
The Dynamic Wealth Report
October 31, 2007
A Very Scary Halloween
by Brian T Mikes, Managing Editor
Today, the Federal Reserve Board, lead by Chairman Bernanke will be
making an announcement. The entire world is expecting a rate cut
of one quarter of a percent, based primarily on continued struggles in
the real estate industry, and slowing economic growth. No matter
the decision, the news does not bode well for the US economy. A
rate cut will further drive down the value of the dollar as
international investors seek out higher interest rates elsewhere.
No rate cut, indicates that inflation is on the horizon, and the
potential for higher prices across the board will impact not only
consumer spending but also corporate margins and earnings, potentially
sending the markets over the cliff.
So what do we do? We look overseas.
Last week in my article “Overexposed on International Exposure”, I talked about how prevalent foreign goods are in the US, and how some exposure internationally is a good thing. Apparently I’m not alone, Warren Buffett is all over the news these days – the topic – his travels overseas, and his focus on investing there.
“We've bought some international stocks this year and we were buying them last year” Warren Buffet said when asked about his international investing.
So you aren’t Warren Buffet. You don’t have
billions to invest. How do you participate in the markets that are growing
around the world? My preference is to look to ETFs that mirror the
emerging markets in the countries where we would like to invest.
----------Advertisement----------
Where Can You Turn $300 Into $1.3 Million Right Now?
Our own small-company specialist, Robert Morris, has found a
way to 'sniff out' tiny penny stocks on the verge of a major breakout. And
the timing for this has never been better.
You see, the system takes advantage of an obscure SEC regulation that
sends penny stock prices through the roof.
We've seen some stocks gain 852%... 5,450%... even 17,496% in no time
flat.
Click here
for the details...
-----------------------------------
MSCI South Korea Index Fund (EWY) is an ETF that focuses on the South Korean markets. This is an area that Buffett himself has indicated is poised for long term growth over the next 10 years or more. The fund holds a basket of 102 South Korean stocks, some familiar names include: Samsung, Hyundai, and Korea Electric Power. This ETF has More than $2.8 billion in net assets, and an expense ratio of .70%.
FTSE/Xinhua China 25 Index Fund (FXI) is an ETF that focuses on the Chinese market. This ETF is extremely volatile, so invest with care. In the last few months alone, the price of this ETF has doubled. China is growing at somewhere around 7 or 8% per year (and just as a data point from 1994 to 2004 the country grew GDP by more than 9% per year), and the companies held by this fund are no doubt poised to grow just as rapidly.
The last international ETF we will look at is MSCI Brazil Index Fund (EWZ). Brazil is widely viewed as the economic engine for South America. According to the Economist, Brazil is the 14th largest country as measured in GDP, and the largest in all of South America. Their growth will be an economic engine in an area where many people don’t normally look to invest.
International investing can be a great way to supercharge your portfolio.
However, don’t forget to use proper position sizing and stop loss orders when
investing internationally.
• Oil (New high of over $93)
• Oil continues to surge upward. Continued rising global demand for oil, a weakening US dollar, and concerns over Turkey and Iraq. I don’t see Oil prices falling any time soon.
• Google (GOOG) Google watch continues. The stock traded above $700 for the first time ever.
• MasterCard (MA) shares skyrocketed today some 32 points! The company announced profits 63% above expectations. The company’s stock price closed above $189, an all time high today.
• Office Depot (ODP) dropped more than $2 or 14% yesterday amid concerns over accounting issues and a delay in announcing quarterly earnings.
| Company | Gain | |
| Agricultural Chemicals | 31% | |
| Education & Training Services | 31% | |
| Independent Oil & Gas | 29% | |
| Business Software & Services | 26% | |
| Wireless Communications | 24% | |
| Company | Loss | |
| Surety & Title Insurance | - 79% | |
| Mortgage Investment | - 38% | |
| Sporting Goods Stores | - 35% | |
| Savings & Loans | - 29% | |
| Mid-Atlantic Banks | - 24% | |