International Investing
US and Canadian exchanges are on our North American Stocks Page.
Other exchanges are on our International Stocks Page.
Find the emerging markets divisions of worldwide exchanges at Microcap Leaders.
The average U. S. investor will find it hard to invest successfully in foreign companies as an individual. It is hard enough to study the economy of our own country in order to invest wisely; keeping track of many countries is a real challenge! Not only may there be a language barrier, but it is difficult for an individual to keep track of the many investment laws and regulations. (An exception to this rule is Canada, which is relatively easy for U. S. investors to research.)
If you want to invest overseas, one solution is to choose a good international mutual fund or choose several ETFs.. Another solution is to invest in American Depository Receipts (ADRs). ADRs are foreign stocks traded on U. S. exchanges. (See ADR links at the top of this page.) This eliminates your regulatory problems and makes your research a bit easier.
| US BROKERS OFFERING GLOBAL TRADING: |
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Today, most full-service brokers should be able to get stocks for you which are traded only on foreign exchanges. Fees involved may be higher than trading in US stocks. Some brokers are soliciting this kind of trade. We have found a few:
- E-Trade.
- “Tap into global growth opportunities with a wide range of investment choices.”
- NobleTrading.
- Global online trading at your fingertips.
- Interactive Brokers.
- The professional’s gateway to the world’s markets.
- Euro Pacific Capital.
- The international investment specialists.
- Charles Schwab
- “You can be assured of quality execution of your non-U.S. orders at the best available prices.”
- Merrill Lynch
- “Utilising the global reach of the foreign exchange business, Merrill Lynch offers foreign exchange products designed to meet your trading and investment needs.”
- Investment Technology Group
- Both a broker and technology provider.
- Cannacord Capital
- Full service Canadian broker which can clear transactions on the US side.
- Pennaluna & Company
- Trade stocks of all kinds on every U.S. and Canadian exchange, and over the counter.
- Scottrade
- Offers international investing.
- Instinet
- Leading global financial services firm.
- International Assets Advisory Corp.
- Full service brokerage and money management firm.
- Paterson Ord Minnett
- The Australian Stockbroker.
- Man Group PLC
- In the UK.
- Credit Suisse First Boston
- Global provider of wholesale financial services.
The world is certainly changing quickly! In an article in Money and Markets Peter Schiff, President of Euro Pacific Capital said,
“When asked about foreign exchanges, most American stock brokers will offer guarded appreciation while warning of loose financial controls and political, economic, and currency risks. And even if your broker does offer access to foreign stocks, it’s likely that they trade through domestic market makers. Typically, these middle men pocket the difference between the bid and offer prices on the thinly-traded U.S. over-the-counter markets. Sometimes the spreads are really wide € as much as 10%! In most cases, investors don’t even realize just how much of their money winds up in the pocket of market makers. To avoid these extra costs, seek brokers that have relationships with on-the-ground traders in Sydney, Auckland, Toronto, Singapore, Hong Kong, Tokyo, London, and more. By executing orders directly on foreign exchanges, they can cut out the market maker, and pass the savings on to the customers. Sure, they charge a trading commission, but the net charge is substantially less than going through a market maker. The advantage: You’ll be able to buy the kinds of foreign stocks that aren’t typically included in global mutual funds or traded on U.S. exchanges as American Depositary Receipts (ADRs).”
| INFORMATION ON ADR: |
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See chart at right. BLDRS Emerging Markets 50 ADR Index Fund (ADRD) is a unit investment trust designed to provide investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the publicly traded depositary receipts comprising The Bank of New York Emerging Markets 50 ADR Index. S & P’s Global 100 Index ETF (IOO) and the MSCI EAFE Index Fund (EFA) have been following the same, general pattern as the ADRD.
| INFORMATION ON ETFs: |
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The easiest way for Americans to start investing globally is to invest in the burgeoning number of foreign ETFs. You can find an ETF for many countries, regions and economic sectors.
- MSN Money has a list of all ETFs, including foreign ones.
- Stock-Encylopedia has a list of global ETFs.
- iShares – iShares says it has the world’s largest family of ETFs..
- You can find yet more ETF directories on our Mutual Funds and ETFs Page.
| PUBLICATIONS: |
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- The Economist Magazine
- London’s “Financial Times”
- If you’re in the USA, the USA Site may give you better access.
RESOURCES: LIBRARIES, DIRECTORIES, DATABANKS, COMMERCIAL & GOVERNMENTAL SITES:
NOTE: In addition to the sites listed below, for banks in many countries look at our Banking and Credit Page.
- Wikipedia List
- A great starting point.
- WorldVest Base, Inc.
- WorldVest Base provides access to the scanned annual reports on about 15,000 non-US companies and has a large database containing their financial data. It is available to individuals and professionals who wish to subscribe.
- Company Annual Reports Online
- Provides links to online annual reports for companies in a number of countries.
- Organization for Economic Co-Operation and Development
- EmergInvest
- ISI Emerging Markets.
- Data for emerging markets specialists. Specializing in Central and Eastern Europe and Russia, especially Poland, (as well as Asia & So. America) this firm provides financial, market and industry information on-line.
- InterMoney
- Much information on stock and bond markets around the world.
- Bloomberg World Equity Indices
- Summarizes how world markets are doing.
- International Financial Company
- Calculates stock indexes on numerous emerging stock markets and sells the information via bulletin board, publications, and licensing agreement.
- CorporateInformation.com by Wright Investors’ Service — Has over 20,000 companies’ profiles and 18,000 research reports for US and foreign companies. Most in English, but some in other languages.
- Perfect Information
- Data on companies worldwide, especially in the UK, Asia, Australia and Australaisia.
- IR Asia
- Investor Relations for Asian companies.
- Corporate Information
- Organized by country, provides links to business sites giving info. on both private and public companies worldwide.
- The World Bank
- A popular site.
- Goethe Investment Society
- At Frankfurt University. Has information on, and links to, German and Austrian securities markets, as well as others. A lot of this is in German.
- Global Penny Stocks
- Swissquote.com
- Real time Swiss stock quotes, and more.
- Godmode Trader
- Stock Quotes, information on Swiss-based Companies, Financial Services, and Products, Investment Opportunities, and more.
- World Box
MSCIBARRA - MSCI provides indexes for world markets, news, and more.
- Global Money Consultants
- An international law and investment consulting firm, specializing in international law, immigration and tax law.
- INVESCO
- International investment management company.
- CIA World Factbook
- No data on securities, but lots of general information on countries worldwide.
- AK&M Analytical Information Agency
- Information on the Russian Stock Market.
- Bulgaria Online
- Beirut Stock Information
- Kuwait stock prices
- Nikkei Net Business News from Japan
- Nikko Securities.
- Located in Japan, this site offers a stock performance index and a bond performance index.
- Global Register – New Zealand Companies
- Australian Stock Quotes. from Netquote.
- M’Bendi
- A wealth of information on African economy and exchanges.
- Libyan Investment
- Investors’ Iraq
- Latin Capital Market
| INFORMATION ON OFFSHORE BUSINESS AND BANKING |
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For more links to banks, internationally, go to the WSC Banking and Credit Page.
- Thales Securities (in Panama)
- Offshore Investment Magazine
- Northern Bank in the Isle of Man offers Offshore and Expatriate Services.
- Anguilla – Offshore and Online
- All About Belize
- Guernsey Financial Services Commission
- Jersey Financial Services Commission
- Investment Incentives in the Bahamas
- Costa Rica Investment and Development Board
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