Outlook 2023: Is the time ripe for emerging markets?
Nick Payne explains why he believes emerging markets are poised for a recovery after a challenging year.
China’s property market contributed almost one third of China’s GDP in 2020. Following a number of high-profile property developer failures in 2021 and 2022 some economic commentators thought this may presage China’s ‘Lehman moment’. Battered consumer confidence and, until recently, limited government support significantly impacted the sector. The startling decline in the property market has been partly exacerbated by China’s zero-covid policy, which made both the practical aspect of buying a house tricky, but also negatively impacted consumer and business confidence. The central government have now announced a sweeping support plan for the property sector, covering banks, homebuyers and developers. The additional confidence of this policy response has already seen the sector respond very strongly, with the MSCI China Real Estate (USD) sub index up more than +50% during November.
Finally, the geopolitical tensions that had built up between China and the USA seem to have been reduced following the meeting of Presidents Xi and Biden on the sidelines of the G20 summit in November. A more pragmatic and conciliatory struck tone between the two leaders recognised that if the two largest economies in the world are at loggerheads, no country prospers. Although this is a small step in a long path back to a reconciliation, we believe it is a step in the right direction and provides momentum for further progress to be made. Ultimately, we believe that these positive roots of news will help lift many of the headwinds Chinese stocks have faced this year and should provide a platform to bounce back in 2023 against a backdrop of attractive valuations.
Finally, with developing world growth slowing materially, the growth differential between EM and developed markets should continue to become more pronounced. For example, India is predicted to grow at 8% next year, contrasting starkly with the recessionary concerns for the US. This is not an anomaly either. Many developed markets are facing looming recessions while emerging markets economies are forecast to grow. A good illustration of the stark difference in economic outlooks between companies in developed markets and companies in emerging markets can be found in India. The CEO of India’s largest privately-owned bank recently said, “I have growth pouring out of my ears”, expressing a concern about how to best execute the massive growth he expects…a nice problem to have! This makes emerging markets very attractive to us, from both a growth perspective and on current valuations. We believe that the best opportunities within the asset class will be companies with high returns on capital, a strong moat (a long-term economic advantage that allows a company to protect its market share from competitors), and that continue to reinvest to grow their businesses over time. Therefore, while 2022 has been a challenging year for investors in emerging markets, we believe that the asset class is on the cusp of a recovery, supported by a softer US dollar and a recovery in China.
Of course, investing in emerging markets carries greater risk than investment in more traditional western markets. This may result in large falls in the value of the investments over short periods of time. Less developed countries may face more political, economic or structural challenges than developed countries, some investments may become hard to value or sell at a desired time and price.
Outlook 2023: Navigating a new world
Our latest investment outlook brings together expert views and analysis from our top fund managers as they look ahead to the opportunities and challenges in 2023.
The value of active minds: independent thinking
A key feature of Jupiter’s investment approach is that we eschew the adoption of a house view, instead preferring to allow our specialist fund managers to formulate their own opinions on their asset class. As a result, it should be noted that any views expressed – including on matters relating to environmental, social and governance considerations – are those of the author(s), and may differ from views held by other Jupiter investment professionals.
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