Investment Adventures in Emerging Markets

Outlook for GCC bond and equity markets amid macroeconomic headwinds
MENA

Outlook for GCC bond and equity markets amid macroeconomic headwinds

With growth slowing and recession becoming more of a possibility amid elevated inflation and hawkish central banks globally, GCC bond and equity markets have become more volatile. Nevertheless, there are still opportunities in select countries and sectors that are more defensive in nature or could benefit from the same macroeconomic factors causing general uncertainty. Franklin Templeton’s Mohieddine Kronfol and Salah Shamma share their thoughts on the current environment and where they see opportunities in their respective areas.

Middle Eastern Resilience: Improving Economic Activity and Defensive Characteristics
MENA

Middle Eastern Resilience: Improving Economic Activity and Defensive Characteristics

The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region has been resilient despite ongoing geopolitical uncertainty and rising inflation, according to Franklin Templeton’s Dino Kronfol and Salah Shamma. While Ukraine and Russia are remote from the region and linkages are not direct nor easy to identify, they give their views on how local economies are faring amid the volatility.

MENA Equities: Five Key Themes and Reasons for Optimism
MENA

MENA Equities: Five Key Themes and Reasons for Optimism

The global economy is currently facing headwinds because of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, but there are several reasons to be optimistic about the outlook for equities in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, according to Franklin Templeton Emerging Markets Equity’s Bassel Khatoun and Salah Shamma. They point to several themes supporting the investment case, including robust government balance sheets, currency pegs to the US dollar and higher oil prices, which should provide policymakers with ample tools to mitigate any inflationary risks over the medium term.

Investing Beyond the Storm: A View from the MENA Region
MENA Region

Investing Beyond the Storm: A View from the MENA Region

The economic fallout from COVID-19 hit oil-exporting countries hard. Global Sukuk and MENA Fixed Income’s Dino Kronfol and Franklin Templeton Emerging Markets Equity’s Salah Shamma are nonetheless optimistic about the prospects for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. They say a recovery could gather pace for the rest of 2021 on the back of sweeping structural reforms.