In the past, emerging markets were a trendy asset class that would occasionally attract investments. They were also generally the biggest downside losers when global markets fell. Now, emerging markets are posting strong numbers coming out of the downturn, and these funds are beginning to recover their losses at a much more rapid rate compared with some regions of the developed world. "Historically, when markets have hit tough times, emerging markets have fallen more than the U.S., Europe, or Japan, and what we've seen this time around is emerging markets have been pretty resilient," Young says. S&P now recommends that investors put 9 percent of their total equity assets into emerging markets in their growth asset allocation portfolio.

　　Here's a quick comparison. Since the global stock market officially peaked (before the financial crisis) in October 2007, the MSCI Emerging Markets Index, which is primarily made up of the BRIC countries (Brazil, Russia, India, and China), is now worth about 70 percent of its peak value, according to S&P. That means that if you had a dollar invested in it in October 2007, you would have 70 cents now. Because of a number of factors, including slow growth in Japan and doubts about the strength of the Euro, the MSCI EAFE index, which is mostly made up of international stocks from developed nations like the U.K., Europe, and Japan, hasn't recovered as quickly. It's now worth about 59 percent of its peak value, according to S&P. (U.S. indicies have fared better. The S&P 500 has recouped the most of its losses since the downturn. It's worth about 71 percent of its October 2007 value, according to S&P.)