China Separating Fact from Fiction

Matthews Asia has put together this insightful report which looks at the hot button issues regarding China as well as adding a historical perspective which is often overlooked by many investors. Topics include savings rate and debt, productivity and growth, banking and shadow banking, real estate and property as well as transparency and financial reform.

Hong Kong Protests

After 150 years of British rule, Hong Kong was returned to China in 1997. Hong Kong (as well as Macau and Taiwan) has operated semi-autonomously under whats known as one China, two systems, with the promise of fully democratic elections in 2017. Earlier this summer, China mandated that a committee from Beijing would select the candidates for the vote. This has sparked a large outcry of protest from demonstrators demanding fair and free elections. Andy Rothman of Matthews Asia addresses his observations on the concerns and opportunities in this article.

Africans Open Fuller Wallets to the Future

This recent article published by the New York Times explores the entrepreneurial spirit flourishing in Africa. This drive is spurring a surge in international business investment, which hopes to satisfy the demands of a growing middle class population. Yet the question remains, will this growth help to alleviate the poverty faced by many on the continent?

A Quarter Century of Emerging-Markets Investing

Mark Mobius gives a brief history of Emerging Market investing (including his own personal experience and observations) in a recent blog post.

Is China Really About to Overtake the U.S.?

Explore this recent article from CNN World and learn about the importance of PPP (purchasing power parity) and how that serves as a good measure of economic strength and power.

Pariahs to Investor Darlings: What’s Next for the “Fragile Five”?

The Financial Times takes a look at the economies of Brazil, India, Indonesia, Turkey and South Africa (the Fragile Five) to see which countries have made a comeback and where there is room for progress.

Ignore Emerging Market Fears, Says Mobius

Mark Mobius provides his observation of current trends in Emerging Markets as well as insight into his investment methodology.

Is Ukraine Dragging Down Your Portfolio?

Will the situation in Ukraine impact the markets on a grand scale?  Barry Ritholtz writing for Bloomberg View  does not believe so and lays out his rational in this article.

The State of Emerging Markets: Up, Down, and Up—but Still Forward

The start of 2014 has been rough for Emerging Markets. This recent article in The Atlantic, however, paints a more hopeful picture of the future as millions of people head for the polls in their respective countries and push for a brighter destiny.

Confessions of an EM optimist