Beyond Bulls & Bears

Quick Thoughts: Investment Ideas—Building portfolios during economic uncertainty
Perspectives

Quick Thoughts: Investment Ideas—Building portfolios during economic uncertainty

When the economic environment is uncertain, investors may be equally uncertain whether their portfolios are positioned to meet any unknown challenges ahead. Tony Davidow, Senior Alternatives Investment Strategist, Franklin Templeton Institute, shares some takeaways from a panel discussion on the topic.

Time to snag UK equities from the Brexit bargain bin?
ETFs

Time to snag UK equities from the Brexit bargain bin?

The UK equity market has been a laggard among global peers since Brexit, but bargain-hunting investors have been showing renewed interest. Dina Ting, Franklin Templeton ETFs’ Head of Global Index Portfolio Management, explores the positive trends that are making a case for holding UK equities.

Notes from the Trading Desk – Europe
Equity

Notes from the Trading Desk – Europe

Equity markets ended August on a positive note, with Chinese stimulus aiding sentiment, along with global macro data releases that increased hopes central banks would pause their rate-hiking cycles.

Dimensions & Insights: Blockchain and FinTech expand with diversity and inclusion
Perspectives

Dimensions & Insights: Blockchain and FinTech expand with diversity and inclusion

Inclusive and collaborative innovations, such as digital assets and blockchain, exemplify financial technology and services that can change the trajectory of economies while benefiting many global participants. Chief Diversity Officer Regina Curry and Franklin Templeton Head of Digital Assets Roger Bayston believe creating workplaces with intentional collaborative, inclusive, and debiasing practices can power great development environments. These actions enable trust and diversity that can impact innovation and business growth.

Quick Thoughts: Quiet shifts in corporate debt may explain this year’s big economic surprise
Fixed Income

Quick Thoughts: Quiet shifts in corporate debt may explain this year’s big economic surprise

The resilience of US growth, earnings and markets has been the big surprise of 2023. Stephen Dover, Head of Franklin Templeton Institute, opines on the factors at play—and whether they will last.

Notes from the Trading Desk – Europe
Equity

Notes from the Trading Desk – Europe

It looks to be a slow start to the week in Europe, thanks to a Monday UK bank holiday, but there are several global macro data points later in the week that could garner investor interest, including Friday's August employment report.

Quick Thoughts: Jackson Hole—Limited visibility, bumpy landing
Fixed Income

Quick Thoughts: Jackson Hole—Limited visibility, bumpy landing

In the wake of the Federal Reserve’s annual gathering in Jackson Hole, Stephen Dover, Head of Franklin Templeton Institute, conveys one clear message: interest rates aren’t coming down anytime soon.

Crisis in concrete: Navigating the ripple effects of commercial real estate on municipal bonds
Fixed Income

Crisis in concrete: Navigating the ripple effects of commercial real estate on municipal bonds

Declining commercial real estate valuations will not likely lead to a wave of defaults among muni issuers, according to Franklin Templeton Fixed Income’s municipal bond team.

On My Mind: The structural shift that wasn’t
Fixed Income

On My Mind: The structural shift that wasn’t

Markets seem to be coming around to our Franklin Templeton Fixed Income CIO Sonal Desai’s view that the Fed will have to keep interest rates higher for longer, but now runaway fiscal deficits pose further upside risk to yields in the long term, she warns. She shares her latest insights on the fiscal and monetary outlook and the implications for investors.

Notes from the Trading Desk – Europe
Equity

Notes from the Trading Desk – Europe

This week, the Fed’s annual central banker conference at Jackson Hole, Wyoming (Thursday/Friday) should capture investor attention, along with earnings from tech giant Nvidia (Wednesday after the market close). With little Chinese macro data scheduled this week, the market should get some respite there.

Notes from the Trading Desk – Europe
Equity

Notes from the Trading Desk – Europe

This week, inflation is in focus with reports from the United Kingdom, Sweden, Japan, and a second reading of eurozone inflation in July. If core inflation remains elevated in the United Kingdom and Europe, the markets are likely to price in central bank rate hikes this fall.

Quick Thoughts: Don’t miss the return opportunity in fixed income
Perspectives

Quick Thoughts: Don’t miss the return opportunity in fixed income

Given the current economic backdrop, where can investment opportunities be found, particularly within the fixed income asset class? Head of Franklin Templeton Institute Stephen Dover shares his key takeaways from a panel discussion that he moderated with fixed income experts within the company.