The 10.2% unemployment figure is far worse than what economists had expected, and they don’t see any sign of relief until next year. While the pace of layoffs has slowed, the unemployment rate is continuing to climb, reports Javier C. Hernandez for The New York Times.

Unemployment isn’t just as issue here, either; millions around the world don’t expect to see relief in the form of jobs anytime soon. The European Union forecast unemployment in the eurozone to rise to 10.7% in 2010, up from 9.5% this year. Unemployment ranges from 3.5% in the Netherlands to 18.3% in Spain, reports Greg Keller for the Associated Press. In China, the official urban unemployment rate is 4.3% in the third quarter. Brazil’s unemployment was 8.1% in August, almost unchanged from the previous month.

Gold futures have soared to a record $1,100 an ounce today. While some profit-taking briefly sent gold lower, it resumed its course and analysts expect it to continue to move higher, reports Allen Sykora for The Wall Street Journal. SPDR Gold Shares (NYSEArca: GLD) is up about 0.4% year-to-date. (More on gold can be found here).

Businesses slashed inventories for a record 13th straight month in September, although sales rose for the sixth consecutive time. Many hope that improving sales figures will encourage businesses to start lifting production, although a rising jobless rate heightens fears that consumers won’t start spending anytime soon, reports Martin Crutsinger for the Associated Press. (An ETF to play holiday shopping).

The world’s largest insurer, AIG (NYSE: AIG) reported that it was profitable for the second consecutive quarter. Although things have stabilized, the company’s CEO said that earnings will remain choppy while they restructure.  SPDR KBW Insurance (NYSEArca: KIE) is up about 0.6% this morning.

G20 Finance Ministers are meeting this week to discuss financial reform and economic recovery. While these economies have put in place certain policies in order to push along a recovery, they’re not policies anyone wants to keep in place forever. The general consensus is that it’s too soon to reverse the measures, but it’s not too soon to begin talking about when and how it would happen. Government debt in developed G20 countries is likely to reach 118% of annual national income in 2014, reports Andrew Walker for the BBC.

For more stories on the global economy, visit our global ETF page.

Holdings: EEG holds companies domiciled in emerging markets; some of the top companies in the fund include Russian natural gas company Gazprom, Brazilian energy company Petroleo Brasileiro, Latin American wireless provider America Movil and Bank of China.

Objective: EEG seeks to track the Dow Jones Emerging Markets Titans Composite Index, which is an index composed of a representative sample of 100 emerging market companies deemed by Dow Jones to be leaders in each of 10 sectors.

Things to Know

• Brazil is the top country, with 24.9% of the weighting. China has 24.3%, Russia has 13.4% and India has 13%. Other countries include Mexico, South Africa, Chile and Indonesia.
• Oil and gas is the top sector, weighted at 30.8%; financial is 22.1%; telecommunications is 11.6%; and basic materials is 9.3%.
• The expense ratio is 0.75%.
• EEG is a relative newcomer on the ETF scene – the fund launched on July 22.

The Latest News

• Emerging Global Advisors CEO Bob Holderith feels that interest in emerging markets should continue to expand. “It’s a 25-year growth story in its sixth year.” The positive growth outlook for emerging markets goes hand-in-hand with the changing demographic picture in these countries.
• Holderith notes that in most of these countries, there’s a huge young population, all looking for the “Western experience”: cell phones, iPods, dining out and more. (More on Emerging Global Advisors).
• Although the pace may eventually slow down, Barron’s reports that emerging markets still have room left to grow in the long haul. And for the time being, they may be the place to hide out as developed markets still work toward normalcy.
• Emerging markets already account for one-third of the global GDP and 10% of the world’s market capitalization.

Although the pace may eventually slow down, Barron’s reports that emerging markets still have room left to grow in the long haul. And for the time being, they may be the place to hide out as developed markets still work toward normalcy. In the near-term, growth rates in developed nations are expected to be lackluster, and much less robust than those in the developing world’s. (What you’re missing when you’re not globally invested).

Countries that are resource rich and developing are stockpiling cash and shoring up their balance sheets for a strong recovery and a growth spurt unlike any seen before. Earnings and  economic activity have been revived. Morgan Stanley feels that earnings in emerging markets have bottomed in the third quarter and they’re now set to climb again. (Why frontier markets could be even bigger).

For more stores about emerging markets, visit our emerging markets category.

