A small article in today’s China Daily reported a startling number that revealed the true depths of China recession – giving investors pause for any near-term recovery in the country’s blistering economic growth of years past.

India’s economy has not escaped the global downturn. But growth is still much higher than the developed world. Aggressive rate cuts and a fast-growing service sector will help revive the economy. Mike Caggeso picks two deeply undervalued Indian companies with a strong potential for profits.

The trillions of dollars that Washington is throwing at beleaguered American industries could have unforeseen consequences in the longer term viability of domestic investment opportunities. Washington’s handouts may come at the expense of funding important R&D projects that could give the U.S. a long-term competitive edge that it appears to be losing to Asia.

After falling 35% in 2008, US stocks are now trading at only 10.6 times forecast earnings, well below the historical average. But are they good value yet? Martin Hutchinson says it will depend on the sector and country. He picks the biggest bull and bear markets for 2009.

Investors interested in putting their money into China next year may want to look elsewhere for potential gains. It seems that 2009 will be a repeat of 2008, according to a story in today’s People’s Daily.

While China made headlines with a historic interest rate cut this week, the World Bank weighed in with a gloomy prediction about China that received scant coverage. For emerging-market investors who missed the story, the World Bank’s assessment of China’s economic performance in 2009 could reshape their strategy for portfolio allocation.

During the Great Depression, a spike in protectionism deepened the global crisis for many countries. Sara Nunnally says greater co-operation between Asian and Latin American states should prevent a similar mistake being made this year. It should also help keep some of these nations out of recession.

One of our most reliable indicators about emerging markets shows that investors may have a real slog ahead of them in the coming years. In the past, we’ve used cell-phone sales in growing economies as means of measuring the prospects for investments. Cell phones show how much disposable income is available, in addition to reflecting the entrepreneurial spirit that creates a healthy middle class.

China’s President Hu Jintao just concluded on a victorious trip Havana on Tuesday – expanding a trade pact that could divert commodities from open spot markets.

Japan’s stock market has been in a long, secular bear market for two decades. But that has been punctuated by fierce rallies. Martin Hutchinson says another spike could be on the cards next year as the Nikkei tests its 2003 low. He picks three Japanese stocks with a strong bounce potential in a market recovery.