Publications

- January 1, 2014: Vol. 26, Number 1

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Latin America 2014: Rife with emerging economies, the region is giving investors much to think about during the new year

by Mike Consol

 

The world’s real estate business is taking on decidedly Portuguese and Spanish accents. Latin America’s nations continue emerging, and the dollars, reais and pesos are flowing in all directions. That bodes well for 2014 and the real estate investments the new year will bring.

But the region’s stable growth rates have become heavily dependent on its overweighted commodities boom, which accounts for about 60 percent of the continent’s exports, up from 40 percent in 2000. Brazil — which is to Latin America what China is to Asia — has seen its growth rate grind to a crawl. Factor in rising competition from emerging economies from other points around the globe, and the bright 2014 outlook might just be obscured by partly cloudy skies.

But that is a big maybe. Odds are good that Latin America will deliver on its significant promise during 2014. That will be fueled in no small part by U.S. investors looking for more rewarding yields.

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