GO WEST, YOUNG MAN! OR EAST! OR SOUTH!

Some of the Author’s favored investments are Exchange-Traded Funds (ETF). ETFs are basically index (or investing style) funds that trade on stock exchanges. So you can buy, sell, or short them.

ETFs are also a convenient way to gain exposure to foreign stock markets. ETFs now exist for most national stock markets, such as Austria, South Korea, Japan and Germany. Asian markets, including Australia, have been streaking. See the graph, below. A web site that looks at foreign ETFs is Seeking Alpha.

NO MALAISE IN MALAYSIA

The Malaysian stock market has turned in a 33% return as of May 11th of 2007. Australia and Singapore have notched about 20% returns in the same period. And as the chart below demonstrates, other Asian nations markets are enjoying strong returns.

OLD EUROPE?

European indices have also generated strong year-to-date (YTD) returns. Through the end of April, Austria is up 10.3%, France is up 10.6%, and Sweden is up 15.3%.

NEUEVO AMERICA!

South American performance is equally compelling. The Latin America 40 Index is up 11% through April. Brazil is up 12.5% and Mexico 8.1%.

ANYPLACE MISSING?

Most casual stock market investors know that the Dow Jones Industrial Average is in record territory, reaching over 13,200. Despite this fact, US stock markets have generally lagged foreign markets. Through the end of April, the Dow was up 4.8% and the S&P 500 was up 4.5%.

WE HAVE A WINNER

The question from the last post was:

The Pacific All Risk Insurance Co. is more famous for its role in a 1944 film noir classic. So in what film does the Pacific All Risk Insurance Company play a key role? Hint-the title of the film is an insurance industry term.

Tom emailed the Author with the correct answer early today, May 14th.

The correct answer is Double Indemnity, the 1944 film noir classic starring Fred McMurray, Barbara Stanwyck and Edward G. Robinson

THERE ARE MANY WIDE-OPEN SPACES IN THE DESERT OF THE REAL!

IMPORANT DISCLAIMER: This Blog is offered for informational purposes only. Sources of information provided are believed to be reliable, but are not guaranteed to be complete or without error. Opinions and suggestions are provided with the understanding that readers acting on information contained herein assume all risks involved. The Author may or may not buy or sell securities discussed in this newsletter.