EMQQ Global Performance Overview
The leading positive contributors to performance for the EMQQ Index in June came from Naver, the search engine leader in South Korea, and Nubank, the fintech giant in Latin America. The former rose 42.6% after releasing a new Korean AI model that rivals OpenAI’s ChatGPT.1 Meanwhile, Nubank rose 14.2% on a series of positive signals, including news that it has surpassed over 100 million users in Brazil, as well as making inroads towards receiving a digital banking license in its second-largest market of Mexico. More on Nubank’s success in Latin America can be found below.
The two largest detractors for the month were China’s Meituan and Trip.com. While both declined for the month, news of a strong performance during the country’s mid-year e-commerce festival points to a further revival in local consumer spending and sentiment.
Sources: Bloomberg, Company financials
At a Glance:
China’s E-Commerce Sales Surge During 618 Festival
Chart of the Month
China’s 618 shopping festival signaled a positive shift in consumer sentiment, with record gross merchandise value (GMV) reaching ¥855.6 billion (~$119 billion), up 15% year-over-year. The event showcased strong demand in categories like electronics and home appliances, boosted by early government subsidies and platform discounts. Retail sales in May grew 6.4%—the fastest pace since December 2023—driven in part by the extended 618 promotions. E-commerce platforms have adopted creative livestreaming and AI tools to enhance shopper engagement. The strong participation and rising spending indicate that China’s vast consumer base remains resilient and adaptive. Overall, the 618 results reflect renewed confidence in domestic consumption, highlighting the growing impact of digital retail innovation and policy support in stimulating economic activity across the country.
Morgan Stanley has upgraded its outlook on India’s fast-growing quick commerce (QC) market, forecasting total addressable market (TAM) to reach $57 billion by 2030, up from $42 billion earlier. This upbeat revision reflects robust user growth and rapid expansion beyond major metro areas. The brokerage also raised gross order value (GOV) projections by 9–11% for FY26–28, citing sustained demand and improving unit economics. They anticipate multiple leading players—Zomato’s Blinkit and Swiggy’s Instamart—can thrive alongside each other, given differentiated strategies and early mover advantages. Both companies are members of the INQQ Index. Morgan Stanley notes that Zomato's QC unit, “Eternal,” is especially well-positioned, with a profitability path mirroring its core food delivery business. Overall, the outlook is highly promising, signaling that India’s QC sector is poised to become a major growth engine.
Prosus, the global tech investor that was a very early backer of Tencent, is bullish on India’s potential to create a $100 billion internet company. In a CNBC interview, CEO Ervin Tu highlighted India as the most promising market in their global portfolio, citing its vibrant digital economy and vast consumer base. Prosus has already invested over $10 billion in Indian startups, including several companies currently in the INQQ India Internet Index. The company plans to support more Indian firms toward IPOs, aiming to replicate its Tencent success story. Tu emphasized that India offers both growth and long-term value creation, making it a strategic pillar for Prosus. With the rising adoption of digital technologies and innovations, India is well-positioned to become the next global tech giant.
Bessemer Venture Partners' recent report titled “Click, Watch, Shop: The Consumer Opportunity in India,” highlights India’s digital transformation, projecting a $1 trillion opportunity by 2030. A powerful trifecta—widespread smartphone access, a young, tech-savvy population, and supportive policies—has fueled online consumption. Core growth areas include skyrocketing quick commerce (anticipated to grow from $30 bn to $300 bn in the long run), thriving direct-to-consumer brands, and booming vernacular and short-form content platforms. Innovation in consumer finance—via UPI, account aggregators, and fintech—empowers personalized credit and investing.
Additionally, niche segments like pet care and wealth creation apps are emerging strongly. With over 800 million smartphone users spending hours daily online, India’s digitally native generation is reshaping retail, content, and finance, forging a vibrant and promising consumer economy. Companies poised to tap these culturally contextual, tech-enabled trends have a bright runway ahead.
Nubank, Latin America’s largest digital bank, has transformed Brazil’s banking sector with over 100 million customers—more than half the country’s adult population. Its mobile-first, low-fee model has proven highly effective in a country long dominated by costly, traditional banks. As growth in Brazil matures, Nubank is now aggressively expanding overseas, with operations in Mexico and Colombia already underway and a fourth market to be announced soon. To support its international ambitions, Nubank has appointed Roberto Campos Neto, former Brazilian central bank chief, as vice chairman and global public policy head, strengthening its leadership as it aims to become a global fintech powerhouse.
As cited above, India is on track to become a trillion-dollar digital economy by 2030, scaling over five times its 2024 levels.
Source: Bessemer 'Click, watch, shop: The consumer opportunity in India' Report