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Emerging Markets Equity: Structural Growth at the Front and Center in 2020

January 15, 2020

Read Time 3 MIN

 

As the quarter (and year) drew to a close, we started to see a move towards resolution of the U.S./China trade debacle, albeit that matters were really getting down to the wire, especially as the final (threatened) set of tariff goods were very consumption-oriented.

Looking at some of the countries in which we invest, in India, there are still no actual signs yet that the economy will pick up—only the hope that it will. There is no doubt that the politics surrounding citizenship reforms were poorly handled and the ensuing mess did not help sentiment. In China, there was less stimulus domestically in the final quarter of the year and the effect of some of the prior stimulus has lagged in its impact. The country continues to face a difficult situation in Hong Kong, albeit that events there have somewhat dropped out of the headlines. In Brazil, there continues to be a deal of political noise, but this remains pretty typical of the country’s politics. President Jair Bolsonaro’s agenda, however, remains market- and business-friendly. Finally, it is probably worth mentioning Turkey. Whilst some of the country’s long-term structural issues have still to be resolved, inflation is down, rates are down and the currency is improving. So, there is a least some “mending” going on.

Growth Powers Emerging Markets Equities Outlook for 2020

The outlook for emerging markets equities is reasonably bright heading into 2020. Some of the geopolitical tail risk has diminished (i.e., global trade tensions, U.S. politics, liquidity), although it has certainly not gone away. We are watching carefully to see if corporates respond to more stable conditions with increased capex and credit demand, thus starting a probably modest economic up-cycle. Monetary and fiscal stimuli are expected to continue across both developed and emerging markets, as global governments have scope to boost domestic demand and supply on their end. We believe that emerging markets economies are on the path to stabilization, partly due to prolonged expansion and shallower recession patterns worldwide.

Going into 2020, we also believe that the U.S. economy will be less “exceptional” and the rest of the world will perform better than the U.S. Unlike in previous year(s), we expect growth to be the main driver of emerging markets equity returns in 2020, therefore pushing quality growth companies with strong fundamentals and solid growth estimates to the front and center in a new decade of economic transformation. We also find emerging markets valuations to be relatively cheap versus developed markets. For example, companies on our focus list are reporting solid numbers and are relatively cheap versus historical estimates or current developed markets valuations for our anticipated operating profitability growth. Their balance sheets are in good shape, generating strong cash flows over a three- to five-year time horizon. With the emphasis on growth to drive returns, we believe that emerging markets equities are well positioned to take advantage of this positive market sentiment and outlook!

Download Commentary PDF with Fund specific information and performance.

For a complete listing of the holdings in VanEck Emerging Markets Fund (GBFAX) as of 12/31/19, please click on this PDF. Please note that these are not recommendations to buy or sell any security.

DISCLOSURE

PEG ratio is the ratio of the forward price to earnings divided by growth in the following year. Return on equities is net income divided by total equity. Return on invested capital is the ratio of net income less dividend paid over the firm’s total capital.

All indices listed are unmanaged indices and include the reinvestment of all dividends, but do not reflect the payment of transaction costs, advisory fees or expenses that are associated with an investment in the Fund. Certain indices may take into account withholding taxes. An index’s performance is not illustrative of the Fund’s performance. Indices are not securities in which investments can be made. The Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) Emerging Markets Index captures large- and mid-cap representation across 26 Emerging Markets (EM) countries. The MSCI Emerging Markets Investable Market Index (IMI) captures large, mid and small cap representation across 26 Emerging Markets (EM) countries.

The S&P 500 Index is a product of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC and/or its affiliates and has been licensed for use by Van Eck Associates Corporation. Copyright © 2019 S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC, a division of S&P Global, Inc., and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved. Redistribution or reproduction in whole or in part are prohibited without written permission of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC. For more information on any of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC’s indices please visit www.spdji.com. S&P®is a registered trademark of S&P Global and Dow Jones®is a registered trademark of Dow Jones Trademark Holdings LLC. Neither S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC, Dow Jones Trademark Holdings LLC, their affiliates nor their third party licensors make any representation or warranty, express or implied, as to the ability of any index to accurately represent the asset class or market sector that it purports to represent and neither S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC, Dow Jones Trademark Holdings LLC, their affiliates nor their third party licensors shall have any liability for any errors, omissions, or interruptions of any index or the data included therein.

Diversification does not assure a profit or prevent against a loss.

