Beyond Bulls & Bears

Evergrande and China: A Lehman Moment—or Less “Grande” Than That?
Multi-Asset

Evergrande and China: A Lehman Moment—or Less “Grande” Than That?

With respect to the evolving Evergrande situation in China, our Franklin Templeton Investment Solutions team addresses two main questions: could this be a “Lehman moment,” and what are the global implications of a Chinese property market slowdown?

Paradigm Shifts Impacting the Investment Landscape: China, Inflation and Monetary Policy
Fixed Income

Paradigm Shifts Impacting the Investment Landscape: China, Inflation and Monetary Policy

There are several “paradigm shifts” impacting markets today, according to Templeton Global Macro CIO Michael Hasenstab. He outlines how central banks might approach tapering of pandemic-driven asset purchases, and the potential investment risks and opportunities he sees.  

Quick Thoughts: China’s New Regulatory Cycle
Emerging Markets

Quick Thoughts: China’s New Regulatory Cycle

China is in the midst of a tightening regulatory cycle which has led to some investor uncertainty and heightened market volatility. Our Chief Market Strategist, Stephen Dover, discusses China’s aspirations to increase economic growth while also providing social fairness and stability.

The Certainty of Change: Evolution of Investor Access to China
ETFs

The Certainty of Change: Evolution of Investor Access to China

The unpredictable nature of politics and government action within individual countries can make a case for disaggregating international exposure, according to our Dina Ting. She outlines some recent regulatory developments in China within the lens of exchange-traded funds (ETFs).

Notes from the Trading Desk – Europe
Equity

Notes from the Trading Desk – Europe

Global equities traded weaker overall last week with much of the focus on the latest round of corporate earnings releases, which look good so far and were surprisingly positive. It was also a week where China widened its regulatory net on big technology companies, which weighed on market sentiment.

Asia at the Forefront: The World’s Uneven Emergence from COVID-19
Fixed Income

Asia at the Forefront: The World’s Uneven Emergence from COVID-19

There is significant variation in how countries have handled the pandemic, managed fiscal and monetary policy, and supported their economies, according to Templeton Global Macro. While the euro area and the US contend with deepening fiscal deficits and excessive monetary accommodation, areas of Asia are in stronger fiscal shape, with greater growth potential, robust trade dynamics and current account surpluses.

Quick Thoughts: US Elections, Global Stimulus, and 2021 Growth
Fixed Income

Quick Thoughts: US Elections, Global Stimulus, and 2021 Growth

Our Head of Equities, Stephen Dover, and Western Asset’s CIO, Ken Leech, believe global stimulus and the likely longer availability of zero or negative interest rates will support the path to growth in 2021. And China will continue its growth path to becoming a bigger part of the global financial community.

Notes from the Trading Desk – Europe
Equity

Notes from the Trading Desk – Europe

Brexit negotiations, US politics, and the ongoing pandemic will set the backdrops for markets once again. It’s also a huge week for corporate earnings.

Notes from the Trading Desk
Equity

Notes from the Trading Desk

The US presidential election remains a key investor focus in Europe. Democratic nominee Joe Biden continues to lead in the polls; however, President Donald Trump’s comeback in the 2016 election proves that there is still scope for uncertainty over the final result. There is also risk of a contested result, which would imply prolonged equity market uncertainty.

Notes from the Trading Desk – Europe
Equity

Notes from the Trading Desk – Europe

The United Kingdom is firmly back in focus for investors in Europe. Brexit risk is on the increase as we edge closer to the deadline of the European Union (EU) Council Summit on 15 October with no real positive movement towards an agreement.

COVID-19 Crisis Accelerates the Digital Transformation Trend
Equity

COVID-19 Crisis Accelerates the Digital Transformation Trend

Digital transformation was already underway prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, but the resulting economic crisis has caused an acceleration, according to Franklin Equity Group’s Jonathan Curtis. He shares where his team is looking for potential opportunities within technology during the current period and beyond.

Notes from the Trading Desk – Europe
Equity

Notes from the Trading Desk – Europe

Markets continue to struggle with the two-way pull between the unprecedented monetary and fiscal policy stimulus through this year and any further economic fallout from a second wave of COVID-19 infections.