iShares MSCI South Africa Index (ETF) (AMEX:EZA)

pakaal (46.27) Submitted: 10/24/2007 9:10:36 PM : Start Price: $63.54 EZA Score: +6.03

For me this index fund tips in the direction of high risk-high gain. While South Africa (SA) is a very volatile country and a lot of negatives (high murder rate, rising reports of governmental corruption among other things), it is also recognized as the only country in the region that is stable, has something of a positive influence over its neighbors, and has a developed communications and tech infrastructure. China and Australia have been investing heavily in SA in the past couple of years, specifically in mining and metals, which got me thinking about SA's long-term viability as a country (sorry to put it so bluntly, but there it is). Zimbabwe is going into meltdown mode, Namibia is not doing so well, and Botswana is turning itself into one giant safari attraction (hey, more power to them, it's working well so far). Mozambique is faring better, but is still struggling to find its place in the African political world. These countries rely on the stability of SA to a great extent (particularly Zimbabwe, whose people are crossing the border in droves to the relatively well-off SA).

All in all I think South Africa is going to be a focus of investment attention for the next five years at least. And we're at the bottom of their growth curb.

And that's my pitch.

OllieDz (< 20) Submitted: 10/23/2007 6:44:00 PM : Start Price: $63.54 EZA Score: +6.03

Good long term emerging market. Commodity focus.

JonToronto (86.46) Submitted: 9/27/2007 10:48:03 AM : Start Price: $58.58 EZA Score: +15.23

caps

Xajorkith (20.35) Submitted: 8/15/2007 1:20:47 AM : Start Price: $49.14 EZA Score: +28.71

South Africa is bound to outperform especially with the attention of the 2010 soccer world cup.

UncommonSense (< 20) Submitted: 6/15/2007 9:08:53 AM : Start Price: $55.71 EZA Score: +20.47

South Africa - what a great way to play both emerging markets and commodities.

shuuy (22.72) Submitted: 4/3/2007 6:36:53 PM : Start Price: $55.05 EZA Score: +15.42

In S. Africa, I think you need to trade off the high crime rates and location versus the potential: World Cup 2010, the leader of the African continent, and commitments to control crime and stem HIV/AIDS.

A winner in the long term.

NetscribeETF (37.64) Submitted: 3/9/2007 7:49:38 AM : Start Price: $50.09 EZA Score: +24.54

Blessed with immense natural resources, South Africa is one nation, which can be termed to be in the path to normalization in a continent torn apart by strife. These days the economy of South Africa is considered on par with other emerging economies like China and India.

Mining forms an integral part of the economy, with the country being one of the top producers of various precious and base metals. The country is rightly known as the mining centre, with 40% of the production being exported. This sector thus forms 25% of the assets under management in the fund iShares MSCI South Africa Index (EWZ), which returned 19.5% for the year 2006. Financial sector and telecom with 22% and 10% respectively forms the other bulk sectors in the fund.

With 51 stocks the fund is well diversified and have an expense ratio of 0.74%, but for telecom sector MTN group alone corners the 10% share. The company is present mostly in regions having low penetration, and with fixed line looking expensive the mobile density is going to shoot up. This factor along with acquisition of Investcom in Dubai that opened the Middle Eastern markets to the company puts it firmly in the growth stage. The company is expecting a 15 to 20% growth figure in 2007.

Mining and mineral industry, which grew by 8% last year, looks for another good year as the global prices of minerals and metals looks to continue its growth path. Although analysts are predicting this growth to be a bit lower than 2006, this does not take its sheen away. With major emerging Asian economies clocking industrial growth on an average of 11% and forecasts rolling out similar figures base metals never had it this good. The fund will definitely cash in on this.

With a stable economic performance the financial sector is also doing well. The consumer credit off take is expected to hit high single digit and with government spending on the rise on account of the world cup soccer in 2010, this sector is in for some exiting times.

Thus the fund with a balanced exposure to all the growing sectors has a good chance of repeating previous years performance.

hkirk60 (52.39) Submitted: 2/12/2007 9:40:17 PM : Start Price: $50.02 EZA Score: -26.42

Prices in commodities and precious metals have hit this market hard. I believe it will bounce back in 6 months or so. Could be a good time to buy if you are holding for long term. I wouldn't put more than 2% to 5% of holdings in this fund.

WyattKaldenberg (47.48) Submitted: 2/8/2007 4:34:16 PM : Start Price: $50.68 EZA Score: +25.65

Good South African growth ETF