Most of the emerging market equity indices are down so far this year. In addition to domestic factors, the European debt crisis and worries about the state of the global economy have pulled down emerging markets. Emerging markets such as Brazil, Peru and Chile are off by double digits YTD. The MSCI index returns for select Latin American countries are listed below:

Brazil: -17.07%
Chile: -14.49%
Colombia: -2.78%
Mexico: -9.69%
Peru: -21.42%

Source: MSCI Barra

Due to the decline in prices some of the Latin American stocks are looking attractive at current levels. Hence investors looking to add exposure to this region can take advantage of the cheap prices now. To get started here is the list of the five best and worst performing Latin American ADRs trading on the organized exchanges.

The five best performing exchange-listed Latin American ADRs YTD:

1.Company: BRF – Brasil Foods (BRFS)
Current Price: $21.05
YTD Change: 24.70%
Country: Brazil

2.Company: Fomento Economico Mexicano (FMX)
Current Price: $67.05
YTD Change: 19.90%
Country: Mexico

3.Company: Telefonica Brasil (VIV)
Current Price: $29.02
YTD Change: 18.59%
Country: Brazil

4.Company: Companhia Energetica de Minas Gerais-CEMIG (CIG)
Current Price: $14.10
YTD Change: 12.98%
Country: Brazil

5.Company: Ultrapar (UGP)
Current Price: $17.76
YTD Change: 9.90%
Country: Brazil

The five worst performing exchange-listed Latin American ADRs YTD:

1.Company: Maxcom Telecomunicaciones (MXT)
Current Price: $1.40
YTD Change: -62.16%
Country: Mexico

2.Company: Banco Macro (BMA)
Current Price: $20.05
YTD Change: -60.06%
Country: Argentina

3.Company: Cemex (CX)
Current Price: $4.37
YTD Change: -57.57%
Country: Mexico

4.Company: Desarrolladora Homex (HXM)
Current Price: $14.96
YTD Change: -55.75%
Country: Mexico

5.Company: Gafisa (GFA)
Current Price: $7.44
YTD Change: -48.70%
Country: Brazil

Note: Prices and YTD changes noted are as of market close Oct 31, 2011.

Disclosure: Long UGP, BMA