LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Citi (NYSE:C) is introducing a thematic research initiative that harnesses the work of its market leading global Investment Research & Analysis group (CIRA) comprising stock analysts, economists and strategists. The intention is to pinpoint investments that benefit from key economic, demographic, technological and political trends impacting the world.

For the inaugural thematic investment opportunity – “Emerging buyers, Global Suppliers” – Citi has identified 21 global companies with significant exposure to the rapidly growing consumer markets in China and India.

“This thematic investing initiative coincides with the recovery from the worst global downturn in a generation, when we believe many of the standards of the past few decades could be challenged,” said Andrew Pitt, Citi’s global head of CIRA. “Our thematic programme will focus on the long term, with themes typically expected to play out over the course of several years.

“The rise of consumerism in the emerging markets is a clear trend that is still in the very early stages, and will continue to play out over a number of years,” says Mr. Pitt. “Now investors are more easily able to access our best ideas for taking advantage of this dynamic as it evolves.”

As the consumer market in China and India grow, there is a trend toward quality brands and a process of changing diets and lifestyles. “The Emerging Buyers, Global Suppliers” basket identifies 21 stocks best positioned to benefit from this theme. Among them are Hewlett-Packard, which has grown its share of computer sales in China from 6% to 11% in two years; Unilever, which has a unique distribution network in the region, having had operations in India and East Asia since 1913 and 1933, respectively; and Suzuki Motors, which has a 50% market share in India already.

The World Bank estimates that the number of middle-income consumers will increase by over 800 million by 2030, with developing countries accounting for 93% of the global middle class, up from 56% in 2000.

While the prospect is tantalizing for domestic and international companies, deciphering who is best positioned to benefit is a daunting task for investors. Now investors have CIRA’s expertise to guide them and the prospect of more research on this and other topical investment themes in the future.

Citi

Citi, the leading global financial services company, has approximately 200 million customer accounts and does business in more than 140 countries. Through Citicorp and Citi Holdings, Citi provides consumers, corporations, governments and institutions with a broad range of financial products and services, including consumer banking and credit, corporate and investment banking, securities brokerage, and wealth management. Additional information may be found at www.citigroup.com or www.citi.com.

Certain statements in this document are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act. These statements are based on management's current expectations and are subject to uncertainty and changes in circumstances. Actual results may differ materially from those included in these statements due to a variety of factors. More information about these factors is contained in Citigroup's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.