Meet the Team
TEMIT is managed by an experienced investment team comprising of the following members:

Chetan Sehgal, CFA
Senior Managing Director, Director of Portfolio Management

Andrew Ness
Portfolio Manager, Franklin Templeton Emerging Markets Equity
Overview
Emerging Market (EM) stocks rose in the second quarter of 2026. Sentiment was broadly supported by the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the United States and Iran. While scepticism over implementation remains, the prospect of de-escalation and improving shipping activity through the Strait of Hormuz eased oil prices and alleviated concerns about inflation. For the quarter, the MSCI Emerging Markets Index returned 23.25%. The MSCI World Index delivered 13.03%, both in net UK-sterling terms.1
The emerging Asia region advanced, driven largely by the artificial intelligence (AI) theme. Index heavyweights in South Korea and Taiwan supported gains in their respective markets. Accelerated demand for high-bandwidth memory (HBM) chips used in AI infrastructure buoyed semiconductor related stocks. Market gains in Taiwan were largely concentrated in the AI value chain, where companies benefited from robust growth forecasts for the year and supply-chain tightness. Indian equities recovered from the previous quarter, rising on better sentiment from the US-Iran MoU and as crude oil prices moderated.
Chinese stocks fell. A lack of catalysts compared to its Asian peers, tighter regulations on cross-border trading through offshore brokers and ongoing weakness in domestic consumption weighed on parts of the market.
Equities in the emerging Europe, Middle East and Africa region posted gains following earlier geopolitical tensions. Oil prices moved lower, nearly reaching pre-conflict levels. This benefitted oil importers such as Poland and Hungary. The performance of Middle Eastern indices was mixed. Equities in the United Arab Emirates saw investor interest as valuations became more attractive after the sell-off in the first quarter of 2026.
Equities in the emerging Latin America (LatAm) region ended lower. Brazil’s central bank reduced its benchmark interest rate twice in the quarter. However, Brazilian equities reacted cautiously to the latest easing as inflation remains above target and rates may need to stay higher than previously envisaged. Falling oil prices also weighed on Brazil’s state-backed oil company Petrobras. Election uncertainty and fiscal risks also clouded the country’s equity returns. Mexican equities gained as headline inflation moderated back into the central bank’s target range in May. Its central bank eased interest rates once during the quarter.
Portfolio Changes & Positioning
During the period, we took the opportunity to increase our holdings in Chinese electric vehicle (EV) and battery manufacturer BYD as its share price fell. Beyond this short-term weakness, we remain optimistic on its vertically integrated EV business model, which has significant scope to gain share in the overseas market. It is also a leading supplier of energy storage systems batteries, which is seeing strong growth in both China and overseas. We therefore took advantage of this share price weakness to strengthen our exposure.
Overall, we increased investments in the industrials, financials and consumer discretionary sectors. In terms of countries, we undertook purchases in China/Hong Kong, India and Brazil.
In line with our investment approach, we trimmed our position in South Korean semiconductor company SK Hynix on the back of a share price advancement. SK Hynix remains a key portfolio holding as it retains a leadership position in the high bandwidth memory market.
By sector, we reduced our exposure to information technology and utilities. Geographically, we made the biggest sales in South Korea, Taiwan and the United Arab Emirates.
Positive Contributors
TEMIT’s net asset value returned 17.97% over the month, compared to the MSCI EM Index-NR’s result of 10.57%, both in UK-sterling terms.
The AI theme drove the top contributors this month. SK Hynix’s shares rose strongly, supported by robust demand for HBM used in AI infrastructure. MediaTek, a Taiwan-based semiconductor company, also gained. Investors focused on its longer-term AI chip opportunities. South Korean holding company LG Corp was another contributor.
Detractors
Leading global investment company Prosus led detractors. Prosus is the largest shareholder of Tencent Holdings, a Chinese technology company also held in the portfolio. Prosus also owns food delivery businesses. Prosus’ shares declined mainly because Tencent’s share price fell during the month. Sentiment was also affected by Prosus management’s indication that it would accelerate investment in food delivery company iFood. This is expected to reduce near-term earnings. Concerns around the integration and turnaround of Just Eat Takeaway.com, acquired in 2025, also weighed on the shares. Other detractors included BYD and Petrobras.
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Outlook
We remain constructive on EM equities, but our approach is selective. Long-term growth drivers remain intact, supported by AI, digitalisation, energy demand and industrial upgrading. At the same time, we are not complacent about risks from slower global growth, higher rates, policy shifts and geopolitical tensions.
North Asia remains central to the opportunity set. Taiwan and South Korea play critical roles in semiconductor and hardware supply chains. They benefit from demand for advanced logic chips, memory and broader AI infrastructure. We also see opportunities beyond the largest technology names. These include EM companies supplying power equipment, cooling systems and other components. These are used in data centres and AI systems.
China remains important in EVs and batteries. Selectivity is needed, given competition and weaker domestic demand in some areas. LatAm remains supported by attractive valuations, strong commodity prices and the region’s rate cut cycle.
Key risks include a delay in hyperscaler spending, higher interest rates, rising energy prices and geopolitical escalation. These could weigh on earnings, tighten financial conditions and reduce risk appetite, particularly in more vulnerable EM economies.
Overall, EM valuations remain attractive and earnings quality has improved. We believe structural growth themes can support long-term returns, but wide dispersion across markets means we continue to focus on companies with strong balance sheets, durable earnings and valuation discipline.