Why is “Asset Size” important in a mutual fund (or) an ETF ?

Asset size is very important to watch when you invest in a mutual fund or an etf.
If the asset size (or) market cap. of the fund increases it shows that more people think that the fund is good and invest in it. On the other had, if the asset size decreases month after month then it shows that investors are bailing out.So if this happens one needs to analyze the issues and plan to exit if needed.

Below is a chart of the growth in asset size of a fund:

The chart clearly shows the asset size increased exponentially in a few months.

In this example, the NAV of the fund grew as follows:

Dec, 2006 = $19.11 (Asset was $115 Mil)
Aug, 2007 = $22.77 (Asset was $175 Mil)
Oct, 2007 = $25.74 (Asset was $279 Mil)
Nov, 2007 = $26.74 (Asset was $340 Mil)
Dec, 2007 = $26.44 (Asset was $420 Mil)

Currently the fund’s NAV is around $30 with asset size at $575 Mil. So as the asset size grew from $115 Mil to $575 Mil, the NAV grew by over 50%.

Singapore ADR Stocks !!

Singapore stocks are performing well for the past few years. This is due to the country’s thriving economy, good government that offers stability and supports free market policies, well educated citizenry etc.

My earlier post on Singapore talked about some of the advantages of Singapore such as its strategic location, presence of most of the world’s top banks etc.You can find that article titled “Singapore – Your next investment destination !!”
here:

Along these lines recently, Barron’s had an article titled “Singapore: the New Switzerland”. In this Assif Shameen writes that:

“China is creating 30,000 new millionaires every year, and India, Indonesia, Taiwan, Korea aren’t too far behind,” says Justin Ong, a partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers in Singapore. “We need an army of well-trained private bankers to help manage their wealth.”

He quotes another interesting fact:

In all, the number of private banks in Singapore has increased from just 20 in 2000 to 42 today, while private- banking assets have grown six-fold from $50 billion in 1998 to over $300 billion, according to Citigroup.”

You can read the full article here:
http://online.barrons.com/article/SB120009958593085271.html

All the above stories, make Singapore a worthy investment destination. There are quite a few Singapore ADR stocks in the US. All of them are traded in the OTC market (Pink Sheets). So they may be illiquid.

The following is the complete list of all the Singapore ADRs:

ASTI – AIHGY.pk
CapitaLAnd – CLLDY.pk
City Developments – CDEVY.pk
Cosco – CSCMY.pk
DBS – DBSDY.pk
Del Monte Pacific – PDMXY.pk
Flextech – FLXHY.pk
Grand Banks Yachts – GBYLY.pk
Keppel – KPELY.pk
Neptune Orient Lines – NPTOY.pk
Raffles Medical – RAFLY.pk
Singapore Telecommunications – SNGNY.pk
Stamford Land – SMFOY.pk
United Overseas Bank – UOVEY.pk
UOL Group – UOLGY.pk
Xpress Holdings – XPHLY.pk

If you rather pick up a basket of securities, then iShares MSCI Singapore – EWS – might the best option for you. Has over $2B in assets and an yield of over 3.5%.

Another choice is closed-end fund called “The Singapore Fund” – SGF.This is a small fund with just over $140M in assets.


Catch some Chemicals for 2008 !!!

Chemicals play an important role in our life. They are present in pretty much every item we use everyday.Food boxes, soaps, cereals, many kitchen items, drugs,toys etc. are some of the items that have some of chemical in them.

There are many global chemical company stocks that offer long-term value.Germany is the number leader in this field. Companies such as Bayer, BASF top players in this niche industry. Chemical stocks do not grow slowly but steadily over time.

In addition to Germany, a few other players operate in countries such as Belgium, France, Brazil, Switzerland etc.

For those investors looking for diversification in these turbulent times, global chemical ADR stocks may offer some options. There are not many Chemical ADR stocks available though.

For more information on global chemical ADR stocks please visit:

https://www.topforeignstocks.com/Hi-Growth-Portfolio-Chemicals.htm

Global Sector Mutual funds – Part I

Are there foreign utility mutual funds?
There are no mutual funds solely concentrated on utilities in other countries.
However you can assemble a list of global utility stocks for your portfolio. There are many hi-yield foreign utility stocks trading in the US.

A list of such stocks can be found here:
https://www.topforeignstocks.com/Hi-Yield-Portfolio-Utilities.htm

What are the sectors mutual funds available for investing in other countries?.
There are some sector funds such as small cap, large cap funds.

Are there country specific mutual funds?
Yes but not for all countries. For eg- there are a some funds for Russia, China etc.

What other mutual funds options are there for me?
You have a variety of regional funds that invest in a specific region such as Eastern Europe, Latin America, Asian Pacific etc.

More in Part II later..

Canadian ADR Stocks !!

There are many Canadian ADRs listed in the US. Usually American investors and funds consider Canada to be part of North America.So Canadian stocks are not treated as foreign stocks.

Canada has a lot to offer in terms of commodities such as gold, diamonds, oil, potash, uranium etc. Canadian banks are highly profitable and are well run institutions as well. Recently BusinessWeek wrote an article titled “The Mother lode up North” in its “Where to Invest in 2008” issue.

You can read the full article here:
http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/07_53/b4065065280803.htm?chan=magazine+channel_investment+outlook+2008

There are about 83 Canada ADR stocks listed in the NYSE. Other than these, a multitude of other products such as ETFs, Energy trusts, Income trusts, Nasdaq, OTC trades stocks etc. are available as well.

Blogs that discuss Royal Bank of Canada (RY) – one of the best long-term stocks in Canada include:http://www.dividendsmatter.com/reader-request-royal-bank-of-canada-tsery/2007/08/15/

http://stockpicky.blogspot.com/2007/11/riding-royal-bank-of-canada-to-new.html

http://investcanada.blogspot.com/2007/10/best-place-to-start-investing-in-stocks.html