Beyond Bulls & Bears

Notes from the Trading Desk – Europe
Equity

Notes from the Trading Desk – Europe

The October US Consumer Price Index reading decelerated at a faster-than-expected rate, fuelling hopes for a dovish pivot from the Federal Reserve. Market expectations are now pricing in a Fed rate cut by May or June 2024, with all eyes on the next Fed meeting on 13 December.

Notes from the Trading Desk – Europe
Equity

Notes from the Trading Desk – Europe

Some important inflation data points will dominate the narrative this week, with PPI and CPI prints from the United States, the United Kingdom and European Union.

PODCAST Anatomy of a Recession update: How long will consumers keep spending?
Equity

PODCAST Anatomy of a Recession update: How long will consumers keep spending?

We speak with ClearBridge Investments’ Jeff Schulze about a topic on many investors' minds: the 10-year US Treasury yield and the path of monetary policy. He also shares his views on the latest US retail sales data and whether consumer resilience will last into 2024.

Notes from the Trading Desk – Europe
Equity

Notes from the Trading Desk – Europe

The Bank of Australia holds its policy meeting on Tuesday and markets anticipate its key interest rate will be lifted by 25 bps after a four-month pause. It could prove an interesting contrast versus the picture developing elsewhere, as the European Central Bank, Fed and BoE all remained on hold at recent meetings.

Notes from the Trading Desk – Europe
Equity

Notes from the Trading Desk – Europe

It felt like Halloween came early for many stocks last week, but this week holds a number of potential drivers, with earnings season continuing a pace and several central bank decisions.

REITs: Providing visibility in an age of uncertainty
Equity

REITs: Providing visibility in an age of uncertainty

Franklin Equity Group portfolio managers Daniel Scher and Blair Schmicker make the case that REITs are more than just a “collection of assets,” as they were once viewed, and instead offer exposure to quality business models and professional management teams with long track records of value creation.

Public and private avenues: How Franklin Equity Group sees digital transformation
Equity

Public and private avenues: How Franklin Equity Group sees digital transformation

Franklin Equity Group has a long history of researching and investing in public and private companies across the technology space. In this article, Portfolio Managers Jonathan Curtis and Ryan Biggs share their insights on where they see opportunities in digital transformation and how they are thinking about the relative attractiveness of public and private company investment opportunities.

PODCAST Anatomy of a Recession Update: Threats to a soft landing
Equity

PODCAST Anatomy of a Recession Update: Threats to a soft landing

With lots of chatter in the United States around the potential for a soft landing, Jeff Schulze, Head of Economic and Market Strategy at ClearBridge Investments, shares his thoughts on the matter and the overall state of the US economy in our latest "Talking Markets" podcast.

Notes from the Trading Desk – Europe
Equity

Notes from the Trading Desk – Europe

The brutal escalation in geopolitical tensions in the Middle East was a flashpoint this weekend. The largest economic impact so far has been felt in the oil market, with Brent crude oil surging as investors assess the potential broader impact in the region.

Quick Thoughts: Global market outlooks—Too hot, too cold or just right?
Perspectives

Quick Thoughts: Global market outlooks—Too hot, too cold or just right?

The US economy has been more resilient than many pundits had anticipated over the past year—but can this resilience continue? Stephen Dover, Head of Franklin Templeton Institute, recently hosted a discussion with economists from across our firm to explore where the risks and opportunities for investors lie today and into year-end.

Notes from the Trading Desk – Europe
Equity

Notes from the Trading Desk – Europe

Historically, the third quarter has proven to be the weakest time of the year for stock markets, and that has proven to be the case again this year. But on a brighter note, many market commentators are highlighting a more positive seasonality effect historically into year-end.

Japanese equities—A force awakens
Equity

Japanese equities—A force awakens

From inflationary tailwinds for earnings growth to corporate reforms that unlock shareholder value, multiple regime shifts are underway to restore the appeal of the Japanese equity market, according to the Templeton Global Equity Group team.