Some foreign stocks are listed in the US as ADRs (American Depository Receipts). Just like buying the foreign ordinary shares, including currency risk, but denominated in US dollars.
If the shares are only listed on foreign exchanges, then you need a brokerage account that supports it. Fidelity is generally quite good at this. There are 3 types of hassle:
1) Extra layers of expense.
2) You pay foreign exchange fees both buying and selling.
3) Taxes. Foreign taxes will be withheld on dividends. You have to claim those back when you file your 1040.
If you do not already have expertise in buying/selling US stocks, I advise you not to attempt direct ownership of foreign stocks.
It depends where you are and which country you want to invest. If you are UK/Europe you can buy shares from UK, Europe, Australia,Canada, Hong Kong, US, Japan
Not so easy/impossible: India, China, Far East.
If you are USA then you can buy other countries but they will be held by a holding company (ADRs).
Otherwise you can buy a fund or ETFs but these will be exposure to certain countries rather than individual companies.
Just sign up with a good broker and the world is your oyster! If you fanny about with on-line then you will be very restricted.
Sounds like if you might be better off investing in an ETF. It is possible to buy ETFs that have exposure to emerging economies such as the BRICS
In the US, you cannot. You have to purchase through a holding company.
I know of a couple of business I have been watching sometime now overseas that I believe will have very high profits over the years. I have looked around quite a bit online of this issue to buy stocks overseas and there is just too much info and trying to get me to sign up and buy stuff n what not.
I need some simple advise on general procedures to buy stocks overseas. also, are there any requirements I will run into hassles with? Thanks so much.
