Anthony Hardy, CFA

Anthony Hardy is a vice president, portfolio manager and research analyst with Franklin Equity. Mr. Hardy is a portfolio manager on the Franklin Growth Opportunities Fund and related portfolios. Mr. Hardy specializes in the research and analysis of companies in the financial services technology industry, which includes payment processors, bank technology, capital markets technology, wealth management technology, information services, mortgage technology and HR technology providers. His prior experience includes research and coverage of companies in the food, energy and chemical industries.

In addition Mr. Hardy is a director of Franklin Venture Partners, the firm's specialized investment team that invests in private opportunities, focusing on mid- and late-stage companies it believes are poised for transformative impacts across multiple industries

Prior to joining Franklin Templeton in 2015 Mr. Hardy was a research associate at Brandes Investment Partners.

Mr. Hardy holds an M.B.A. with honors from The Wharton School, and a B.S. in business management (summa cum laude) from Brigham Young University. He is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) charterholder.