Beyond Bulls & Bears

Notes from the Trading Desk – Europe
Equity

Notes from the Trading Desk – Europe

News of the COVID-19 variant that emerged in South Africa (named Omicron) shook sentiment late last week prompting sharp declines. Looking ahead, it will be important to watch how this latest COVID news feeds into central bank thinking, with money markets already repriced the timeline for potential interest rate hikes further out.

UK Equities: Attractive Relative Valuations, Despite Relatively Unattractive Macro Signals
Equity

UK Equities: Attractive Relative Valuations, Despite Relatively Unattractive Macro Signals

While UK equities have faced a number of headwinds in 2021, there are reasons to be optimistic about the year ahead, according to Ben Russon and Will Bradwell of our Franklin UK Equity team. They discuss the economic recovery from COVID-19, inflation, the state of the consumer and why stock valuations look attractive.

Inflation Insulation: Navigating the Nuances of Inflationary and Rising-Rate Environments
Equity

Inflation Insulation: Navigating the Nuances of Inflationary and Rising-Rate Environments

Moderate inflation can be good, especially for some value stocks. Christian Correa breaks down why investors should not be afraid of the current inflationary or rising rate environments and explains how they can actually help some businesses and areas of the equity market.

Notes from the Trading Desk – Europe
Equity

Notes from the Trading Desk – Europe

We saw a clear shift in sentiment on lockdowns last week, as countries across Europe continue to hit new daily case records and death rates increase again.

Quick Thoughts: What Our Managers Think: Do Growth or Value Stocks Have the Upper Hand?
Equity

Quick Thoughts: What Our Managers Think: Do Growth or Value Stocks Have the Upper Hand?

While “growth” and “value” have typically been seen as distinct styles, that type of thinking continues to evolve, according to our investment professionals. For Stephen Dover, Head of Franklin Templeton Investment Institute, the real issue is how to invest where you are best rewarded.

PODCAST: High Time for High Yield?
Fixed Income

PODCAST: High Time for High Yield?

In our latest "Talking Markets" podcast, Bill Zox and John McClain, portfolio managers with Brandywine Global, join Amer Hasan to discuss how current market and economic conditions could benefit high yield investors, the opportunities and risks right now, and why the asset class is often overlooked or misunderstood.

Japan: A New Quiver of Arrows?
Multi-Asset

Japan: A New Quiver of Arrows?

With a new Prime Minister taking the helm in Japan, what does the future hold? Franklin Templeton Investment Solutions’ Gene Podkaminer and members of the research team take a look at both local and global trends influencing Japan—and why investors should pay more attention to the country.

Notes from the Trading Desk – Europe
Equity

Notes from the Trading Desk – Europe

Inflation remains front and centre. Strong US inflation data raised fears that the Federal Reserve is behind the curve and would need to take more hawkish action in the future.

Quick Thoughts: Inflation, Debt, and Changing Economic Sweet Spots
Perspectives

Quick Thoughts: Inflation, Debt, and Changing Economic Sweet Spots

Investors need a more flexible, opportunistic approach to investing, given the current low interest rate environment with the likelihood of interest rates rising over the next few years, according to Stephen Dover, Head of Franklin Templeton Investment Institute. He opines on inflation, debt, and changing economic sweet spots.

Notes from the Trading Desk – Europe
Equity

Notes from the Trading Desk – Europe

A dovish tone from several central banks has helped support equity markets, alongside positive news on a Pfizer COVID-19 treatment. Earnings season continues to be supportive, with more companies beating than missing on earnings metrics.

PODCAST: Mounting Variables Globally
Fixed Income

PODCAST: Mounting Variables Globally

Templeton Global Macro CIO Michael Hasenstab and Director of Global Macro Research for Brandywine Global, Francis Scotland, speak with our Stephen Dover about the direction of China, variables that could determine whether labour and inflation concerns will last more long term, what may be driving energy prices up, beyond just supply and demand, and views on the US dollar vs other currencies around the world.

Quick Thoughts: The Connection Between Climate Change and Geopolitics
Perspectives

Quick Thoughts: The Connection Between Climate Change and Geopolitics

Successful international investing includes measuring financial risks and rewards caused by events in an affected country. Stephen Dover, Head of Franklin Templeton Investment Institute, discusses how macroeconomic and political research complemented by environmental, social and governance (ESG) research provides investors additional prisms to view a country’s financials, impacts on climate change, and geopolitical risk.