What I learned about investing from Gandhi

Many investors have given up on emerging markets. But not Lars Henriksson. For the patient, persistent investor, he says, there are big profits to be made over the next decade or so.

More than two decades ago, I decided to study Thai at university. It was challenging and time consuming, but what I found toughest were the jibes I received from acquaintances. They couldn't understand why I wanted to learn such a language. They asked whether it was so I could chat up the Thai ladies'. The ridiculing continued throughout university, but when I landed my first job in Thailand and flew off to Bangkok, the mocking suddenly stopped.

I see the same thing happening to emerging markets. Recently these markets have suffered mainly because of concerns about a global economic slowdown and the threat of the US Federal Reserve's more restrained bond buying. Last week emerging market bonds, equities and currencies slumped, fuelled by a sharp sell-off. Many pundits have been quick to write off emerging markets completely.

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Lars is an emerging-markets expert, with many years of 'on the ground' experience hunting down profit opportunities in Asia. Lars spent ten years living in Malaysia and Thailand, seeking out strategic opportunities, before moving to London to manage the Oracle Asia Absolute Fund. In short, Lars has real knowledge of where the opportunities in Asia are.