Car sales in the United States might be struggling, but in China, they are moving product. Passenger vehicle sales spiked 48% last month, its biggest gain since February 2006. Chinese buyers picked up 872,900 cars in June 2009, according to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers, and total auto sales (with buses and trucks included) climbed 36% to 1.14 million year-over-year.
Government officials are proclaiming the country's "downward slide" over, and aggressive goals are being set. The full 2009 vehicle sales forecast was raised from 10.2 million to 11 million, as sales for the first half of the year were up 18% year-over-year to 6.1 million.
This post is part of a 12-article feature on the best bets for investing in China. To see all the other recommendations in this special report, click here.
"While the U.S. markets are rising, Asian stock markets are on fire," says global specialist Nicholas Vardy.
In his The Global Bull Market Alert, he suggests, "Our latest bet is s China play; we are recommending the iShares MSCI Hong Kong Index (NYSE: EWH). Here, he explains why he believes that Hong Kong's stock market is "set to soar over the coming months."
In his High Income Alert, the leading advisor explains, "While China's stock markets are wild, illiquid and unregulated, the Hong Kong market is among the freest and most transparent in the world."
"iShares Hong Kong, an exchange-traded fund, replicates the performance of the Hong Kong market. And I like the outlook here, as Hong Kong is home to many of the premier companies in the region.
"In my view, there is no sign of a sustainable rally in the US stock market on the horizon," says Glenn Rogers, asking, "So, against that gloomy backdrop, what's an investor to do?"
The contributing editor to Gordon Pape's Internet Wealth Builder suggests, "One area that looks interesting to me right now is China." Here, he highlights a trio of exchange-traded funds invested in the China market.
"The Chinese government is unencumbered by highly-paid bankers and fractious two-party politics so they have been able to move quickly to stimulate their economy and are generally well-positioned to come out of this downturn in good shape.
With its own economic stimulus program in place, a relatively stable banking system, and a stock market that has been resilient in recent months, numerous leading global investment advisors are looking bullishly towards China.
From technology to power, and from individual stocks to ETFs, and from Hong Kong to Taiwan to mainland China, we turn to seven leading advisors for their favorite ways for US investors to take a stake in Asia.