BlackRock Frontiers Investment Trust Plc

 

 

 

 

 

 

*reflects gross market exposure from contracts for difference (CFDs).

 

 

Market Exposure

 

Ten Largest Investments

Commenting on the markets, Sam Vecht and Emily Fletcher, representing the Investment Manager noted:

The Company’s NAV returned +0.9% in July, underperforming the MSCI Frontier + Emerging ex Selected Countries Index (“Benchmark Index”), which returned +2.5%. For reference, the MSCI Emerging Markets Index returned -3.1% while the MSCI Frontier Markets Index returned +0.4% over the same period. All performance figures are on a US Dollar basis with net income reinvested.

Within our universe, Colombia (+20.1%), Romania (+12.0%) and Indonesia (+11.2%) were among the standout performers. Colombian equities continued to climb supported by higher oil prices and a broader re-rating amid more stable political backdrop following the presidential election. Indonesian equities staged a relief rally as MSCI announced that it would not downgrade Indonesia from emerging market status for now.

At the stock level, Argentina’s state-controlled oil and gas company YPF (+15.6%) was the largest contributor. The stock rose on higher oil prices, strong production from the Vaca Muerta shale field, and progress on a new export pipeline that will support future growth. Kenyan Bank, Equity Group (+8.6%) continued to climb, supported by robust earnings and sustained positive investor confidence in the broader market. Polish bank, Bank Pekao (+7.7%) also rallied following a better-than-expected Q2 earnings release, supported by robust loan growth and reassuring guidance that margins should stabilise despite lower interest rates.

On the flipside, Mobile World Investment (-9.6%), a Vietnamese retailer was the largest detractor with the broader market sell-off, as weak liquidity, foreign selling and margin-related pressures weighed on Vietnamese equities. Saudi Arabia-based insurer Tawuniya (-16.6%) also fell following weak first-half results, as higher claims in health, motor, engineering and energy insurance weighed on profits despite strong premium growth. UAE’s low-cost airline Air Arabia (-10.1%) weakened amid renewed regional tensions, flight disruptions and higher fuel prices, despite launching new routes to London and Rome.

We made some changes over the month. We reduced our position in Pakistan-based conglomerate Lucky Cement, locking profits after a period of strong performance. We reallocated capital into Meezan Bank, where we see greater upside potential, driven by continued deposit market share gains and a strengthening liability franchise. We also initiated a position in Argentine energy company Vista Energy, using recent weakness to gain exposure to a business that is showing strong organic growth and has lagged the broader strength in energy markets.

Looking ahead, we remain constructive on the outlook for smaller emerging and frontier markets. Valuations across our investment universe remain attractive, both in absolute and relative terms. Many of these markets are still under-researched, and we believe this creates fertile ground for finding high-conviction, alpha-generating opportunities.

Sources:

1 BlackRock as at 31 July 2026  

2 MSCI as at 31 July 2026

28 August 2026

ENDS

Latest information is available by typing www.blackrock.com/uk/brfi on the internet, “BLRKINDEX” on Reuters, “BLRK” on Bloomberg or “8800” on Topic 3 (ICV terminal). Neither the contents of the Manager’s website nor the contents of any website accessible from hyperlinks on BlackRock’s website (or any other website) is incorporated into, or forms part of, this announcement.

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