Three ways to invest in the Asian consumer

The American consumer dominated the economic landscape of the end of the 20th century. But the 21st century will belong to the Asian consumer. However, taking advantage of this fact may not be as simple as it sounds. Here, Cris Sholto Heaton outlines your three main options.

The US consumer defined the last few decades. The Asian consumer will define the next. As hundreds of millions of people suddenly have spending power for the first time, sales of goods from cosmetics to cars, and toothpaste to TVs, are set to just grow and grow across the region.

This is a great opportunity for investors. As I discussed in detail here, history suggests that many of these sectors are the ones that deliver the best rewards for shareholders in the long run. Technology may be glamorous but shampoo and ready meals will make you rich.

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ChinaGlobal X China ConsumerUS:CHIQ1000.65
ChinaAtlantis China Healthcare (min $10,000)Row 1 - Cell 2 1001.66
ChinaChina FundUS:CHN481.44
IndonesiaAberdeen IndonesiaUS:IF471.57
RegionScottish Oriental Smaller CompaniesLN:SST401.04
ChinaMorgan Stanley China A ShareUS:CAF381.74
MalaysiaMalaysia FundUS:MAY351.16
KoreaKorea Equity FundUS:KEF341.64
IndiaMorgan Stanley IndiaUS:IIF33142.00
ThailandAberdeen New ThaiLN:ANW291.80
IndiaAberdeen New IndiaLN:NII291.80
RegionFidelity Asian ValuesLN:FAS281.34
ChinaTempleton Dragon FundUS:TDF271.50
MalaysiaiShares MSCI MalaysiaUS:EWM260.56
RegioniShares MSCI Far East ex Japan SmallCapLN:ISFE260.74
ThailandThai FundUS:TTF261.77
ThailandThai Capital FundUS:TF252.55
IndonesiaMarket Vectors IndonesiaUS:IDX250.68
ChinaClaymore/AlphaShares China Small CapUS:HAO250.70
RegionPacific AssetsLN:PAC231.70
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Standard CharteredFinancialsLN:STAN8195
SwatchLuxury goodsCH:UHR4138
RichemontLuxury goodsCH:CFR3934
Yum BrandsRestaurantsUS:YUM4045
HSBCFinancialsLN:HSBA2639
Philip MorrisTobaccoUS:PM2560
British American TobaccoTobaccoLN:BATS2263
BeiersdorfHealthcareDE:BEI2025
Associated British FoodsFood and beveragesLN:ABF1935
SABMillerFood and beveragesLN:SAB1879
Colgate PalmoliveHouseholdUS:CL1733
WPPAdvertisingLN:WPP1729
UnileverHouseholdLN:ULVR1735
BayerHealthcareDE:BAYA1629
PZ CussonsHouseholdLN:PZC1645
JC DecauxAdvertisingFP:DEC1534
Johnson & JohnsonHouseholdUS:JNJ1525
TescoRetailLN:TSCO1325
BaxterHealthcareUS:BAX1320
NestleFood and beveragesCH:NESN1233
Cris Sholto Heaton

Cris Sholto Heaton is an investment analyst and writer who has been contributing to MoneyWeek since 2006 and was managing editor of the magazine between 2016 and 2018. He is especially interested in international investing, believing many investors still focus too much on their home markets and that it pays to take advantage of all the opportunities the world offers. He often writes about Asian equities, international income and global asset allocation.

Cris began his career in financial services consultancy at PwC and Lane Clark & Peacock, before an abrupt change of direction into oil, gas and energy at Petroleum Economist and Platts and subsequently into investment research and writing. In addition to his articles for MoneyWeek, he also works with a number of asset managers, consultancies and financial information providers.

He holds the Chartered Financial Analyst designation and the Investment Management Certificate, as well as degrees in finance and mathematics. He has also studied acting, film-making and photography, and strongly suspects that an awareness of what makes a compelling story is just as important for understanding markets as any amount of qualifications.