[By H. J Yook]The Russell Frontier Index returned +5.7% year-to-date as of April 30, 2012, while the Russell Emerging Markets Index returned +13.2% for the same time period. Both indexes are positive year-to-date after exhibiting negative performance in 2011.

Within the Russell Frontier Index, after 2011 when all but one country constituent had negative performance, 75% of countries had positive performance year-to-date as of April 30, with Vietnam, Pakistan and Kenya leading.

Within the Russell Emerging Markets Index, after 2011 when more than 85% of country constituents had negative performance, more than 90% of countries had positive performance year-to-date as of April 30, with Egypt, Turkey and Thailand leading.

“The positive returns we‘ve witnessed this year across many of the emerging and frontier markets is a marked change from last year,” said Sarah Lien, Senior Research Analyst for Russell Investments. “Vietnam, for instance, was one of 2011’s worst performers but has rebounded very strongly year-to-date. Egypt and Turkey have also posted strong returns in 2012 after geo-political concerns appear to have weighed on these stock markets last year.”