Please note that the information herein represents the opinion of the portfolio manager and these opinions may change at any time and from time to time. Not intended to be a forecast of future events, a guarantee of future results or investment advice. Historical performance is not indicative of future results; current data may differ from data quoted. Current market conditions may not continue. Non- VanEck proprietary information contained herein has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but not guaranteed. No part of this material may be reproduced in any form, or referred to in any other publication, without express written permission of VanEck. ©2019 VanEck.

You can lose money by investing in the Fund. Any investment in the Fund should be part of an overall investment program, not a complete program. The Fund is subject to the risks associated with its investments in Chinese issuers, direct investments, emerging market securities which tends to be more volatile and less liquid than securities traded in developed countries, foreign currency transactions, foreign securities, other investment companies, Stock Connect, management, market, operational, sectors and small- and medium-capitalization companies risks. The Fund’s investments in foreign securities involve risks related to adverse political and economic developments unique to a country or a region, currency fluctuations or controls, and the possibility of arbitrary action by foreign governments, or political, economic or social instability.

Please call 800.826.2333 or visit vaneck.com for performance information current to the most recent month end and for a free prospectus and summary prospectus. Investing involves risk, including possible loss of principal. An investor should consider the Fund’s investment objective, risks, charges and expenses carefully before investing. The prospectus and summary prospectus contain this as well as other information. Please read them carefully before investing.

DISCLOSURE

PEG ratio is the ratio of the forward price to earnings divided by growth in the following year. Return on equities is net income divided by total equity. Return on invested capital is the ratio of net income less dividend paid over the firm’s total capital.

All indices listed are unmanaged indices and include the reinvestment of all dividends, but do not reflect the payment of transaction costs, advisory fees or expenses that are associated with an investment in the Fund. Certain indices may take into account withholding taxes. An index’s performance is not illustrative of the Fund’s performance. Indices are not securities in which investments can be made. The Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) Emerging Markets Index captures large- and mid-cap representation across 26 Emerging Markets (EM) countries. The MSCI Emerging Markets Investable Market Index (IMI) captures large, mid and small cap representation across 26 Emerging Markets (EM) countries.

The S&P 500 Index is a product of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC and/or its affiliates and has been licensed for use by Van Eck Associates Corporation. Copyright © 2019 S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC, a division of S&P Global, Inc., and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved. Redistribution or reproduction in whole or in part are prohibited without written permission of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC. For more information on any of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC’s indices please visit www.spdji.com. S&P®is a registered trademark of S&P Global and Dow Jones®is a registered trademark of Dow Jones Trademark Holdings LLC. Neither S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC, Dow Jones Trademark Holdings LLC, their affiliates nor their third party licensors make any representation or warranty, express or implied, as to the ability of any index to accurately represent the asset class or market sector that it purports to represent and neither S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC, Dow Jones Trademark Holdings LLC, their affiliates nor their third party licensors shall have any liability for any errors, omissions, or interruptions of any index or the data included therein.

Diversification does not assure a profit or prevent against a loss.

Please note that the information herein represents the opinion of the portfolio manager and these opinions may change at any time and from time to time. Not intended to be a forecast of future events, a guarantee of future results or investment advice. Historical performance is not indicative of future results; current data may differ from data quoted. Current market conditions may not continue. Non- VanEck proprietary information contained herein has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but not guaranteed. No part of this material may be reproduced in any form, or referred to in any other publication, without express written permission of VanEck. ©2019 VanEck.

You can lose money by investing in the Fund. Any investment in the Fund should be part of an overall investment program, not a complete program. The Fund is subject to the risks associated with its investments in Chinese issuers, direct investments, emerging market securities which tends to be more volatile and less liquid than securities traded in developed countries, foreign currency transactions, foreign securities, other investment companies, Stock Connect, management, market, operational, sectors and small- and medium-capitalization companies risks. The Fund’s investments in foreign securities involve risks related to adverse political and economic developments unique to a country or a region, currency fluctuations or controls, and the possibility of arbitrary action by foreign governments, or political, economic or social instability.

Please call 800.826.2333 or visit vaneck.com for performance information current to the most recent month end and for a free prospectus and summary prospectus. Investing involves risk, including possible loss of principal. An investor should consider the Fund’s investment objective, risks, charges and expenses carefully before investing. The prospectus and summary prospectus contain this as well as other information. Please read them carefully before investing.