Hello again and Happy New Year!

The PDF version of the January issue of ETFInvestor is now available for download.

If the link above doesn’t work, you can download this month's issue by copying this address into your browser: http://etf.morningstar.com/Newsletter.aspx?download=currentIssue

The January issue is my first back in the saddle since I handed the reins over to Alex in November 2018. After more than eight years on Morningstar's manager research team, Alex has moved to a new role at Morningstar within our indexes business. I already miss working with him, but I am excited that he’s found a new opportunity to learn and to grow.

I’m proud of all the many changes we’ve made to ETFInvestor in recent years. That said, there are always going to be ways that we can serve you better. I am eager to hear from you and engage with you. Please don’t be shy. I want to hear what’s on your mind. Many of the changes we've made in recent years were guided by your feedback.

You can e-mail me any time at ben.johnson@morningstar.com.

Now on to this month’s issue…

This month, we take a close look at emerging markets. Developing economies are ripe with opportunity and rife with risk. They’re always evolving and have changed rapidly in recent years. This month’s cover story maps that evolution and its potential implications for portfolio construction

Here’s a rundown of what else you’ll find in this month’s issue:     

• What happens when you boot emerging markets stocks from the Basic Portfolio?
• Spotlights on WisdomTree Emerging Markets ex-State-Owned Enterprises ETF XSOE and iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF IEMG
• A look at the hazards and tolls taken on the road to emerging markets
• An overview of the emerging-markets bond market and the important fork in that road

Ben