Perspectives

Quick Thoughts: Commodities, Wages and Supply Chains—How Geopolitics Are Reshaping the Global Economy

The war in Ukraine is shifting the conversation on what a post-COVID-19 world will look like. Franklin Templeton Investment Solutions Head of Research Gene Podkaminer, Brandywine Global’s Director of Global Macro Research Francis Scotland, and Templeton Global Macro’s Chief Investment Officer Dr. Michael Hasenstab join Head of Franklin Templeton Investment Institute Stephen Dover for a discussion on the current investment landscape.

Stephen H. Dover, CFA | April 12, 2022

Equity

Notes from the Trading Desk – Europe

Last week saw lacklustre performance for many equity markets as focus turned to hawkish rhetoric from the Federal Reserve (Fed), COVID-19 concerns in China and uncertainty around the outcome of the French presidential election. In addition, the war in Ukraine continues to grind on with little or no sign of progress in peace talks.

April 11, 2022

Alternatives

K2 Hedge Fund Strategy Outlook: Second Quarter 2022

The Russian invasion of Ukraine has added pressure to the inflationary cycle that began in late 2020. Our K2 Advisors team opines on how hedge fund managers are viewing the situation in its second quarter 2022 outlook.

Brooks Ritchey | April 08, 2022

Equity

Notes from the Trading Desk – Europe

Markets seem to be looking towards a ceasefire in Ukraine. Reports over the rest of the week showed little hope of any imminent de-escalation, with the crisis appearing to deepen in some areas of the country as Russian forces appeared to regroup, especially in the south and east.

April 04, 2022

Fixed Income

Quick Thoughts: Are Central Banks Too Slow to Tackle Inflation?

Are the reserve banks too slow in tackling inflation? Will inflation level off by itself? Will rising rates cause a recession? Stephen Dover, Head of Franklin Templeton Investment Institute, sat down with Franklin Templeton Fixed Income Chief Investment Officer Sonal Desai and Western Asset Portfolio Manager and Research Analyst John Bellows to discuss the investment landscape considering today’s geopolitical and economic challenges.

Stephen H. Dover, CFA | March 31, 2022

Multi-Asset

Fed Pivot Becomes Fed Prayer

The US Federal Reserve is turning increasingly hawkish—hiking rates fast enough to slow inflation while maintaining economic growth will be a monumental task. The Franklin Templeton Investment Solutions team opines on what to expect from the Fed and gauges whether it is already behind the curve.

Gene Podkaminer, CFA | March 30, 2022

Equity

Gold, Inflation and Geopolitical Tensions

Many investors see gold as a sort of haven in times of turmoil, and prices have surged amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Franklin Equity Group Portfolio Manager Steve Land outlines how his team approaches investing in the metals sector, and why smaller gold producers in particular look appealing.

Steve Land | March 28, 2022

Equity

Notes from the Trading Desk – Europe

It has now been over four weeks since Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine, and there are very few signs that the conflict will be coming to an end soon. But, it still feels like hope is a big driving factor behind relative equity market strength despite the clear headwinds.

March 28, 2022

Fixed Income

On My Mind: The Fed Takes the Red Pill

The Fed struck a hawkish tone at its latest meeting, but Franklin Templeton Fixed Income Chief Investment Officer Sonal Desai believes it still underestimates how far rates will likely need to rise—and so do the markets. She discusses what it will take to get inflation back under control, and how fixed income investors can position for the volatile rising-rate environment ahead.

Sonal Desai, Ph.D. | March 23, 2022

Equity

As Rates Rise, Financials Can Shine

Mutual Series’ analysts see value opportunities in the financials sector as the interest-rate environment turns more favourable in the United States and European banks see greater clarity about the impact of the Russia-Ukraine war.

Andrew Dinnhaupt, CFA | March 17, 2022

Fixed Income

On My Mind: The US Dollar and the Retreat from Globalisation

With the war taking a tragic toll in Ukraine and triggering a major shift in the geopolitical and economic order, Franklin Templeton Fixed Income CIO Sonal Desai discusses the implications for the US dollar’s status as dominant reserve currency, and for the pace of the energy transition.

Sonal Desai, Ph.D. | March 15, 2022

Multi-Asset

Russia-Ukraine War Heightens Supply Chain and Inflation Woes

The Russian invasion of Ukraine has affected many parts of the global economy, in particular the global supply chain of key commodities. Franklin Templeton Investment Solutions explores the investment implications.

Gene Podkaminer, CFA | March 15, 2022