Ashmore Investment Management

Emerging markets are the only territory Ashmore works in. Based in London, Ashmore is a specialist emerging markets investment manager that dates from 1992, when it was set up inside the Australia and New Zealand Banking Group, and it now says it has worked in these markets for more than three decades. Its website trades under the name Ashmore Group.

Five investment themes

The firm organises its work around five themes. External debt means lending to governments of developing economies. Local currency work deals with those economies' own currencies and domestic interest rates. Corporate debt is about company bonds issued in those economies. Equities cover emerging market shares, and alternatives form the fifth theme. The firm cautions that availability varies by country, since some of the themes cannot be bought through retail funds everywhere, so the information is for general reference only.

Research and commentary

A large part of the public site is market commentary. The firm publishes regular insights on macroeconomic events that shape its investments, from central bank decisions and inflation data to oil prices and political developments in countries such as China, Brazil, India and Argentina. Readers are invited to subscribe so they are notified whenever new content is published, and the firm also hosts webinars, for example on India as an uncorrelated allocation. These pieces show how the firm reads economic news, although they are opinion rather than advice.

Sustainability and recognition

Ashmore says it says sustainability and the effect of its investments have long mattered to it, with a section on ESG and one on its awards. A recent insight discusses generating both impact and returns through emerging market public debt.

Its place in the category

Filed here as a venture capital firm, it is better understood as an asset manager for institutional and professional investors rather than a startup investor. Its focus is on public markets and debt in developing economies, and its commentary reads as that of a global macro house with a regional specialism.

Reading its claims

Statements about expertise, innovation and awards are the firm's own, and its content is directed at investors who already understand emerging market risks.

Ashmore Investment Management is a specialist emerging markets investment manager based in London. The business began in 1992 inside a large Australian and New Zealand bank, and it now has more than thirty years of experience in these markets. Its website markets itself under the name Ashmore Group.

Products and services

• External debt: investing in emerging market sovereign borrowing.
• Local currency: strategies in emerging market currencies and local rates.
• Corporate debt: investing in the bonds of emerging market companies.
• Equities: emerging market share strategies.
• Alternatives: additional strategies outside the main asset classes.

Clients

It serves investors who want exposure to emerging markets. Some strategies may not be available through mutual funds in every country. It also publishes regular market commentary, webinars and an ESG section.

Key facts

• Based in: London, UK
• Founded: 1992
• Focus: emerging markets only
• Publishing: regular investor insights and market commentary