CONTRIBUTORS
Sonal Desai, Ph.D.
Chief Investment Officer,
Portfolio Manager
Nikhil Mohan
Economist
Franklin Templeton Fixed Income
Angelo Formiggini
Economist,
International Research Analyst
Rini Sen
Economist, Research Analyst
Franklin Templeton Fixed Income
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Executive Summary
Growth risks rising, but inflation is still top of mind: The US labor market is beginning to show some cracks, but layoffs remain low. Savings and credit continue to drive consumer spending, while real incomes have begun to stagnate. Meanwhile, consumer prices in certain sectors continue to play catch-up to the sharp increase in market rates and/or input prices over the last few years. We expect just one interest-rate cut in December, unless disinflation resumes.
Continued optimism in the eurozone: Growth surprised to the upside in Q1 (real GDP), ending the stagnation that lasted for the previous five quarters. The growth rebound was driven by foreign demand, investments and private consumption. Employment expanded in line with real GDP, and the unemployment rate stayed at historical lows. Both headline and core inflation rose. The ECB cut its policy rate in June, as widely anticipated.
Markets underpricing BoJ rate hikes? We see at least two more rate hikes by the BoJ in the remainder of 2024, taking the upper bound of the target range to 0.50%, whereas markets are only factoring one to 0.35%. We believe the BoJ cannot overlook yen weakness for very long as it will risk falling behind the curve again. Imported inflation is already rising and inflationary expectations are being tethered higher.
Download the to learn more about the topics covered in this publication:
- US economic review: The waiting game continues
- Euro area economic outlook: Getting there, but slowly
- Japan economic outlook: Bank of Japan (BoJ) in a dilemma
WHAT ARE THE RISKS?
All investments involve risks, including possible loss of principal.
Fixed income securities involve interest rate, credit, inflation and reinvestment risks, and possible loss of principal. As interest rates rise, the value of fixed income securities falls. Low-rated, high-yield bonds are subject to greater price volatility, illiquidity and possibility of default.
Equity securities are subject to price fluctuation and possible loss of principal.
International investments are subject to special risks, including currency fluctuations and social, economic and political uncertainties, which could increase volatility. These risks are magnified in emerging markets. Investments in companies in a specific country or region may experience greater volatility than those that are more broadly diversified geographically.