Beyond Bulls & Bears

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.

Quick Thoughts: Are You Pricing in Water Risk?
Alternatives

Quick Thoughts: Are You Pricing in Water Risk?

Our Chief Market Strategist, Stephen Dover, believes that water risk is global now—devastating floods, unseasonal hurricanes, droughts, megafires, and more demonstrate this. The economic implications of risks related to water are significant and should be considered when investing.

The Certainty of Change: Evolution of Investor Access to China
ETFs

The Certainty of Change: Evolution of Investor Access to China

The unpredictable nature of politics and government action within individual countries can make a case for disaggregating international exposure, according to our Dina Ting. She outlines some recent regulatory developments in China within the lens of exchange-traded funds (ETFs).

Notes from the Trading Desk – Europe
Equity

Notes from the Trading Desk – Europe

Global equities traded weaker overall last week with much of the focus on the latest round of corporate earnings releases, which look good so far and were surprisingly positive. It was also a week where China widened its regulatory net on big technology companies, which weighed on market sentiment.