Emerging markets

Investment Week Conjecture

When we considered the outlook for Russia at the beginning on 2009, it appeared we were staring into the abyss.

Increases in exports of soy beans and iron ore helped China overtake the US as Brazil's largest trading partner.

Despite its recent GDP growth while the developed world succumbed to recession, India is not a straightforward growth story.

China is increasingly focused on greater alignment with her Eastern neighbours and the allure of Russia's resource-rich economy and the demise of US power have caused China to recalibrate foreign policy.

The IMA has changed its Global Emerging Markets sector definition, which will now be based on FTSE or MSCI GEMs indices rather than World Bank definitions.

Franklin Templeton Investments is to open its offshore Emerging Markets Bond fund to UK retail investors for the first time.

Last week's news that the Chinese economy continued to power through the global economic crisis, with growth of 10.7%, adds weight to those who argue for a greater weighting to the country and emerging markets in general.

After a memorable 2009, when emerging markets rose like a phoenix from the ashes of the economic downturn, Templeton's Mark Mobius forecasts the year ahead for the sector and the opportunities that can be found in the Chinese year of the tiger

Investor keenness in sector pushes prices up sharply but long-term case remains intact