Emerging Markets For Dummies [Paperback]

If you're taking an emerging markets class, but you need more help in understanding the information, this could be the book for you. It can also be useful to the investor or businessperson who wants to be introduced to the emerging markets of the world. As many factories are being outsourced in the USA, overseas investments are pretty hot right now, and this book can help you decide if you would want to put your money in and of them.

The books covers a lot about what emerging markets are, how you can identify potentially good investments, and possible problems a U.S. investor may face when negotiating a business deal in foreign countries. A lot of content is devoted to explaining the BRICs (Brazil, Russia, India, and China), the countries with some of the most rapidly developing economies at the moment. The economic history of other emerging markets and frontier markets around the world is explained in detail. The pros and cons of investing in those countries are mentioned too, and the author provides a web link to an English newspaper available online about news in those countries.

Sometimes, the book reads like a textbook without the math, but other times, the language is quite casual. The good thing about the book is that it is very organized with a helpful index, and you can start and end at any chapter you want because you don't need to know the content of preceding chapters to understand what the author is writing. But more examples of the investing situations presented would make this a better book. It also would have been nice to read about the economic theories in emerging markets, to get a better idea of what you're doing when making an investment, but you can't expect a "For Dummies" book to have everything. In any case, the author does give a list of other books you can read to find out more.

I would imagine that in 10 years or so, this edition would be obsolete, because some countries' emerging market status would have changed. But in 2011 and for the next few years, this book ought to be helpful. Of course, you should still do your homework and find out more about the countries and industries you want to invest in before sending money. But this book should help you get started.

Great information. A wonderful starting point for those interested in exploring investment opportunities in the emerging markets. Ms. Logue has a unique way of simplifying an often confusing market place.

With mature markets providing fewer returns over the last few decades, market participants have increasingly looked to emerging markets for enhanced returns. As a financial professional, I often lean on this book to allow clients a further understanding pertaining to products and strategies that involve these new and exciting markets.

No one will argue that we now live in a global marketplace. Investors now have the ability to buy or sell any financial product the world has to offer with the click of a button. Products like exchange traded funds and cross currency products have enabled investors new possibilities to enhance their portfolios. New markets also provide new risk. Risk can be minimized with education. Education on this topic should start with this book.

"Emerging Markets for Dummies" is an excellent general overview on how to think about investing in emerging markets. It makes great resource because Ann Logue has deep knowledge of finance, politics, and economics, combined with the ability to communicate in a simple and understandable manner. The book is most useful when one is asking the questions: Should I invest in emerging markets? Why? What are the risks? What do I need to know? How should I formulate an approach?

Ann delves into the many types of economies, peoples, governments, and markets that span the emerging world, and what can go right and wrong in their economic development. She makes an interesting point that political problems must be solved before economic ones.

I imagine that some readers will take the plunge and invest in emerging market economies after reading this book, and others might be frightened away - and rightfully so. In either case, the reader will gain greatly from the broad perspective that Ann provides here.

My five star rating is based on what this book offers to the novice emerging markets investor. Be ready to dive into particular data on stocks, bonds, funds, economics, and statistics once you have a good understanding of the overall landscape that this book provides.