Beyond Bulls & Bears

Notes from the Trading Desk—Europe
Equity

Notes from the Trading Desk—Europe

Equities in the United States and Europe continued their grind higher in a holiday-shortened week, which led to lighter volumes and newflow last week. Concerns over rising COVID-19 cases were a concern in a number of countries.

Quick Thoughts: The American Jobs Plan is Not Just an Infrastructure Plan
Perspectives

Quick Thoughts: The American Jobs Plan is Not Just an Infrastructure Plan

The American Jobs Plan is not only the biggest traditional infrastructure proposal in over 50 years, but if approved, it will also fund significant investments in human and environmental infrastructure. However, its implications include significant changes to corporate and individual tax rates. Chief Market Strategist Stephen Dover believes environmentally aware investing will likely substantially increase and fossil-fuel companies will likely lose. He says the wise investor will look at how infrastructure is changing.

Notes from the Trading Desk – Europe
Equity

Notes from the Trading Desk – Europe

Global equities were stronger across the board last week. Improving sentiment around vaccination programmes, as well positive developments in Italian politics, were the focus in Europe, while in the United States, stimulus hopes boosted markets.

Notes from the Trading Desk—Europe
Equity

Notes from the Trading Desk—Europe

COVID-19 and the economic impact of prolonged lockdowns continues to be a driver for Europe’s markets. However, many market observers remain positive on economic outlook, particularly in the United States.

European Fixed Income in 2021: Focused on Recovery, and Politics
Fixed Income

European Fixed Income in 2021: Focused on Recovery, and Politics

While the calendar has turned to a new year, many of the same uncertainties of 2020 still linger—namely the COVID-19 pandemic. However, David Zahn, our Head of European Fixed Income, sees reasons to be optimistic the picture will look brighter for Europe by year-end, and is poised to take advantage of potential opportunities that arise.

Notes from the Trading Desk—Europe
Equity

Notes from the Trading Desk—Europe

Joe Biden’s US presidential election victory was confirmed over the weekend, yet the likelihood that Congress will be split—with Republicans in control of the Senate—has buoyed markets.

US 2020 Election Investment Pulse: No Blue Wave Lessens Policy Uncertainty
Equity

US 2020 Election Investment Pulse: No Blue Wave Lessens Policy Uncertainty

While the race for US president has not yet been decided, it does appear there is some certainty over the Congressional makeup, with a split maintained between Democrat and Republican majorities in the two chambers. Our Katie Klingensmith talks with our Head of Equities, Stephen Dover, and co-CIO of ClearBridge, Scott Glasser for their thoughts on why this might be a good thing for equities.

US 2020 Election Investment Pulse: How Shifting Attitudes Impact Recovery
Perspectives

US 2020 Election Investment Pulse: How Shifting Attitudes Impact Recovery

In our latest Election Pulse, our Head of Equities Stephen Dover is joined by Franklin Templeton Fixed Income CIO Sonal Desai and Gallup's Jonathan Rothwell to discuss survey findings on COVID-19 and its impact on the consumer. They discuss attitudes about vaccines, mask-wearing, and where they think the research may lead them post-election.

On My Mind: Saving for Sunnier Days
Fixed Income

On My Mind: Saving for Sunnier Days

The Franklin Templeton-Gallup Economics of Recovery Study has unveiled many insights about US consumer attitudes and behaviour in the wake of COVID-19. Our Fixed Income CIO Sonal Desai examines findings from the survey’s second pulse, including encouraging signs confidence has found a floor.

Quick Thoughts: Political Volatility Ahead
Equity

Quick Thoughts: Political Volatility Ahead

Our Head of Equities Stephen Dover explains why he thinks possible changes to the US political landscape could lead to further bouts of market volatility.