Topic: How To Invest

Hi Pat: I would like to get your opinion on the following stock: Banco Latinoamericano de Comercio Exterior S.A. Thanks.

Article Excerpt

Banco Latinoamericano de Comercio Exterior, S.A., $30.43, symbol BLX on New York (Shares outstanding: 29.8 million; Market cap: $1.01 billion; www.blx.com), more commonly known as Bladex, is a “supranational” bank originally established by the central banks of Latin American and Caribbean countries to support trade finance in the region. Panama-based Bladex’s shareholders include central banks and state-owned entities in 23 countries in the region, as well as Latin American and international commercial banks and institutional and individual investors. The bank promotes foreign trade throughout Latin America by issuing short-duration loans to other banks and corporations, with the help of a risk committee that aims to make sure it is allocating an appropriate amount per country. The bank does not provide retail banking services to the general public and does not take retail deposits. The stock’s 4.6% yield adds appeal, and the short-term nature of its loans reduces its risk. However, investing in Latin America does add to the bank’s political and currency risk. Banco…