Sydney, 15 April 2024 – Underembargo we’re pleased to share Robeco’s new publication with you ’Celebrating30 years in Emerging Markets’. Despite our Dutch roots, Robeco expanded intoglobal investing in 1930, one year after the company was formed. Therefore,finding value on every continent has always been part of our DNA. In 1994 welaunched our Emerging Markets Equities strategy to build on this heritage andapply our expertise in the era of globalisation. The strategy has navigatedthree decades of change and returned over 800% in absolute terms in that time,consistently beating its benchmark. That success depends on a consistent style anda stable team, with portfolio manager Wim-Hein Pals managing the strategy fromthe beginning.
Wim-Hein Pals, Head of Emerging Markets Equities atRobeco, in Australia
In conjunction with our 30 years in EmergingMarkets celebration, Wim Hein Pals, Portfolio Manager for Emerging Markets forover 30 years, will be visiting Australia from April 29th to May 3rd, 2024.During this period, he will be available for one-on-one interviews to discussall aspects of Emerging Markets investing. With his extensive experience andexpertise in fundamental EM investing, Wim Hein Pals offers unique insightsinto navigating the opportunities and challenges within emerging markets, providingvaluable perspectives for investors seeking to optimise their portfolios inthis dynamic landscape. Interview opportunities with Wim Hein Pals present aprime opportunity to delve deeper into Robeco's latest strategies and gainvaluable market insights directly from a seasoned expert in the field.
Thelaunch of Emerging Markets ex-China Equities fund
Robeco introduces its Emerging Markets ex-China Equities fund on March26, 2024, aligning with SFDR Article 8 standards to allow investors to managetheir China exposure separately. With China's growing dominance in emergingmarkets (EM) portfolios and potential geopolitical and regulatory impacts,Robeco's setup offers a more balanced EM exposure. Leveraging its 30-year trackrecord in fundamental EM investing, the strategy targets smaller EM economies likeKorea, Taiwan, and Brazil, investing in over 1,100 companies across high-growthsectors such as fintech and semiconductors. The diversified portfolio of 60 to80 stocks, selected with a value tilt, aims for attractive valuations andpotential earnings upside, blending fundamental and quantitative research forsuperior returns compared to the index.
Over the years, China's influence in portfolios hassurged, with Chinese stocks accounting for nearly 40% of the MSCI EM Index atits peak in 2020, even after recent downturns, compared to 25% today. Robeco'snew strategy addresses this shift, allowing investors to capture opportunitiesin smaller EM economies while managing exposure to China's evolving marketdynamics, providing a tailored approach to EM investing.