Comments on: International Funds

By: Protect Yourself Against A Recession |

Protect Yourself Against A Recession | — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 01:05:12 +0000

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By: MomGrind

MomGrind — Sun, 15 Jun 2008 18:54:25 +0000

@ Aspiring Geek: I thought taxes in most of Europe were higher than in the U.S.?
Thank you for the tip on the fund – I am going to look into it.

By: Aspiring Geek

Aspiring Geek — Sun, 15 Jun 2008 15:33:52 +0000

Great post!
I am a patriotic American & a devout capitalist; I’m also a realist. I am pessimistic about short-term prospects for this country. I am withholding judgment on long-term prospects. Yet the apparent political trends do not favor growth. The expansion of the pandering class grows unabated. We’re sending in excess of $500 billion to countries most of whose interests don’t align with ours for energy needs while our own backyards remain untapped. We have the highest personal & corporate tax rates in the industrial world–& countries don’t tax themselves into prosperity. Etc.
Yet international investment opportunities abound!
Andre: Check the S&P’s 8-year return–not good. However, if you’re in it for the genuine long term, you may be OK.
A new ETF was recently created which covers countries not typically available in other funds, e.g., Poland, Vietnam, & Egypt, & Kazakhstan. It’s the Claymore/BNY Mellon Frontier Markets (FRN). It’s new, so you won’t yet find it on a lot of public finance sites.

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Effective Time Management With Vista Sidebar — Practice This — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 22:17:46 +0000

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By: MomGrind

MomGrind — Wed, 28 May 2008 16:09:22 +0000

Well, reality is that when the U.S. market is down, it has a global effect, so even with a lot of foreign exposure, you are never fully protected. I agree that the S&P index is a good place to be, long-term. But in my experience, foreign exposure does provide some protection when the U.S. market is heading south.

By: MilkYourMoney

MilkYourMoney — Wed, 28 May 2008 13:36:05 +0000

Great article! Hank 45% internationally?! I tend to have much more faith in the U.S. and hold the majority of my money in the S&P index. Great advice on the low cost funds!

By: MomGrind

MomGrind — Sun, 25 May 2008 16:47:26 +0000

@ bonggamom: looking forward too.

By: bonggamom

bonggamom — Sun, 25 May 2008 00:19:47 +0000

Hi Vered, great post and thanks again for visiting my little corner of the blogosphere! Can’t wait to see you at BlogHer this year so we can catch up on everything!

By: MomGrind

MomGrind — Sat, 24 May 2008 21:52:48 +0000

@ hank: come on, you can step out of your comfort zone once in a while and comment on stuff other than finance. Will be good for you.
45% international – that’s impressive.
I agree that DODFX is a great fund.

@ Jan: “you don’t really lose until you sell” – absolutely. During the dot com bust, it was really hard not to sell, but I’m so glad I rode it out.

@ J.D. Meier: I have to agree with that! It’s a smart way to live your life.

@ Evelyn: “I would place my bets on funds that invest in agriculture and raw food supply, and on countries that are net exporters of these.” Interesting idea. I am going to look into that!

By: Evelyn Lim | Attraction Mind Map

Evelyn Lim | Attraction Mind Map — Sat, 24 May 2008 16:20:06 +0000

I’m not from the U.S. and can’t really comment on the full range of funds that you have available for you. However going by recent trends, I would place my bets on funds that invest in agriculture and raw food supply, and on countries that are net exporters of these. I doubt that the situation in food prices is going to reverse anytime soon.

Disclaimer: Like Vered, I am no expert! Do your research first and note the trends, to make your own assessment.