iShares MSCI Brazil ETF

According to Peru’s Ministry of Economy and Finance, the El Niño–related infrastructure damages were close to $4 billion.

The Brazilian (FBZ) economy grew 1% on a quarter-on-quarter basis in 1Q17 compared to a downwardly revised 0.5% contraction in the previous month.

The ECB (European Central Bank) left interest rates unchanged at 0% in the rate-setting meeting that was held on Thursday, June 8.

India’s trade gap increased 173.5% on a year-over-year basis to ~$13.3 billion in April 2017, beating the market’s expectations of an ~$12.8 billion gap.

Peru is one of the fastest-growing economies among emerging markets.

The recent rally in Argentina’s Merval Index (ARGT) reflects improved access to Argentina’s markets with a host of reforms adopted by President Mauricio Macri.

The Indonesian economy is steadily growing, fueled by strong domestic consumption and efforts by its government to instigate pro-market reforms.

FDI (foreign direct investments) in Brazil picked up in the second half of 2016 in spite of a slow economy, impeachment of the president, political crises, and corruption scandals.

The improved growth in emerging markets was led by a cyclical recovery in Brazil (EWZ) and Russia (ERUS).

Brazil (EWZ) is expected to see a reversal of the downward trend in its economic growth in 2017, mostly with the help of rising commodity prices and improvements in exports.

Brazil’s performance in the 2016 Rio Olympics and worldwide speculation about a Fed rate hike might have a role to play in the country’s stock market performance in fiscal 2016.

Low commodity (GSG) prices in the first quarter of the year impacted commodity-driven emerging markets like Russia, Brazil (EWZ), Indonesia, and Venezuela.

Investor appetite for emerging market exposure has been growing steadily, and last week’s fund flows showed that emerging market bulls are still hungry.

Both Russia (RSX) and Brazil (EWZ) are experiencing cost-push inflation. Both economies are highly dependent on commodities.

Latin American markets were trading higher on July 9—taking cues from other emerging markets. Brazil’s inflation rate was released lower at 8.8% in June.

The Latin American (ILF) (EWW) economy contracted in the second half of 2015. The fourth quarter registered the biggest fall in six years.

World Bank data reveal that since 2011, more than 60 million people in Latin America have opened bank and mobile money accounts.

On June 30, BOE (Bank of England) governor, Mark Carney, gave a speech signaling the BOE’s possible actions after the Brexit referendum on June 23.

The Malaysian ringgit led the rise in Asian currencies as the US dollar-ringgit currency pair, which is inversely related to the ringgit, fell by 1.7%.

Changing demographics in Latin America are driving innovations. Young people, which account for 25% of the total population, are more likely to accept innovation.

Brazil’s inflation rate slowed for the second straight month in March. The annual inflation rose by 9.4%—compared to 10.4% in the previous month.

Just a few weeks old, 2016 started where 2015 left off for the iron ore industry. The benchmark seaborne iron ore prices were trading at $40 levels as of January 14, 2016, down 9% for the year.

The Nullagine joint venture, where BC Iron owns 75% and Fortescue Metals (FSUGY) owns 25%, will cease production in 2016 due to weak iron ore prices.

Iron ore forms the biggest chunk of BHP Billiton’s revenues and earnings. For its latest quarter, the company delivered 7% year-over-year growth.

The weak demand from China is hurting iron ore prices. The supply side, on the other hand, remains quite strong.

Glencore (GLNCY) is a relatively new entrant in the metals and mining industry. The company was founded in 1974.

The Brazilian real has been trading on a weaker note against the US dollar in the last year after depreciating by more than 40% against the US dollar.

In an effort to reduce inequality and poverty in Latin America, governments there have increased education spending many times over in the last decade or so.

While China’s official PMI held above 50 for two consecutive months, the PMI figures released by HSBC Markit paint a grim picture of China’s economy.

The WSA expects global steel consumption to grow by 0.5% in 2015 on a YoY basis. This was highlighted in the short range outlook released on April 20.

The young Brazilian population could revive the economy. A younger population is a key demographic indicator to watch out for.

A young population in emerging markets makes them attractive, but beware! Some of the emerging economies are facing a lot of headwinds.

As the second-biggest economy in the world, China is important. It’s also growing at a much faster rate than the biggest economy, the US.

Most emerging markets have less debt compared to their developed market counterparts. This means emerging market bonds aren’t as risky as you may think!