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As far as emerging markets go, which is the best bet? This post looks at two exchange: traded funds ADRE and VWO.

BLDRS Emerging Markets 50 ADR Index ETF (ADRE) follows the Bank of New York’s Emerging Markets ADR Index.

American Deposit Receipts (ADR) represent ownership in the shares of foreign companies trading on US markets. This is how many foreign company stocks trade on US exchanges. ADR’s enable US investors to buy non-US shares without without going international and without switching currencies. The Bank of New York is the biggest issuer of ADR’s.

Vanguard Emerging Markets ETF (VWO) (VIPERs) follows the MSCI Emerging Markets Index. Maybe it’s the investing style or the turnover rate (3% for ADRE vs. 26% for Vanguard!) or the countries covered, but ADRE beat VWO over the last couple years. Vanguard is definitely more diversified (866 stocks) vs. 50, yet offers the same low expense ratio (.3%).

It’s a tough choice, the safety of (VWO) 866 stocks vs. the low turnover of BLDRS. Between the two, I’m leaning more towards ADRE, just because I like to hold onto good finds. Maybe I’m wrong, still new to this. Feel free to comment.

I’ve really been looking into ETF’s and Index Funds. If these guys can beat most professional investors, and do so at lower fees, why wouldn’t some one choose them (aside from reckless confidence)? There are even some indexes for real estate, international values, and all sorts of domestic stocks.

My biggest question is whether to invest via mutual funds (index funds) or as a stock (etf - exchage traded fund).

Taxes and commission fees are the greatest issues: index funds automatically reinvest dividents into the fund. Not sure if ETF’s do so. Other issue is taxes; does one have an advantage over the other? Not sure.

A few I’m looking at: JKL, JKF, JKI, EFV, ITF, VGSIX, and the DFA value group (like DTMIX)

Ideally I’m thinking of a split ratio of real estate, domestic value, and international value stocks. A bit agressive? Maybe. I’d also like to put in a portion using the little blue book method as well. The two companies I chose 10 months ago, (fdg, and dlx), are up 50% so far. Running a few more sets over this month, to be sure.

Any answers/comments?

I’ve been updating the ocf site a little bit, going through and categorizing previous posts and making private some of the more obscure ones. Also recently joined abestweb to learn more about different affiliate programs. It’s a great resource. People are always posting and people seem quite nice. I’m also going to be starting a few projects with joomla. Pretty excited.
At work, it’s pure craziness as usual. ad:tech SF next week. Lots of meetings and people stopping by, plus a top priority project due Friday. Gonna try to do all I can this weekend to make sure I can get at least a couple hours of sleep in the upcoming week.
On another note, I met some dance buddies from NY. They’re investment bankers. Interesting profession. Buying companies and joining / splitting / changing management to make them more profitable.