How to invest where new middle-class consumers will splash the cash
The rise of the middle-class consumer in emerging markets is the world’s most compelling long-term growth theme, says professional investor Kevin Carter. Here, he picks three of the best ways to buy in.
Each week, a professional investor tells us where he'd put his money. This week: Kevin Carter, CIO and founder of the Emerging Markets Internet & Ecommerce UCITS ETF.
We believe that the rise of the middle-class consumer in emerging markets is the world's most compelling long-term growth theme. Emerging markets account for 85% of the world's population and nearly 90% of its under-30s; their GDP is also growing at more than twice the rate of the developed world's (4.4% vs 1.8%). The conditions for what the consultancy McKinsey & Co. calls "the greatest growth opportunity in the history of capitalism" are now being realised.
Where consumption meets technology
As they raise their standards of living and purchasing power, the digitisation of their economies is accelerating, creating new tech giants on a par with or larger than their Western counterparts. Nine of the top 20 internet companies in the world are based in emerging markets; seven of them didn't exist seven years ago.
Subscribe to MoneyWeek
Subscribe to MoneyWeek today and get your first six magazine issues absolutely FREE

Sign up to Money Morning
Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter
Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter
We are living through one of the greatest leaps forward in economic growth in history. Investors are looking for ways to gain targeted exposure to this secular growth story.
MercadoLibre:South American's e-commerce favourite
MercadoLibre (Nasdaq: MELI)
Pinduoduo: savings and fun in China
Pinduoduo (Nasdaq: PDD)
This method has facilitated rapid adoption in China's smaller cities. With only around 60% of the Chinese population owning a smartphone, the largest internet population in the world still offers ample upside.
MakeMyTripLIndia's top travel company
MakeMyTrip (Nasdaq: MMYT)
Sign up for MoneyWeek's newsletters
Get the latest financial news, insights and expert analysis from our award-winning MoneyWeek team, to help you understand what really matters when it comes to your finances.
-
Six out of 10 retirees who accessed a pension didn’t use Pension Wise - how does the guidance service work?
Many pension savers don’t bother using the free government-backed service Pension Wise. So, how does it work, and could it be useful for you?
-
UK-EU trade deal: Britain to get a £9bn boost to the economy by 2040
The government’s agreement with the EU follows on from separate deals with India and the United States. Will it breathe life into the UK economy?