U.K. Manufacturers Expect Exports to Rise

By Franklin Templeton Investments: By Mark Mobius, Executive Chairman, Templeton Emerging Markets Group

By Morningstar: By Patricia Oey Emerging markets were one of the worst-performing asset classes in 2011, but they are currently in favor with U.S. investors. In the exchange-traded-fund universe, this asset class gained the most net inflows in the first month of the year. On one hand, we like the contrarian discipline many investors are showing. However, it may also be indicative of a sudden willingness to assume greater risk.

Despite tepid sales of its new Windows Phone models, Nokia may have an ace up its sleeve: its brand power in emerging markets.

Recently, the results of the second year of Harvard Business School's survey on US competitiveness were released. This time, in addition to asking both the public and of business leaders how the economy was doing, the survey asked their opinions of specific policies. It's a look not at what people think about the lurch from crisis to crisis, but about the long term prospects of the country, given current policy.

By Tom Lydon: Exchange traded funds following broad emerging markets indexes are essentially flat for the year as they face inflationary pressures and a slowdown after the natural disasters in Japan. Yet investors are hoping emerging market economies will drive the world economy.