There are a variety of ways to play emerging markets. There are broad funds, such as iShares MSCI Emerging Markets (NYSEArca: EEM), Vanguard Emerging Markets (NYSEArca: VWO) and iShares MSCI EAFE Index (NYSEArca: EFA).

There are funds that focus on regions, such as Claymore/BNY Mellon BRIC (NYSEArca: EEB) and BLDRSAsia 50 ADR Index (Nasdaq: ADRA).

Finally, there are single-country funds, such as iShares MSCI Brazil (NYSEArca: EWZ) and Market Vectors Vietnam (NYSEArca: VNM).

Keep in mind that the narrower you get in your exposure to emerging and frontier markets, the higher your risk will be. Be sure to have an entry and exit strategy before you invest. (How to follow trends).

Brazil is one step closer to joining the ranks of developed nations: its middle class is growing. For a country long divided between a small, wealthy elite and a vast army of have-nots, it’s a positive development that many believed was a long shot just a few years ago. (An investment upgrade by Moodys is also proof of the stable economy).

Alibaba reports that the true definition of a middle class is hard to define. Brazil uses a five-tier system to classify population by money. The middle tier, called Class C, comprises those with household income between 1,115 and 4,807 reals per month ($641 to $2,763). (What Brazil’s foreign investment tax means). This segment has ballooned to more than half the country’s total population.

The benefits of Brazil’s bigger middle class include:

• Programs have lifted 19 million people out of poverty and into this class
• They’re grabbing status symbols such as televisions and cars; new car sales jumped 20% in September
• The middle class can press for social change, improved schools and stronger political institutions
• They put a higher premium on citizens’ rights, such as multi-party elections and free speech

Mina Kimes for CNN Money reports that unemployment is down from its March peak, wages are up, and the Bovespa index, which tracks the country’s biggest stocks, has climbed 77% so far this year.  (Seven things to like about Brazil).

For more stories about Brazil, visit our Brazil category.

• iShares MSCI Brazil Index (NYSEArca: EWZ): up 92.6% year-to-date

• Market Vectors Brazil Small Cap (NYSEArca: BRF): up 64.5% since May inception

Assets: $289.9 million

Holdings: Small-cap companies domiciled  and primarily listed on an exchange in Brazil, or companies that generate at least 50% of their revenues in Brazil.

Objective: Tracks the Market Vectors Brazil Small-Cap Index.

What’s Good

• This fund gives exposure to the small-caps of Brazil; small-caps tend to outperform large-caps in periods of recovery, because their small size makes them more nimble.
• Weighted 30% in consumer discretionary, 17.3% in industrials, 16.7% in financials, 12.3% in materials.
• 56 securities make up the index.
• The expense ratio is 0.73%.

The Latest News

• Brazil recently instituted a 2% tax on foreign investment in equities and fixed income (What it could mean).

• With the right mix of policies, Brazil could sustain average annual economic growth of 5% over the next 10 years, according to Goldman Sachs.
• Brazil’s president is being credited with the country’s growth. He has built a foundation of low inflation and sound fiscal policy that has released a tide of investment in Brazil. (Our definitive guide to the BRICs).
• Around mid-2010, Jubak says, the carry trade could begin to unwind and lead investors to pull money out of assets that are currently in favor. But for now, Brazil’s small-caps are benefiting from the carry trade.
• Credit is back to normal levels and the economy is back on stable ground, reports Michael S. Derby for The Wall Street Journal. Brazil’s central bank claims the growth is sustainable, as well.
• The economy has added jobs to payroll and government data indicates companies are hiring workers to meet growing demand for manufactured goods and new homes, reports Isabel Versiani for Reuters.
• Retail sales are up for the fourth month in a row. Sales rose 4.7% in August from a year ago, report Joshua Goodman and Adriana Brasileiro for Bloomberg. Domestic demand indicates that continued economic support will continue.
• In 2010, Brazil’s economy is expected to grow 4.4%; this year, growth is expected to be around 0.12%. (How to play Rio’s Olympic win).

• Colombia’s Statistics Department reported that sales fell 0.9% in August from the same month last year and industrial output dropped 3.3%, which were the smallest contractions in 10 and six months respectively , writes Inti Landauro for The Wall Street Journal. Analysts cite the decline in consumer credit and rising ratio of bad loans to total loans as indicators for the floundering consumer demand.

