Frontier markets are economies that are in the beginning stages of capital market growth. Focused exchange traded funds give investors exposure to the growth spurt as the economies begin industrializing.
“Frontier funds’ 24 percent average return last year compares with 14 percent for U.S. funds, 16 percent in both Japan and emerging markets, and 17 percent in Europe, according to data compiled by Bloomberg,” Michael Patterson wrote for Bloomberg. [International ETFs That Help Diversify]
MSCI frontier measure, made up of 141 stocks making up a market value of $3 billion gained 7.5%, and has reached its highest level since 2011 this month. The MSCI All-Country World Index shares in developed and emerging countries is up 4.6 % in 2013, following a 17 % gain last year, reports Patterson. The MSCI frontier index is valued at 11.6% times reported profits, and has a dividend yield of 3.6%.
The iShares MSCI Frontier 100 Index (NYSEArca: FM) is made up of the 100 largest companies in the MSCI frontier index. The Gulf states of Kuwait, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates dominate the ETF, with other countries such as Nigeria represented. A 30-day Sec yield of 2.79% helps balance out the 0.79% expense ratio. [Best Emerging Market ETFs]
“Today the risks are all in the developed world: Not only do you have low growth, but that low growth is going to continue. These economies are saddled with massive debt. You are going to have fiscal austerity for the foreseeable future–low growth. So today, I think investors are faced with a choice: do you go for strong economies, strong fundamentals with strong growth, or do you go to these tired, old developed economies?” Allen Conway, head of global emerging market equities at Schroders, said in a Morningstar interview. [Into Africa With ETFs]