Global investing

Sessions at the 25th annual Morningstar Investment Conference covered a range of topics from actively managed ETFs, closed-end funds and alternatives to strategies to boost retirement income and solutions to the “yield conundrum.” Here is a baker's dozen of the smartest things we heard at the conference.

Ron O’Hanley, Fidelity Investment’s president of asset management and corporate services, laid out his take on a number of economic trends through a game of red light/green light led by Morningstar’s head of global research Scott Burns.

Most emerging-market stocks fell as Brazil’s Ibovespa sank a day after entering a bear market, while investors weighed prospects for global stimulus measures.

Beyond Iran's nuclear ambitions, there are reasons a brighter energy world may be on the horizon.

Building a well-diversified portfolio requires some "real assets," which has some advisors examining investing in unique global commodities.

Donating to organizations doing charitable work abroad can be tricky and advisors can provide a valuable service by helping clients navigate the unfamiliar terrain.

Investing in a fund holding mining stocks is not the same as investing in a bullion fund. Advisors should know which mining companies are included in precious metals funds, and where they operate.

Investors continue to pour dollars into 40 Act products, looking for returns outside of U.S. borders and income from taxable fixed income funds.

As investors seek greater global exposure, advisors must be aware of the impact of currency fluctuations on the underlying investment as well as the overall health of the client’s portfolio.

Realizing a retirement dream requires confronting some difficult realities.

It may make sense for the wealthiest investors to have offshore accounts, but for almost everyone else, direct overseas investments are a terrible option.

Advisors must exercise caution and dilligence when it comes to overseas accounting standards.

While it’s very convenient to help clients access China though companies listed on U.S. exchanges through reverse mergers, is it safe?

Foreign dividend stocks and exchange traded funds may be helpful for investors looking for income, but not all foreign companies have histories of dividend increases.

In these low-yield times, dividend-paying stocks have obvious appeal. Payouts may be as high or higher than bond yields, investors have growth potential, and the tax treatment can be favorable. Given these advantages, why not go one step further and look for dividend-paying foreign stocks?

When it comes to global investing, clients and their advisors often have varied concerns. From home-country bias to political instability, here are their most pressing worries.

When it comes to global investing, clients and their advisors often have varied concerns. From home-country bias to political instability, here are their most pressing worries.

The 21 countries in the MSCI Emerging Markets Index include South Korea, with the world’s 12th-largest GDP, and Taiwan, which ranks 20th. Should these heavyweights be in your clients’ emerging markets allocation?

Is emerging market debt still an attractive asset class, or is a correction likely to squeeze investors?

The danger of home-country bias applies to both U.S. investors and investors abroad, yet the extent of the danger varies.