I know not everyone is a fan of international investing, but this was interesting, especially if you think by investing in international funds, you're getting world-wide exposure. According to this article, you mostly get European exposure.
Glassman writes:
<snip>
http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A11373-2003Feb15
Curious as to what others think of investing overseas.
arrete
Glassman writes:
<snip>
<unsnip>Asia is the fastest-growing part of the world and already accounts for one-quarter of all global economic output. Yet Asia gets almost no respect from U.S. investors. ... Part of the problem, of course, is Japan.
The movement of Asian stocks often bears no resemblance to the movement of U.S. stocks -- a condition that can smooth the ride of an investor who owns both. Compare Matthews Pacific Tiger (MAPTX), a typical regional fund, with Vanguard Index 500 (VFINX), the largest fund that mimics the U.S. benchmark, the Standard & Poor's 500-stock index. In 1997, the Asia fund lost 41 percent while the U.S. fund gained 33 percent; in 1999, the Asia fund gained 83 percent while the U.S. fund rose only 21 percent; in 2001, the Asia fund gained 8 percent while the U.S. fund lost 12 percent.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A11373-2003Feb15
Curious as to what others think of investing overseas.
arrete