Franklin Templeton published its annual outlook for the global stock market, technology sector, and infrastructure industry. Manraj Sekhon, the Global Investment Director at Franklin Templeton, stated that the bank has a positive view on the stock market in 2024, driven by factors such as the possibility of a "soft landing" for the U.S. economy and peaking interest rates. The bank is optimistic about global stocks outside the U.S., emerging markets, and small businesses, believing that corporate profit recovery, the Federal Reserve's shift to accommodative monetary policy, and healthy corporate and household balance sheets will drive the performance of the global (non-U.S.) stock market in 2024. The relatively loose financial conditions globally may have a greater uplifting effect on small businesses. Investors should be aware of the risks of the global elections and geopolitics in 2024, but it is expected that these risks are unlikely to change investors' positive view on the driving long-term stock returns. Jonathan Curtis, the Investment Director of the Franklin Stock Team, stated that the information technology industry's returns are being driven by four key factors, including the turning point in revenue and profit growth after the demand accumulated during the pandemic has been absorbed over the past few quarters; steady long-term demand for digital transformation and generative artificial intelligence applications; a more stable inflation and interest rate environment; and valuations being at reasonable levels relative to growth. Grant Bowers, the Fund Manager of the Franklin Stock Team, pointed out that in 2024, compared to other regions, the U.S. stock market is still seen as a growth-oriented economy. With the improvement in profit margins and rebound in profit growth in most industries, the U.S. stock market is expected to perform well in 2024. Since current valuations do not have much room for expansion, focusing on relative growth and investments outside the benchmark can provide more opportunities.