"Reflecting the stability and maturity of its economy and financial markets, Israel was recently upgraded to developed-market status," says fund expert Mark Salzinger.

In The Investor's ETF Report, he looks at iShares MSCI Israel Capped Investable Market ETF (NYSE: EIS), noting, "For a nation of just more than seven million people, Israel generates exceptional economic productivity."

"GDP per capita was recently $28,200, good for 49th in the world, very close to established developed markets like New Zealand and Italy.

"Preferred stock has been much in the news over the past 18 months, primarily as the favorite way for cash-strapped banks to raise new capital," explains Mark Salzinger.

In The Investor's ETF Report, he says, "These unusual securities are popular because they offer high yields and have a higher position in corporate credit structure than common stock." Here, he offers a pair of favored ETFs that invest in preferred shares.

"We caution that preferred stocks also have significant drawbacks that dampen their appeal. Apreferred stock is really more like a fixed-income instrument than an equity security.

"Matthews Asia Small Companies Fund (MSMLX) was among the top-performing funds of the first half of 2009, with a return of more than 47%," says Mark Salzinger.

In his No-Load Fund Investor, he suggests, "Though volatile, it wouldn't surprise us in the least if Matthews Asia Small Cap turned out to be one of the top-performing funds we cover over the next decade." Here is the fund's expert's review.

"The fund has benefited so far this year from its focus on China and India, two of the year's best-performing stock markets. However, the fund's mandate to invest in developing Asia's small companies also has been a boon.

"We are adding Artisan Opportunistic Growth (ARTRX), which we consider a 'new opportunity,' for long-term ivvestors, to our Best Buys portfolios," explains Mark Salzinger.

The mutual fund specialist and editor of The No-Load Fund Investor explains, "Launched lst September, the fund fits neatly into one of our key strategies for maximizing risk-adjusted returns: It's a new, small and flexible fund from experienced, highly successful managers.

"This new fund is managed by Andrew Stephens, James Hamel and Shayne John-the same trio of managers who guide Artisan Mid Cap to excellent long-term results.

"Resource-rich, politically stable and increasingly prosperous, Chile is an attractive play on commodities and growing wealth in emerging markets," explains Mark Salzinger, editor of The Investor's ETF Report.

Chile is also a favorite investment position of Nicholas Vardy, editor of The Global Bull Market Alert, who notes, "Thanks to its fiscal prudence, its lack of a domestic housing bubble, and its sizeable wealth reserves, Chile has weathered the current global economic meltdown better than most countries."

Here, the two advisors assess the longer-term opportunity in iShares MSCI Chile (NYSE: ECH), an exchange-traded fund.

Given President Obama's meeting last weekend with Latin American leaders, a look at Latin America-related mutual funds seemed particularly timely. As such we turn to fund expert Mark Salzinger.

The editor of No-Load Fund Investor explains, "The best way for mutual fund investors to add exposure to Brazilian stocks is through Fidelity Latin America (FLATX) or T. Rowe Price Latin America (PRLAX)." Here's his review of the two mutual funds.

"Both funds have solid records and new managers, but each has substantial experience and is backed by deep research teams.

"We have been recommending iShares MSCI Brazil (ASE: EWZ) in our speculative portfolio," says mutual fund and ETF expert Mark Salzinger.

In The Investor's ETF Report, he adds, "But we now think Brazil's solid long-term economic fundamentals and the ETF's 'scompelling valuation and well-positioned companies offer exceptional return potential as a portion of some investors'core portfolios, too."

"Brazil's stock market was assailed on all sides in 2008, when EWZ declined by about 55%. Robust gains in the previous five years had priced Brazil's stocks dearly, and investors'decreased tolerance for any perceived risk saw them abandon emerging markets stocks in droves.

This post is part of a special report, Global advisors look to China.

"SPDR S&P China (NYSE: GXC) is our favorite ETF among more speculative contrarian ideas," fund expert Mark Salzinger.

In The Investor's ETF Report, he explains, "Worries over China's economic growth in the face of global recession savaged Chinese stocks in 2008; GXC fell 48.8% from admittedly stratospheric valuations. Now, though, GXC trades at a price/earnings ratio of only 10.7.

This post is part of a 12-article feature that can be read here: Today's best income ideas.

"Assuming you want to invest a little more in the markets now, which ETF should be your first choice?" asks ETF expert Mark Salzinger.

In The Investors's ETF Report, he reveals his favorite picks from from two of his model portfolios -- a favorite for long-term wealth building and one investors still in their pre-retirement years.

This post is part of a special annual report -- Top Stock Picks '09 -- in which TheStockAdvisors.com asked 75 leading newsletter advisors to select their favorite investment for the new year.

"My top investment recommendation for 2009 is the SPDR S&P China ETF (NYSE: GXC)," says Mark Salzinger, exchange-traded fund expert and editor of The Investor's ETF Report.

"I recognize that this is an aggressive, risky choice. However, the Chinese economy boasts some impressive strengths, and, after falling by at least half in 2008, Chinese stocks are trading at very low valuations.

