Beyond Bulls & Bears

Quick Thoughts: The Growth and Inflation Argument Continues
Perspectives

Quick Thoughts: The Growth and Inflation Argument Continues

When it comes to questions about inflation, growth, and the impacts of vaccination rates on global economies, many of us are asking: what’s next? Our Head of the Franklin Templeton Investment Institute, Stephen Dover, and five economists from Franklin Templeton’s specialist investment teams discuss the current environment and how it shapes their views on the path forward.

High Yield Bonds in View: The Impact of Inflation
Fixed Income

High Yield Bonds in View: The Impact of Inflation

Our high yield corporate credit team has been monitoring how inflation is impacting various market sectors, with an eye on four factors: input cost inflation, pricing power, impact to earnings and repricing vulnerability. Here, Matt Fey and Brian French explore which sectors may be more greatly impacted within these areas, and why corporate credit in general should be able to weather inflation reasonably well.

An Update on US Growth and Post-Pandemic Equity Opportunities
Equity

An Update on US Growth and Post-Pandemic Equity Opportunities

Franklin Equity Group Portfolio Manager Grant Bowers discusses whether recent moderation in US growth will continue, and where he’s finding opportunities in equities today.

Notes from the Trading Desk – Europe
Equity

Notes from the Trading Desk – Europe

Equities in Europe treaded water ahead of the European Central Bank (ECB) meeting this week, where any hints of tapering will be closely observed. The spread of the Delta variant continues to weigh on sentiment,

On Central Bank Tapering and European Fixed Income
Fixed Income

On Central Bank Tapering and European Fixed Income

As markets try to look past the COVID-19 pandemic, the question of when central bank support will be withdrawn is a critical one. David Zahn, our Head of European Fixed Income, discusses the implications of potential tapering of asset purchase programmes, and what it means for fixed income investors.

On My Mind: Leaving QE, Never Easy
Fixed Income

On My Mind: Leaving QE, Never Easy

This year’s annual economic policy symposium in Jackson Hole opens the six months that will likely define the legacy of the Powell Fed’s first term. The robust recovery, high inflation and record asset prices call for the Fed to wind down an extraordinary monetary easing that is also exacerbating economic inequality. But leaving QE isn’t easy, as financial markets have become overly dependent on Fed support. In her latest “On My Mind,” our Fixed Income CIO Sonal Desai discusses the Fed’s challenges and what they mean for investors.

Notes from the Trading Desk – Europe
Equity

Notes from the Trading Desk – Europe

After a steady grind higher through the summer, global equities stumbled last week as several headwinds weighed on sentiment. Concerns over the negative impact of Chinese regulatory crackdowns hit a number of sectors, the Federal Reserve’s July meeting minutes and rising concerns over the spread of the Delta COVID-19 variant were all cited as reasons for a pullback.

On Post-Pandemic Growth and Inflation, Equity Prospects and Income-Seeking Strategies
Multi-Asset

On Post-Pandemic Growth and Inflation, Equity Prospects and Income-Seeking Strategies

Ed Perks, CIO of Franklin Templeton Investment Solutions, outlines what factors should likely support economic growth, how he views inflation, why US equities remain attractive, and where income-seeking investors should look for potential opportunities.

Eurovision: Scores of Return Potential
Equity

Eurovision: Scores of Return Potential

Mutual Series Portfolio Managers Katrina Dudley and Mandana Hormozi discuss why Europe deserves renewed attention. They believe newfound stability and unity of the region, its pioneering use of regulation and environmental initiatives and accelerating vaccine rollout provide Europe scores of return potential.

Notes from the Trading Desk – Europe
Equity

Notes from the Trading Desk – Europe

It seems the adage of “never be short a quiet market” held true recently as European equities saw their tenth consecutive all-time high, their longest run of record high sessions since 1990.

Quick Thoughts: China’s New Regulatory Cycle
Emerging Markets

Quick Thoughts: China’s New Regulatory Cycle

China is in the midst of a tightening regulatory cycle which has led to some investor uncertainty and heightened market volatility. Our Chief Market Strategist, Stephen Dover, discusses China’s aspirations to increase economic growth while also providing social fairness and stability.

Notes from the Trading Desk – Europe
Equity

Notes from the Trading Desk – Europe

It had seemed like COVID-19 trends in Europe were showing signs of progress, but last week brought further concerns about infection rates in the United States and Asia.