Most single-country exchanged traded funds (ETFs) are sitting below their 200-day moving averages. Many, particularly those in Asia, are in the double digits in their positions below their trend lines.

Two funds are above, and they’re sticking out like a sore thumb: iShares MSCI Brazil (EWZ) and the iShares S&P Latin America (ILF), which are 2.8% and 2.3% above their trend lines, respectively.

How is it that when the rest of the world seems to be dogged by economic woes, Latin America is still continuing to grow and perform relatively well? It turns out, lots of reasons.

1) UK integrators are gravitating toward the region, reports Doug Woodburn for vnunet, and they’re setting up shop there.

2) Domestic demand is strong, fueling economic growth, say Carla Simoes and Romina Nicaretta for Bloomberg. Brazil is forecast to create more than 1.8 million government-registered job this year after posting a record last year of 1.62 million. The surge in these types of jobs, which provide full benefits, are considered a sign of Brazil’s strengthening economy.

3) Brazil’s fourth-quarter growth was 6.2%, surpassing expectations. It’s the biggest year-over-year gain since June 2004.

4) Latin America is gearing up for some major infrastructure action, according to Public Works. The Latin American Leadership Forum will be held in early April and will feature the top 50 infrastructure projects that have a total value of $40 billion.

Tags: Brazil, Emerging Markets, EWZ, Infrastructure, Latin America, United Kingdom