market outlook - 2/5 - Beyond Bulls & Bears

Multi-Asset

Coping with Coronavirus-Induced Market Volatility: A Multi-Asset Update

The spread of the coronavirus has created heightened market volatility in recent weeks, but the Franklin Templeton Multi-Asset Solutions team remains focused on long-term market fundamentals. Here, Ed Perks and Gene Podkaminer offer an update on how they are approaching the situation, and which countries appear more insulated to growth shocks.

Edward D. Perks, CFA | February 28, 2020

Perspectives

Full Economic Implications of Coronavirus Largely Unknown

As markets continue to assess the impact of coronavirus (COVID-19), the Templeton Global Macro team shares an update on the economic and market implications, which they say could be more detrimental—and last longer—than many observers previously thought.

February 21, 2020

Multi-Asset

Allocation Views: Taking a Nimble Approach to 2020

Although easing US-China trade tensions have renewed investor optimism about global economic growth, Franklin Templeton Multi-Asset Solutions’ Ed Perks and Gene Podkaminer still see some potential geopolitical headwinds on the horizon. In the latest edition of “Allocation Views,” they share their concerns and explain why they continue to believe navigating challenges in the year ahead will require nimble management.

Edward D. Perks, CFA | January 17, 2020

Fixed Income

On My Mind: Will the US Economy Survive the Politics in 2020?

The many gloomy predictions for 2019 did not come to pass, but can we be more optimistic for 2020? Franklin Templeton Fixed Income CIO Sonal Desai draws the key lessons from last year and outlines what she expects for the year ahead and her main concerns, with political uncertainty top of the list.

Sonal Desai, Ph.D. | January 14, 2020

Equity

Notes From the Trading Desk – Europe

Concerns over trade and UK politics have bubbled away throughout the past year and with progress in both of these areas last week, as well as benign central bank developments, markets received a welcome boost. European and US markets both hit record highs last week.

December 16, 2019

Equity

Notes From the Trading Desk – Europe

Last week saw equity markets tread water ahead of a number of upcoming notable events and catalysts expected this week. Still, the narrative around US trade relations with the rest of the world was a prime focus, as US President Donald Trump shared his thoughts on the US relationship with a number of different countries.

December 09, 2019

Fixed Income

The Four Pillars to Face a World of Uncertainty

Global investors are facing extraordinary economic, political and financial market conditions that risk sending the world into a perilous period, according to Templeton Global Macro CIO Michael Hasenstab. He explains why he and his team see these conditions as an opportunity, and outlines the “four pillars” behind their strategy to cope with them.

Michael Hasenstab, Ph.D. | October 17, 2019

Perspectives

Staying Nimble Amid an Uncertain Outlook

Bouts of volatility hit markets across the globe in the third quarter of 2019 amid continued uncertainties about global growth and trade. Central banks took notice, with the US Federal Reserve easing interest rates for the first time in more than a decade and the European Central Bank also cutting rates and reintroducing quantitative easing. Against this backdrop, our senior investment leaders discuss why they do not see a recession in the near term, but are taking a cautious and nimble approach.

September 30, 2019

Equity

Notes from the Trading Desk – Europe

Second-quarter corporate earnings season continues in earnest, with releases likely to drive the larger market moves. It’s also another busy week for central banks, as we hear from the Bank of Japan on Tuesday, the Federal Reserve on Wednesday, and the Bank of England on Thursday.

July 29, 2019

Perspectives

PODCAST: Market Resilience: Strength in Numbers

Concerns about where the financial markets are heading are at the forefront of many investors’ minds. The risks of a US or global recession this year continue to persist amid slowing global growth, trade tensions and worries about potential geopolitical shocks. Our senior investment leaders see a different story unfolding. In this roundtable discussion, they outline why they think some market observers are misguided and where they see opportunities today.

Sonal Desai, Ph.D. | March 25, 2019

Fixed Income

Slowdown Doesn’t Mean Stop. Our View on US Interest Rates, Inflation and China

While the US Federal Reserve (Fed) decided to leave interest rates unchanged at its January policy meeting, the market seems to be thinking the Fed may press pause for an extended period. A prolonged US government shutdown has heightened concerns the economy could be at a tipping point, but Sonal Desai, Chief Investment Officer, Franklin Templeton Fixed Income Group, weighs in on why the notion the Fed won’t raise rates at all this year “is misguided.”

Sonal Desai, Ph.D. | January 30, 2019

Multi-Asset

Putting Equity-Market Turbulence into Context

Many equity investors were no doubt happy to put 2018 in the rear-view mirror. The heightened volatility in the fourth quarter of the year in particular took many investors by surprise—but what is often missing in the discussions about the volatility is that it didn’t stem from a broad deterioration in economic fundamentals, according to Ed Perks, CIO, Franklin Templeton Multi-Asset Solutions. And, he notes investors had become so used to low levels of volatility that 2018 actually marked a return to “normal levels.”

Edward D. Perks, CFA | January 16, 2019