Beyond Bulls & Bears

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.

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.

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.

UK Equities: Attractive Relative Valuations, Despite Relatively Unattractive Macro Signals
Equity

UK Equities: Attractive Relative Valuations, Despite Relatively Unattractive Macro Signals

While UK equities have faced a number of headwinds in 2021, there are reasons to be optimistic about the year ahead, according to Ben Russon and Will Bradwell of our Franklin UK Equity team. They discuss the economic recovery from COVID-19, inflation, the state of the consumer and why stock valuations look attractive.

Inflation Insulation: Navigating the Nuances of Inflationary and Rising-Rate Environments
Equity

Inflation Insulation: Navigating the Nuances of Inflationary and Rising-Rate Environments

Moderate inflation can be good, especially for some value stocks. Christian Correa breaks down why investors should not be afraid of the current inflationary or rising rate environments and explains how they can actually help some businesses and areas of the equity market.

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.

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.

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.