On location at the Exchange at 2026 ETF conference, host Ryan Nauman welcomes Ed Lopez, Head of Product Management at VanEck and host of the Trends with Benefits podcast, to discuss emerging markets after strong 2025 performance. Lopez explains how diversification benefited investors in 2025 as emerging market equities rose over 30% and emerging market debt returned around 17%, but notes recent risk-off sentiment tied to the Iran conflict and a move back into the U.S. dollar. He outlines longer-term reasons to be constructive on emerging markets, including central bank diversification away from the dollar since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, comparatively stronger fiscal positions, and more attractive valuations. They discuss why U.S. investors remain underweight EM, common misconceptions, China’s large index weight, and using ETFs—including ex-China, country, smart beta, and active ETFs—to be more selective, highlighting India-focused approaches.

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00:00 Welcome and Disclosures

00:38 On Location at Exchange

00:55 Why Emerging Markets Now

01:21 Sponsor and Guest Intro

02:24 Ed Lopez and VanEck

03:37 Macro Risks and EM Outlook

07:19 Why Investors Underweight EM

09:04 Beyond Diversification Returns

10:17 China Weight and EM Options

12:40 Active ETFs and Smart Beta

14:01 EM Misconceptions Explained

15:32 Best Ways to Get EM Exposure

16:36 Where to Learn More Wrap Up

17:21 Final Thanks and Subscribe

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