Meet the manager: Omar Negyal
Portfolio Manager of JPMorgan Emerging Markets Dividend Income.
If you weren’t a fund manager, what job would you do?
One of the great parts of managing money across emerging markets is the travel. So if I wasn’t a portfolio manager I’d still like to be involved in travel, maybe organising activity and experience weeks in the Alps.
One of the great parts of managing money across emerging markets is the travel. So if I wasn’t a portfolio manager I’d still like to be involved in travel, maybe organising activity and experience weeks in the Alps.
Portfolio Manager of JPMorgan Emerging Markets Dividend Income.
What was the proudest moment of your career?
Taking the lead as Portfolio Manager of JPMorgan Emerging Markets Dividend Income.
What was the most difficult moment of your career and why?
Periods of market stress are always the most challenging, particularly when there is a lot of noise and uncertainty. In emerging markets, that can come from a range of factors, whether it’s macro shifts, policy changes or geopolitical tensions.
The difficulty is staying focused on the fundamentals and not getting distracted by short-term volatility. For us, that means continually going back to the core of what we look for in companies – profitability, cash generation and, crucially, dividends – and testing whether our investment thesis still holds.
What advice would you give to your 20-year-old self?
Focus on building a disciplined process and stick to it. Over time, markets will test your assumptions, so having a clear framework for how you assess companies, and the conviction to follow it, is critical.
I’d also say it’s important to stay curious. A lot of what we do is about constantly learning, whether that’s from colleagues across different regions, from companies themselves, or from the data and research we have available.
Away from the workplace, how do you spend your time?
I try to spend as much time as possible with my family. Weekends are often a mix of activities – from attending my daughter’s school events to getting out and about in London. Recently, my wife and I have become fans of the Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, which is a great way to switch off. I also enjoy cycling and will often head out on Sundays with friends, sometimes riding out to Windsor – a welcome contrast to the pace of the working week.
Tell us about the last concert you recently enjoyed and why?
Seeing Interstellar Live at the Royal Albert Hall, backed by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra – with the original organist from the soundtrack! A truly out of this world experience.
What is your favourite film of all time and why?
Back to the Future. It’s a little bit like investing – full of uncertainty and second order impacts, except this has a DeLorean.
In your personal life, what would you like to achieve in the next 12 months?
Continuing to enjoy my hobbies and spend quality time with my family. Comfort and consistency is key.
