Index Fund help

[Ext User(Travis Morien)]

For *a lot* of information about ETFs, check this out:

http://www.indexuniverse.com/index.php?section=3&id=1222

Travis
www.travismorien.com

[Ext User(J)]

Hi all, is there something similar to Streettracks that gives exposure to
overseas indicies? What I'm looking for - exposure to the Dow and Nikkei, -
low MER and - listed on the ASX.

Many thank (in advance)

[Ext User(Travis Morien)]

J wrote:
> Hi all, is there something similar to Streettracks that gives exposure to
> overseas indicies? What I'm looking for - exposure to the Dow and Nikkei, -
> low MER and - listed on the ASX.
>
> Many thank (in advance)

There are no ETFs listed in Australia covering foreign indexes.

However there are a number of them on American exchanges.

There are however unlisted MSCI based index funds from Vanguard and
other providers. I'm not aware of any locally available country or
region specific funds like a Japan or Pacific Rim index. Again, there
are plenty of offshore index funds which give this exposure.

Travis
www.travismorien.com

[Ext User(Tonen)]

J wrote:
> Hi all, is there something similar to Streettracks that gives exposure to
> overseas indicies? What I'm looking for - exposure to the Dow and Nikkei, -
> low MER and - listed on the ASX.
>
> Many thank (in advance)

Agree with Travis, nothing listed available on ASX, nevertheless, if
you want to explore it further, accessing ETF's on foreign exchanges is
relatively simple. Costs of international brokerage and currency
spreads of course make this unsuitable for high turnover portfolios.

AMEX is obviously the best market to buy US indices, of which there are
many. The Dow ETF is named "Diamonds" (ticker -DIA) MER 0.18%. There
are also just about every imaginable permutation of S&P, Russell and
Wiltshire indices available. Some broad non US indices are cheap on
AMEX - eg EAFE, however non US country specific MER's are high, so,
where possible, it's better to go to relevent regional bourse.

Tokyo will give you Nikkei or TOPEX ETF's (cheapest is at MER 0.22%
including local tax), vs AMEX MSCI Japan Index at MER 0.81%.
Similarly, London Stock Exchange will get you a couple of FTSE indices
and a variety of Euro/ EMU/ STOXX indices at around 0.15 - 0.4% - again
cheaper than AMEX. On the other hand, currency spreads on a Euro/ AUD
or Yen/ AUD transaction are typically double that of USD/ AUD, (~1% vs
~0.5% - HSBC) so that need to be factored in if you are planning a
relatively short holding period.

Time delays/ time zone differentials are not much of an issue. Major
ETF indices turnover at many $millions/ hour (and some routinely at
$billions/hour), so you can safely leave an "at market" order and know
when your order finally hits the system you are going to trade near
enough to whatever fair value is at the time, without getting ripped by
some vast buy/sell spread.

[Ext User(J)]

Many thanks guys...

[Ext User(adam)]

Interactive Brokers will help ease the pain of international ETF
trading - very reliable broker and yes I have used them.

http://www.interactivebrokers.com/cgi-bin/etf_dynamic_listing.pl

Adam