First there were the BRIC countries, Brazil, Russia, India, and China. The acronym BRICs is used to reference these nations, the world’s largest emerging market countries where much of the world’s economic growth is expected to come from. Then, as referenced earlier here, the PIIGS were christened. Representing the eurozone’s weakest economies this acronym stands for Portugal, Italy, Ireland, Greece, and Spain. Clearly being included in this acronym is not a badge of honor.
Now come the MAVINS. This acronym represents the countries with the natural resources and demographics to benefit most from the global growth ahead. This growth fueled mainly by the BRICs and augmented by the developed world will require metals, materials, low-proced quality manufacturing, and energy and these countries will be net exporters of some or all of these. The MAVINS are Mexico, Australia, Vietnam, Indonesia, Nigeria, and South Africa.
I know, quite a mixed bag but each has their own viable reasons for expecting an outsized share of global growth going forward. Given the range, there is something for any type of investor. More conservative investors may want to tend towards Australia and Indonesia while more venturesome folks may look at Vietnamese and South African ETFs. Fans of roller coasters, horror movies, and driving down country roads with headlights off may even find a way to invest in Nigeria.
Joe Wiesenthal of The Business Insider explains the play to CNBC here:
