Beyond Bulls & Bears

EU Delivers Comprehensive Fiscal Rescue Package
Fixed Income

EU Delivers Comprehensive Fiscal Rescue Package

The European Commission has unveiled a sweeping new €750 billion coronavirus fiscal rescue package, including the issuance of new bonds. David Zahn, our Head of European Fixed Income, calls it groundbreaking.

What’s Next for European Monetary Policy?
Fixed Income

What’s Next for European Monetary Policy?

David Zahn, Head of European Fixed Income, shares his macroeconomic outlook for the region. He weighs in on why the European Central Bank (ECB) could remain accommodative.

Eurozone Debt Disputes Make an Unhappy Union
Fixed Income

Eurozone Debt Disputes Make an Unhappy Union

When investing in sovereign debt, there is a level of trust involved—faith a government will return an investor’s principal plus interest without fail. But Franklin Templeton Fixed Income doesn’t see this as blind faith; it must be backed by verifiable economic metrics. In this excerpt from the latest “FT Thinks,” our Head of European Fixed Income David Zahn outlines how governments have changed in Europe, and how new politicians with fresh agendas can bolster confidence, or rouse concerns.

ECB Meeting: Fresh Clarity, But Let’s Not Get Ahead of Ourselves
Fixed Income

ECB Meeting: Fresh Clarity, But Let’s Not Get Ahead of Ourselves

David Zahn, Franklin Templeton’s head of European Fixed Income, gives his take on the ECB meeting and explains why he’s still not expecting a eurozone interest-rate hike before 2020.

Why We See European Equities as a Catch-Up Opportunity
Equity

Why We See European Equities as a Catch-Up Opportunity

Equity markets seem to have calmed after the short, sharp volatility some political upheaval in Italy and Spain provoked last month. Templeton Global Equity Group's Dylan Ball considers the situation in Europe and where he sees value.

ECB Preview: Will Recent Italian Developments Influence Europe’s Tapering Timeline?
Fixed Income

ECB Preview: Will Recent Italian Developments Influence Europe’s Tapering Timeline?

“With eurozone growth data softer recently and inflation also relatively muted, we think it would be premature for the ECB to embark on a tightening cycle.” – David Zahn, Franklin Templeton Fixed Income Group

Earnings Growth Underpins Our Solid Outlook for European Equities
Equity

Earnings Growth Underpins Our Solid Outlook for European Equities

Some investors seem to be questioning whether there’s still room for additional growth in European equities, particularly if interest rates start to rise. However, Templeton Global Equity Group’s Dylan Ball suggests labour reforms across the continent should give many firms the operating leverage they need to drive further earnings growth during 2018.

Global Economic Perspective: December
Fixed Income

Global Economic Perspective: December

“The pattern of a strong cyclical upturn in the global economy combined with subdued inflation looks set to continue for some time, in our view. Nevertheless, we believe increasing demand and a diminishing pool of labor are likely to create meaningful pricing pressures at some point.” - Franklin Templeton Fixed Income Group

Global Economic Perspective: November
Fixed Income

Global Economic Perspective: November

"Investors’ perceptions about the intentions of central banks, rather than economic fundamentals, are likely to remain the central driver of fixed income markets. Uncertainty created by factors such as geopolitics may only serve to convince policymakers to maintain a looser monetary stance than might otherwise be expected by economic conditions." - Franklin Templeton Fixed Income Group

Global Economic Perspective: October
Fixed Income

Global Economic Perspective: October

In this month’s Global Economic Perspective, Franklin Templeton Fixed Income Group discusses the state of the US economy and monetary policy implications, the fallout from the German elections and impact of the Catalonia crisis in Spain.

What’s Next for Europe as Merkel Is Re-elected
Perspectives

What’s Next for Europe as Merkel Is Re-elected

"We think the level of support for AfD does reflect a protest vote from people who have been unhappy with the direction things have been going in Germany. That could have an influence on Merkel’s approach as she looks past her election victory.” - David Zahn, Franklin Templeton Fixed Income Group

Global Economic Perspective: September
Fixed Income

Global Economic Perspective: September

In this month’s Global Economic Perspective, Franklin Templeton Fixed Income Group examines the potential impact of recent storms on the US economy, Europe’s monetary policy path and whether the global economy’s upturn is sustainable.