Beyond Bulls & Bears

US 2020 Election Investment Pulse: Policy and Pandemic Drive Macro View
Perspectives

US 2020 Election Investment Pulse: Policy and Pandemic Drive Macro View

We’ve seen aggressive government and central bank support to stimulate economies sickened from COVID-19 slowdowns, but will the global economy right itself in 2021? Templeton Global Macro CIO Michael Hasenstab and Francis Scotland, Director of Global Macro Research at Brandywine Global, share their macro outlook for the year ahead. They opine on whether the glass looks half empty or half full as the world eagerly awaits a vaccine and as US policies shift amid a change in administration.

Quick Thoughts: US Elections, Global Stimulus, and 2021 Growth
Fixed Income

Quick Thoughts: US Elections, Global Stimulus, and 2021 Growth

Our Head of Equities, Stephen Dover, and Western Asset’s CIO, Ken Leech, believe global stimulus and the likely longer availability of zero or negative interest rates will support the path to growth in 2021. And China will continue its growth path to becoming a bigger part of the global financial community.

Quick Thoughts: Wall Street and Main Street Disconnect
Equity

Quick Thoughts: Wall Street and Main Street Disconnect

Our Head of Equities, Stephen Dover, gives his take on how COVID-19 has accelerated economic changes and explains what may have caused the stock markets’ second-quarter ascent.

Presidential Election Complicates US Market Outlook
Perspectives

Presidential Election Complicates US Market Outlook

The global market outlook is already hazy in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the upcoming US presidential election adds another layer of uncertainty. In this excerpt from our Midyear Global Investment Outlook, Sonal Desai, Stephen Dover, Michael Hasenstab and Ed Perks offer their views of today’s investment landscape, including the upcoming US elections and economic outlook.

Coronavirus Pandemic Shifts Focus to ESG
Equity

Coronavirus Pandemic Shifts Focus to ESG

The coronavirus pandemic has highlighted the importance of financial market risks that fit within the realm of environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors—namely disaster preparedness and health risks. Templeton Global Equity Group’s Maarten Bloemen argues we will see recently highlighted ESG considerations more acutely on the radar of investors, while other issues previously on the backburner due to coronavirus—such as climate change—will likely come back to the spotlight as this is a long-term structural issue which will need to be addressed. He opines on the state of ESG investing and where he sees values.

Monitoring China’s Outbreak, and Other Potential Market Shocks
Fixed Income

Monitoring China’s Outbreak, and Other Potential Market Shocks

The Templeton Global Macro team takes a look at the implications of the coronavirus in China, and positioning for potential market shocks.

Considering Broad Investment Implications of US/Iranian Tensions
Multi-Asset

Considering Broad Investment Implications of US/Iranian Tensions

Our senior investment leaders recently met to discuss rising US/Middle East tensions. They share a few initial thoughts on the potential market implications.

Global Investment Outlook PODCAST: Coping with a Changing Market Landscape in 2020
Multi-Asset

Global Investment Outlook PODCAST: Coping with a Changing Market Landscape in 2020

Our senior investment leaders have a cautiously optimistic outlook for 2020. They still do not see a global recession looming and believe there are plenty of reasons to remain invested. In our latest “Talking Markets” podcast, Franklin Templeton Fixed Income Group CIO Sonal Desai, Franklin Templeton Multi-Asset Solutions CIO Ed Perks and our Head of Equities Stephen Dover, share their outlook

Allocation Views: 2020 Appears Tilted to the Downside
Multi-Asset

Allocation Views: 2020 Appears Tilted to the Downside

While US-China trade tensions and other concerns prompt a cautionary stance when it comes to risk assets, Franklin Templeton Multi-Asset Solutions’ Ed Perks and Gene Podkaminer nonetheless remain positive about the US equity market in the year ahead, citing a number of long-term growth drivers that still remain in place. In the latest edition of “Allocation Views,” they share their 2020 outlook.

Navigating New Global Market Uncertainties
Equity

Navigating New Global Market Uncertainties

Templeton Global Equity Group’s Tony Docal, Peter Moeschter and Heather Waddell provide an overview of events shaping markets in the third quarter and share their outlook for global equities. They explain their preference for multinational companies in the United Kingdom, why they see downside risk as limited in Europe versus the United States and why they still see a case for value investing.

Templeton Global Macro: An Update on our ESG Scores
Fixed Income

Templeton Global Macro: An Update on our ESG Scores

Templeton Global Macro evaluates environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors in its macroeconomic research process and describes the process of codifying the team’s research discussions into quantifiable scores.

Staying Nimble Amid an Uncertain Outlook
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.