarthy, CFA

Michael McCarthy is executive vice president and portfolio manager for Franklin Equity Group (FEG). He is the lead portfolio manager for the Franklin Small Cap Growth strategy, and also assists with the management of the Franklin Small-Mid Cap Growth strategy, which he has helped manage since its inception in 1992.

Mr. McCarthy joined Franklin Templeton Investments in 1992. In addition to portfolio management roles, he served as Franklin Equity Group's Chief Investment Officer from 2015 through 2023, and prior to that spent 13 years as the Director of Equity Research for FEG's San Mateo-based analyst team. During his early years with FEG, he served as both the Technology Team Leader and as a research analyst in the technology services sector. In 1999, Mr. McCarthy launched Franklin Growth Opportunities Fund (known then as Franklin Aggressive Growth Fund) and was lead Portfolio Manager from its inception through 2003. Prior research coverage included personal computers, enterprise hardware, tobacco, textiles and apparel, gaming, lodging and leisure industries.

Mr. McCarthy is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) charterholder and earned his B.A. in history from the University of California, Los Angeles. He is a member of the Security Analysts of San Francisco (SASF) and the CFA Institute.