March 2019 Archives - Beyond Bulls & Bears

Fixed Income

Is the US Yield Curve Signalling a US Recession?

Although one part of the US yield curve has inverted this year, investment leaders from Franklin Templeton explain why they aren’t concerned about a US recession—at least not yet.

March 29, 2019

ETFs

Understanding the Role of Trading Volume and Size in Assessing an ETF

Although exchange-traded funds (ETFs) display some similar characteristics to stocks and mutual funds, there are some significant differences. Jason Xavier, head of EMEA ETF Capital Markets at Franklin Templeton, explains why he believes investors should think differently when considering their ETF allocations.

Jason Xavier | March 28, 2019

Equity

Turn That Frown Upside Down: Reasons to Be Optimistic about UK Equities

Colin Morton and Ben Russon of Franklin UK Equity team outline some positive signs for the UK economy that they think don’t get the recognition they deserve.

Colin Morton | March 26, 2019

Perspectives

PODCAST: Market Resilience: Strength in Numbers

Concerns about where the financial markets are heading are at the forefront of many investors’ minds. The risks of a US or global recession this year continue to persist amid slowing global growth, trade tensions and worries about potential geopolitical shocks. Our senior investment leaders see a different story unfolding. In this roundtable discussion, they outline why they think some market observers are misguided and where they see opportunities today.

Sonal Desai, Ph.D. | March 25, 2019

Perspectives

Why Culture Really Matters Within Asset Management

Engaging with corporate culture impacts a company’s staff retention, long-term sustainability, creativity and diversity of thought and action. Our head of UK institutional, Jennifer Ockwell, explains how.

Jennifer Ockwell | March 22, 2019

Fixed Income

Can the EU’s Extension Offer Really Break the Brexit Deadlock?

After a nail-biting few hours, European Union leaders have agreed to the UK government’s request to delay Brexit, albeit the extension is less than Theresa May had requested. But our Head of European Fixed Income David Zahn believes the decision does little more than reset the clock and he warns there is still a strong chance that the United Kingdom could still crash out without a deal.

David Zahn, CFA, FRM | March 21, 2019

Fixed Income

Steady Fed Maintains Dovish Stance

The US Federal Reserve’s decision to keep interest rates steady at its March meeting came as little surprise, but its updated “dot plot” projections were interpreted by markets as sending a decidedly more dovish signal than expected. Franklin Templeton Fixed Income Group CIO Sonal Desai offers her take on the meeting, and why she feels markets shouldn’t read too much into the dots.

Sonal Desai, Ph.D. | March 21, 2019

Equity

How Companies Address the Climate Challenge

As more companies start to face up to the climate change challenge, what does this mean for investors? Templeton Global Equity Group’s Maarten Bloemen weighs in.

Maarten Bloemen | March 21, 2019

Equity

This Isn’t the Way Stock Market Cycles Typically End

Dylan Ball, head of European Equity Strategies, Templeton Global Equity Group, explains why he thinks the current stock market cycle still has some way to run in Europe and why he expects to see an uptick in cross-border merger and acquisition activity.

Dylan Ball | March 14, 2019

Fixed Income

MPs Say No to No Deal, But an Accidental Hard Brexit Remains a Possibility

UK members of parliament have voted to reject a situation in which the United Kingdom crashes out of the European Union without a deal. But with only days until the official leave date, the options for a tidy resolution are limited. David Zahn explains why he expects the UK government now to seek an extension to the Brexit negotiations.

David Zahn, CFA, FRM | March 13, 2019

Alternatives

On My Mind: Modern Magical Thinking

In economic (and political) circles, “Modern Monetary Theory” has gotten some buzz of late. What does it mean—and does it have any merit? Franklin Templeton Fixed Income Chief Investment Officer Sonal Desai thinks it’s not only potentially dangerous, but offers intellectual fuel for populism.

Sonal Desai, Ph.D. | March 12, 2019

Fixed Income

Meet the Manager: Sheila Amoroso

Some people seem to have a career path in place from an early age, while others just sort of stumble into one. Sheila Amoroso, director of Franklin Templeton Fixed Income Group’s municipal bond department, is in the latter camp. You’d probably be hard-pressed to find many young women who aspire to be municipal bond managers—and Sheila was no exception. But, as she made her first foray into financial services, she found the work interesting, challenging and rewarding. And after more than 30 years with Franklin Templeton, that’s still the case.

Sheila Amoroso | March 07, 2019