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Overview
Overview

The Global Emerging Markets Equity Strategy is a diversified, core portfolio seeking to identify growing countries and the companies that could potentially benefit. In our integrated process, we translate macrothematic research and fundamental bottom-up analysis into a growth oriented portfolio. We take a thematic approach to help identify longer term trends not fully appreciated by the market and construct a diversified portfolio of 70 to 90 stocks we believe are positioned to benefit from the future drivers of growth in emerging markets.

Differentiators
1
Differentiated Process

Our research shows that macro factors are an important driver of returns and risks in emerging markets, and we believe the most effective way to invest in EM is through an integrated top-down and bottom-up approach.  Our investors and dedicated macroeconomic research team conduct country, thematic and sector analysis to identify markets where the macro environment is positive and/or improving. We combine this with our disciplined fundamental, bottom-up process to select the most attractive investable companies.

2
Core Approach

We seek to construct a portfolio of 70-90 high conviction companies, actively positioned and diversified across countries and stocks. We identify stocks with a quality growth bias where companies have a solid balance sheet, strong competitive advantage, attractive and sustainable earnings growth and return on invested capital, and management that is aligned with shareholders. Our investment horizon is two to three years, and we expect tracking error for the strategy to be between 3-5%, relative to the MSCI Emerging Markets Index.1

3
Commitment to Emerging Markets

We have been investing in emerging markets since 1986 and our investors are located in New York, Singapore, Hong Kong and Mumbai, providing local expertise and on-the-ground research. As dedicated EM investors, we strive to deliver attractive excess returns across market cycles.

Investment Approach

The Emerging Markets Equity team bases its investment philosophy on proprietary research, which shows that both country-level and stock-specific factors can drive risks and returns in emerging markets. As a result, the team seeks to add value by integrating top-down country allocation and bottom-up stock selection with a growth bias.

The team believes that in the long term, the dynamics of emerging markets are beneficial to the earnings of selective growth companies. Rather than focusing on short-term cyclical bubbles, the team takes a thematic approach to investing to identify longer-term trends not fully appreciated by the market. As often as possible, the team takes contrarian positions. This allows them to develop sound reasons for why consensus may overlook or ignore elements of a country or a stock where positive change may yet occur.

 

Investment Process

Portfolio Managers

Team Insights

RISK CONSIDERATIONS  

There is no assurance that a portfolio will achieve its investment objective. Portfolios are subject to market risk, which is the possibility that the market values of securities owned by the portfolio will decline. Market values can change daily due to economic and other events (e.g. natural disasters, health crises, terrorism, conflicts and social unrest) that affect markets, countries, companies or governments. It is difficult to predict the timing, duration, and potential adverse effects (e.g. portfolio liquidity) of events. Accordingly, you can lose money investing in this strategy. Please be aware that this strategy may be subject to certain additional risks. In general, equities securities’ values also fluctuate in response to activities specific to a company. Investments in foreign markets entail special risks such as currency, political, economic, market and liquidity risks. The risks of investing in emerging market countries are greater than the risks generally associated with investments in foreign developed countries. Derivative instruments can be illiquid, may disproportionately increase losses and may have a potentially large negative impact on the portfolio’s performance. Illiquid securitiesmay be more difficult to sell and value than publicly traded securities (liquidity risk).

This communication is only intended for and will be only distributed to persons resident in jurisdictions where such distribution or availability would not be contrary to local laws or regulations.

There is no guarantee that any investment strategy will work under all market conditions, and each investor should evaluate their ability to invest for the long-term, especially during periods of downturn in the market. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

A separately managed account may not be appropriate for all investors. Separate accounts managed according to the Strategy include a number of securities and will not necessarily track the performance of any index. Please consider the investment objectives, risks and fees of the Strategy carefully before investing. A minimum asset level is required. For important information about the investment manager, please refer to Form ADV Part 2.

Any views and opinions provided are those of the portfolio management team and are subject to change at any time due to market or economic conditions and may not necessarily come to pass. Furthermore, the views will not be updated or otherwise revised to reflect information that subsequently becomes available or circumstances existing, or changes occurring. The views expressed do not reflect the opinions of all portfolio managers at Morgan Stanley Investment Management (MSIM) or the views of the firm as a whole, and may not be reflected in all the strategies and products that the Firm offers.

All information provided has been prepared solely for information purposes and does not constitute an offer or a recommendation to buy or sell any particular security or to adopt any specific investment strategy. The information herein has not been based on a consideration of any individual investor circumstances and is not investment advice, nor should it be construed in any way as tax, accounting, legal or regulatory advice. To that end, investors should seek independent legal and financial advice, including advice as to tax consequences, before making any investment decision.

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

The MSCI Emerging Markets Net Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization weighted index that is designed to measure equity market performance of emerging markets. The term "free float" represents the portion of shares outstanding that are deemed to be available for purchase in the public equity markets by investors. The MSCI Emerging Markets Net Index currently consists of 23 emerging market country indices. The performance of the Index is listed in U.S. dollars and assumes reinvestment of net dividends.

The indexes are unmanaged and do not include any expenses, fees or sales charges. It is not possible to invest directly in an index. Any index referred to herein is the intellectual property (including registered trademarks) of the applicable licensor. Any product based on an index is in no way sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by the applicable licensor and it shall not have any liability with respect thereto.

The information presented represents how the portfolio management team generally implements its investment process under normal market conditions.

Morgan Stanley Investment Management is the asset management division of Morgan Stanley.