February 4, 2006
ETF to Watch — iShares MSCI Malaysia (EWM)
I think Malaysia’s stock market was one of the worst performers in 2005. (I believe Venezuela was worse, but there’s no ETF for that market that I know of.) I’m thinking of buying the EWM for my IRA this year. We already have quite a bit of emerging markets exposure, and I know nothing about Malaysia, but I like the look of this big ascending triangle. A fool and his IRA contribution are soon parted, I guess. ;-)
(Remember that the contribution limit for Roth and traditional IRAs has been raised to $4,000 for tax-year 2005, $4,500 if you’re 50 or older.)
Cat: | Time: 11:38 am (utc+8)
February 4th, 2006 at 12:13 pm
You might be on to something good. I read a story on WSJ.com a few weeks ago that Malaysia and Singapore were benefitting from increased investment and tourism from the Middle East. Specifically that the wealthy in those countries were doing less in Europe and the US after 9/11 because of real or imagined “anti-Muslim sentiment.” The attraction to Malaysia specifically is that it’s a majority Muslim country. I can’t remember offhand if the article mentioned Indonesia.
If this all proves true, then Malaysia might be a great way to play increased oil wealth in the Middle East.
February 4th, 2006 at 3:53 pm
I hadn’t seen the article, thanks for mentioning it, John.
One thing that thrills me is that through the end of last year the cumulative total return for the fund since inception (March 1996) is -34.29%, for an average annual return of -4.19%. Those are the kind of numbers that get me excited.
February 4th, 2006 at 8:07 pm
I’ve allocated our 401k’s heavier into Euro/Pacific at the expense of US. So far, we’ve been doing well at it and I think you maybe onto something
February 4th, 2006 at 11:15 pm
ETF Portfolio Review…
So far my EWH is up 1.40%, GLD up 16.65%, XLE up 7.85%, XLK up 4.47%, and XLV up 3.46%. What am I looking to buy next? Well aside from BBH, EFA, EWG, FXI, and PPH, I'm checking out EWM. I was reading Maoxian's blog this morning and was tipped…
February 18th, 2006 at 4:42 pm
[…] I’m reading a bit more about Malaysia since I plan to put some money there this year. Zainah Anwar, American-educated (and very attractive I sexistly add), fights for women’s rights in the Islamic state. […]
March 13th, 2006 at 11:30 am
[…] I took this survey every day and the results were remarkably consistent. I’m now filled with doubt about whether to buy the MSCI Malaysia ETF. ;-) Cat: […]