Beyond Bulls & Bears

Notes from the Trading Desk – Europe
Equity

Notes from the Trading Desk – Europe

The brutal escalation in geopolitical tensions in the Middle East was a flashpoint this weekend. The largest economic impact so far has been felt in the oil market, with Brent crude oil surging as investors assess the potential broader impact in the region.

Quick Thoughts: Investment Ideas—Is the Muni Comeback Still in the Making?
Fixed Income

Quick Thoughts: Investment Ideas—Is the Muni Comeback Still in the Making?

Making the case for municipal bonds today with Stephen Dover, Head of Franklin Templeton Institute.

Meet the Manager: Margaret King
Perspectives

Meet the Manager: Margaret King

San Francisco Business Times has named Margaret King, Franklin Templeton’s Vice President of FinTech Partnership & Corporate Strategic Investments, to its 2023 list of Most Influential Women in the Bay Area. The award recognizes her professional achievements and community leadership. Find out more about Margaret in this Q&A.

Quick Thoughts: Global market outlooks—Too hot, too cold or just right?
Perspectives

Quick Thoughts: Global market outlooks—Too hot, too cold or just right?

The US economy has been more resilient than many pundits had anticipated over the past year—but can this resilience continue? Stephen Dover, Head of Franklin Templeton Institute, recently hosted a discussion with economists from across our firm to explore where the risks and opportunities for investors lie today and into year-end.

Quick Thoughts: Midnight madness
Perspectives

Quick Thoughts: Midnight madness

At least for now, the US government has avoided a shutdown. Stephen Dover, Head of Franklin Templeton Institute, opines on what may come next after this temporary resolution, and the impacts on the markets.

Notes from the Trading Desk – Europe
Equity

Notes from the Trading Desk – Europe

Historically, the third quarter has proven to be the weakest time of the year for stock markets, and that has proven to be the case again this year. But on a brighter note, many market commentators are highlighting a more positive seasonality effect historically into year-end.

What’s next for gilts and the United Kingdom?
Fixed Income

What’s next for gilts and the United Kingdom?

Gilt prices have been struggling this past year due to surging inflation and interest-rate increases. David Zahn, Franklin Templeton Fixed Income’s Head of European Fixed Income, shares his outlook for the UK economy and why he thinks now is a good time to consider investing in gilts.

Japanese equities—A force awakens
Equity

Japanese equities—A force awakens

From inflationary tailwinds for earnings growth to corporate reforms that unlock shareholder value, multiple regime shifts are underway to restore the appeal of the Japanese equity market, according to the Templeton Global Equity Group team.

Stress testing the foundations: Analyzing the vulnerability of US banks to falling commercial real estate values
Fixed Income

Stress testing the foundations: Analyzing the vulnerability of US banks to falling commercial real estate values

The commercial real estate sector’s continued challenges could potentially impact US banks. Franklin Templeton Fixed Income’s Shawn Lyons discusses the ongoing commercial real estate crisis and how US banks are safeguarding themselves against these issues.

Alternative Allocations: Navigating through economic regimes
Alternatives

Alternative Allocations: Navigating through economic regimes

Certain asset classes thrive or lag as economies move through one cycle to the next. Franklin Templeton Institute’s Tony Davidow shares how to analyze different economic indicators and how asset classes perform through economic regime changes.

Notes from the Trading Desk – Europe
Equity

Notes from the Trading Desk – Europe

Last week was tough for global equities, with most major indices trading lower following a “hawkish pause” from the Federal Reserve (Fed), sending Treasury yields and the US dollar higher

On My Mind: Restrictive? We’ll know it when we see it.
Fixed Income

On My Mind: Restrictive? We’ll know it when we see it.

The Fed sent a strong signal that interest rates will remain higher for longer, as our Franklin Templeton Fixed Income CIO Sonal Desai has long predicted. The Fed also started to acknowledge that the natural real rate of interest is higher than it thought. She shares her latest insights on the policy outlook and the implications for investors.