How To Invest
In addition, Pat thinks then beginner investors should cultivate two important qualities: a healthy sense of skepticism and patience.
Investors should approach all investments with a healthy sense of skepticism. This can help keep you out of fraudulent stocks that masquerade as high-quality stocks. It will also keep you out of legally operated, but poorly managed, companies that promise more than they can possibly deliver.
If you are a new investor, you should also realize that losing patience can cause you to sell your best choices right before a big rise. All too often, investors buy a promising stock just as it enters a period of price stagnation. Even the best-performing stocks run into these unpredictable phases from time to time. They move mainly sideways in a wide range for months or years before their next big rise begins. (Stock brokers often refer to these stocks as “dead money.”)
If you lack patience, you run a big risk of selling your best choices in the midst of one of these phases, prior to the next big move upward. If you lose patience and sell, you are particularly likely to do so in the low end of the trading range, when stock prices have weakened and confidence in the stock has waned.
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vGLOBAL X COPPER MINERS ETF $6.99 (New York symbol COPX; buy or sell through brokers; www.globalxfunds.com) tracks the Solactive Global Copper Miners Index, which includes 20 to 40 international companies that mine, refine or explore for copper. Germany-based Structured Solutions AG created this index.
Canadian firms make up 41.0% of the ETF’s holdings. It also includes companies based in Australia (15.5%), China (5.4%), Peru (5.0%) and Mexico (4.6%). The fund’s MER is 0.65%.
Its top holdings are Hudbay Minerals at 6.4%; Imperial Metals, 6.4%; Antofagasta plc, 5.8%; Teck Resources, 5.6%; Southern Copper, 5.6%; Jiangxi Copper, 5.5%; Lundin Mining, 5.2%; Kazakhmys, 5.2%; Turquoise Hill, 5.1%; Grupo Mexico, 5.0%; and Glencore International, 4.8%.
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Canadian firms make up 41.0% of the ETF’s holdings. It also includes companies based in Australia (15.5%), China (5.4%), Peru (5.0%) and Mexico (4.6%). The fund’s MER is 0.65%.
Its top holdings are Hudbay Minerals at 6.4%; Imperial Metals, 6.4%; Antofagasta plc, 5.8%; Teck Resources, 5.6%; Southern Copper, 5.6%; Jiangxi Copper, 5.5%; Lundin Mining, 5.2%; Kazakhmys, 5.2%; Turquoise Hill, 5.1%; Grupo Mexico, 5.0%; and Glencore International, 4.8%.
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GLOBAL X SILVER MINERS ETF $9.11 (New York symbol SIL; buy or sell through brokers; www.globalxfunds.com) tracks the Solactive Global Silver Miners Index.
This index includes 25 international firms that mine, refine or explore for silver. It was developed by Germany-based Structured Solutions AG.
Canadian firms make up 55.1% of the fund’s holdings, but it also includes miners in the U.S. (14.3%) and Mexico (12.3%). Its MER is 0.65%.
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This index includes 25 international firms that mine, refine or explore for silver. It was developed by Germany-based Structured Solutions AG.
Canadian firms make up 55.1% of the fund’s holdings, but it also includes miners in the U.S. (14.3%) and Mexico (12.3%). Its MER is 0.65%.
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ISHARES S&P/TSX GLOBAL GOLD INDEX FUND $10.63 (Toronto symbol XGD; buy or sell through brokers; ca.ishares.com) aims to mirror the performance of the S&P/TSX Global Gold Index.
This index is made up of 38 gold stocks from Canada and around the world. The iShares S&P/TSX Global Gold Index Fund’s MER is 0.61%. It began trading on March 23, 2001.
The fund’s top holdings are Goldcorp at 15.8%; Barrick Gold, 13.3%; Newmont Mining, 11.6%; Franco Nevada, 7.2%; Randgold Resources (ADR), 6.3%; Agnico-Eagle Mines, 5.9%; Royal Gold, 4.1%; AngloGold Ashanti (ADR), 4.1%; Eldorado Gold, 3.4%; and Yamana Gold, 3.1%.
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This index is made up of 38 gold stocks from Canada and around the world. The iShares S&P/TSX Global Gold Index Fund’s MER is 0.61%. It began trading on March 23, 2001.
The fund’s top holdings are Goldcorp at 15.8%; Barrick Gold, 13.3%; Newmont Mining, 11.6%; Franco Nevada, 7.2%; Randgold Resources (ADR), 6.3%; Agnico-Eagle Mines, 5.9%; Royal Gold, 4.1%; AngloGold Ashanti (ADR), 4.1%; Eldorado Gold, 3.4%; and Yamana Gold, 3.1%.
