Exports to Asia are a big plus

Article Excerpt

ISHARES AUSTRALIA INDEX FUND $24.34 (New York symbol EWA; buy or sell through brokers), is an ETF that holds the 73 largest Australian stocks. Its MER is 0.53%. The fund’s top holdings include BHP Billiton, 15.1%; Commonwealth Bank of Australia, 8.6%; Westpac Banking Corp., 7.0%; Australia and New Zealand Banking Group, 6.1%; National Australia Bank, 5.9%; Rio Tinto, 4.0%; Woolworths, 3.7%; Newcrest Mining, 3.4%; Wesfarmers, 3.3%; and Woodside Petroleum, 2.7%. Australia benefits from its stable banking and political systems. It is also rich in natural resources, and its exports are in high demand in Asian markets, including India and China. Flooding in key mining and farming areas slowed the country’s economic growth earlier this year. That prompted the Reserve Bank of Australia to hold off on further interest rate increases. Australia’s economy is now expected to grow by 2% this year, and 3.5% in 2012. iShares MSCI Australia Index Fund is a buy for aggressive investors. investors…