Trends with Benefits #66: Digital India with Angus Shillington
October 12, 2021
Listen Time 32:32 MIN
In this episode, I speak with Angus Shillington, Deputy Portfolio Manager at VanEck about India’s digital transformation and what it means for their economy and markets.
Disrupting the Analog Economy
What’s happening in India that has Angus excited? I start the podcast by talking about the phenomenal returns India-equity ETFs have seen over the last year and question whether that’s just about the market’s recovery from a COVID induced sell-off or, if there’s something else investors should be paying attention to.
India has long been a country of massive potential for investors with a very large and young population. Angus talks about the bottlenecks that have hindered India’s full potential and some of the ways the Modi government has sought to improve things like identification, affordability and its intention to crush lack of transparency and corruption. The upshot of this is improved taxation collection ability and real economic activity that then leads to better employment opportunities and better infrastructure.
Digitization is the backbone of these efforts and it spans all sectors of the economy. Angus talks about how Reliance Industries, a large energy company, is transforming itself to meet the communications needs of the country but also how very few existing analog businesses will actually be able to transition to a digital framework. Consider the impact of a massive youthful population, many newly connected to the system via mobile phones and the latest technology. They will become a new group of digital natives that will influence and support new business models that leapfrog over analog legacy systems and processes. As Angus stated during our discussion because of the demographics, the sheer size of the population and “the disruptable analog nature of that economy, the opportunity is incredibly broad”.
Trend or Fad
Listen for Angus’ take on investor activism, central bank digital currencies, skinny jeans, and the metaverse.
Follow Ed Lopez @thatEdLopez on Twitter and Angus Shillington @angusshillingto on Twitter.
Listen On Your Favorite Platform
IMPORTANT DISCLOSURES
Please note that Van Eck Securities Corporation (an affiliated broker-dealer of Van Eck Associates Corporation) may offer investments products that invest in the asset class(es) discussed in this podcast.
ESG investing is qualitative and subjective by nature, and there is no guarantee that the factors utilized by VanEck or any judgment exercised by VanEck will reflect the opinions of any particular investor. Information regarding responsible practices is obtained through voluntary or third-party reporting, which may not be accurate or complete, and VanEck is dependent on such information to evaluate a company’s commitment to, or implementation of, responsible practices. Socially responsible norms differ by region. There is no assurance that the socially responsible investing strategy and techniques employed will be successful.
The information presented does not involve the rendering of personalized investment, financial, legal, or tax advice. Certain statements contained herein may constitute projections, forecasts and other forward looking statements, which do not reflect actual results, are valid as of the date of this communication and subject to change without notice. Information provided by third party sources is believed to be reliable and has not been independently verified for accuracy or completeness and cannot be guaranteed. The information herein represents the opinion of the author(s), but not necessarily those of VanEck.
This is not an offer to buy or sell, or a recommendation to buy or sell any of the securities mentioned herein. Strategy holdings will vary.
Emerging Market securities are subject to greater risks than U.S. domestic investments. These additional risks may include exchange rate fluctuations and exchange controls; less publicly available information; more volatile or less liquid securities markets; and the possibility of arbitrary action by foreign governments, or political, economic or social instability.
All investing is subject to risk, including the possible loss of the money you invest. As with any investment strategy, there is no guarantee that investment objectives will be met and investors may lose money. Diversification does not ensure a profit or protect against a loss in a declining market. Past performance is no guarantee of future performance.
Van Eck Associates Corporation
IMPORTANT DISCLOSURES
Please note that Van Eck Securities Corporation (an affiliated broker-dealer of Van Eck Associates Corporation) may offer investments products that invest in the asset class(es) discussed in this podcast.
ESG investing is qualitative and subjective by nature, and there is no guarantee that the factors utilized by VanEck or any judgment exercised by VanEck will reflect the opinions of any particular investor. Information regarding responsible practices is obtained through voluntary or third-party reporting, which may not be accurate or complete, and VanEck is dependent on such information to evaluate a company’s commitment to, or implementation of, responsible practices. Socially responsible norms differ by region. There is no assurance that the socially responsible investing strategy and techniques employed will be successful.
The information presented does not involve the rendering of personalized investment, financial, legal, or tax advice. Certain statements contained herein may constitute projections, forecasts and other forward looking statements, which do not reflect actual results, are valid as of the date of this communication and subject to change without notice. Information provided by third party sources is believed to be reliable and has not been independently verified for accuracy or completeness and cannot be guaranteed. The information herein represents the opinion of the author(s), but not necessarily those of VanEck.
This is not an offer to buy or sell, or a recommendation to buy or sell any of the securities mentioned herein. Strategy holdings will vary.
Emerging Market securities are subject to greater risks than U.S. domestic investments. These additional risks may include exchange rate fluctuations and exchange controls; less publicly available information; more volatile or less liquid securities markets; and the possibility of arbitrary action by foreign governments, or political, economic or social instability.
All investing is subject to risk, including the possible loss of the money you invest. As with any investment strategy, there is no guarantee that investment objectives will be met and investors may lose money. Diversification does not ensure a profit or protect against a loss in a declining market. Past performance is no guarantee of future performance.
Van Eck Associates Corporation