Beyond Bulls & Bears

K2 Hedge-Fund Strategy Outlook: First Quarter 2022
Alternatives

K2 Hedge-Fund Strategy Outlook: First Quarter 2022

With both the pandemic and inflation proving longer lasting than many had anticipated, what does that mean for central bank policy in the months ahead? The K2 Advisors team ponders the implications for hedge-fund strategies in its first-quarter 2022 outlook.

PODCAST: A Tale of Two Real Estate Markets: US and China
Alternatives

PODCAST: A Tale of Two Real Estate Markets: US and China

Tracy Chen, Portfolio Manager with Brandywine Global, and Tim Wang, Head of Investment Research for Clarion Partners, join Head of the Franklin Templeton Investment Institute, Stephen Dover, to take a closer look at how the pandemic has impacted real estate markets in the United States and China.

The Supply-Chain Storm: Planes, Cranes, and Automobiles
Multi-Asset

The Supply-Chain Storm: Planes, Cranes, and Automobiles

Supply-chain issues are often cited in the current debate about inflation—and aren’t going away as quickly as consumers and businesses would like. Our Franklin Templeton Investment Solutions team explores how supply chains became stuck, whether they will loosen up in 2022, and the implications for multi-asset investors.

Where Are the Workers?
Multi-Asset

Where Are the Workers?

As the Federal Reserve debates its monetary tightening timeline, the labour market is an important factor to watch in the year ahead, according to our Franklin Templeton Investment Solutions team. Read their thoughts on the labour market’s implications for both monetary policy and risk assets.

Notes from the Trading Desk – Europe
Equity

Notes from the Trading Desk – Europe

Investors continue to assess the economic impact of high COVID infection rates. The latest variant, Omicron, drove the number of infections in the United Kingdom to new daily highs last week and is expected to become the dominant strain in the eurozone.

Quick Thoughts: What Our Managers Think: Positioning Portfolios for 2022
Multi-Asset

Quick Thoughts: What Our Managers Think: Positioning Portfolios for 2022

Stephen Dover, Head of the Franklin Templeton Investment Institute, recently discussed growth, inflation, interest rates, and valuation during our monthly discussion, “What Our Managers Think,” with Ed Perks, Chief Investment Officer, Franklin Templeton Investment Solutions; Gene Podkaminer, Head of Research; and Josh Greco, Head of Institutional Portfolio Management. Below are some of their current views on positioning portfolios for 2022.

On My Mind: Fed and Inflation: You Can’t Always Get What You Want
Fixed Income

On My Mind: Fed and Inflation: You Can’t Always Get What You Want

The Fed seems to have been caught by surprise by its own policy and says this is not the inflation it was looking for. Sonal Desai, Chief Investment Officer, Franklin Templeton Fixed Income, shares her thoughts on why inflation should not have come as a surprise and why investors need to brace for higher volatility as the Fed adjusts its policy stance.

Notes from the Trading Desk – Europe
Equity

Notes from the Trading Desk – Europe

Central bank policy takes centre stage this week as over 20 central banks have interest-rate decisions this week. Focus is primarily on the Federal Reserve (Fed) meeting on Wednesday, and the Bank of England (BoE) and the European Central Bank (ECB) meetings Thursday.

On My Mind: Inflation: Don’t You (Forget About Me)
Fixed Income

On My Mind: Inflation: Don’t You (Forget About Me)

The US Federal Reserve finally acknowledged inflation is not a “transitory” problem and signalled a greater degree of concern; but investors seem to think that the Fed will blink when markets balk. With consumer inflation at multi-decade highs and COVID-19 risks still alive, what’s next for the monetary policy response—and market implications—as we move into 2022? Our Fixed Income CIO Sonal Desai shares her views.

Notes from the Trading Desk – Europe
Equity

Notes from the Trading Desk – Europe

Whilst there has been a lot of noise around the new Omicron variant, we are still waiting for full clarity on the severity of illness, vaccine efficacy and the likelihood of reinfection. Market volatility remains high.

Muni Impact of US Infrastructure Bill Could Prove Longer Term
Fixed Income

Muni Impact of US Infrastructure Bill Could Prove Longer Term

While the new US infrastructure investment bill didn’t have any initiatives directly targeting the municipal bond market, there are still implications for munis in the longer term, according to our Municipal Bond Director of Research Jennifer Johnston. She explains the ramifications for investors in the space.

Notes from the Trading Desk – Europe
Equity

Notes from the Trading Desk – Europe

News of the COVID-19 variant that emerged in South Africa (named Omicron) shook sentiment late last week prompting sharp declines. Looking ahead, it will be important to watch how this latest COVID news feeds into central bank thinking, with money markets already repriced the timeline for potential interest rate hikes further out.