Efficiently Accessing The Companies Behind Israel's Dynamic Economy [View article]
OneMarketJunkie - thanks for your comments.... At the moment BlueStar doesn't issue opinions/recommendations on the stocks you mentioned. Our focus is primarily macro - ie a view on the market as a whole - and sector views from both a technical and fundamental perspective. We do highlight specific stocks in our monthly Israel Equity Updated and quarterly Structural Market Reviews, with an emphasis on US-listed Israeli companies that are constituents of our BlueStar Israel Global Index. See http://bit.ly/15oyde0 (where you can register for our free Monthly Updates).
Mellanox Technologies Initiates Process to Delist Ordinary Shares from Tel Aviv Stock Exchange [View article]
A major and unfortunate blow for the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange, but it only reinforces the imperative to use a GLOBAL benchmark for Israeli Equities (such as the BlueStar Israel Global Index - "BIGI"). Why miss out on world-class Israeli companies like MLNX, CSTE, SODA &CHKP just because they're not listed on the TASE?
Israel - A Standout Among The OECD Economies [View article]
Israel's economy is going from strength to strength, and yes, the de-concentration of industrial groups will be a major boon for further growth. Plus, Israel will become a net energy exporter by the end of this decade - another positive development.
for regular updates on investment and economic news on Israel's robust economy, see http://bit.ly/17PuRAj ( IsraelStrategist.com )
Harvard Isn't Divesting From Israel [View article]
The facts and the math....
Harvard Management Company has both EM and DM portfolios/allocations, but they have a relative overweight to EM in their strategic allocation (one of the highest amongst Foundations/Endowments). So as Israel was graduated to DM, HMC needed to reduce Israel allocation proportionately. They still do and will hold Israeli stocks, in their DM allocation, but it may not appear in 13-F filings as it'll be managed by external managers
This was absolutely not related to misguided political pressure to divest, nor was it a tactical bet against the Israeli market...
Israel, Regional ETFs in Focus as Middle East Tensions Flare [View article]
I generally appreciate Mr Johnston's contributions to SeekingAlpha, but I've got to say that this article is incoherent at best, and agree with 'cyclingscholar' and 'iwillfly4' The Israeli market fell in May in line with other global markets, and has fallen about as much as the broad EM index (and less than the EAFE Index which it's just joined with its 'graduation' to Developed Market status). In the 17 1/2 years since there's been an MSCI Israel Index, it has dramatically outperformed the US market, despite the tech boom and bust, the Palestinian intifada of 2000-2002, the Gulf War, the Second Lebanon War of 2006, the global financial crisis and recession of 2008/9, and Operation Cast Lead in Gaza in late 2008/early 2009. It will certainly survive the political/diplomatic fallout of the unfortunate incident off the coast of Gaza. And as Mr Wolinsky states above, it combines many of the best features of Developed Markets (economic stability and sound fiscal management) with the growth potential of Emerging Markets (favorable demographics, high-growth domestic and export-oriented sectors, etc). Some may want to underweight Israel in their portfolios, but I wouldn't short the economy or the stock market!
U.S. One's Investing Philosophy: One ETF Is All You Need [View article]
Edwin, you are correct, but But by using EAFE and it's small-cap equivalent, instead of 'World' or 'All-World' this Fund/ETF of ETFs completely misses exposure to Canada, a major market (4-5% of world mkt cap) with powerful diversifying elements (currency, commodity exposure). One can certainly get efficient global equity exposure using VT and if one desires a tilt toward small cap, just allocate a bit to VS and VSS and you're done. Or you can use DFA Funds, which embed a small/value tilt in a highly-efficient manner. Not at all clear that you should outsource this to an ETF of ETFs that adds a layer of fees...
Efficiently Accessing The Companies Behind Israel's Dynamic Economy [View article]
Mellanox Technologies Initiates Process to Delist Ordinary Shares from Tel Aviv Stock Exchange [View article]
For more info on BIGI, see: http://bit.ly/15oyde0
Israel - A Standout Among The OECD Economies [View article]
for regular updates on investment and economic news on Israel's robust economy, see http://bit.ly/17PuRAj ( IsraelStrategist.com )
Harvard Isn't Divesting From Israel [View article]
Harvard Management Company has both EM and DM portfolios/allocations, but they have a relative overweight to EM in their strategic allocation (one of the highest amongst Foundations/Endowments). So as Israel was graduated to DM, HMC needed to reduce Israel allocation proportionately. They still do and will hold Israeli stocks, in their DM allocation, but it may not appear in 13-F filings as it'll be managed by external managers
This was absolutely not related to misguided political pressure to divest, nor was it a tactical bet against the Israeli market...
Israel, Regional ETFs in Focus as Middle East Tensions Flare [View article]
U.S. One's Investing Philosophy: One ETF Is All You Need [View article]
Moving on from Seeking Alpha [View instapost]
All the best in your new endeavor... I am sure it'll be a big success and I look forward to learning about it when it's 'hatched'