matejmo/iStock via Getty Images Quarterly review The fund underperformed its benchmark, the MSCI Emerging Markets Index (Net), over the three-month period that ended December 31, 2025. The fund outperformed its benchmark over the 12-month period. The largest contributors to quarterly performance included Korea, Saudi Arabia, information technology ( IT ), and health care, while the largest detract...
matejmo/iStock via Getty Images Quarterly review The fund underperformed its benchmark, the MSCI Emerging Markets Index (Net), over the three-month period that ended December 31, 2025. The fund outperformed its benchmark over the 12-month period. The largest contributors to quarterly performance included Korea, Saudi Arabia, information technology ( IT ), and health care, while the largest detractors included Singapore, China, communication services, and industrials. Market review The MSCI Emerging Markets Index ( NET ) increased 4.73% in the quarter, capping the best year for the asset class since 2017. Demand for artificial intelligence infrastructure, interest rate cuts, resilient earnings, and emerging markets' improving relative risk profile were market drivers. In October, AI capital expenditure lifted Korea and Taiwan, politics and macroeconomics were headwinds in Brazil, and China paused ahead of a late-month meeting with the U.S. and sluggish growth. In November, investors reassessed the outlook for AI capital expenditure, weak oil prices pressured Gulf countries, and Brazil's lower inflation increased expectations for rate cuts. In December, the soft U.S. dollar was a tailwind, AI optimism returned, growth and inflation prospects boosted Latin America, and soft oil prices were a headwind to the Middle East. Emerging market currencies fell 0.90% versus the U.S. dollar during the quarter, as U.S. growth and inflation forced investors to temper rate cut expectations. Eleven of 24 emerging market currencies rose, and the currencies of Colombia and Egypt increased the most. Index performance was broadly strong as 6 of 11 sectors and 19 of 24 countries rose. The largest outperformers versus the benchmark included IT, materials, Korea, Chile, and Hungary, while laggards included consumer discretionary, health care, Saudi Arabia, China, and Turkey. Fund performance and attribution Top Contributors and Detractors to Quarter-end Fund Performance Contributors SK hyni...