Franklin FTSE Germany ETF

FLGR

Market cap $50.9M

Investors typically diversify global portfolios with broad international ETFs. But recent market volatility has caused investors to look more closely at various international opportunities.

Looking to diversify from a tumultuous, volatile domestic U.S. equity market? Many investors are likely looking at their options to do so.

The potential impact of tariffs on the US equity market (^GSPC, ^IXIC, ^DJI) could be more significant than expected. Alastair Pinder, HSBC head of emerging markets and global equity strategist, joins Morning Brief to discuss the importance of focusing on markets with fiscal stimulus potential, such as Germany and China, to offset these headwinds and safeguard portfolios.

While U.S. investors may be disappointed with this year's choppy first-quarter performance, European investors celebrate double-digit broad index returns. The Euro Stoxx 50 Index is Europe's blue-chip index covering 50 stocks from 11 Eurozone countries.

The Franklin FTSE Germany ETF is most cost-competitive than the larger- EWG, while also maintaining a superior track record of risk-adjusted returns. German macros, which have been in a dismal place for quite some time, appear to be getting a shot in the arm, although tariff-related pressures are still a concern. German stocks' valuations relative to developed markets are not hugely compelling, particularly in light of a similar degree of earnings growth.

Bull vs. Bear is a weekly feature where the VettaFi writers' room takes opposite sides for a debate on controversial stocks, strategies, or market ideas — with plenty of discussion of ETF ideas to play either angle. For this edition of Bull vs.

The gradual cooling of the German labour market continues, providing further arguments for the European Central Bank doves to put an October rate cut back on the table. Recruitment plans in both industry and services have already fallen to the lowest level in a year.

German industry disappointed in May, indicating that the entire economy could have fallen back into negative territory in the second quarter. Industrial production dropped by 2.5% month-on-month in May, from 0.1% MoM in April.

Business activity in the euro area rose for a third successive month in May, the rate of growth accelerating to a one-year-high. Price pressures cooled, with services sector inflation - the recent stickiness of which has been a major concern for policymakers worried about sustained elevated inflation.

Business activity in the euro area came close to stabilising in March, as provisional PMI® survey data registered only a marginal decline in output of goods and services.