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]

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]

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