Investment Adventures in Emerging Markets

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.

Frontier and MENA 2021 Outlook: A New Era of Investment
MENA

Frontier and MENA 2021 Outlook: A New Era of Investment

Why investors should pay attention to Kuwait’s upgrade to emerging market status, according to Franklin Templeton Emerging Markets Equity's Bassel Khatoun. Read more in his frontier and MENA 2021 outlook.

MENA Market Outlook: Managing the Economic Fallout
MENA Region

MENA Market Outlook: Managing the Economic Fallout

What challenges and opportunities could investors in the MENA region face? Read insights from Franklin Templeton Emerging Markets Equity's Bassel Khatoun and Salah Shamma.

The Oil Price Plunge and Emerging Markets Impact
MENA

The Oil Price Plunge and Emerging Markets Impact

Falling oil prices can be a double-edged sword in terms of economic impact: welcomed by consumers, but not by producers. Franklin Templeton Emerging Markets Equity’s Bassel Khatoun shares his thoughts on the impact of lower oil prices on emerging market economies and some considerations for investors.

Why the MENA Region Can Survive US/China Trade Disputes
MENA Region

Why the MENA Region Can Survive US/China Trade Disputes

As the world focuses on US/China trade spats, our on-the-ground team sees opportunities emerging in the MENA region.

An Emerging Markets View of US/Iranian Tensions
MENA Region

An Emerging Markets View of US/Iranian Tensions

As US-Iranian tensions rumble on, Franklin Templeton Emerging Markets Equity’s Manraj Sekhon, Bassel Khatoun and Salah Shamma weigh in on the potential market impact.

What’s Ahead for the MENA Region?
MENA Region

What’s Ahead for the MENA Region?

As investors ponder the prospects for the MENA region, our MENA equity team picks out four countries that have caught their attention.

Aramco’s Share Sale May Revitalize Saudi IPO Pipeline
Perspective

Aramco’s Share Sale May Revitalize Saudi IPO Pipeline

The listing of Saudi Arabia’s state-owned oil company could potentially reinvigorate the country’s IPO market, according to Franklin Templeton Emerging Markets Equity's Bassel Khatoun and Salah Shamma.

Kuwait’s Emerging Markets Arrival Signals New Era of Investment
MENA Region

Kuwait’s Emerging Markets Arrival Signals New Era of Investment

With Kuwait’s upgrade to MSCI emerging-market status, the combined MENA representation puts this region firmly on the global investment map, according to Bassel Khatoun and Salah Shamma. Read more.

Untapped Investment Opportunities in Africa
MENA Region

Untapped Investment Opportunities in Africa

“As global demand for hard and soft commodities continues to grow, we believe Africa is in an enviable position with its vast natural resources. Many African markets not only boast significant supplies of oil, gas and hard commodities, but also have the means to expand the production of soft commodities.” Bassel Khatoun, Franklin Templeton Emerging Markets Equity

A New Development in Saudi Arabia’s Reform Story as MSCI Delivers Upgrade
MENA Region

A New Development in Saudi Arabia’s Reform Story as MSCI Delivers Upgrade

“We think Saudi Arabia has an exciting growth story to tell, and we see a seat at the emerging-markets table as just reward for the improvements made to its equity market infrastructure, bringing it more in line with international standards." – Bassel Khatoun and Salah Shamma, Franklin Templeton Emerging Markets Equity

Saudi Arabia’s First Successful Play for Emerging-Market Status
MENA Region

Saudi Arabia’s First Successful Play for Emerging-Market Status

“Saudi Arabia remains a reform story on many levels; capital market reform has culminated in FTSE Russell’s decision to classify it as an emerging market. In our view, it’s encouraging that the bold fiscal reforms we’ve seen will likely put Saudi’s economy on more sustainable footing over the long-term.” - Bassel Khatoun and Salah Shamma, Franklin Templeton Emerging Markets Equity