Do you want to invests overseas, but is not sure how?
Do you want to invest into the largest stock market in the world (NYSE) but have no idea how?
Do you want to invest in high flying technological stocks such as Apple and Microsoft but wonder how to do it?
Do you want to invest into the second largest wealth generator in the world, that is China/HK stock market?
Do you want to invest in just about any large and reputable company, in almost the entire world?
Now you can!
Majority the stock market in the world does not performing well in 2011 with only 7 out of 51 stock markets showing an increase in the market capitalization.
This included Bursa Malaysia with 0.48% market capitalization. However, it is in the top 10 of the world’s best-performing stock market in 2011.
The top 2 world’s best-performing stock markets are Irish with 86 percent increase in market capitalization. Meanwhile, the worst stock exchanges are Cyprus and Athens stock exchanges, which decrease more than 40 percent.
The table below is world stock exchange rank for year 2011.
Most of the stock market in the world does not performing well in Q3 2011. When compare Q3 2010, only 13 out of 51 stock markets in the positive territory and Busa Malaysia was one of them.
In the same period, market capitalization for Bursa Malaysia increase by 1.10 percent if measured by Malaysian Ringgit but decrease 2.2 percent if the measurement made based on US Dollar. The decrease is due to strengthing of Malaysian Ringgit.
The top 2 world’s best-performing stock markets are Irish & Tehran stock exchanges. Both showed more than 40 percent increase. Meanwhile, the worst stock exchanges are Cyprus and Athens stock exchanges, which decrease more than 40 percent.
The table below is world stock exchange rank based on previous 1 year data.
2010 was a good year for stock market world wide. Most of them are in positive territory and growth except for those country that affected by economic crisis such as Greece.
The following table shows world’s largest stock exchange in terms of market capitalization as of 31st December 2010.
Bursa Malaysia retain its 24th position since Q3 2010 with 24% increase in market capitalization.
This post is the continuation of the previous post, “Why Should I Invest or Trade in US Stock Market?”
There are two ways for you to invest in US Stock Market. The first option is invest via our local brokers such as RHB Investment Bank and the second method is to open an account with US based brokers.
I prefer to use the second option by opening an account with US based brokers. The main reasons I choose US based broker are, lower brokerage fees and less forex risk or currency exchange rate. This article will focus on that. If you prefer to invest via local (Malaysia) Stock Broker, you may want to look at “How to Invest in Overseas Stock Markets Easily“.
For comparison, our local brokers may charge about RM40 (~USD13.00) per trade while with US broker, the charges is as low as ~RM8 (USD2.50) per trade. Regarding forex risk, some of the local brokers you have to do currency exchange each time transaction is made. This is not the case if you are using US based brokers.