Web Winners:
The dollar's decline boosted returns on many foreign investments, so how do you get a piece of that? Brokerages offer trades on foreign exchanges, but these sites offer details on other options.
The dollar's decline boosted returns on many foreign investments, so how do you get a piece of that? Brokerages offer trades on foreign exchanges, but these sites offer details on other options.
International center. Morningstar Inc.'s site for international investing explains the ins and outs of investing in foreign companies and the myriad mutual funds, and a growing number of exchange-traded funds that want your money. Articles on the investment climates in Europe and "emerging" economies provide the big picture.
www.morningstar.com/centers/global.html
Depositary receipts. When you want to buy shares in a foreign company - say Nokia Corp., Air China Ltd. or Brazilian oil company Petrobras - what you are really dealing with are securities called depositary receipts. In effect, a bank holds the foreign shares, and you buy the receipts that represent them. This is supposed to avoid the mess of currency exchanges and other international business hassles. JPMorgan Chase & Co. tracks the world of depositary receipts at this site.
DR University. The Bank of New York Mellon Corp. is the largest U.S. issuer of depositary receipts. Its Web site hosts "DR University," with a primer on what they are, tools for creating a "watch list" of international stocks, and profiles of countries and industries.
www.adrbny.com/home_university.jsp
Risks list. Part of the aarp.org Web page on foreign-fund investing lists some of the risks that people should be aware of. These include the foreign country's political and social climate, and differences in U.S. and foreign accounting standards. But the page also notes that many money advisers strongly recommend foreign investments for a well-rounded portfolio.
www.aarp.org/money/financial_planning/sessionsix/foreign_fund_investing.html
Foreign exchanges. Links here will take you to the Web sites of foreign exchanges, including the Bursa Malasia, the Ghana, Beirut, Bahrain and Tehran Stock Exchanges.