Topic: How To Invest

Hi Pat: What are your current views on HSBC Holdings and Telefonica as vehicles to obtain international exposure, including emerging market exposure? As always, thanks for your help.

Article Excerpt

HSBC Holdings plc (ADR), $57.16, symbol HBC on New York (Shares outstanding: 3.5 billion; Market cap: $199.0 billion), was hurt by the recession, along with most financial-services stocks. But the bank’s operations are now steadily recovering. The credit crisis had less of an impact on HSBC than on many U.S. and international banks. The bank’s balance sheet remains sound, and it has a strong international reputation that will help it expand. HSBC has focused on Europe and the U.S. over the last few years. But it now plans to look to Asia, and in particular China, for added growth. HSBC shares will likely remain volatile in light of continuing uncertainty in the U.S. financial industry, and the global economy as a whole. However, HSBC is okay to hold if you want to own an international bank. A: Telefonica SA, (ADR), $84.64, symbol TEF on New York (Shares outstanding: 1.6 billion; Market cap: $132.8 billion), sells a range of telecommunications services (telephone, mobile,…