In the following video, Fool contributor Dan Caplinger discusses how, even as the Dow Jones Industrials (^DJI -0.12%) have climbed to record highs lately, stock markets in China have lagged behind. That's largely because of rising inflationary pressures in the emerging nation, with higher food costs filtering down to push consumer prices up 3.2% over the past 12 months. Further gains could force the Chinese central bank to tighten monetary policy, potentially hurting business activity.

Dan takes a look at three companies that are particularly vulnerable to a slowing Chinese economy. If China can't get inflation under control, these companies could be the worst hit from the fallout.