DrHelen:

And finally, I hope some of you who know more than I do will be willing to help write starting posts--Kerry and Alan both seem like good candidates.  What sorts of approach will give us focus? What do we all need to know about global that will make us better investors?  Where are the good sources of information? 

DrH   

It has taken a while for the coffee to hit the brain cells today..  I'll be happy to contribute, but I'm no expert..  I'm just the ave investor that has an all red protfolio screen, with a strong commitment to seek opportunities so I can retire.. LOL

As such, reading the following struck me in a different manner, maybe lack of java..

Thus, between April 1, 2003, and Oct. 31, 2007, diversified emerging-markets funds delivered a fantastic 43% annualized return, while China, India, and certain other types of exceptionally aggressive emerging-markets funds produced even more stunning annualized returns.

But the climate for emerging-markets funds has taken a marked turn for the worse since late 2007.  blaa blaa blaa

have combined with worries about valuations to cause many investors to sour on emerging-markets stocks. As a result, diversified emerging-markets funds dropped 19% between Nov. 1, 2007, and July 1, 2008. It was worse for some of the more targeted funds: China offerings plummeted 37% and India funds plunged 42%.

Okay, I've enjoyed 4 yrs of returns in the 40% range,  this ytd I've lost 1 yr of returns.  I believe my US holdings are down 20%, which represents 1.5+ yrs of  profits..  The US being up lets say 15% annual, means from 2003 to 2007 I doubled my money.  In my 'agressive' portfolio, I doubled my money 2 times, or 4x my investment.. If I was in bonds, I would have made close to 30 % over those same 4 yrs...

Being down, 40% or 1 yrs of profits doesn't hurt as much for some reason..  Guess I'll stay where I am in the market... I believe it will rebound quicker than the US..