Franklin Templeton EM manager Sehgal eyes opportunities ahead of potential Saudi MSCI inclusion

Decision expected 20 June

Chetan Sehgal, director of portfolio management for GEM and small cap strategies at Franklin Templeton, has backed the inclusion of Saudi Arabia in the MSCI Emerging Markets Index, as the manager looks to unlock more exposure to the wider Gulf region.

Saudi Arabia's inclusion in the MSCI index, which is expected to be announced tomorrow (20 June), follows substantial reforms from Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to widen the country's economic activity, lessening its dependence on oil and attract foreign capital. Emerging markets managers eye MENA opportunities as specialist assets tumble The country was added to the FTSE Russell Emerging Markets index in March and its anticipated inclusion in the MSCI index is expected to attract billions of dollars in foreign capital. Speaking to Investment Week, Sehgal, who is also lead portf...