Sean Geary:  Citing ineffectual and capricious government policy, Moody’s has reaffirmed its negative outlook on South Africa’s credit rating, as its economy (NYSEARCA:EZA) is now experiencing slower growth in addition to stubbornly high unemployment. Read more…

NYSE:EZA

Sean Geary:  For amateur investors, discerning what exactly differentiates developed, emerging, and frontier markets can be challenging. Today, we’ll try to clarify some of these important distinctions for people looking to invest overseas. Read more…

NYSE:EPI, NYSE:EWI, NYSE:EWP, NYSE:EWZ, NYSE:FXI, RSX

Sean Geary: Ratings agency Standard and Poor’s has cut India’s credit outlook to negative over multiple structural concerns plaguing India’s economy. The negative outlook implies “at least a one-in-three likelihood” that India will receive a credit downgrade as conditions continue to degenerate. Read more…

NASDAQ:INDY, NYSE:EPI

Sean Geary:  Investors seeking exposure to the explosion of middle class growth in frontier and emerging markets have started to turn their attention to Southeast Asia. Here are a few of the ETFs that focus on countries in this region. Read more…

NYSE:EWM, NYSE:IDX, NYSE:THD, NYSE:VNM