Templeton Global Emerging Markets

 If a little of the steam is about to be let out of emerging markets consider Templeton Global Emerging Markets, managed by a team headed up by the legendary Dr Mark Mobius. This fund is notable for its intense analysis on the fundamental value of individual companies. This means it might not match some soaring funds in strong bull markets, but should be less volatile in more uncertain times, when Templetons cautious and prudent approach is appealing.  At least that is what generally happens.  Ironically in January 2008 the fund had its worst month ever, and sharply underperformed the emerging markets sector as a whole.  The reason for this was the fund being overweight in Asia, and heavily overweight in China, 31% vs 14% for the benchmark.  There was a decent bounce in February.  Our inclination is to buy a fund of this pedigree on weakness, providing that you are comfortable with the heavy China weighting.

This is undoubtedly a higher risk fund, but one that is well diversified. Providing that you are comfortable with such higher risk investments, you should probably regard 10% of your portfolio as the minimum that should be invested into emerging markets. If this will be your first foray into emerging markets, you could begin with just 5%, and top-up on weakness, or simply invest monthly.  We discuss this in more detail in our separate emerging markets research. 

To achieve long term capital growth. It seeks to achieve its objective through a policy of investing primarily in equity securities and, as an ancillary matter, in debt obligations issued by corporations incorporated or having their principal business activities in, and governments of, developing or emerging nations.