Are you brave enough to grow your nest eggs with a Turkey exchange traded fund (ETF)? If you want to invest some of your time and money into the Turkish stock market, it is best to do so with an appetite for risk, as this country may need more time in the oven.
Vito J. Racanelli for Barron’s suggests that after a 25% drop from October highs, the Turkish stock market is the cheapest it’s been in a while. After outstanding performances since 2002, this emerging market has been one of the worst performers this year.
Investors have been deterred by two things in particular: a worsening economic picture and rising interest rates. Gross domestic product (GDP) was once high at 7%, but is predicted this year to slow to between 4% and 5%.
The current government is market friendly and fiscally disciplined, but the survival of the president’s party is in question. The Constitutional Court could sweep it off its legs and leave the economy and the country’s political stability in doubt.
There are two ways to get exposure in Turkey:
- Turkish Investment Fund (TKF): A closed-end fund, which is down 14.8% year-to-date.
- iShares MSCI Turkey Investable Market Index (TUR): A fund that launched on April 1, it’s up 9.3% since then.
The opinions and forecasts expressed herein are solely those of Tom Lydon, and may not actually come to pass. Information on this site should not be used or construed as an offer to sell, a solicitation of an offer to buy, or a recommendation for any product.