Emerging markets ETF yields up

MANILA, Philippines - Emerging market bond exchange-traded funds (ETFs) are presenting opportunity due to the low debt load most related economies have. They are selling at good discount rates, presenting opportunity for the coming years. ETFs, such as the iShares Emerging Markets USD Bond ETF (EMB) or the PowerShares Emerging Markets Sovereign Debt Portfolio (PCY), have suffered slight losses of 1.5 percent each in 2013, but have made incremental comebacks over the past month. PCY is up 1.1 percent over a one-month time period, while EMB is up 0.7 percent over the past month. Both ETFs are yielding about four percent. Philippine Bond ETFs are lumped with the EMB. Both EMB and PCY are denominated in US dollars, eliminating the guesswork of currency conversion and plays on the current strength the greenback is showing. Although the ETFs track overseas sovereign debt, the strength of the US economy and dollar had put a damper on any overseas gains. The outlook for emerging economies remains positive and sentiment is optimistic as these markets remain on a steady growth trend.