Finance · South Africa
Emerging Markets and Gold Gain as Investors Shift from US Assets
Moneyweb · 2026/01/25
Summary
In early 2026, emerging market stocks, currencies, and gold are seeing strong growth as investors move away from US assets. Rising tensions between the US and Europe have weakened the US dollar, which has encouraged investors to diversify their portfolios by putting money into markets outside the US. This shift is helping emerging economies attract more investment. At the same time, gold is benefiting from its safe-haven status as uncertainty grows globally. The MSCI Emerging Markets index shows this increased investor confidence, signaling a positive outlook for these markets amid global tensions. This trend reflects a broader move toward spreading investments to reduce risks tied to geopolitical and economic challenges in the US and Western Europe.
OnABudget takeaway: For South Africans, this means opportunities to invest in emerging markets or gold as a way to protect savings from US dollar volatility. Small business owners might also find new export markets growing in these regions.