"China has approximately $2 trillion in U.S. dollar reserves, which it can use to buttress economic and political stability in the country. Also, even with a much reduced economic growth rate in 2009, China still will be a huge importer of oil and many industrial commodities.

"That means China will benefit greatly from lower prices for these products, some of which have lost two-thirds of their value just since May 2008.

This post is part of a special annual report -- Top Stock Picks '09 -- in which TheStockAdvisors.com asked 75 leading newsletter advisors to select their favorite investment for the new year.

"Matthews Asia Pacific Equity Income (MAPIX) is my top no-load fund pick for 2009," says leading mutual fund expert Mark Salzinger.

In his The No-Load Fund Investor, the advisor explains, "Though most investors do not associate Pacific-Rim investments with high-dividend yields, this $80-million fund could change their perception.

"Matthews Asia Pacific Equity Income was recently offering investors a dividend yield of approximately 5%.

"Managers Jesper Madsen and Andrew Foster seek to fill this fund with dividend-paying stocks of companies throughout the Asia-Pacific region, including Japan, China/Hong Kong, Taiwan and recently at least eight other Asian countries.

"Though dividends have not protected investors in American stocks from the carnage so far in 2008, they appear to have reduced losses for investors in Asian equities.

"Like other US Treasuries, Treasury Inflation Protected Securities (TIPs) have virtually no credit risk," explains fund expert Mark Salzinger.

The editor of The No-Load Fund Investor adds, "Unlike other US Treasuries beyond short-term bills, however, TIPs also have no inflation risk." Here, he looks at an EYF based on TIPs.

"Twice a year, TIPs' principal valuis are adjusted upward by the amount of the increase in the Consumer Price Index Urban (CPI-U), thus protecting their holders against increases in inflation.

"The total return of the bond equals its yield plus the change in principal value based on inflation, changes in real interest rates (published interest rates minus inflation) and supply-demand in the market for TIPs.

"TIPs' yields are lower than those of regular Treasury sercurities of similar maturities. That's one of the disadvantages of TIPs.

"The other is that any increase in principal value due to the biannual inflation adjustment gets taxed every year as if it were received income.

"We've added two bond fund's to our buy list: PIMCO Total Return (PTTDX) and Loomis Sayles Bond (LSBRX)," says Mark Salzinger.

The editor of The No-Load Fund Investor explains, "We favor both funds for many of the same reasons: both have experienced, top-flight management supported by robust credit-research staffs." Here's his review.

"Both bond funds have performed strongly over the long-term and during recent market turbulence. And each has a relatively open mandate that allows their respective management teams the flexibility to scoop up attractive bonds from diverse sectors of the bond market in pursuit of both capital appreciation and income.

"PIMCO Total Return is the world's biggest bond fund, and second large mutual fund of any stripe, with $128 billion in assets. The fund's popularity is a product of the outstanding track record and enormous reputation of its manager, Bill Gross. Its 10-year annualized return of 6% puts the fund in the top 5% of all intermediate-term bond funds over that time.

In the latest issue of his industry leading No-Load Fund Investor, fund expect Mark Salzinger reviews convertible bond funds, highlighting his two favorites.

Here, the leading fund authority looks at Fidelity Convertible Securities (FCVSX) and the "more conservative" favorite, Vanguard Convertible Securities (VCVSX).

"Convertibles are hybrid securities, often slight below investment grade, which can be redeemed for stock at a predetermined price and quantity.

"Because their values are often closely correlated to the value of the underlying equities, convertible bonds have more capital appreciation potential also more volatility than plan vanilla corporate bonds. However, because the value of their interest payments creates a floor of value, they tend to be less volatile than stocks.

"Our top convertibles pick is Fidelity Convertible Securities. The fund has been managed by Tom Soviero since 2005, since when it has generated an annualized return of 11.7% vs. 5.7% for Merrill Lynch All Convertible Index.

"Soviero is one of Fidelity's best portfolio managers. He favors convertibles that trade in line with the movements of the underlying equity's price and he wants the underlying equity to have an inexpensive valuation.

"One of the best way to capture lower-risk commodity exposure is through funds that invest in Canada," says Mark Salzinger, noting "Much of Canada's economy is tied to natural resources."

In his The No-Load Fund Investor, the long-standing fund expert looks to two ways to invest north of the border: iShares MSCI Canada ETF (ASE: EWC) and Fidelity Canada (FICDX). Here is his review of both.

"Though its population is clustered primarily along its border with the US, Canada is vast: it is the second largest country in the world behind Russia. Unlike most developed countries, Canada is one of the few net exporters of energy.

"As such, the performance of the Canadian stock market has benefited enormously from rising commodity prices over the past several years. Over the past five years, the iShares MSCI Canada ETF has produced a total return of 316%, more than tripling the return of the S&P 500.

"Canada has room to grow its commodities production. Much of its far northern provinces remain untouched by mining or energy interests, and many of its highest potential resources are only now beginning to be exploited.

"Such attractive assets and the growing cash hoards of global natural resources companies have sparked numerous mergers and acquisitions between Canadian companies, further boosting stock prices.