GQG Partners Emerging Markets Equity held the largest exposure at the end of 2021, according to Lonsec, but the firm cut this to just over 1% by the end of February by reducing financial and energy exposures.
Reynolds also point to the electric vehicle (EV) market as EV battery demand was expected to grow 10-fold over the next 10 years, and the majority of that growing demand was currently being met by Asian producers, including South Korea’s LG Chem and China’s CATL.
“Emerging markets provide access to young and growing populations and tap into some really important consumption themes, as well as themes that are driven by urbanisation and digitisation. Our fund provides access to highly profitable companies that are capable of delivering higher levels of growth,” Reynolds added.
The Legg Mason Martin Currie Emerging Markets Fund, which was launched in 2011, since inception produced an average return of 10.2% a year (net of fees), compared with average 9% annual growth of the benchmark over that period, the firm said.