By Carol Lye
Cheap valuations in late 2018 had set the stage for an emerging market recovery, and finally receiving a lifeline this year. The Federal Reserve (Fed) cut rates three times totaling 75 basis points (bps), and equally important, oil prices stayed relatively flattish. As such, emerging market bonds and stocks have rallied despite local currencies staying somewhat flat. If there is an interim U.S.-China trade deal or a rebound in Chinese data, emerging market assets could break out on the upside (see Chart 1 and Chart 2).
With inflation trending lower, emerging market