ABB Ltd (ADR) (ABB), The Western Union Company (WU): A Safer Way To Play Emerging Markets

Based in Switzerland, ABB Ltd (ADR) (NYSE:ABB) operates in more than 100 countries. The company makes everything from circuit breakers to robots. It has five operating segments: Power Products, Power Systems, Discrete Automation and Motion, Low Voltage Products, and Process Automation. Revenues are fairly equally distributed between them. As emerging markets industrialize, it has a prime seat at the table.

The company’s revenues have been headed higher over the last few years, but the bottom line has been more erratic. That said, streamlining efforts have kept margins close to those of industry leader General Electric Company (NYSE:GE). And ABB Ltd (ADR) (NYSE:ABB) has been increasing its dividend regularly since initiating it in 2006.

With a dividend yield of around 3.2% and a solid position in emerging markets, ABB Ltd (ADR) (NYSE:ABB) should interest growth and income investors.

Selling Direct

Tupperware Brands Corporation (NYSE:TUP) gets more than 60% of its sales from emerging markets. Its low-cost direct selling business model is almost tailor made for such countries, in which small entrepreneurs can have a hard time getting access to funding. The company’s exposure to emerging markets has been an important contributor to its overall success.

On that score, aside from a tiny 1.6% dip in 2009, the top line has been heading generally higher for the last 10 years. Earnings more than doubled over the decade and the dividend was increased in each of the last four years. Revenues were flat between 2011 and 2012, but that appears to have been related to a weak third quarter in 2012. Things look to be back on track since then.

Yielding around 3.1% with a price to earnings ratio of around 23, Tupperware Brands Corporation (NYSE:TUP) should interest growth and income investors.

In but Not

There’s more than one way to get exposure to emerging markets. One of the least risky ways is to buy shares in well-positioned companies that do a portion of their business in these nations. The Western Union Company (NYSE:WU), ABB, and Tupperware Brands Corporation (NYSE:TUP) all fit that bill. And, taken as a group, they provide access to a wide swath of the economic landscape, including the industrial, finance, and retail sectors.

Reuben Brewer has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Western Union. The Motley Fool owns shares of Tupperware Brands (NYSE:TUP). Reuben is a member of The Motley Fool Blog Network — entries represent the personal opinion of the blogger and are not formally edited.

The article A Safer Way To Play Emerging Markets originally appeared on Fool.com is written by Reuben Brewer.

Copyright © 1995 – 2013 The Motley Fool, LLC. All rights reserved. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.