Forbes.com
10-10-2006, 12:30 PM
Forbes Investing Ideas
Adviser Soapbox
Digging Deeper Into International ETFs
John Christy, Forbes International Investment Report 10.10.06, 10:45 AM ET
It wasn't long ago that only globe-trotting fund managers like Templeton's Mark Mobius had the ability to tap into some of the world's most exotic markets.
Now, just about anyone can short Malaysian stocks or bet on Brazil while sitting in the living room. That's the power that international exchange-traded funds bring to small investors.
The iShares family of ETFs includes funds that represent more than 20 individual foreign markets, as well as a range of regional and global sector indexes. Since all of these funds trade just like stocks, you can buy and sell them as easily as shares of IBM (nyse: IBM). And since ETFs are passively managed, expense ratios are relatively low.
But with this new power comes some responsibility. Just because ETFs make it easier to access international markets doesn't mean that global investing is any easier. You still need to do your homework. With international ETFs, it's particularly important to know what you're buying.
complete article here... ( http://www.forbes.com/finance/investingideas/2006/10/10/etfs-cemex-ishares-pf-etf-in_jc_1010soapbox_inl.html?partner=rss )
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Adviser Soapbox
Digging Deeper Into International ETFs
John Christy, Forbes International Investment Report 10.10.06, 10:45 AM ET
It wasn't long ago that only globe-trotting fund managers like Templeton's Mark Mobius had the ability to tap into some of the world's most exotic markets.
Now, just about anyone can short Malaysian stocks or bet on Brazil while sitting in the living room. That's the power that international exchange-traded funds bring to small investors.
The iShares family of ETFs includes funds that represent more than 20 individual foreign markets, as well as a range of regional and global sector indexes. Since all of these funds trade just like stocks, you can buy and sell them as easily as shares of IBM (nyse: IBM). And since ETFs are passively managed, expense ratios are relatively low.
But with this new power comes some responsibility. Just because ETFs make it easier to access international markets doesn't mean that global investing is any easier. You still need to do your homework. With international ETFs, it's particularly important to know what you're buying.
complete article here... ( http://www.forbes.com/finance/investingideas/2006/10/10/etfs-cemex-ishares-pf-etf-in_jc_1010soapbox_inl.html?partner=rss )
The Prudent Speculator -- Ranked #1 by Hulbert...Click Here (http://www.kqzyfj.com/click-1968314-10360472)!