Beyond Bulls & Bears

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.

On My Mind: Transitory tightening?
Fixed Income

On My Mind: Transitory tightening?

Does the latest US data confirm the battle against inflation has already been won? Franklin Templeton Fixed Income CIO Sonal Desai says markets are overly optimistic.

Mid-Cap ETFs’ Moment
ETFs

Mid-Cap ETFs’ Moment

Dina Ting, our Head of Global Index Portfolio Management, offers her perspective on the allure of multifactor US mid-capitalization strategies for 2023.

Quick Thought: US financial services policies shift to rules, regulations, and executive actions
Perspectives

Quick Thought: US financial services policies shift to rules, regulations, and executive actions

The financial services outlook includes more oversight by the US Congress and states. Regulations and executive actions will likely affect housing policies, digital assets, and ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) investing in 2023.

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.

Fasten your seatbelts
Alternatives

Fasten your seatbelts

Benefit Street Partners explores how best to capitalize on the bumps that are creating the beginnings of another fertile special situations investment environment.

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.

Opportunities in the growing field of ESG investing
Perspectives

Opportunities in the growing field of ESG investing

A Franklin Templeton survey among Canadian investors revealed that while ESG themes are important, there is a general lack of knowledge and awareness of ESG or sustainable investing. Duane Green, President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Franklin Templeton Canada, shares our survey findings as well as other global results and discusses potential opportunities for financial advisors in this growing field.