Where in the World would you Invest?

[mb]

There have been several recent topics questioning the wisdom of investing in the US.* What part of the world do you think offers the best investment opportunities?* (You may vote for two.)

We have already heard some of the possible problems with the US. Some of the negatives that I have heard for other parts of the world are listed below.

Developed Europe - low productivity growth, high unemployment, inflexible work force with entitlement mentality, aging population, immigrant/ethnic conflicts

Emerging Europe - legacy of socialism

Russia - corruption, heavy-handed government control

Asia - markets rigged for insiders, corruption

Latin America - periodic currency problems, chronic government financial mismanagement, wide socio-economic gap between rich and poor, just never seem to reach "critical mass" to move out of 3rd world

Japan - been down so long will it ever recover, aging population, low population growth

China - growing income stratification, pollution, social and financial implications of one- family/one-child, over investment in unprofitable enterprises, corruption

India - ethnic conflicts, some suggest that India will not survive as one country

Canada & Australia - aren't they just natural resource plays

[LOL!]

There is no one or two best places to invest. I think in every place you can lose money, but you can also make money as well. I am pretty sure that through the ETFs and mutual funds that we own that we are invested in every place listed in your poll.

[brewer12345]

I'd probably say all of the places on the list except China.

[justin]

Why bet on two? Pick them all. My personal bets are equally weighted between Europe, the Pacific (Japan plus developed Asian countries and Australia/NZ), and Emerging Markets.

[Nords]

Originally Posted by justin

Why bet on two?* Pick them all.* My personal bets are equally weighted between Europe, the Pacific (Japan plus developed Asian countries and Australia/NZ), and Emerging Markets.*

Why treat them any differently than U.S. markets?

Don't limit yourself by geography-- look for the small-cap value and/or high-dividend investments wherever they may be.

[justin]

Originally Posted by Nords

Why treat them any differently than U.S. markets?

Don't limit yourself by geography-- look for the small-cap value and/or high-dividend investments wherever they may be.

I didn't include my International Value fund in the mix I posted. My international component is 1/4 Intl value, 1/4 Europe, 1/4 Pacific, 1/4 Em mkts.

I'm still looking for a good international small cap or small cap value fund that meets my investment criteria (low cost, low turnover).

[d]

Why treat them any differently than U.S. markets?

there are some difference which should be taken into consideration, among them:
1) market liquidity
2) US equities are much more widely held ... foreign firms are typically more tightly held, so "outside" shareholders are often given the shaft can be at a severe disadvantage
3) accounting "standards" and "transparency" differences abound
4) legal differences have profound effects on share holders, often quite indirectly
5) when staying "home" (where-ever home might be) a whole host of international risks are avoided