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ISHARES INDIA 50 ETF $33.02 (Nasdaq symbol INDY; buy or sell through brokers; us.ishares.com) is an ETF that invests in the 50 largest, most liquid Indian securities.
Indian stocks have moved up 34%, to record highs, since the May 2014 election of Narendra Modi as prime minister.
The government has just introduced its first full-year budget, and the $290-billion spending plan includes an additional $12 billion to address one of the country’s most pressing needs—modernizing its transportation, communications and electrical infrastructure.
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Indian stocks have moved up 34%, to record highs, since the May 2014 election of Narendra Modi as prime minister.
The government has just introduced its first full-year budget, and the $290-billion spending plan includes an additional $12 billion to address one of the country’s most pressing needs—modernizing its transportation, communications and electrical infrastructure.
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ISHARES MSCI AUSTRALIA ETF $23.58 (New York symbol EWA; buy or sell through brokers) is an ETF that holds the 72 largest Australian stocks. Its MER is 0.49%.
The fund’s top holdings include Commonwealth Bank of Australia, 11.8%; Westpac Banking Corp., 9.3%; BHP Billiton, 8.5%; Australia and New Zealand Banking Group, 7.7%; National Australia Bank, 7.1%; Wesfarmers, 3.9%; CSL Ltd., 3.5%; Woolworths, 3.1%; Rio Tinto, 2.2%; Telstra Group, 2.2%; Woodside Petroleum, 2.1%; Macquarie Group, 1.7%; and Scentre Group, 1.6%.
Australia benefits from its stable banking and political systems. It’s also rich in natural resources, and while low commodity prices have hurt its economy lately, its close proximity to Asian markets with vast potential, including India and China, gives it strong long-term prospects.
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The fund’s top holdings include Commonwealth Bank of Australia, 11.8%; Westpac Banking Corp., 9.3%; BHP Billiton, 8.5%; Australia and New Zealand Banking Group, 7.7%; National Australia Bank, 7.1%; Wesfarmers, 3.9%; CSL Ltd., 3.5%; Woolworths, 3.1%; Rio Tinto, 2.2%; Telstra Group, 2.2%; Woodside Petroleum, 2.1%; Macquarie Group, 1.7%; and Scentre Group, 1.6%.
Australia benefits from its stable banking and political systems. It’s also rich in natural resources, and while low commodity prices have hurt its economy lately, its close proximity to Asian markets with vast potential, including India and China, gives it strong long-term prospects.
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ISHARES MSCI EMERGING MARKETS EASTERN EUROPE INDEX FUND $17.39 (New York symbol ESR; buy or sell through brokers) has 65.6% of its assets invested in Russia, followed by Poland at 27.2%; Czech Republic, 3.6%; and Hungary, 3.2%.
The fund’s top holdings are Gazprom (Russia: gas utility), 13.4%; Lukoil (Russia: oil), 11.2%; Magnit PJSC (Russia: retailing), 5.7%; Sberbank (Russia: bank), 5.3%; MMC Norilsk Nickel (Russia: mining), 4.5%; and Novatek (Russia: natural gas), 3.5%.
The iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Eastern Europe Index Fund’s expense ratio is 0.67%.
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The fund’s top holdings are Gazprom (Russia: gas utility), 13.4%; Lukoil (Russia: oil), 11.2%; Magnit PJSC (Russia: retailing), 5.7%; Sberbank (Russia: bank), 5.3%; MMC Norilsk Nickel (Russia: mining), 4.5%; and Novatek (Russia: natural gas), 3.5%.
The iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Eastern Europe Index Fund’s expense ratio is 0.67%.
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ISHARES MSCI BRAZIL INDEX FUND $33.26 (New York symbol EWZ; buy or sell through brokers) is an ETF that is designed to track the Brazilian stock market.
Its top holdings are Cia Itau Unibanco Holding (banking), 10.3%; AmBev SA (beer and beverages), 8.6%; Banco Brandesco SA, 8.0%; Petrobras (oil and gas), 6.3%; Vale do Rio Doce (mining), 5.6%; BRF SA (food), 4.6%; and Cielo SA (payment processing), 3.4%.
The ETF was launched on July 10, 2000. It has a 0.62% expense ratio.
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Its top holdings are Cia Itau Unibanco Holding (banking), 10.3%; AmBev SA (beer and beverages), 8.6%; Banco Brandesco SA, 8.0%; Petrobras (oil and gas), 6.3%; Vale do Rio Doce (mining), 5.6%; BRF SA (food), 4.6%; and Cielo SA (payment processing), 3.4%.
