Beyond Bulls & Bears

Notes from the Trading Desk – Europe
Equity

Notes from the Trading Desk – Europe

Last week was another tough one for European equities, and the euro traded through parity versus the US dollar for much of the week given the gloomy economic backdrop. In addition, we saw a late selloff on Friday following Powell’s Jackson Hole speech. It is worth noting that volumes remained low.

On my mind: The Fed—do you hear me now?
Fixed Income

On my mind: The Fed—do you hear me now?

Fed Chairman Powell delivered a forceful and unequivocal message today at Jackson Hole, pushing back against market expectations of an early pivot back to rate cuts. Restoring price stability will require tight monetary policy for some time, he said, and the Fed will not waver when the labor market starts feeling the pain. Markets have taken notice, but will test the Fed’s resolve again, making for a volatile adjustment process in asset prices. Our Fixed Income CIO Sonal Desai shares her thoughts:

PODCAST: Investing in innovation–impacts of market volatility and shocks
Equity

PODCAST: Investing in innovation–impacts of market volatility and shocks

Franklin Equity Group’s Renee Anderson and Matt Moberg cover investing in innovation during market volatility. We hear how business fundamentals and valuations look right now. Plus, from electric vehicles and renewable energy, to the metaverse, blockchain and more—a breakdown of which innovation themes have the most upside and challenges.

Inflation hedges: Fact and fantasy
Multi-Asset

Inflation hedges: Fact and fantasy

Equity markets have clearly taken notice of rising inflation—and not in a good way. Here, Gene Podkaminer and Chris Ratkovsky of Franklin Templeton Investment Solutions explore how different investments have performed during various inflation scenarios, which strategies or asset classes might provide an inflation hedge, and whether a “soft landing” economic scenario is possible.

Notes from the Trading Desk – Europe
Equity

Notes from the Trading Desk – Europe

Energy prices continue to be a focus for the markets. European gas prices have edged back towards their year-to-date highs. In addition, relatively low water levels in the Rhine are not helping sentiment and could continue to dampen German economic growth.

Notes from the Trading Desk – Europe
Equity

Notes from the Trading Desk – Europe

Despite the strength in the market overall, a number of headwinds persist for European corporates, and one area of focus is the Rhine river water level, which continues to drop. This could have the potential to restrict the transportation of goods through central Europe, at a time when the continent is already suffering the worst energy crisis in decades.

Meet the manager: Justin Ma
Perspectives

Meet the manager: Justin Ma

Landing in Franklin Templeton’s Floating Rate Debt Group prior to the global financial crisis, Justin Ma is no stranger to navigating market volatility and challenging environments. Today, he is excited about new applications of data science and quantitative methods to enhance his team’s portfolio management capabilities. Learn more about Justin.

Notes from the Trading Desk – Europe
Equity

Notes from the Trading Desk – Europe

Geopolitical tensions between Russia and Europe remain heightened, with gas supplies restricted by Russia’s political posturing. Meanwhile, US Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan has caused some shockwaves and signalled a deterioration in US-China relations.

PODCAST: Increasing yields, strategy shifts for income investors
Multi-Asset

PODCAST: Increasing yields, strategy shifts for income investors

Rapidly changing economic and market conditions could lead to a shift in strategy for income investors. Ed Perks, chief investment officer of Franklin Templeton Investment Solutions, breaks down the macro environment and shares the fixed income sectors he believes are now attractive, in this conversation with our Josh Greco. 

US equities: Opportunities amid turbulence
Equity

US equities: Opportunities amid turbulence

Franklin Equity Group Portfolio Manager Grant Bowers shares his outlook on inflation and recessionary risks and where he’s finding opportunities in US equities amid recent market volatility.

Notes from the Trading Desk – Europe
Equity

Notes from the Trading Desk – Europe

Last week saw a strong end to the month, which helped many equity indices claw back some of the first half of year losses and have their best monthly performance for some time. There was a glut of corporate earnings and some better-than-expected results from index heavyweights in the United States helped sentiment.

On my mind: Are we there yet?
Fixed Income

On my mind: Are we there yet?

Are we there yet? Fed Chairman Jerome Powell hedged himself carefully at the July press conference; markets heard it as confirming expectations that we are closing in on the terminal rate and that the Fed will likely start cutting again as early as March of next year. Our Fixed Income CIO Sonal Desai is not so sure—here are her thoughts: