Beyond Bulls & Bears

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.

On Post-Pandemic Growth and Inflation, Equity Prospects and Income-Seeking Strategies
Multi-Asset

On Post-Pandemic Growth and Inflation, Equity Prospects and Income-Seeking Strategies

Ed Perks, CIO of Franklin Templeton Investment Solutions, outlines what factors should likely support economic growth, how he views inflation, why US equities remain attractive, and where income-seeking investors should look for potential opportunities.

Eurovision: Scores of Return Potential
Equity

Eurovision: Scores of Return Potential

Mutual Series Portfolio Managers Katrina Dudley and Mandana Hormozi discuss why Europe deserves renewed attention. They believe newfound stability and unity of the region, its pioneering use of regulation and environmental initiatives and accelerating vaccine rollout provide Europe scores of return potential.

Quick Thoughts: China’s New Regulatory Cycle
Emerging Markets

Quick Thoughts: China’s New Regulatory Cycle

China is in the midst of a tightening regulatory cycle which has led to some investor uncertainty and heightened market volatility. Our Chief Market Strategist, Stephen Dover, discusses China’s aspirations to increase economic growth while also providing social fairness and stability.

The Certainty of Change: Evolution of Investor Access to China
LibertyShares

The Certainty of Change: Evolution of Investor Access to China

The unpredictable nature of politics and government action within individual countries can make a case for disaggregating international exposure, according to our Dina Ting. She outlines some recent regulatory developments in China within the lens of exchange-traded funds (ETFs).

Quick Thoughts: Are You Pricing in Water Risk?
Alternatives

Quick Thoughts: Are You Pricing in Water Risk?

Our Chief Market Strategist, Stephen Dover, believes that water risk is global now—devastating floods, unseasonal hurricanes, droughts, megafires, and more demonstrate this. The economic implications of risks related to water are significant and should be considered when investing.

PODCAST: Anatomy of a Recession: Plateauing but Strong Economic Activity
Equity

PODCAST: Anatomy of a Recession: Plateauing but Strong Economic Activity

While US gross domestic product and earnings growth remain strong, we hear from Jeff Schulze, Investment Strategist at ClearBridge Investments, about three potential economic and market risks for the second half of the year. Plus, if a near-term equity market pullback occurs, learn why it may be a buying opportunity.

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.

ETF 2021 Predictions: Update
LibertyShares

ETF 2021 Predictions: Update

David Mann, our Head of Global Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) Capital Markets, looks back on some of the ETF industry predictions he and his team made at the start of the year—and it looks like ETF asset growth could be on track to hit new all-time highs.

US Infrastructure Plan and Muni Bond Update
Fixed Income

US Infrastructure Plan and Muni Bond Update

In May, our municipal bond team published some thoughts on US President Joe Biden’s $2 trillion infrastructure package called “The American Jobs Plan.” As this package makes its way through Congress, the team will provide updates—here’s the latest from our Muni Bond Director Jennifer Johnston.

Quick Thoughts: Think Quantum with Cybersecurity
Perspectives

Quick Thoughts: Think Quantum with Cybersecurity

Our Chief Market Strategist Stephen Dover explores how quantum computers will soon unlock and slice through infrastructure and financial systems’ public key cryptography. Many cyberattacks are “Store Now, Decrypt Later” (SNDL) crimes, however, quantum computers will advance decrypting old data, now.

Quick Thoughts: Financial and Infrastructure Cybersecurity
Perspectives

Quick Thoughts: Financial and Infrastructure Cybersecurity

Cyberattacks are projected to exceed US$6 trillion in 2021, with growing threats to our financial systems and infrastructure. We are now entering a new era of the internet with accelerated computing power and innovations, such as quantum computing and artificial intelligence (AI), that threaten all current cybersecurity. Our Chief Market Strategist Stephen Dover offers his take.