If you want to add some international diversification to your portfolio, one market you can't look past in terms of global giants is the US.
The US hosts some of the world's largest companies including Google, Apple and Microsoft.
So if you want to add a hugely successful and large business from the US to your portfolio, which one should you choose?
Here's one stock for you to consider…... ››› more
The Japanese stock market jumped higher a couple of years ago after the government got the money presses going. This got investors interested in Japan again.
But it wasn't long before interest waned and the economy didn't turnaround just as quickly as expected.
Yet, the Japanese market has slowly been recovering and it's back to levels last seen at the start of the year.
So what's going o... ››› more
Investing offshore can have great advantages to your portfolio. Not only should your portfolio benefit from the added diversification, but your overall risk should also fall.
But as much as there are benefits to taking your money offshore to invest, there are some things you need to be aware of.
So what are the dos and don'ts of investing offshore?
Let's take a closer look…
The do... ››› more
Whether you opt for a domestic offshore fund or an international offshore fund to invest in, you need to pay attention to fees.
Fees can have a huge impact on the returns. You'll be surprised how a couple of percent can really eat into your profits.
Let's take a closer look at the impact of fees on the performance of your funds…
Fees can have a huge impact on long-term offshore inves... ››› more
If you're looking for a less risky offshore investment, international bond funds are worth considering.
As international bond funds pay you an income, they're an attractive option if you're retired or need an income from your investments for your everyday living expenses.
And the good news is, you don't have to take your money out of South Africa to benefit from offshore bond exposure.
So... ››› more
There's been a lot of bad news emulating from Europe about poor growth. The European Central Bank is now taking steps to stimulate the economy.
And when the economy starts to recover, cyclical stocks are in a position to do well.
So if you believe a recovery in Europe is around the corner, how can you profit from it?
Let's take a closer look…
An economic recovery in Europe will se... ››› more
Recently there's been worries over growth from the powerhouse in the east, China. Now the Chinese government is taking steps to boost its stock and property prices.
It's taking similar steps the US took following the financial crisis of 2008. This led to a run in stocks and property, which is still continuing today despite some recent volatility.
So why is China looking good to invest in?
... ››› more
Once you opt to invest in an offshore actively managed fund, you need to decide what style of management you're looking for.
Different investment styles reflect the fund manager's focus. This could range from macroeconomic factors to fundamentals of specific companies.
So what are the different investment styles of offshore actively managed funds?
Let's take a closer look…
The typ... ››› more
If you want to invest offshore, funds can be a great vehicle to do just that.
By investing in funds, you avoid the need to pick individual stocks. A factor that scares many would-be offshore investors off.
When it comes to selecting what fund to opt for, you first need to decide whether you're going to pick an actively managed fund or a passively managed fund.
So what's the difference?
... ››› more
Investing offshore can provide your portfolio with some much needed diversification. And in the process, lower your investment risk.
So if you decide to take your money offshore, how can you ensure it's going to be safe?
There are certain factors you should check out before committing.
Read on to find out what these are…
What’s the legal system like in your chosen offshore dest... ››› more
If you want to make an offshore investment, you have to put in some research first.
If you don't, you could make a costly mistake.
You want to ensure that your chosen destination meets a number of criteria first.
So what should you look into before investing?
Read on to find out…
Follow this four point test before investing offshore
Investing safely offshore point #1: Think... ››› more
When it comes to making offshore investments, one option you have is to invest in a fund.
This avoids you having to pick individual shares. And you can opt for a general market fund or look to more specific sectors.
So should you opt for a large fund or a small fund? And does it make a difference?
Let's take a closer look…
Weighing up small offshore funds
Just because an offsho... ››› more
A diversified portfolio is a good way to lower your investment risk. This includes investing in different types of assets and investing in different sectors.
To gain optimum diversification, you should include offshore investments in your portfolio.
So what are the benefits of investing offshore? And what offshore markets should you look to?
Let's take a closer look…
The benefits ... ››› more
Investing offshore can benefit your portfolio.
It can be a good way to diversify your investment portfolio. And it gives you the chance to get into some potentially lucrative investments you may not have access to in your home market.
But it comes with a downside. It exposes you to considerable exchange rate risk.
So what exactly is this exchange rate risk and what does it mean for your i... ››› more
Investing some of your wealth offshore is a great way to diversify your portfolio.
Other markets move differently to the South African market. By investing offshore, you can benefit from this and reduce the risk to your investment portfolio in the process.
So what types of investments are available to invest in offshore? How can you pick the best investment for your money? And how can you fi... ››› more