Old Mutual Limited

Old Mutual Limited is a well-established, international investment, savings, and insurance group, which has its roots in South Africa where it was founded over 170 years ago. The company first listed on the London and Johannesburg Stock Exchanges in 1999. The company's operation is divided into four business segments: Old Mutual Emerging Markets, Nedbank Group, Old Mutual Wealth, and Institutional Asset Management. Particularly, Nedbank Group is one of the four largest banking groups in South Africa.

As a potential investment, Old Mutual Limited offers exposure to the steady returns of the financial services sector, in particular the rapidly growing economies of Africa. The company has a strong presence in Africa, with operations in numerous African countries, including South Africa, Kenya, Namibia, Nigeria and Zimbabwe. This Africa-focus can be seen as a unique strength providing specific emerging market exposure.

However, investing in Old Mutual Limited also comes with associated risks. These include potential political and economic instability in the African markets and changes in regulatory environments that could affect banking and financial services. Also, the African financial services market is highly competitive, and Old Mutual Limited faces strong competition from other major international and local banks.

To sum up, investing in Old Mutual Limited could be an attractive proposition due to its diversified business and presence in fast-growing African markets. However, this should be balanced against the potential risks inherent to operating in these markets and the competitive and regulatory pressures the company faces. As always, it's recommended to use a diversified investment strategy and to consult with a financial advisor before making investment decisions.