Topic: How To Invest

ISHARES MSCI EMERGING MARKETS EASTERN EUROPE INDEX FUND $22.87 – New York symbol ESR

ISHARES MSCI EMERGING MARKETS EASTERN EUROPE INDEX FUND $22.87 (New York symbol ESR; buy or sell through brokers) is an ETF that aims to track the MSCI Emerging Markets Eastern Europe Index. The fund’s geographic breakdown is as follows: Russia, 73.1%; Poland, 20.1%; Czech Republic, 3.0%; and Hungary, 2.9%.

The fund’s top holdings are Gazprom (Russia: gas utility), 14.6%; Sberbank (Russia: bank), 10.9%; Lukoil (Russia: oil), 10.5%; Magnit OJSC (Russia: retailing), 5.1%; Novatek (Russia: natural gas), 3.9%; PKO Bank Polski SA (Poland: banking), 3.5%; Mobile TeleSystems (Russia: wireless), 3.4%; Uralkali (Russia: potash), 3.3%; and Rosneft Oil Company (Russia: oil and gas), 3.1%.

iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Eastern Europe Index Fund’s expense ratio is 0.66%.

The fund’s concentration in Russia adds risk. Resource prices have also slumped lately, but the long-term outlook for commodities, including oil, is positive. That’s a big plus for Russia’s largely resource-based economy, which is forecast to grow by 3.3% in 2013.

iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Eastern Europe Index Fund is a buy for safety-conscious investors who are willing to accept some risk.

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