Global policy normalization was the key factor driving markets during the fourth quarter. Responses to inflationary pressures have varied, but many emerging markets have been progressive in raising rates. While this weighed on the relative performance of emerging market equities versus global equity markets, it may prove to be prescient. In addition, the more proactive interest rate policies have not gone unnoticed in the currency markets, as the MSCI EM Currency Index remained near its all-time highs.
The Altrinsic Emerging Markets Opportunities portfolio declined by 6.9%, outperforming the 8.1% decline of the MSCI Emerging Markets Index, as measured in US dollars. Positive attribution came from our underweight exposure to China internet and related stocks, our broad overweight in Indian equities, and our differentiated approach to communication services. Significant volatility within emerging markets, driven particularly by its largest market, China, defined the quarter.
12 min read | In this paper, we explore the inherent characteristics of the emerging markets (EM) asset class through an economic lens and discuss the key investment criteria that differentiate emerging markets from developed markets. We also challenge the influence of existing benchmarks, which feature significant concentration problems at both the issuer and country level, on investors’ asset allocation decisions and managers’ security selection.
Emerging market equities trailed developed markets in the second quarter; however, performance varied by individual markets and segments within EM (Chart 1). Regionally, North Asian countries’ mega cap technology stocks came under pressure from sweeping regulations changes, causing weak performance and offsetting strong performance in Latin America and EMEA.
