Emerging-market stocks have set a new swath of record highs this week, driven by optimism over additional U.S. stimulus and a dovish Federal Reserve. The rally\u2019s gaining momentum even as some technical indicators are showing a pullback is overdue.<\/p>\n
The MSCI Emerging Markets Index has now gained more than 9% this year, extending a rebound from its low during the coronavirus sell-off in March to a heady 88%. Goldman Sachs Group Inc., UBS Global Wealth Management and Wells Fargo Investment Institute all added to the positive chorus this week, releasing bullish call on developing-nation equities.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith vaccine roll outs combined with fiscal stimulus and loose monetary policy, global growth should improve and benefit emerging-market economies relatively better,\u201d said Joshua Crabb, a senior money manager in Hong Kong at Robeco, which oversees $186 billion. \u201cCheaper valuations combined with better growth, a dovish Fed and a weaker dollar bode well for emerging markets over the course of 2021.\u201d<\/p>\n
Exchange-traded funds covering developing-nation assets drew the highest inflows in more than a year last week, with traders increasing their holdings by a combined $3.56 billion, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. That was an 11th straight week of inflows, increasing total assets to $332.1 billion, with the highest proportion of new money going to China, Taiwan and South Korea.<\/p>\n
Emerging-market equities may reach new \u201chistorical highs\u201d driven by better corporate profits, Goldman Sachs strategists including Kamakshya Trivedi in London and Caesar Maasry in New York wrote in a report this week. The investment bank raised its 12-month target for the MSCI equity gauge to 1,450 from 1,375. The index was at 1,413.82 on Thursday.<\/p>\n
Corporate earnings in developing nations may rise 28% this year as companies in the developing world outperform during the global recovery, UBS Global Wealth Management\u2019s Solita Marcelli in New York wrote in a research note this week.<\/p>\n
Read more: Wells Fargo Upgrades Small Caps, EM Shares as Key Reflation Play<\/p>\n
For all the enthusiasm, there are some warning signs. The 14-day relative strength index for the MSCI EM equity gauge increased to 83 on Thursday, its 17th straight day above the threshold of 70 that signals to some traders gains have been excessive.<\/p>\n
At the same time, Bloomberg\u2019s Fear\/Greed indicator, which measures selling strength versus buying strength, for the MSCI measure, has climbed to the highest level since October 2011.<\/p>\n
While acknowledging there are warning signs, Crabb at Robeco remains confident in the long-term outlook. <\/p>\n
\u201cAlthough emerging markets have spiked recently and may see a short term consolidation, the valuation discount to developed markets still makes EM attractive,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n