• Colombia’s economy is also fettered by lower exports as a result of recent restrictions imposed by Venezuela, the second-largest market for Colombian exports. Finance Minister Oscar Ivan Zuluaga says the government will ease peso gains, helping the domestic exporters. (Some of the top five emerging market ETFs off the lows).

• Carlos Ramos, economist with Interbolsa brokerage firm, thought the data was better than expected and believes the Colombian economy will start to recover in the fourth quarter. (There’s more to Latin America than Brazil).

• The Colombian Central Bank kept interbank rates unchanged at 4% and will increase liquidity by purchasing $1.56 billion in U.S. dollars and TES bonds, report Helen Murphy and Alexander Cuadros for Bloomberg. The Central Bank set a 2010 inflation target of 2% to 4%. Inflation for the year is expected to fall below the target range of 4.5% to 5.5%.

For more information on Colombia, visit our Colombia category.

• Global X/InterBolsa FTSE Colombia 20 ETF (NYSEArca: GXG): up 14.8% in the last three months; GXG delivered 33.9% in the third quarter and 101.7% since inception in February

Max Chen contributed to this article.

Turkey. Turkey is rapidly developing and there’s no indication that the economy needs aid from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Growth in the economy could likely accelerate in 2011 after a return to growth in 2010. Turkey’s market index has been driven up by the banking sector, which makes up around 40% of the market. Bank earnings have been bolstered by a series of rate cuts that have reduced interest on customers’ deposits as lending rates remain high. (Does Turkey need more support?)

• iShares MSCI Turkey Invest Mkt Index (NYSEArca: TUR): up 179% since low; up 101.6% year-to-date

Russia. Next year’s growth could top 2% if oil prices stay high. Greater revenues from taxes on energy companies could also ensure this year’s budget deficit is smaller than expected. Economists believe Russia’s GDP growth may gain a foothold as soon as the fourth quarter because of fiscal stimulus. Additionally, the economy will pick up speed once oil prices increase and world economies recover. The Russian economy is dominated by resources and banking. (Russia’s potential stumbling blocks).

• Market Vectors Russia (NYSEArca: RSX): up 161% since low; up 139.5% year-to-date

Brazil. Brazil could sustain average annual economic growth of 5% over the next 10 years. Low inflation and sound fiscal policy have released a tide of investment in Brazil. For now, Brazil’s small-caps are benefiting from the carry trade. Companies are hiring workers to meet growing demand for manufactured goods and new homes. In 2010, Brazil’s economy is expected to grow 4.4%; this year, growth is expected to be around 0.12%. (Seven things to like about Brazil).

• iShares MSCI Brazil Index (NYSEArca: EWZ): up 125% since low; up 114% year-to-date

India. The Indian Prime Minister’s Economic Advisory Council expects the GDP to expand 6.5% to 6.75% in 2009-10, despite a potential decline in agricultural output. Inflationary concerns may be met by tighter monetary and fiscal policies in the coming months. Factors such as capital flows, domestic demand, portfolio flows and a strong savings rate have India in a good position to continue moving forward. (Why India could strengthen).

• WisdomTree India Earnings (NYSEArca: EPI): up 138% since low; up 88.2% year-to-date

Indonesia. A young population and a falling birth rate equate to a surge in the ratio of working population to the number of dependents. Circumspect fiscal policy has left the government with enough cash for infrastructure and public services. Indonesia may enjoy a period of political stability and does not rely too heavily on exports. Declining interest rates have helped boost consumption, which is around 60% of GDP. (Five points in Indonesia’s favor).

• Market Vectors Indonesia ETF (NYSEArca: IDX): up 180% since the low; up 155.6% since Jan. 20 inception

Max Chen contributed to this article.

To understand the implications of the new tax, it’s important to understand how iShares MSCI Brazil (NYSEArca: EWZ) works.

EWZ is a “cash create” product, unlike most ETFs where delivery is taken in the form of securities. Regulations in Brazil don’t allow in-kind share creations. Cash is taken in lieu of actual shares, and the money is taken and invested in Brazil.

When a market participant (MP) wants to create more shares of EWZ, there’s a fee associated with this creation that’s already built in. This new tax may eventually become a part of the fund expenses in the event that an increase in demand for EWZ leads to the creation of more shares.

According to its prospectus, Market Vectors Brazil Small-Cap (NYSEArca: BRF) also issues and redeems creation units primarily for cash.

Anything already issued in any fund is not impacted because it’s already in the local currency.

