The emerging markets are known for their risk and potential rewards, and investors who are willing to take on a little more risk could take a look at Global X‘s new frontier market exchange traded funds.
The Global X Nigeria Index ETF (NYSEArca: NGE) and the Global X Central Asia & Mongolia Index ETF (NYSEArca: AZIA) begins trading Wednesday, April 2. [Frontier Market ETFs Going Mainstream on Growth, Diversification]
Frontier markets have less advanced capital markets and are less established than the developing economies. The pre-emerging group of frontier markets provide investors with potentially high returns, but they come with added risks, such as political and economic instability, liquidity issues, poor financial regulation and currency risks, among others. [Frontier Market ETFs: Get in on the Ground Floor]
NGE will try to reflect the performance of the Solactive Nigeria Index, which tracks companies domiciled in, principally traded in or whose revenues are primarily from Nigeria. The ETF has a 0.68% expense ratio and includes 28 component holdings.
Top holdings include Guaranty Trust Bank 8.6%, First Bank of Nigeria 7.6%, Zenith Bank 6.9%, Nigerian Breweries 6.4% and Saipem Spa 4.5%.
Sector allocations include financials 41.3%, energy 24.3%, consumer discretionary 13.1%, consumer staples 11.5%, industrials 6.0% and basic materials 3.8%.
Nigeria is the large country on Africa by population, with 63% under the age of 25, and the largest oil producer on the continent, according to Global X. Moreover, Nigeria is undergoing pro-market reforms and has attracted the largest foreign direct investment in Africa.