Exposure to Asia required.

srg751

I have 6k to invest in Asia which will be part of a balanced portfolio. could someone recommend the best way ie: fund, ETF, trust, companies, or a split between these, drip fed or lump. I am looking forward to any feedback.

dunstonh

Its a personal preference whether you use ETFs, ITs, Unit trusts or shares.

A lot of the time it comes down to what "universe" you focus on and know more about.

tradetime

There are a number of Asia ETF's available depending on exactly what form you want Asian exposure to take, it's a broad area with country specific funds and more general funds, along with as Dunstonh has said Unit Trusts etc.

For ETF's that trade on the LSE try the iShares family and the Deutche Bank DBS Trackers from the link in this post.
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.html?p=20175275&postcount=12

If you have access to trade US shares there is a list of some of the provders in this post.
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.html?p=20178603&postcount=24
but that comes with a potential exchange risk, and I'm not sure there would be any advantage to you in that over the ones on the LSE.

Mark Mobius runs funds geared towards the emerging markets. Dunstonh would be better suited to comment on their suitablility though.
http://www.franklintempleton.co.uk/uk/cookie_handling.jsp?Investor&rem=N

Reaper

My personal preference would be a Unit Trust rather than an ETF. I would be tempted to go for a lump sum investment as I think it is a good time, but then I'm a bit of a gambler. Putting my sensible hat on for a moment drip feeding calms the volatility somewhat.

I am thinking of investing too, though I would probably go for an Emerging Markets fund instead covering South America as well. I haven't researched it properly yet but something like the Aberdeen Emerging Markets fund would be my thing.

srg751

my research and little knoledge point me to first state asia pacific leaders. ive covered the latin americas. can someone please tell me why the blackrock gold and general is so popular, its performance doesn't excite me at all, is it the word "GOLD", because if it is then do people realise that they are not investing directly into it. By the way Dunstonh, I know very little about our planetery system!!

ozzage

srg751 wrote: »

my research and little knoledge point me to first state asia pacific leaders. ive covered the latin americas. can someone please tell me why the blackrock gold and general is so popular, its performance doesn't excite me at all, is it the word "GOLD", because if it is then do people realise that they are not investing directly into it. By the way Dunstonh, I know very little about our planetery system!!

I think that's a good choice. It seems to be pretty well regarded and performs well compared to its peers.

cloud_dog

srg751 wrote: »

my research and little knoledge point me to first state asia pacific leaders.

Ditto, its in mt fund portfolio.

srg751 wrote: »

ive covered the latin americas.

Out of interest which Lat Am fund(s) have you gone with?

srg751 wrote: »

can someone please tell me why the blackrock gold and general is so popular, its performance doesn't excite me at all, is it the word "GOLD", because if it is then do people realise that they are not investing directly into it.

I'm sure those that invest understand what they invest in :rolleyes:

srg751

been in scot wids lat. am fund for eight years.

srg751

I'm sure those that invest understand what they invest in :rolleyes:[/quote]

You would hope so but I know that it is not always the case.

Hatone

Ditto. I'm investing in FS pacific leaders - the fund has been performing well over the past two weeks (maybe not after today's Asian markets - Hang Seng & Nikkei are down nearly 5%:eek:)

Another fund to consider in the Asian region is Neptune Japan - the fund is currently holding a short position on the Topix stock index, so given the grim outlook in the Japan, is doing surprisingly well when most of the Japanese funds have tanked.

clairbear_3

I would avoid 'investing' till 2012
Will be purely trading enviroment for next 2 yrs plus
...only my humble opinion
CB