Emerging Markets

There are no signs of broader financial stress in the Chinese corporate sector. The most recent financial market turmoil has had no systemic damage to corporate sector balance sheets. We are leaning against being overly bearish. Current valuation readings, particularly for Chinese H shares and Hong Kong stocks, on a historical basis have never been sustainable.

Taiwan's opposition Democratic Progressive Party is poised to win the presidency and possibly the legislature in elections January 16. The result will be icier cross-strait relations in the coming years that will add a geopolitical headwind to Taiwanese assets, even as it struggles to cope with a low-growth world. Taiwan still has advantages over other emerging markets, but its outlook is darkening.