Beyond Bulls & Bears

Notes from the Trading Desk – Europe
Equity

Notes from the Trading Desk – Europe

A dovish tone from several central banks has helped support equity markets, alongside positive news on a Pfizer COVID-19 treatment. Earnings season continues to be supportive, with more companies beating than missing on earnings metrics.

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.

On My Mind: To Work, or Not to Work…
Fixed Income

On My Mind: To Work, or Not to Work…

Of all recent economic trends, sluggish employment growth is perhaps the most important for investors to watch, says Franklin Templeton Fixed Income CIO Sonal Desai. She outlines why the labour market response will likely remain lacklustre for some time, and discusses the short- and medium-term market implications.

PODCAST: Potential Longer-Term Effects from Current Economic and Investment Challenges
Alternatives

PODCAST: Potential Longer-Term Effects from Current Economic and Investment Challenges

Franklin Templeton’s Sonal Desai, Martin Currie’s Alastair Reynolds, and ClearBridge’s Pawel Wroblewski join our Kim Catechis to assess the possible investment impacts of major global challenges, including the ongoing pandemic, growing income inequality and climate change.

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.  

On My Mind: Leaving QE, Never Easy
Fixed Income

On My Mind: Leaving QE, Never Easy

This year’s annual economic policy symposium in Jackson Hole opens the six months that will likely define the legacy of the Powell Fed’s first term. The robust recovery, high inflation and record asset prices call for the Fed to wind down an extraordinary monetary easing that is also exacerbating economic inequality. But leaving QE isn’t easy, as financial markets have become overly dependent on Fed support. In her latest “On My Mind,” our Fixed Income CIO Sonal Desai discusses the Fed’s challenges and what they mean for investors.

Notes from the Trading Desk – Europe
Equity

Notes from the Trading Desk – Europe

It seems the adage of “never be short a quiet market” held true recently as European equities saw their tenth consecutive all-time high, their longest run of record high sessions since 1990.

Notes from the Trading Desk – Europe
Equity

Notes from the Trading Desk – Europe

It had seemed like COVID-19 trends in Europe were showing signs of progress, but last week brought further concerns about infection rates in the United States and Asia.

On My Mind – Inflation: Nothing to see here. Really?
Fixed Income

On My Mind – Inflation: Nothing to see here. Really?

Prices continue to climb, with the US CPI rising in June by the most since 2008. Financial markets seem to be unfazed, but businesses and consumers appear considerably less sanguine. In her latest “On My Mind,” our Fixed Income CIO Sonal Desai discusses why inflation may be less “transitory” than many expect.

Notes from the Trading Desk – Europe
Equity

Notes from the Trading Desk – Europe

Equity markets in the United States and Europe paused for breath last week as familiar themes dominated. US Federal Reserve (Fed) Chair Jerome Powell’s testimony at Congress was in focus and concerns over the COVID-19 Delta variant remained front and centre.

Notes from the Trading Desk – Europe
Equity

Notes from the Trading Desk – Europe

Even though we saw some selling pressure last week, it’s important to keep the moves in context. ]. With earnings season looming large, some profit-taking in often-crowded positions is not too surprising. We expect market volatility around commentary to be a key theme in the second half of this year.

Notes from the Trading Desk – Europe
Equity

Notes from the Trading Desk – Europe

Global equities were mixed last week across the regions, reflecting unwinds and relative exposures to value versus growth. COVID-19 themes were evident as fears regarding the spread of the Delta variant hit investor sentiment given potential travel restrictions.