CPABC in Focus February/March 2014 | Page 13

By 2030, this world will be a vastly different place. What we currently think of as an “emerging” market will by then (or even earlier) be considered developed—and thriving. The bulk of consumers—and consumer spending—will have shifted from North America and Europe to Asia, Africa, and South and Latin America. The change will be so dramatic that it will affect virtually every business, in every part of the world. Purchasing power shifts to billions of new consumers Without an emerging-markets strategy, Canadian companies risk missing out on what will likely be one of the most transformative consumer shifts in recent history. By 2030, the middle class in China will be roughly four times the size of America’s middle class, reaching 1.4 billion consumers, compared to only 365 million in the US and 414 million in the EU. India, it is estimated, will reach 1.07 billion middle-class consumers in less than 20 years. By 2015, US and Western European consumer spending combined will account for only 26% of world GDP, down from 38.5% in 1 2002. Compare this with the BRIC3 countries’ combined consumer spending: After averaging 4.4% from 1995 to 2005, it accounted for 8.1% of world GDP in 2010, and is projected to reach 12% by 2015. These shifting tides mark a turning point. The US used to make up as much as 85% of Canada’s trade; that number has been steadily decreasing over the last decade and now lies at less than 75%—with the difference moving to emerging markets. Canadian companies and our government have realized that they must diversify their trading partners and “go where the growth is.” These markets will only continue to grow as their middle-class consumer populations expand their need for everything from food and consumer products to natural resources. With a combined population of more than 2.5 billion people, two of the world’s fastestgrowing economies, China and India, are increasingly looking outside their borders to fulfil their consumption needs. In fact, demand in developing countries serves as Canada’s main driver for growth as these nations seek out a secure, steady, and reliable flow of raw materials. Canada expands trade with emerging markets Given these opportunities, it should come as no surprise that the Canadian government has been actively seeking to expand trade agreements with many emerging economies over the last five years, including China, India, Panama, Peru, Brazil, and Colombia. On November 12, 2010, Canada and India announced the launch of negotiations toward a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). The eighth round of negotiations toward a CEPA was held in Ottawa in June 2013. In September 2012, the Canadian government signed the Canada-China Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement to enhance trade and investment between the two countries. In 2012, Canada also joined the Trans-Pacific Partnership, which will link us to a market of 658 million people worth $20 trillion annually in countries including Chile, Peru, Australia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, and Vietnam. Emerging markets are defined in this article as countries/regions with social or business activity in the process of rapid growth and industrialization; in particular, China, India, and Latin America. 2 The 27th Quarterly C-Suite Survey: Cash Reserves, Debt, Interest Rates and CEO Compensation was conducted on behalf of KPMG by the Gandalf Group on June 18, 2012. (www.kpmg.com/Ca/en/topics/C-Suite/Documents/The-27th-Quarterly-C-Suite-Survey.pdf). 3 Brazil, Russia, India, and China. 14.RTurnbullChartAd 14-01-14 11:09 AM Page 1 ODLUMBROWN.CO M Disciplined Value Investing That Works Ross Turnbull, CA, CBV, CFA Vice President, Director, Portfolio Manager Odlum Brown Model Portfolio: A Proven Track Record* Odlum Brown Model Portfolio S&P/TSX Total Return Index 29.8% T 604 844 5363 or 1 888 886 3586 [email protected] 10.2% 1-YEAR 15.5% 8.7% SINCE DECEMBER 15, 1994 Visit odlumbrown.com/rturnbull for more information. * Compound annual growth rates are from inception December 15, 1994 to December 15, 2013. The Odlum Brown Model Portfolio is a hypothetical, all-equity portfolio that was established by the Odlum Brown Research Department in December 1994. Trades are made using the closing price on the day a change is announced. These are gross figures before fees. Past performance is not indicative of future performance. Member-Canadian Investor Protection Fund. CPABC in Focus • Feb/Mar 2014 13