I've just returned from the World Money Show, where some 10,000+ investors gathered to learn about global investing. I had a chance to meet with many of the advisors who were featured at the show, and I am highlighting some of their favorite investment ideas. To view all of the stocks featured in this special global report, click here.

"One of the fastest-growing investment vehicles in the history of the financial markets is the exchange-traded fund," notes Chuck Carlson, editor of The DRIP Investor.

"And the company behind iShares exchange-traded funds is not an American company. It is a United Kingdom-based company. That company is Barclays PLC (NYSE:BCS), which operates in more than 60 countries and manages more than $1 trillion of the world's money.

"ETFs are still very much in their fast-growth phase. While assets have grown sharply, many investors still are not familiar with these investments. That will change over the next few years. With a strong brand and big first-mover advantage, Barclays has positioned itself to be the major beneficiary of this huge expected growth.

"Meanwhile, takeovers are occurring on almost a daily basis. The takeover mania is being fueled by a tidal wave of liquidity. Private equity firms, hedge funds, and corporate America are awash in cash, and they are putting that cash to work by buying firms. And Barclay's is one stock that has reportedly been in the cross-hairs of a buyer.