Balanced scales: Left scale - Oversized USD/US equities. Right scale - Basket with gold bar, commodity, world currencies, EM skyline, bond coupon.
By Gustavo Medeiros, Ben Underhill
The Emerging View

Diversified asset allocation and US fiscal dominance

Volatile post-pandemic macro and US fiscal dominance risks, amid a historic H1-2025 Dollar selloff, are exposing the limits of passive, US-heavy indices. Investors should diversify toward markets less constrained by debt-shadowed central banks.

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The beautiful, colorful city of Oaxaca
Weekly investor research

More US policy drama, more EM outperformance

EM outperformance in Aug; US reflation vs EU deflation. Trump to fire Fed Gov Lisa Cook. FR PM Bayrou faces 8 Sep no-confidence. G7 little result. Bond funds +$97bn/4w. Argentina assets fall on scandal. Moody’s reviews PEMEX for upgrade after $12bn plan.
Shanghai city aerial photograph
Weekly investor research

Chinese economic data weakens, but stocks rally

US CPI shows muted tariff pass-through; goods inflation up to 1.3% YoY. China data missed but stocks rallied. Trump met Putin. IEA sees 2026 oil glut. S&P lifts India to BBB; Moody’s upgrades Pakistan. Brazil CPI 5.2% YoY; easing in sight.

Latest Insights

Arctic Icebergs with sunset on Arctic Ocean in Greenland
Weekly investor research

The 2024 winner: Vote for change

Romania and Uruguay voted for change last weekend. The fact that both these countries have very different historical backgrounds and economic situations confirms the overarching anti-incumbency bias faced by most politicians today...
The New York Stock Exchange building on Wall Street in Manhattan.
Weekly investor research

Trump trades wobble

Stocks struggled and the US yield curve steepened as markets took back post-US election gains on higher inflation expectations. Trump’s choices for foreign policy positions were hawkish and have raised geopolitical risk at the margin. Attention now...
Construction work in Doha, Qatar
Live at the Sub-ICs

Qatar: Do investors risk myopia for a country with a vision?

The economic roadmap Towards the end of the 1990s, Qatar saw a step-change in the magnitude and sustainability of its economic growth based on a competitive LNG value chain with global reach. Qatar succeeded in scaling up, integrating downstream and...
Trump flag flying with the sky and clouds in the background.
Market Commentary

Trump 2.0: Implications for Emerging Markets

While Donald Trump’s election victory was far from a surprise, the strength of the mandate he won was impressive. Trump captured all seven of the pivotal swing states needed for Electoral College success, the Republicans flipped the Senate and are...
American flags near the Air & Space Museum in Washington, D.C.
Weekly investor research

EM markets resilient as dust settles on US election

Trump’s big win delivered the expected macro reaction; for one day. Geopolitical discussions begin with Trump and Zelensky, and (probably) Trump and Putin. Qatar request Hamas leaders leave Doha. China deliver RMN10tn in fiscal support for local...
Map of Iowa State.
Weekly investor research

Iowa poll shakes up Trump bets in markets

Softer US labour data contrasted with higher inflation, consumption and wider UK budget deficit, which kept yields under pressure last week. A surprising poll in Iowa showed Harris leading in a perceived ‘red’ state. China expected to unveil large...
A stunning sunset photo showcases offshore oil drilling in Huntington Beach, California, with vivid hues casting a glow on industrial equipment.
The Emerging View

The impact of oil prices on EM sovereign credit

Today, oil exposure among Emerging Market (EM) nations is very diversified. Of course, there are major EM oil exporters, but most countries are net energy importers. In weighted terms, only 17% of the JP Morgan index of EM sovereign bonds (EMBI GD) are...
Vibrant sunrise over the National Mall in Washington DC.
Market Commentary

Dispatch from DC

The Autumn IMF meetings present an opportunity for investors to engage with IMF authorities, central bankers, finance ministers, technocrats, political consultants, economist and peers. The state of the global economy and the main risks and...
An American flag flying on the Riverwalk late in the day with the Trump Tower in the background.
Weekly investor research

Trump trade shaping markets one week from US election

UST yields continued to climb higher on economic outperformance and ‘Trump trade.’ Key Chinese fiscal legislators announced they will meet between the 4-8th of November. Oil sold off 5% on Sunday evening, after Israel chose not to strike Iranian oil...
Sikkim India Tibet Plateau China
Weekly investor research

China’s policy “u-turn” reaffirmed

Higher US CPI and jobless claims led to a steepening of the yield curve. China shed some more light on stimulus plans, without revealing scope of fiscal expansion, yet. Korean bonds will enter the FTSE WGBI and Indian bonds on the FTSE EM GBI in Q4 2025
Aerial view on country road through the mixed forest in autumn colours.
Equities

Investing in Emerging Markets excluding China

China has the world’s second largest economy, and the country’s rise to prominence has been rapid. This has triggered some investors to consider China and Emerging Markets (EM) ex-China separately, similar to other dominant global powers like the US...
Aerial view Crude oil tanker under cargo operations on typical shore station with clearly visible mechanical loading arms and pipeline infrastructure.
Weekly investor research

EM spreads tighten as yields and oil go higher

Sharp increase in yields post strong labour market report and increase in oil prices. Chinese stocks outperform again ahead of end of Golden Week holiday. Iran missile strikes against Israel targeted civilian areas, further escalating the regional..
Weekly investor research
Weekly investor research

Don’t stand in the way when China goes big

PBoC cut policy rates by 20bps, reserve requirement ratio by 50bps, RMB 700bn allocated for stock buybacks. Politburo pledged to support the housing market and signalled fiscal support. Israel killed Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah...
Polygonal representation of a bull symbolizes the strength and upward momentum of a bull market.
The Emerging View

A new bull market cycle in Emerging Market equities

A decade of tech-driven US stock market outperformance has contrasted with tepid returns for Emerging Market indices. But past returns are not an indicator of future performance, and the drivers of markets over the next decade will be quite different...
Weekly investor research
Weekly investor research

Positive credit rating momentum continues in EM

US Fed’s 50bp cut led to risk rally last week. Major escalation of conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. Dovish moves from Chinese central bank. Sri Lanka elect left-wing President, negative for IMF programme. Brazil hike 25bp...