Beyond Bulls & Bears

Notes from the Trading Desk – Europe
Equity

Notes from the Trading Desk – Europe

Investors seemed concerned about how sticky inflation is proving to be, leading the market to adjust its terminal rate expectations both in the United States and Europe.

Outlook for US fixed income and equities amid tighter financial conditions
Multi-Asset

Outlook for US fixed income and equities amid tighter financial conditions

Following the 25 basis-point (bp) increase that the Fed announced on February 1, 2023, Franklin Income Investors Chief Investment Officer Ed Perks answered questions about his outlook on US interest rates as well as fixed income and equity securities for the rest of 2023.

Anatomy of a Recession: The Fed’s job problem
Equity

Anatomy of a Recession: The Fed’s job problem

A review of the US economy with focus on the Federal Reserve (Fed), labor and housing with Jeff Schulze, investment strategist at ClearBridge Investments.

Notes from the Trading Desk – Europe
Equity

Notes from the Trading Desk – Europe

Debate still rages on where we go from here. January is typically considered a good predictor for stock market performance for the rest of the year—the so-called “January barometer”.

Notes from the Trading Desk – Europe
Equity

Notes from the Trading Desk – Europe

This week, investor focus is firmly on central bank meetings, with the Federal Reserve’s policy meeting on Wednesday, and Bank of England and European Central Bank on Thursday. These meetings face greater scrutiny, given we have seen signs of inflation peaking in several regions, leading to hopes we may soon see a tilt from some central banks.

Notes from the Trading Desk – Europe
Equity

Notes from the Trading Desk – Europe

Last week was choppy as investors digested central-banker commentary, macro data and corporate earnings. Of note, a number of Federal Reserve speakers stuck to their hawkish narrative and some weak US macro data raised doubts over a “soft landing” for the US economy.

Quick Thoughts: How to avoid making a unicorn skeleton
Multi-Asset

Quick Thoughts: How to avoid making a unicorn skeleton

Stephen Dover, Head of Franklin Templeton Institute, crunches the data to decipher the odds of a US recession this year and the implications for investor portfolios.

Notes from the Trading Desk – Europe
Equity

Notes from the Trading Desk – Europe

The new market consensus for Federal Reserve (Fed) rate hikes is for 50 basis points (bps) to be added in the first half of 2023, followed by 200 bps of cuts over the following 18 months. It remains to be seen whether the market will eventually give in and follow the hawkish central bank tones, or whether the central banks will pivot to a more dovish stance than they have adopted until now.

Small-cap industrials, large onshoring opportunities
Equity

Small-cap industrials, large onshoring opportunities

Why small-cap industrials companies may be poised to benefit from moving supply chains closer to home—thoughts from Christopher Meeker of Franklin Mutual Series.

PODCAST Anatomy of a Recession: The long view for a new year
Equity

PODCAST Anatomy of a Recession: The long view for a new year

In our latest "Talking Markets" podcast, we meet with regular guest, Jeff Schulze of ClearBridge Investments, to discuss the US economy—focusing on inflation, the US labor market, and the Federal Reserve.

Notes from the Trading Desk – Europe
Equity

Notes from the Trading Desk – Europe

2022 was a crazy year for global financial markets amidst escalating geopolitical risk, record levels of inflation and the highest central bank hiking cycle ever witnessed. Geopolitics in Europe and the subsequent knock-on effect for energy prices will likely continue to be a focus for investors. China’s COVID reopening is another focal point for investors at the start of the year.

One small step forward—one giant leap away from deflation in Japan
Equity

One small step forward—one giant leap away from deflation in Japan

Templeton Global Equity Group weighs in on inflation’s emergence in Japan, recent monetary policy shifts, and the implications for investors.