SICAV
Middle East & Africa Equity Fund
Unconstrained, growth-orientated investing in the under explored markets of the Middle East and Africa.
3YR Return Annualised
(View Total Returns)
Total Assets
(USD)
1YR Return
(View Total Returns)
Manager Tenure
Information Ratio
(5 Years)
Tracking Error
(5 Years)
Inception Date 04-Sep-2007
Performance figures calculated in USD
Strategy
Investment Objective
To increase the value of its shares, over the long term, through growth in the value of its investments. The fund invests mainly in a diversified portfolio of stocks of companies in the developing countries of the Middle East and Africa.Investment Approach
- The fund is growth oriented, unconstrained and designed to deliver strong absolute performance.
- Stock selection is driven by fundamental analysis seeking to identify the best companies with attractive valuations and earnings that are growing faster than their local, regional or global peers.
- In investment frontiers such as the Middle East and Africa market, inefficiencies are likely to be significant. One of the core tenets of our investment strategy is that stocks are frequently mispriced.
- Focus on finding companies with above-average revenue growth, strong management and good corporate governance.
- The bottom-up, stock specific approach is supported by a top-down perspective focusing on macro and micro-factors mainly at the country level.
- Manager with a proven track record of investing in emerging markets supported by a dedicated analyst team.
- Dedicated Portfolio Manager supported by a well-resourced analyst team.
Portfolio Construction
- Typically 50-80 stocks
- Individual positions typically range from 2.0%-8.0%
- Country and sector weights unconstrained
- Cash reserves typically 0%-5%
Performance (Class I)
Annualised Performance
1 YR | 3 YR Annualised |
5 YR Annualised |
10 YR Annualised |
Since Manager Inception Annualised |
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Fund % | -4.56% | -1.98% | 4.42% | 3.28% | 5.92% |
Indicative Benchmark % | -2.54% | -0.47% | 5.63% | 1.82% | 3.70% |
Excess Return % | -2.02% | -1.51% | -1.21% | 1.46% | 2.22% |
1 YR | 3 YR Annualised |
5 YR Annualised |
10 YR Annualised |
|
---|---|---|---|---|
Fund % | -4.56% | -1.98% | 4.42% | 3.28% |
Indicative Benchmark % | -2.54% | -0.47% | 5.63% | 1.82% |
Excess Return % | -2.02% | -1.51% | -1.21% | 1.46% |
Recent Performance
Month to DateData as of 14-Jan-2021 | Quarter to DateData as of 14-Jan-2021 | Year to DateData as of 14-Jan-2021 | 1 MonthData as of 31-Dec-2020 | 3 MonthsData as of 31-Dec-2020 | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Fund % | 2.06% | 2.06% | 2.06% | 5.11% | 15.73% |
Indicative Benchmark % | 2.45% | 2.45% | 2.45% | 4.26% | 12.29% |
Excess Return % | -0.39% | -0.39% | -0.39% | 0.85% | 3.44% |
Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. Source for fund performance: T. Rowe Price. Fund performance is calculated using the official NAV with dividends reinvested, if any. The value of an investment and any income from it can go down as well as up. Investors may get back less than the amount invested. It will be affected by changes in the exchange rate between the base currency of the fund and the subscription currency, if different. Sales charges (up to a maximum of 5% for the A Class), taxes and other locally applied costs have not been deducted and if applicable, they will reduce the performance figures.
Where the base currency of the fund differs from the share class currency, exchange rate movements may affect returns.
Index returns shown with reinvestment of dividends after the deduction of withholding taxes.
Effective 30 September 2010, the benchmark for the sub-fund was changed to S&P Emerging Market/Frontier Middle East & Africa Broad Market Index ex Israel. Prior to 30 September 2010, the benchmark for the sub-fund was MSCI Arabian Markets and Africa Index. Prior to 1 July 2009, the benchmark for the sub-fund was S&P IFCG Africa and Middle East ex-Saudi Arabia and ex-Israel. Prior to 1 September 2008, this benchmark also excluded Kuwait. The benchmark changes were made because the portfolio manager viewed the new benchmark composition to be a better representation of the investment strategy of the sub-fund. Historical benchmark representations have not been restated.
Effective 1 July 2018, the "net" version of the indicative benchmark replaced the "gross" version of the indicative benchmark. The "net" version of the indicative benchmark assumes the reinvestment of dividends after the deduction of withholding taxes applicable to the country where the dividend is paid; as such, the returns of the new benchmark are more representative of the returns experienced by investors in foreign issuers. Historical benchmark performance has been restated accordingly.
Holdings
Total
Holdings
47
Largest Top Contributor^
Naspers
By 0.13%Largest Top Detractor^
Qatar National Bank
By -2.26%Top Purchase
Emirates NBD (N)
1.82%Top Sale
National Bank of Kuwait
1.22%Sectors
Total
Sectors
9
Top Contributor^
Financials
Net Contribution 1.40%Top Detractor^
Real Estate
Net Contribution -0.22%Largest Overweight
Consumer Staples
Largest Underweight
Materials
Countries
Total
Countries
13
Top Contributor^
Saudi Arabia
Net Contribution 2.19%Top Detractor^
Kenya
Net Contribution -0.29%Largest Overweight
United Kingdom
Largest Underweight
Saudi Arabia
Team (As of 08-Jan-2021)

Seun Oyegunle is the co-portfolio manager of the Africa & Middle East Fund in the Equity Division.
Seun’s investment experience began in 2009, and he has been with T. Rowe Price since 2013, beginning as a research analyst, covering retail and other sectors across a number of emerging markets, in the Emerging Markets department of the Equity Division. Prior to this, Seun was employed by Asset and Research Management Ltd as an analyst covering the consumer goods sector. He also was employed by Vetiva Capital Management Ltd.
Seun earned an M.B.A. in finance from the University of Pennsylvania, The Wharton School, and a B.Sc. in chemical engineering from the University of Lagos. Seun also has earned the Chartered Financial Analyst® designation.
CFA® and Chartered Financial Analyst® are registered trademarks owned by CFA Institute.
- Fund manager2020
since - Years at7
T. Rowe Price - Years investment11
experience
Fee Schedule
Share Class | Minimum Initial Investment and Holding Amount (USD) | Minimum Subsequent Investment (USD) | Minimum Redemption Amount (USD) | Sales Charge (up to) | Investment Management Fee (up to) | Ongoing Charges |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Class A | $1,000 | $100 | $100 | 5.00% | 190 basis points | 2.07% |
Class I | $2,500,000 | $100,000 | $0 | 0.00% | 100 basis points | 1.10% |
N/A |
Please note that the Ongoing Charges figure is inclusive of the Investment Management Fee and is charged per annum.
Seun Oyegunle is the co-portfolio manager of the Africa & Middle East Fund in the Equity Division.