Topic: How To Invest

ISHARES MSCI EMERGING MARKETS EASTERN EUROPE INDEX FUND $29.16 – New York Exchange symbol ESR

ISHARES MSCI EMERGING MARKETS EASTERN EUROPE INDEX FUND $29.16 (New York Exchange 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, 74.6%; Poland, 12.9%; Czech Republic 6.4% and Hungary, 6.1%.

iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Eastern Europe Index Fund’s top holdings are Gazprom (Russia: gas utility), 22.4%; Lukoil (Russia: oil and gas), 10.9%; Sberbank (Russia: bank), 7.5%; MMC Norilsk Nickel (Russia: mining), 4.7%; Rosneft Oil (Russia: oil and gas), 4.3%; Mobile TeleSystems (Russia: wireless), 3.9%; CEZ AS (Poland: utility), 3.5%; OTP Bank (Hungary: bank), 3.0%; PKO Bank Polski SA (Poland: bank), 2.9%; and Surgutneftagaz (Russia: oil and gas), 3.7%.

The fund’s industry breakdown is as follows: Energy, 49.2%; Banks, 20.4%; Materials, 11.9%; Telecommunication Services, 10.8%; Utilities, 3.5%; Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology and Life Sciences, 1.9%; Software and Services, 0.5%; Media, 0.5%; Food, Beverages and Tobacco, 0.5%; and Real Estate, 0.5%.The ETF has an expense ratio of 0.72%.

The fund’s concentration in Russia adds risk, but the outlook for oil and gas, as well as other resource prices, is positive. As well, central European stocks should improve as the global economy rebounds.

iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Eastern Europe Index Fund is a buy for aggressive investors.

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