Beyond Bulls & Bears

Notes from the Trading Desk – Europe
Equity

Notes from the Trading Desk – Europe

Focus shifts quite firmly this week to some key central bank policy decisions. On Wednesday, the Federal Reserve holds its policy meeting. on Thursday, the European Central Bank meets, and on Friday, we have the Bank of Japan rate decision.

REITs: Ever changing, ever valuable
Equity

REITs: Ever changing, ever valuable

Until recently, office buildings were the pinnacle of commercial real estate—skyscrapers stretched perception and awed as symbols of prestige and value. Malls were the buttressed center of communities, where young people reliably gathered to hang out at the video arcade and their families would do what Americans do best: consume. What happens when behaviors change? Franklin Equity Group Portfolio Managers Blair Schmicker and Daniel Scher reflect on the ever-evolving landscape of commercial real estate, and the answer to that question might surprise you.

Notes from the Trading Desk – Europe
Equity

Notes from the Trading Desk – Europe

Inflation appears to be continuing to cool in the eurozone. Whilst some European Central Bank (ECB) officials welcomed it, they did continue to push the hawkish messaging last week. Comments suggest officials are still committed to a June hike, and there remains a strong possibility of a hike in July too, as they continue to fight inflation.

Quick Thoughts: The tapestry of debt and what we need to do to unravel it
Perspectives

Quick Thoughts: The tapestry of debt and what we need to do to unravel it

Thoughts on the current US debt challenge and the long-term implications for markets and the economy from Stephen Dover, Head of Franklin Templeton Institute.

UK equities—shifting to a more positive narrative
Equity

UK equities—shifting to a more positive narrative

UK equities have fallen out of fashion in recent years—not helped by a slew of negative headlines. However, Martin Currie’s Ben Russon believes it is time to change the narrative to a more positive one, and shares the reasons for his optimism.

Notes from the Trading Desk – Europe
Equity

Notes from the Trading Desk – Europe

The clock continues to count down to the US Federal government’s debt default deadline.

Quick Thoughts: What to do when stuff happens
Multi-Asset

Quick Thoughts: What to do when stuff happens

When markets turn volatile, it’s not time to despair. Stephen Dover, Head of Franklin Templeton Institute, offers some judicious perspective on how to turn volatility into opportunity.

Age of AI
Equity

Age of AI

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a key pillar of the digital transformation theme, which is driving significant disruption and spurring new growth. Grant Bowers, portfolio manager with Franklin Equity Group, offers a unique perspective of the challenges and benefits of this evolving and disruptive technology.

Notes from the Trading Desk – Europe
Equity

Notes from the Trading Desk – Europe

The US debt ceiling deadline looms, and bipartisan talks failed to yield much progress. The two sides remain far apart in terms of resolving the potential crisis. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has warned the federal government could default as soon as 1 June, and that this could undermine the US and global economy.

PODCAST Anatomy of a Recession update: The dominoes are falling
Equity

PODCAST Anatomy of a Recession update: The dominoes are falling

Jeff Schulze, Head of Economic and Market Research at ClearBridge Investments, provides us with an update on the Recession Risk Dashboard, a current view of those lagged effects, and perspective on first quarter earnings. In addition: the debt ceiling and perspective on the latest Fed meeting.

Notes from the Trading Desk – Europe
Equity

Notes from the Trading Desk – Europe

There is plenty to focus on this week, with some key macro data coming out (US CPI), the US debt ceiling in focus (Biden-Congress talks), and the Bank of England decision (Thursday). In addition, the concerns around the US regional banks will no doubt remain a driver for markets.

Fed pause won’t save the day
Multi-Asset

Fed pause won’t save the day

If the Fed pauses, will that revive risk assets? Tom Nelson and Miles Sampson of Franklin Templeton Investment Solutions weigh in on the investment implications of the latest US central bank actions.