Based on this seemingly unstoppable momentum overseas, especially of late, I wanted to revisit the international investment category, which not only yields over 10% in some cases, but has made for some great capital gains and diversification to boot. Over the past several weeks, I've highlighted several personal investments I've made in individual stocks and funds from overseas that have fared quite well. I wanted to highlight two additional Central European/Russian investments that I've been in and out of in the past, as well as an interesting Chinese play:


Templeton Russia and East European Fund (TRF) - This fund has roughly matched the returns of the Russion stock market in general, which has been ridiculous over a several year span. It did drop a big since last summer, but I still like the prospects of capitalism in the region and the growth prospects. The fund is up 200% the past 5 years, non-inclusive of significant dividend payouts. This alone beat the S&P500 by a 4x factor over that time period. However, don't be fooled by the 19% dividend yield showing in Yahoo, but it does pay roughly annually now; here are the last few payouts but no guarantees based on this history:

27-Dec-06
$ 8.849 Dividend
1-Jun-06
$ 5.248 Dividend
29-Dec-04
$ 2.735 Dividend
1-Jun-04
$ 0.839 Dividend
29-Dec-03
$ 3.843 Dividend
30-May-03
$ 0.39 Dividend

Disclosure: I am still a holder of the fund, but I've primarily liquidated the position to take profits in 2006.


Central Europe & Russia Fund Inc. (CEE) - This fund has exhibited even stronger performance as evidenced by its 5-year 250% return. Again, sporadic dividend payments listed below, but compare to the TRF and S&P500 performance.

19-Dec-06
$ 5.516 Dividend
16-Dec-05
$ 0.33 Dividend
20-Dec-04
$ 0.17 Dividend
18-Dec-03
$ 0.22 Dividend
15-Nov-01
$ 0.23 Dividend


Disclosure: My investment club used to hold this one, but unloaded it a year ago.

Shanda Interactive (SNDA) - This is a Chinese gaming company with some nice renewable revenue from the millions of Chinese subscribers to their online games. As the population continues to approach the standard of living of other industrialized nations, this holding has potential to continue to explode in terms of customer base and profits due to the low variable costs for such an enterprise. Year to date, the stock's up a respectable 30%.

Disclosure: I don't currently own the stock due to my heavy international presence now, but I'd consider rotating funds in or buying on a dip from my case position.