Peripheral markets key as China swings from gloom to euphoria

Better-performing peripheral markets offer some protection during difficult few months in Asia ex Japan sector.

The Chinese markets have had a difficult few months and investing in an Asia ex Japan fund has, in general, offered some protection by accessing the better-performing peripheral markets in the region. However, those funds exposed to the commodity-heavy markets of Australia or Indonesia have been weak. With the market’s view on China still vacillating between gloom and euphoria, which areas across Asia now look most compelling? The average fund in the Asia ex Japan sector is up 18.1% over one year, compared to 10.2% for the average fund in the China/Greater China sector. The wide...