Beyond Bulls & Bears

Japan: A New Quiver of Arrows?
Multi-Asset

Japan: A New Quiver of Arrows?

With a new Prime Minister taking the helm in Japan, what does the future hold? Franklin Templeton Investment Solutions’ Gene Podkaminer and members of the research team take a look at both local and global trends influencing Japan—and why investors should pay more attention to the country.

Notes from the Trading Desk – Europe
Equity

Notes from the Trading Desk – Europe

Inflation remains front and centre. Strong US inflation data raised fears that the Federal Reserve is behind the curve and would need to take more hawkish action in the future.

Quick Thoughts: Inflation, Debt, and Changing Economic Sweet Spots
Perspectives

Quick Thoughts: Inflation, Debt, and Changing Economic Sweet Spots

Investors need a more flexible, opportunistic approach to investing, given the current low interest rate environment with the likelihood of interest rates rising over the next few years, according to Stephen Dover, Head of Franklin Templeton Investment Institute. He opines on inflation, debt, and changing economic sweet spots.

Notes from the Trading Desk – Europe
Equity

Notes from the Trading Desk – Europe

A dovish tone from several central banks has helped support equity markets, alongside positive news on a Pfizer COVID-19 treatment. Earnings season continues to be supportive, with more companies beating than missing on earnings metrics.

PODCAST: Mounting Variables Globally
Fixed Income

PODCAST: Mounting Variables Globally

Templeton Global Macro CIO Michael Hasenstab and Director of Global Macro Research for Brandywine Global, Francis Scotland, speak with our Stephen Dover about the direction of China, variables that could determine whether labour and inflation concerns will last more long term, what may be driving energy prices up, beyond just supply and demand, and views on the US dollar vs other currencies around the world.

Quick Thoughts: The Connection Between Climate Change and Geopolitics
Perspectives

Quick Thoughts: The Connection Between Climate Change and Geopolitics

Successful international investing includes measuring financial risks and rewards caused by events in an affected country. Stephen Dover, Head of Franklin Templeton Investment Institute, discusses how macroeconomic and political research complemented by environmental, social and governance (ESG) research provides investors additional prisms to view a country’s financials, impacts on climate change, and geopolitical risk.

Notes from the Trading Desk – Europe
Equity

Notes from the Trading Desk – Europe

Central bank action continues this week, with the Reserve Bank of Australia (Tuesday), Federal Reserve (Wednesday), Norges Bank and Bank of England (Thursday) all meeting. The Fed is expected to announce the start of tapering, including key details on the pace, timing and composition of its plan to reduce asset purchases.

On My Mind: To Work, or Not to Work…
Fixed Income

On My Mind: To Work, or Not to Work…

Of all recent economic trends, sluggish employment growth is perhaps the most important for investors to watch, says Franklin Templeton Fixed Income CIO Sonal Desai. She outlines why the labour market response will likely remain lacklustre for some time, and discusses the short- and medium-term market implications.

Thinking Holistically About ESG
Equity

Thinking Holistically About ESG

In this excerpt from our latest “Global Investment Outlook,” Franklin Equity Group Portfolio Manager Serena Perin Vinton discusses how her team thinks about environmental, social and governance (ESG) investing and the opportunities in investment-driven innovations levered to a more sustainable environment.

Notes from the Trading Desk – Europe
Equity

Notes from the Trading Desk – Europe

The focus as we progress through earnings season is around supply chains and inflation. A number of companies have already noted they have been able to pass cost increases onto customers.

Is the Energy Price Surge “Transitory” or a Longer-Lasting Trend?
Equity

Is the Energy Price Surge “Transitory” or a Longer-Lasting Trend?

Energy prices have surged to multi-year highs amid the global economic recovery from COVID-19, contributing to larger-than-anticipated jumps in measures of headline inflation. While some policymakers had suggested inflationary forces would prove “transitory,” today many are questioning that thesis. Franklin Equity Group Portfolio Manager Frederick Fromm outlines what has been impacting energy prices, whether he sees the recent price rise as sustainable, and where he is finding investment opportunities within the sector.

Quick Thoughts: Debating the Next Moves for Inflation, Growth, and Rates
Perspectives

Quick Thoughts: Debating the Next Moves for Inflation, Growth, and Rates

Rising inflation globally raises the question of whether inflation is persistent versus transitory, driving debate among our investment managers. Our Stephen Dover, Head of the Franklin Templeton Investment Institute, recently discussed economic growth, interest rates, and inflation during a roundtable, “What Our Managers Think: Debating the Next Moves for Inflation, Growth, and Rates,” with Sonal Desai, Ph.D., Chief Investment Officer, Franklin Templeton Fixed Income; John Bellows, Ph.D., Portfolio Manager, Western Asset; and Gene Podkaminer, CFA, Head of Research, Franklin Templeton Investment Solutions. Below are some takeaway points.