10 Emerging Market Stocks With Gains of Up to 64% in 2012 (Update2)

4. Grupo Casa Saba (SAB)

Company profile: Saba operates as a multi-channel, multi-product wholesale distributor principally of pharmaceutical products, health, beauty aids and consumer goods, as well as general merchandise, publications, and a variety of other products. In 2010, it had revenue of $2.7 billion and earnings of 83 cents per share.

Investor takeaway: This is a long shot. Its shares are up 19% this year, including 25.5% in the past 30 days, but as a small-cap stock with a valuation of $230 million, it doesn't get analyst coverage.

But its prospects are enticing, as it is a leading distributor of health-care products in a country in which the rising middle class is increasingly willing to spend more on such goods. Fidelity owns 4.8% of its shares, by far the largest stake of any institutional investor.

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3. PetroChina ( PTR)

Company profile: PetroChina, China's largest producer of oil and gas, has become China's lone super major, and its oil reserves are on par with other major international players. Controlled by the Chinese government, its operations range from exploration and production, to refining and marketing and the transmission and storage of natural gas.

Investor takeaway: PetroChina's shares are up 21% this year and have a three-year annualized return of 29%. S&P has it rated "hold," as the share price has exceeded its target price. S&P's analysts' survey found two "buy" ratings, one "buy/hold," and three "holds."

Given Iran's moves to cut back its supply to Western Europe, worldwide oil prices are likely to rise and this company could be in a sweet spot as a provider with plenty of oil assets to tap. Analysts expect its earnings to grow by 20% this year to $14.15.

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