With a much-needed shock to its political system, Bolsnaro could be the solution that Brazil needs and if his policies materialize in an improving economy, the country and Brazil-focused exchange-traded funds (ETFs) will both be beneficiaries. As such, here are five ETFs to watch in the early months of Bolsonaro’s presidency.
1. iShares MSCI Brazil Capped ETF (NYSEArca: EWZ)
EWZ seeks to track the investment results of the MSCI Brazil 25/50 Index, which consists of stocks traded primarily on B3 (the largest Brazilian exchange). The index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization-weighted index with a capping methodology applied to issuer weights so that no single issuer of a component exceeds 25% of the underlying index weight, and all issuers with weight above 5% do not cumulatively exceed 50% of the underlying index weight.
2. VanEck Vectors Brazil Small-Cap ETF (NYSEArca: BRF)
BRF seeks to replicate the price and yield performance of the MVIS® Brazil Small-Cap Index, which includes securities of Brazilian small-capitalization companies. A company is generally considered to be a Brazilian company if it is incorporated in Brazil or is incorporated outside of Brazil but has at least 50% of its revenues/related assets in Brazil.
3. Franklin FTSE Brazil ETF (NYSEArca: FLBR)
FLBR seeks to provide investment results that closely correspond, before fees and expenses, to the performance of the FTSE Brazil RIC Capped Index (the FTSE Brazil Capped Index). The index is based on the FTSE Brazil Index and is designed to measure the performance of Brazilian large- and mid-capitalization stocks.
4. WisdomTree Brazilian Real Strategy ETF (NYSEArca: BZF)
BZF seeks to achieve total returns reflective of both money market rates in Brazil available to foreign investors and changes in value of the Brazilian real relative to the U.S. dollar. The fund normally invests at least 80% of its net assets, plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes, in investments whose combined performance is tied economically to Brazil. BZF generally will maintain a weighted average portfolio maturity of 90 days or less with respect to the money market securities in its portfolio.
5. iShares MSCI Brazil Small-Cap ETF (NasdaqGM: EWZS)
EWZS seeks to track the investment results of the MSCI Brazil Small Cap Index. EWZS will invest at least 90% of its assets in the component securities of the underlying index and in investments that have economic characteristics that are substantially identical to the component securities of the underlying index. The index itself is a free float-adjusted market capitalization-weighted index designed to measure the performance of equity securities in the bottom 14% by market capitalization of equity securities listed on stock exchanges in Brazil.
The success of Bolsonaro’s presidency and Brazil as a whole will weigh heavily on a comeback for emerging markets as a whole going forward. While EM has fallen from grace in 2018 after its bull run in 2017, Brazil’s recovery could help lead EM out of its own doldrums.
“Brazil’s longer-term prospects will depend on the new government’s progress in tackling Brazil’s debt dynamics,” said Mateos y Lago. “The conclusion of the Brazilian election marks the end of a string of contentious Latin American political matches. We remain risk-on and see the lifting of political clouds in emerging markets supporting the long-term case for EM assets.”
Related: Brazil ETFs Breakout as Presidential Candidate Jair Bolsonaro Takes Lead
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