Take A Look At The Pacific Rim Sans Japan (EPP)
When it comes to investing in the Pacific Rim, it's probably best to take a pass on Japan, at least for now, and embrace the region's more dynamic economies. Australia is on top of that list, but perhaps you want Australia and a few other countries in a single ETF.
The ETF Professor has the play for you. The iShares MSCI Pacific Ex-Japan (NYSE: EPP) has no exposure to Japan as the name indicates, but gives investors exposure to Australia, Hong Kong, New Zealand and Singapore.
EPP is Australia-heavy and counts many of the same names among its top holdings as the iShares MSCI Australia Index (NYSE: EWA) does. Still, EPP has been benefiting from the run higher in materials names such as BHP Billiton (NYSE: BHP) and Rio Tinto (NYSE: RTP).
EPP is dominated by financials and materials issues to the tune of 60% of its holdings, but these are the hot sectors in Australia right now and the exposure to Singapore's rapidly growing economy is an added bonus. So take a look at EPP when considering international ETFs.
