Templeton fund exec, Mark Mobius told Bloomberg that he is happily buying emerging market shares, as 2008's sliding global share markets have uncovered "tremendous bargains" in a variety of emerging market sectors.
Although money outflows from mutual funds have been pronounced this year, Mobius feels that attractive dividend yields and valuations for emerging market shares will compel investors to put their sidelined money (currently in Treasuries and the like) back to work here in 2009.
Interestingly, Mobius is rather bullish on commodities and resource-based economies longer-term, noting that stock markets will lead and signal any future economic recoveries in BRIC countries. He feels that commodity supply stocks are currently being run down, and user inventories will eventually fall short, leading to rising commodity prices over time.
Speaking of commodities, Jim Rogers also spoke with Bloomberg TV for their "First Word 2009" program where he, like Mobius, offered his views on the world economy and important investment themes for the coming years.
Rogers is still long-term bullish on commodity prices, echoing Mobius' points on the coming supply shortfalls for much-needed resources.
Even when factoring in the gloomy economic forecasts for 2009 on, he feels that commodities can easily hold their own in times of inflation or depression, pointing to the 1930s and 1970s as two such periods of commodity strength.
Enjoy the interviews, and tell us what you see for 2009.
Related articles and posts:
1. Mark Mobius Q&A: Emerging Markets (2007) - Finance Trends.
2. Jim Rogers on Bloomberg "Night Talk" - Finance Trends.