I compare the Columbia EM Core ex-China ETF and iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF for current holdings and performance. EEM is heavily weighted to Asia, with Information Technology and Financials as top sectors, and its top 20 holdings comprise 39% of the portfolio. XCEM excludes China and Hong Kong, tracking an in-house index with up to 700 companies, market-cap weighted and rebalanced quarterly.
Emerging market ETFs are back in focus. Two of the ten largest U.S.-listed ETF inflow winners year-to-date are broad EM funds.
The ETF industry has carried its record-breaking momentum from 2025 into the new year, surpassing $100 billion in net flows before the end of January. By the end of the month, flows into U.S.
EEM Vs. EMEQ: Newcomer Off To Great Start, Thus Rated A Buy
I reiterate a buy rating on iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF for 2026, following a strong 28% return in 2025. EEM offers compelling momentum, trading at a historical discount to developed markets, and benefits from potential ongoing Fed rate cuts. Valuation remains attractive with EEM at 14x earnings versus its 5-year average of 18x, offering significant upside potential.
Fed turns dovish and trade tensions ease. Amid this scenario, tech & growth ETFs could soar along with some other areas.
Last week FTSE made its annual review of country classification within its global equity indices (see the announcement here). One of the most interesting changes was Vietnam's upgrade from frontier to emerging market.
Emerging markets are surging on a weak dollar, Fed cuts & AI-fueled Chinese tech rally. ETFs like EEM & CQQQ are outpacing the S&P 500 in 2025.
With a falling dollar and no risk premium in the U.S., EMs could gain traction, but EEM might not be the best way to play it. EEM is, in my opinion, not a competitive emerging markets ETF, due to limited representation, high costs, and long-term underperformance. In my opinion, it's a “historical legacy”, still useful today only for short-term trades, thanks to its excellent liquidity.
While emerging markets have grown significantly, @Theotrade's Don Kaufman is taking a bearish position on the iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (EEM). He doesn't see its rally sticking in the mid-term.
Mark Mobius, Mobius Emerging Opportunities Fund chairman, joins 'Closing Bell Overtime' to talk emerging markets and international opportunities.
Pramol Dhawan, PIMCO Head of Emerging Markets portfolio management, joins 'Closing Bell Overtime' to talk investing opportunities outside of U.S.