The fast-growing BRIC group of economies will be back in favor in 2010 among emerging markets-focused hedge fund managers, who may shun European countries slammed by recession, an industry expert said. While strong growth is expected in Brazil, Russia, India and China, the European Commission expects the fiscal position of so-called PIIGS -- Portugal, Ireland, Italy, Greece and Spain -- to worsen even further in 2010. "Concerns about absorption of new government bond issues will affect the intermediate-to-long sector of the yield curve in those countries," Lipper hedge fund research head Aureliano Gentilini told Reuters on Friday. "Rating agencies will downgrade further the credit rating of PIIGS countries."   more »