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December 30, 2020 at 05:12 PM
While the emerging markets’ performance next year could turn out to be a bit of a mixed bag, that likely will not be the case for China. Northern Trust projects its 2021 economic growth will hit 8%.
Overall, Northern Trust’s outlook for emerging markets next year is positive in the aggregate, with EM equities expected to have a 7.9% return, largely due to China.
The asset manager says that “emerging markets valuations are attractive, and emerging countries have a better handle on the pandemic.”
At the same time, tough, “they may face headwinds related to China’s alienation, as China and broader Asia represent 40% and 80% of emerging market equities, respectively,” according to Northern Trust. “President-elect Biden’s approach to the U.S.-China relationship will be key.”
In its 2021 outlook, JPMorgan also is bullish on emerging equities, stating that “technology is a big part of the EM story.”
Today, the tech sector accounts for nearly 20% of the MSCI EM Index, which is up from just 10% in 2007, “when the commodities sector (energy and materials) represented nearly a third of the index,” says JPMorgan.
“And as the index continues to shift away from volatile commodity revenue streams, investors could be willing to pay higher valuations for more stable tech company earnings,“ the bank adds.
More Views on China, Other Countries
Morningstar’s James Gard notes in a recent blog that China should continue to improve its performance. That development could build on the 30.28% returns for China in U.S. dollars through Nov. 25, 2020 (and 23.07% in the local currency, the renimbi).
The worst performers in 2020 were Brazil at -29.82% in U.S. dollars (-3.34% in the local currency), Russia at -21.54% (-1.99% in the local currency) and Mexico at -7.21% (-0.5% in the local currency). India was up 6.19% in U.S. dollars through Nov. 25 (and 10.98% in the local currency).
But India has entered a recession, its first time in history, according to JPMorgan, which adds that “its structural reform process has also lost momentum, leaving the economy less open and flexible today than expected.”
However, India still has a bright long-term future due to its “young and growing population, and the rapidly improving education and skill level of its human capital,” the bank says.
