Emerging-market guru Mark Mobius set to retire after serving for 30 years

There is no single individual who is more synonymous with emerging-markets investing than Mark Mobius: Templeton Chairman and CEO Greg Johnson said

Veteran investor Mark Mobius, the bald-headed market guru who became one of the most recognized authorities on money-making opportunities in Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe and Latin America, plans to retire from Franklin Templeton Investments after three decades at the firm.

The company announced his retirement, effective Jan. 31.

After accepting a job offer from money manager John Templeton in 1987, Mobius headed one of the first emerging-market equity fund available to U.S. customers. With a long-time base in Singapore, he traveled about 250 days a year in a Gulfstream IV private jet, visiting factories and distributors in remote