Focus on Fundamentals, Not Fears

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) recently downgraded its 2014 global growth forecast to 3.3%, 0.4% lower than its prior forecast given in April 2014 and below the levels of global growth seen in 2010 and 2011, when the world’s economies were recovering from the global financial crisis.¹ It’s important to remember that this is just one forecast, and it’s also important to remember that not all emerging markets are the same. The IMF actually increased growth projections in some cases. The growth projection for developing and emerging Europe was increased to 2.7% in 2014, 0.4% higher than what had been forecasted in April.² More specifically in the region, growth in Hungary and Poland was projected to reach 2.8% and 3.2%, respectively, in 2014, according to the IMF. Rising investment and declining unemployment in Poland, and significant monetary easing and higher public spending in Hungary were behind this more optimistic growth forecast. Growth in emerging Asia was seen at 6.5% and growth in Sub-Saharan Africa at 5.4%; both regions still generally remaining robust.³

People are concerned about the spread of the Ebola virus impacting growth in some affected African nations going forward, which is something we will be watching.There has been concern about the prospect of rising interest rates in the United States causing heightened volatility in emerging market stocks in the year to come, but not all markets—or companies in them—will be affected the same way. For example, Mexico has benefited from the improving US economy as well as from internal reform efforts. Generally, in our view, emerging markets that have prepared for higher US interest rates should be able to weather the transition. Additionally, the eurozone and Japan continue to pursue easy monetary policies, potentially providing market liquidity.

And, although the pace of China’s growth may have slowed, the economy is still projected to  grow at more than 7% this year!⁴ China’s shift to higher-quality, more sustainable growth as the economy transitions to a more domestically driven growth model could also help the economy sustain its relatively higher growth going forward.

Meanwhile, India seems to have seen a revival in spirits, with GDP growth expanding at a robust 5.7% in the quarter ended June 30.⁵ Optimism surrounding newly elected Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been reflected not only in the equity market, but also in the recent strength of the Indian rupee.

We believe that a growing US economy, substantial monetary easing in Europe and Japan, and strengthening domestic factors in certain emerging markets could present an attractive opportunity for investors going forward. We remain of the opinion that longer-term trends in emerging markets such as investor-friendly reforms in a number of countries, including China, India, South Korea and Mexico, moves to reduce barriers to trade, increases in technological expertise within emerging market economies, and the rapid growth in the number and spending power of middle-class consumers all provide the basis for sustained economic growth and rising corporate profitability across many emerging markets. Meanwhile, we continue to identify individual emerging market companies that we believe trade at relatively attractive valuations.

Moreover, it is important to remember that emerging market countries now represent a large share of world economic activity and equity market capitalization. In our view, the long-term investment case for emerging markets has not changed, despite some shorter-term fears. Three key themes remain in place: Emerging markets’ economic growth rates in general continue to be markedly higher than those of developed markets; emerging markets generally have much greater foreign reserves than developed markets; and the debt-to-GDP ratios of emerging market countries generally remain much lower than those of developed markets. Those are the fundamental facts we search for, while understanding that fears will always play a role in the market.

For more information on the concept of availability bias, check out our “Behavioral Finance for Everyday Investors” video:

Dr. Mobius’s comments, opinions and analyses are his personal views and are intended to be for informational purposes and general interest only and should not be construed as individual investment advice or a recommendation or solicitation to buy, sell or hold any security or to adopt any investment strategy. It does not constitute legal or tax advice. The information provided in this material is rendered as at publication date and may change without notice and it is not intended as a complete analysis of every material fact regarding any country, region market or investment.

Data from third party sources may have been used in the preparation of this material and Franklin Templeton Investments (“FTI”) has not independently verified, validated or audited such data. FTI accepts no liability whatsoever for any loss arising from use of this information and reliance upon the comments, opinions and analyses in the material is at the sole discretion of the user. Products, services and information may not be available in all jurisdictions and are offered by FTI affiliates and/or their distributors as local laws and regulation permits. Please consult your own professional advisor for further information on availability of products and services in your jurisdiction.

What are the Risks?

All investments involve risks, including possible loss of principal. Foreign securities involve special risks, including currency fluctuations and economic and political uncertainties. Investments in emerging markets, of which frontier markets are a subset, involve heightened risks related to the same factors, in addition to those associated with these markets’ smaller size, lesser liquidity and lack of established legal, political, business and social frameworks to support securities markets. Because these frameworks are typically even less developed in frontier markets, as well as various factors including the increased potential for extreme price volatility, illiquidity, trade barriers and exchange controls, the risks associated with emerging markets are magnified in frontier markets.