Meanwhile, money is flooding into Brazil. About $31 billion in foreign direct investment is expected this year. In turn, this news has upped their stock market and increased the value of the currency. The risk Brazil runs is the real getting too strong, which is a new problem for a country that has usually had to deal with inflation, reports Carl Mortished for Times Online.

This is what led to the tax: the country feared losing its foreign customers and exporters raised a ruckus, hence the 2% tax. While investors and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) initially balked, for the most part investors seem to feel the positives of growth prospects in Brazil outweigh the negatives of the tax.

For more stories about Brazil, visit our Brazil category.

• iShares MSCI Brazil Index (NYSEArca: EWZ): up 116.3% year-to-date

• Market Vectors Brazil Small-Cap (NYSEArca: BRF): up 86.7% year-to-date

• WisdomTree Dreyfus Brazilian Real (NYSEArca: BZF): up 34% year-to-date

The current supply of copper looks like it may be dropping and steel producers may be flooding the market.

Copper prices jumped more than 3%, hitting a 13-month high on Wednesday, and BHP Billiton (NYSE: BHP) declared force majeure at the fourth-largest copper mine in the world, reinforcing supply concerns, writes Barani Krishnan and Rebekah Curtis for Reuters. Copper, along with other commodities, rallied as the dollar dipped.

Copper futures for the December delivery finished at $3.0360 per pound on the New York Mercantile Exchange -  the last time copper hovered around $3 dollars was in September 2008. (For more information on copper, visit our copper category.)

China Steel, Taiwan’s foremost steel producer, will reduce its domestic price by 4.5% in December, indicating that steel prices could be bottoming out. The company expects steel outlook to improve in 2010 as world economies recover, reports Ken Wills for Reuters.

Analysts are not surprised by pullbacks in the benchmark hot-rolled sheet in coil (HRC) steel price as a result of weak end-use demand, comments Tom Stundza for Purchasing. Production has increased to almost 62% of capacity despite August U.S. steel mill shipments being down 37% from last year.

In a survey of steel buyers, 77% of participants think current inventory levels are sufficient for one or two months and 76% don’t plan on increasing steel orders. Over the next month, 24% expect incoming orders to decline, and 46% expect incoming orders to decline in the next three months. (For more information on steel, visit our steel category.)

Fore more information on industrial metals, visit our industrial metals category.

• iPath DJ AIG Copper TR Sub-Idx ETN (NYSEArca: JJC): up 112.7% year-to-date

• Market Vectors Steel ETF (NYSEArca: SLX): up 96.6% year-to-date

• iShares MSCI Chile Investable Mkt Idx (NYSEArca: ECH): up 67.4% year-to-date; materials constitutes 20.7%, including mining companies

Max Chen contributed to this article.

Fundamentals in favor of Brazil continue to improve while surprising and delighting investors. The future looks bright for the economy, especially if these numbers keep trending in the right direction. Jim Jubak for The Money Show lists some reasons why Brazil is a hot spot for investors, and we tossed in a few others, too:

• With the right mix of policies, Brazil could sustain average annual economic growth of 5% over the next 10 years, according to Goldman Sachs.
• Brazil’s president is being credited with the country’s growth. He has built a foundation of low inflation and sound fiscal policy that has released a tide of investment in Brazil. (Our definitive guide to the BRICs).
• Around mid-2010, Jubak says, the carry trade could begin to unwind and lead investors to pull money out of assets that are currently in favor. But for now, Brazil’s small-caps are benefiting from the carry trade.
• Credit is back to normal levels and the economy is back on stable ground, reports Michael S. Derby for The Wall Street Journal. Brazil’s central bank claims the growth is sustainable, as well.
• The economy has added jobs to payroll and government data indicates companies are hiring workers to meet growing demand for manufactured goods and new homes, reports Isabel Versiani for Reuters.
• Retail sales are up for the fourth month in a row. Sales rose 4.7% in August from a year ago, report Joshua Goodman and Adriana Brasileiro for Bloomberg. Domestic demand indicates that continued economic support will continue.
• In 2010, Brazil’s economy is expected to grow 4.4%; this year, growth is expected to be around 0.12%. (How to play Rio’s Olympic win).

For more stories about Brazil, visit our Brazil category.

• iShares MSCI Brazil (NYSEArca: EWZ): up 117% year-to-date

• Market Vectors Brazil Small Cap (BRF): up 86.7% since inception