Another investment  vehicle you may want to consider is the CEF (closed-end fund) which  is more actively managed and can use other strategies not available to Index ETF which are open-ended investment companies. CEF are also ETF but normally trade at a discount from NAV to offset the expense ratio.  IIF and IFN are the examples for India.

CEF pay out larger distributions because they tend to harvest capital gains more often.  This is good for income oriented investors, but tax inefficient 

SPY may be ready to make a move.

Pull up a chart on the $SPX.X and note the large green volume on 4/15/08.

chili

I am new to investing as I am only 24 and want to diversify with a more globalized portfolio to battle impending inflation and the 'not so looming' recession. I want to buy an ETF in India, because I hear that's what is hot right now, as well as ETFs in China apparently. Which one's do you recommend for a beginner such as myself, and why? Also, my mom who has a relatively extensive portfolio is looking to UP her earnings, I tell her Asia is the way to go... Am I right? I don't want to mislead my own mom! I appreciate any advice you have!!! One more thing, How do you go about beginning to invest in foreign markets, like who do I contact or through what channels. Is it the same as investing at home? REALLY, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME AND ASSISTANCE, I ASSURE YOU IT IS VERY MUCH APPRECIATED!

Subscribe to Morningstar. They are the pro's. I like America.

chili

Rather than focus separately on India and China, why not use a BRIC fund which adds two other fast growing emerging markers, Brazil and Russia.  There are several BRIC ETF, such as BIK. Gives you a little lower risk as well.

Yes, focus on a diversified ETF fund, not a single country ETF. A BRIC is not that diversifed but a good place to start. IF you dont know, a BRIC fund is an ETF invested in the countries of Brazil, Russia, India and China. That is your best bet. Take a look at EEB. Also, you may want to look at an emerging market mutual fund that is actively managed. I own Fidelity South East Asia

Do you think India still has potential? The returns have been pretty steep this year, I wonder if it has run outa steam?

arawal:

 have MINDX in my taxable account and would like to switch to an index fund now that a couple of India Index ETFs are available (EPI and PIN). Which do you like for a taxable account and why?[snip]

MINDX is a lot less concentrated with its stake in any company not exceeding 4.20%. 

Am I missing any other index-like alternatives for India exposure?

Yes, there are several others--at least two that are exclusively Indian, as mentioned elsewhere on this thread. I like having China, India, Latin America and Eastern Europe in separate funds instead of a single BRIC (or worse, a single Emerging) fund, because I like to control my exposure as each market evolves at a different pace.

After a lot of studying the stats, I decided to stick with MINDX for India. The management fee is only about 0.5% higher than most of the ETFs, and in a volatile market with just  a few big companies, I believe a decent manager can easily earn their alpha. None of the index funds seemed to be steady enough to provide any assurance. 

YMMV.

aalan 

obrienjackj:

I am new to investing as I am only 24 and want to diversify with a more globalized portfolio to battle impending inflation and the 'not so looming' recession. I want to buy an ETF in India, because I hear that's what is hot right now, as well as ETFs in China apparently. Which one's do you recommend for a beginner such as myself, and why? Also, my mom who has a relatively extensive portfolio is looking to UP her earnings, I tell her Asia is the way to go... Am I right? I don't want to mislead my own mom! I appreciate any advice you have!!!

Congratulations on your great adventure. I agree that globalization is a timely choice; it will grow enormously over the next 20 years.

Your mom's needs may be different, though. If she is close to retirement, put a lot of her portfolio into highly volatile markets could disrupt her plans badly. Some Asian investment is good, but she needs some guidance for how much of her portfolio to allocate at this risk level. Rick Edelman's website has some good ideas for a start.

aalan