The ETF was launched on July 10, 2000. It has a 0.62% expense ratio.
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ISHARES MSCI CHILE INVESTABLE MARKET INDEX FUND $40.95 (New York symbol ECH; buy or sell through brokers) is an ETF that aims to track the MSCI Chile Investable Market Index, which consists of stocks that mainly trade on the Santiago Stock Exchange.
The fund’s top holdings are S.A.C.I. Falabella (retail), 10.6%; Enersis SA (electricity), 9.6%; Empresas Copec SA (conglomerate), 7.9%; Empresa Nacional de Electricidad (electricity), 7.2%; LATAM Airlines, 5.0%; Banco Santander Chile (banking), 4.9%; Empresas CMPC (pulp and paper), 4.9%; Banco de Chile, 4.4%; Cencosud SA (retailer), 4.2%; and Quimica y Minera de Chile (mining), 4.1%.
The fund’s industry breakdown is: Utilities, 28.3%; Financials, 18.1%; Materials, 11.8%; Consumer Discretionary, 11.4%; Consumer Staples, 9.3%; Industrials, 8.2%; Energy, 7.7%; Telecommunications, 2.2%; and Information Technology, 2.2%.
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The fund’s top holdings are S.A.C.I. Falabella (retail), 10.6%; Enersis SA (electricity), 9.6%; Empresas Copec SA (conglomerate), 7.9%; Empresa Nacional de Electricidad (electricity), 7.2%; LATAM Airlines, 5.0%; Banco Santander Chile (banking), 4.9%; Empresas CMPC (pulp and paper), 4.9%; Banco de Chile, 4.4%; Cencosud SA (retailer), 4.2%; and Quimica y Minera de Chile (mining), 4.1%.
The fund’s industry breakdown is: Utilities, 28.3%; Financials, 18.1%; Materials, 11.8%; Consumer Discretionary, 11.4%; Consumer Staples, 9.3%; Industrials, 8.2%; Energy, 7.7%; Telecommunications, 2.2%; and Information Technology, 2.2%.
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ISHARES MSCI GERMANY FUND $29.42 (New York symbol EWG; buy or sell through brokers) tracks the stocks in the MSCI Germany Index.
This index aims to replicate 85% of the market capitalization of the German stock market. The remaining 15% is unavailable for investment, partly due to limitations on foreign ownership.
The ETF’s top holdings are Bayer (diversified chemicals), 9.9%; Daimler (autos), 7.5%; BASF (chemicals), 7.3%; Siemens (engineering conglomerate), 7.9%; Allianz (insurance), 8.2%; SAP (software), 5.3%; Deutsche Telekom, 4.7%; Deutsche Bank AG, 3.7%; BMW AG, 3.4%; and Volkswagen AG, 3.1%.
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This index aims to replicate 85% of the market capitalization of the German stock market. The remaining 15% is unavailable for investment, partly due to limitations on foreign ownership.
The ETF’s top holdings are Bayer (diversified chemicals), 9.9%; Daimler (autos), 7.5%; BASF (chemicals), 7.3%; Siemens (engineering conglomerate), 7.9%; Allianz (insurance), 8.2%; SAP (software), 5.3%; Deutsche Telekom, 4.7%; Deutsche Bank AG, 3.7%; BMW AG, 3.4%; and Volkswagen AG, 3.1%.
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TD BANK $54.16 (Toronto symbol TD; Shares outstanding: 1.8 billion; Market cap: $100.2 billion; TSINetwork Rating: Above Average; Dividend yield: 3.8%; www.td.com) continues to benefit from gains in retail banking in both Canada and the U.S. The bank is also profiting from last year’s deal with Aimia (Toronto symbol AIM) to become the main credit card issuer for the popular Aeroplan travel-reward program.
As a result, TD’s earnings, excluding one-time items, rose 4.9% in the three months ended January 31, 2015, to $2.12 billion from $2.02 billion a year earlier. Per-share profits gained 5.7%, to $1.12 from $1.06.
Revenue rose slightly, to $7.61 billion from $7.57 billion. The bank set aside $362 million to cover potential bad loans in the latest quarter, down 29.1% from $456 million a year earlier.
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As a result, TD’s earnings, excluding one-time items, rose 4.9% in the three months ended January 31, 2015, to $2.12 billion from $2.02 billion a year earlier. Per-share profits gained 5.7%, to $1.12 from $1.06.
Revenue rose slightly, to $7.61 billion from $7.57 billion. The bank set aside $362 million to cover potential bad loans in the latest quarter, down 29.1% from $456 million a year earlier.
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