Investment approaches
Global emerging markets equity
High-conviction strategy seeking to capture the growth premium associated with emerging markets
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Emphasis on active management: stock selection driven by bottom-up proprietary research which incorporates environmental, social and governance (ESG) analysis
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Global thematic approach to investing targets future profitability rather than historic profitability
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Focus on ‘compounders’ aims to limit downside risk when markets become less certain
Our philosophy and process
- The strategy seeks to invest in companies that are well governed and run for the benefit of all shareholders. It can also invest a proportion of assets in developed-market companies where business is driven by emerging-market operations.
- ESG considerations are integrated throughout the research process and via proprietary quality reviews, to ensure that any material issues are captured.
- The strategy has a long-term investment horizon. It focuses on balance-sheet strength and return-on-capital metrics.
Every time we consider a security or look at an industry or country, it’s in the context of what’s happening across the world. We believe the investment landscape is shaped over the long term by some key trends, and we use a range of global investment themes to capture these.
Earth matters
Environmental factors are high up the political agenda and provide areas of opportunity as well as risk. Governments are under pressure to respond but this can be expensive, despite advancements in technology. ‘Earth matters’ looks at these issues.
China influence
The influence of China on the world has grown exponentially but its economy looks increasingly risky. ‘China influence’ looks at how the country’s development affects the investment outlook beyond its borders.1
1 Compared to more established economies, the value of investments in emerging markets may be subject to greater volatility owing to differences in generally accepted accounting principles or from economic or political instability or less developed market practices.
State intervention
Authorities have engaged in ever-greater policy intervention and regulation to shore up economic growth. We believe ‘state intervention’ has increased misallocation of capital, caused volatility in markets and inflated asset prices – and we think that calls for a stock-specific approach.
Smart revolution
Machines and networks are becoming more intelligent. This is disrupting the labour market, as machines increasingly replace humans in the workplace. ‘Smart revolution’ considers the implications commercially, socially and politically.
Transcript
But every emerging market is unique and prospects can vary because of regional, industrial and corporate differences.
With such divergent opportunities and risks, what should investors do?
We believe an active, long-term approach to stock picking could help identify the best long-term growth opportunities in developing markets.
And one particular solution could be our Global Emerging Markets strategy. It has four core principles:
Active management – we are unconstrained by an index. A passive investor is limited to areas which have already performed well, but we can actively position the strategy to try to harness future growth opportunities.
Long-term focus – we do not chase the short-term volatility in the market, but focus on trying to deliver sustainable growth.
Strong fundamentals – we search for companies with attractive valuations, strong growth potential and that have the backing of our global investment themes.
And we analyse the environmental, social and governance risks of every company which we consider for investment. We look for companies which are run in the best interests of all shareholders, not the state.
Our Global Emerging Markets strategy takes an active, highly selective approach in seeking out the best long-term growth opportunities in the developing world, for our clients.
Investment team
Our Global Emerging Markets Equity strategy is managed by an experienced team. Our global sector analysts and investment managers are located on a single floor in London, which helps to ensure that the investment process is flexible and opportunistic. Guided by our global investment themes, the team works together to identify opportunities and risks through research and debate.
- 17
- years' average investment experience
- 13
- years' average time at Newton
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Robert Marshall-Lee
Investment leader, emerging and Asian equities
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Sophia Whitbread
Portfolio manager, emerging and Asian equities
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Ilga Haubelt
Head of Equity Opportunities
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Robert Hay
Portfolio manager, global equities
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Paul Markham
Portfolio manager, global equities
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Jeff Munroe
Investment leader, global equities
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Simon Nichols
Portfolio manager, UK equities
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Ben Smith
Analyst, equity opportunities
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Yuko Takano
Portfolio manager, global equities
Strategy profile
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Objective
- To achieve long-term capital growth through investing in emerging-market securities
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Comparative index
- MSCI Emerging Markets Index (NDR)
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Performance aim
- To outperform the comparative index in excess of 3% p.a. over a rolling five-year period
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Typical number of equity holdings
- 40 to 70
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Strategy size
- $1.4bn (as at March 31, 2020)
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Strategy inception
- May 2011
Quarterly factsheet
Facts on the strategy’s performance and positioning.
Reponsible investment report
Stewardship activities (voting and engagement) for the last quarter and ESG metrics.
Brochure
More detail on the strategy's investment approach.
Strategy updates against the backdrop of Covid-19
Lead Portfolio Manager Robert Marshall-Lee provides his thoughts on recent market events and the impact they are having on the strategy.
Quarterly video update: Q1 2020
Your capital may be at risk. The value of investments and the income from them can fall as well as rise and investors may not get back the original amount invested.