In addition to real estate and liquid alternatives, Gilbert advises exploring investing in Australia not only because of its proximity to Asia but also due to its commodity-based economy.
“It's quite a good time to be investing in Australia because its currency weakened so much against the U.S. dollar,” Gilbert told Financial Advisor magazine. “President Trump’s new partnership with Korea will also stabilize the region.”
President Trump agreed to lift sanctions this week against North Korea, but is poised to impose tariffs on Chinese goods.
Despite rumors of a trade war and a rise in tariffs, ASI’s Australia expert doesn’t expect Australia to be impacted initially.
“We don’t see it as a big issue,” said Robert Penaloza, head of Australian Equities. “If there are other protectionist measures, then we will be implicated.”
China is an important partner of Australia, according to Penaloza.
“We need to be in lock step with what is happening there,” he said.
When it comes to emerging markets, Gilbert favors India over China while Global Equity Senior Investment Manager Martin Connaghan sees value in Mexico and Brazil.
“It’s easier to invest in India’s companies because they are well run with good corporate governance,” said Gilbert. “China is a long haul as opposed to a short haul but either way you have to be invested in China and India because there are a billion people there as well as Indonesia with its 260 million people.”