Myths Create Fear in Emerging Markets

Lamudi, an online real estate dealer with operations in 28 countries in the Middle East, Asia, Africa and Latin America, argues there exist widespread myths that may stop Western companies from taking advantage of “exciting” opportunities offered by emerging markets.

http://tinyurl.com/ozt753k

Emerging Market Stocks Advance for Sixth Day

Emerging-market stocks rose for a sixth day as a rally by telecommunication and energy shares overshadowed Chinese data showing the nation’s housing slump deepened. Russia’s ruble appreciated the most among its peers.  China Mobile Ltd. advanced to the highest level in almost six years as Nomura Holdings Inc. lifted its price target. OAO Gazprom gained as much as 1.2 percent to lead increases in Russia. The ruble strengthened 0.3 percent versus the dollar after the central bank widened its trading range against a basket of currencies. Indian stocks surged to a record high.

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Bitcoin Momentum Grows in Emerging Markets

Bitcoin is gradually making progress as a medium of exchange in developing countries. While it can be volatile as an investment asset, it has real utility as an instrument for payment and money transfer, especially in places where conventional payment systems are immature. Because Bitcoin facilitates instant payment through peer-to-peer technology, most transactions can be completed in less than 10 minutes no matter how distant the two parties are. In addition, each transaction is recorded in a public ledger, enhancing transparency and trustworthiness.

http://tinyurl.com/k3lbt8e

Time to Invest in Emerging-Markets Stock Funds?

It has been a frustrating time for emerging-markets investors lately.  First, they had to watch as U.S. stocks went on a tear last year, while emerging-markets stocks headed in the opposite direction. Many investors lost patience; they yanked more than $15 billion from emerging-markets exchange-traded funds in the three months through January of this year, according to the Lipper unit of Thomson Reuters Corp.

http://tinyurl.com/nl6oofp