Topic: How To Invest

Hi Pat: Could you give me your views on iShares MSCI EAFE Index Fund (CAD-Hedged). Thanks.

Article Excerpt

iShares MSCI EAFE Index Fund (CAD-Hedged) ETF, $21.12, symbol XIN on Toronto (Units outstanding: 47.6 million; Market cap: $1.0 billion; ca.ishares.com), is an exchange traded fund that tries to match the return of the Morgan Stanley Capital International Europe Australasia Far East (MSCI EAFE) Index. The MSCI EAFE Index is used as a benchmark to measure international stock performance. It is made up of 22 MSCI country indexes representing developed markets in Europe, Australasia and the Far East. The fund is hedged against movements of foreign currencies against the Canadian dollar, so its value rises and falls with the stocks in its portfolio. Note, however, that such exposure adds to the diversification in your investments. The ETF’s top 10 holdings are Nestle SA, HSBC Holdings plc, Roche Holding AG, Novartis AG, Vodafone Group plc, Toyota Motor, BP plc, Total SA, GlaxoSmithKline plc and Royal Dutch Shell plc. The fund’s expenses are 0.15% of its assets, plus an added 0.35% for the…