Australasia

Australasia mutual funds and ETFs invest in a wide range of asset... Australasia mutual funds and ETFs invest in a wide range of asset classes, including equities, fixed income, commodities, and alternatives in Australia, New Zealand, New Guinea, and surrounding regions. The funds in this category are often actively managed as they require special knowledge of foreign markets and active management may increase the chances of generating a higher return compared to an index fund or passive ETF. The fixed-income portion of these funds may invest in debt securities varying by type (government or corporate), credit quality (investment-grade or junk), duration (short or long), and strategy (inflation-protected or sector-diversified). The equity portion of these funds may invest in common equities, and these can vary by market capitalization (small or large), dividend income (total income or high income), and strategy (sector-based or factor-based), among others. The alternatives portion of these funds may invest in strategies including real estate, currency trading, or other techniques that rely on volatility, hedge fund, or quantitative strategies. These funds are appropriate for conservative investors, as both Australia and New Zealand are developed market economies. One notable risk, however, is that the Australasian region is heavily dependent on trade with China. As a result, a material slowdown in China could negatively affect Australasian mutual funds and ETFs. Last Updated: 01/27/2025 View more View less

Australasia mutual funds and ETFs invest in a wide range of asset classes, including equities, fixed income, commodities, and alternatives in Australia, New Zealand, New Guinea, and surrounding regions. The funds in this... Australasia mutual funds and ETFs invest in a wide range of asset classes, including equities, fixed income, commodities, and alternatives in Australia, New Zealand, New Guinea, and surrounding regions. The funds in this category are often actively managed as they require special knowledge of foreign markets and active management may increase the chances of generating a higher return compared to an index fund or passive ETF. The fixed-income portion of these funds may invest in debt securities varying by type (government or corporate), credit quality (investment-grade or junk), duration (short or long), and strategy (inflation-protected or sector-diversified). The equity portion of these funds may invest in common equities, and these can vary by market capitalization (small or large), dividend income (total income or high income), and strategy (sector-based or factor-based), among others. The alternatives portion of these funds may invest in strategies including real estate, currency trading, or other techniques that rely on volatility, hedge fund, or quantitative strategies. These funds are appropriate for conservative investors, as both Australia and New Zealand are developed market economies. One notable risk, however, is that the Australasian region is heavily dependent on trade with China. As a result, a material slowdown in China could negatively affect Australasian mutual funds and ETFs. Last Updated: 01/27/2025 View more View less