Porter offers a relatively conservative way of participating in that possibility by purchasing WEBS, the benchmark index of Malaysian stocks. It posted a gain of 96 percent in 1998. I truly believe that the currency crisis is firmly behind us. While 1999 may not be a robust year for Asian economies, it could be the starting point for a regional economic recovery which our Pacific Tiger fund is positioned to benefit from. Whether you're riding the trend in Europe or hoping to catch a low point in Asia or even Latin America, investors must carefully assess the risks.
Diversification is one way to minimize risk.
The following investment opportunities listed make global diversification easier for American investors, but they don't guarantee profits. Most major mutual fund companies offer international stock funds. Some funds concentrate only in one geographic area, such as Asia or Europe. Others concentrate on large companies while offering separate funds to focus on smaller companies. It's important to read the prospectus of each fund to see the allocation of money to different countries and areas of the world.