Skip to content

This is a chapter from the Emerging markets: An evolving landscape paper. To read all chapters in this paper, click here.

Chapter preview

Global leadership from emerging market (EM) technology companies will be instrumental in driving the growth of the asset class

  • EM technology companies have experienced significant growth, evolving the shape of the asset class—it is now the dominant sector in EMs.
  • The growth in the sector has been driven by high quality companies delivering earnings growth.
  • Consensus earnings growth expectations for EM technology remain high, with more attractive growth and valuations compared to nearest competitors—US technology.
  • The volume of innovation should support further growth in EM technology compared to other regions.

Technology has grown to be the dominant sector in EM.

Technology represents almost a quarter of the MSCI EM Index. It has almost doubled in size since 2010 due to its positive performance and has been the best performing sector over the long term.1 This is reflective of the broader change in the shape of the asset class over the past 15 years. EMs are no longer dominated by commodities and cyclicals – the asset class has global technology leaders that offer innovative products and services, as well as domestic companies which are capitalising on enhancements in digitisation.

Technology in EMs has gone from strength to strength. It has evolved to be the most dominant sector in the index by consistently delivering on earnings. Compared to a decade ago, its index weight has doubled so now its relative contribution to index performance is even more impactful than before. The sector is composed of high-quality companies with stronger earnings growth expectations and more attractive valuations than its nearest peers—the US technology industry. We think this valuation gap versus the US can close. We believe EM technology will continue to compound its high returns and growth and achieve the valuation which is reflective of its global leadership. This global recognition of EM technology’s leadership and the companies’ delivery of earnings growth is what can turn the tide for EM as a whole, helping to navigate towards an exciting future.

Endnote

  1. Source: FactSet, as of 30 June 2024.

WHAT ARE THE RISKS?

All investments involve risks, including possible loss of principal. Please note that an investor cannot invest directly in an index. Unmanaged index returns do not reflect any fees, expenses or sales charges. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. 

Equity securities are subject to price fluctuation and possible loss of principal.

International investments are subject to special risks including currency fluctuations, social, economic and political uncertainties, which could increase volatility. These risks are magnified in emerging markets.

Commodities and currencies contain heightened risk that include market, political, regulatory, and natural conditions and may not be suitable for all investors.

The government’s participation in the economy is still high and, therefore, investments in China will be subject to larger regulatory risk levels compared to many other countries.

There are special risks associated with investments in China, Hong Kong and Taiwan, including less liquidity, expropriation, confiscatory taxation, international trade tensions, nationalization, and exchange control regulations and rapid inflation, all of which can negatively impact the fund. Investments in Taiwan could be adversely affected by its political and economic relationship with China.

US Treasuries are direct debt obligations issued and backed by the “full faith and credit” of the US government. The US government guarantees the principal and interest payments on US Treasuries when the securities are held to maturity. Unlike US Treasuries, debt securities issued by the federal agencies and instrumentalities and related investments may or may not be backed by the full faith and credit of the US government. Even when the US government guarantees principal and interest payments on securities, this guarantee does not apply to losses resulting from declines in the market value of these securities.

IMPORTANT LEGAL INFORMATION

This material is intended to be of general interest only and should not be construed as individual investment advice or a recommendation or solicitation to buy, sell or hold any security or to adopt any investment strategy. It does not constitute legal or tax advice. This material may not be reproduced, distributed or published without prior written permission from Franklin Templeton.

The views expressed are those of the investment manager and the comments, opinions and analyses are rendered as at publication date and may change without notice. The underlying assumptions and these views are subject to change based on market and other conditions and may differ from other portfolio managers or of the firm as a whole. The information provided in this material is not intended as a complete analysis of every material fact regarding any country, region or market. There is no assurance that any prediction, projection or forecast on the economy, stock market, bond market or the economic trends of the markets will be realized. The value of investments and the income from them can go down as well as up and you may not get back the full amount that you invested. Past performance is not necessarily indicative nor a guarantee of future performance. All investments involve risks, including possible loss of principal.

Any research and analysis contained in this material has been procured by Franklin Templeton for its own purposes and may be acted upon in that connection and, as such, is provided to you incidentally. Data from third party sources may have been used in the preparation of this material and Franklin Templeton ("FT") has not independently verified, validated or audited such data. Although information has been obtained from sources that Franklin Templeton believes to be reliable, no guarantee can be given as to its accuracy and such information may be incomplete or condensed and may be subject to change at any time without notice. The mention of any individual securities should neither constitute nor be construed as a recommendation to purchase, hold or sell any securities, and the information provided regarding such individual securities (if any) is not a sufficient basis upon which to make an investment decision. FT accepts no liability whatsoever for any loss arising from use of this information and reliance upon the comments, opinions and analyses in the material is at the sole discretion of the user.

Franklin Templeton has environmental, social and governance (ESG) capabilities; however, not all strategies or products for a strategy consider “ESG” as part of their investment process.

Products, services and information may not be available in all jurisdictions and are offered outside the U.S. by other FT affiliates and/or their distributors as local laws and regulation permits. Please consult your own financial professional or Franklin Templeton institutional contact for further information on availability of products and services in your jurisdiction.

Issued in the U.S.: Franklin Resources, Inc. and its subsidiaries offer investment management services through multiple investment advisers registered with the SEC. Franklin Distributors, LLC and Putnam Retail Management LP, members FINRA/SIPC, are Franklin Templeton broker/dealers, which provide registered representative services.  Franklin Templeton, One Franklin Parkway, San Mateo, California 94403-1906, (800) DIAL BEN/342-5236, franklintempleton.com.

This site is intended only for U.S. Institutional Investors and Consultants. Using it means you agree to our Terms of Use.

If you would like information on Franklin Templeton’s retail mutual funds, please visit www.franklintempleton.com.

CFA® and Chartered Financial Analyst® are trademarks owned by CFA Institute.