Press "Enter" to skip to content

Tag: Middle East

Season 2, Episode 11: Bargain Hunting in Frontier Markets, With Hedi Ben Mlouka of FIM Partners

Published April 7, 2020

Frontier markets are at greater risk of coronavirus fallout, but there are opportunities

Hedi Ben Mlouka joins the podcast to discuss his views of frontier markets in light of the coronavirus crisis.

Ben Mlouka has been investing in frontier markets for more than a decade as CIO and CEO of Dubai-based FIM Partners. He sees the asset class in general as being at greater risk of being impacted by fallout from the COVID-19 epidemic. The political risks are particularly vexxing.

Content segments timestamp:

  • Is this a good time to be investing in frontier markets? (6:03)
  • The first part of the equation: Frontier markets are less prepared for the coronavirus than developed markets (7:05)
  • The impact will be larger from a healthcare perspective while the policy response can be expected to be weaker, especially in fragile economies (9:56)
  • The crisis will expose the “downside of globalization,” precluding a “V-shaped” recovery (11:30)
  • Where are the opportunities? Oil importers like Pakistan and Egypt can benefit (15:26)
  • Speaking oil, forget about the demand shock for now. Oil prices should recover to $50 or $60 per barrel (18:57)
  • Beyond the macro picture, industries with access to capital are preferred. Avoid travel, hospitality, banks. (21:07)
  • Healthcare, education, retail, and consumer discretionary companies should recover over the long term (23:56)
  • Political risk is a major concern for many countries in frontier markets. Who’s most vulnerable? (31:09)

Highlights From Our YouTube Channel

More information on the guest:

Not intended as investment advice.

Leave a Comment

Season 2, Episode 7: Oil Sell-Off Special Edition

Published March 10, 2020

Inside The Saudi-Russia Supply Standoff, With Kirill Zadov, Political Analyst, RUSA Radio

Kirill Zadov, political analyst at Russian-language radio station RUSA Radio, joins the podcast in this special episode to discuss the recent sell-off in oil prices.

Zadov has some unique insights into the Russian oil economy and the political economy of the Middle East. His prediction: Saudi Arabia and Russia will have to come together to agree to output cuts, and soon. How low will oil go in the interim? Here too Zadov has some views.

Segment time stamps:

  • What’s motivating Russia on their decision to not cut output? (4:02)
  • Why Russia and Saudi Arabia need to cut output, and soon (7:07)
  • What other countries in the region are affected by this? (9:19)
  • How long will it take for Russia and Saudi Arabia to agree to cuts? (10:28)
  • Background on the guest (11:35)
  • How low will oil prices go? (13:26)

For more information on the guest: 

Not intended as investment advice.

Leave a Comment

Season 2, Episode 1: The Next Market Meltdown is Coming

Published January 16, 2020

Sunrise Capital’s Chris Stanton on the What, When, and Where

Chris Stanton, chief investment officer at Sunrise Capital, rejoins the podcast to discuss his bearish views on the market at the start of 2020.

There are reasons to believe a market correction is overdue, Stanton says. Risk is everywhere: geopolitical, volatility, repo markets. A drop of 18% to 20% can be expected before March 31.

Highlights:

  • “Rest assured, we’re heading for a correction and I would argue it’s going to be terrifying when it comes” (5:43)
  • The “Phase 1” deal with China is a temporary measure that will be revoked if Donald Trump wins reelection in November (9:55)
  • A likely catalyst for a correction is in the repo market (11:36)
  • A “volatility-led sell off” is likely before the end of the first quarter (16:12)
  • Where’s inflation? (26:34)
  • It may not take an actual headline for investors to decide equities are overbought (31:01)
  • Background on Stanton’s firm, San Diego-based Sunrise Capital (38:03)
  • The “origin story”: Background on Stanton himself (53:03)
  • What should retail investors do, right now? (1:02:49)

Highlights From Our YouTube Channel

For more information on Sunrise Capital: www.sunrisecapital.com

Not intended as investment advice.

Leave a Comment