'BRIC' ETF Investing: An Introduction

Today, investors have been reaping the benefits as Russia's vast resources (particularly in commodities) have grown the economy substantially over the past several years. With immense oil reserves and high gas prices (that make me cringe on a daily basis), Russia is in an enviable position for the foreseeable future. Remember, though, that Russia's checkered past puts it at a higher risk level than some of its BRIC peers (see "ETFs for Exposure to Emerging Russia") .

India: If you've ever had to call tech support, you've probably got an idea of just how far India has come as a service economy. The country's low-earning yet highly educated population has proved to be a real asset for America's outsourcing needs, and a burgeoning middle class full of entrepreneurial-minded Indians has been the result.

While typically known for its manufacturing (mainly textiles), India's ascension to a service-based economy is helping Indian funds deliver annualized returns well into the double digits (see "'BRIC' ETF Investing: Getting Started in India").

China: Of the four BRIC countries, China would have to be the biggest "it" investment right now. As the Chinese economy becomes more and more open, lots of solid investment opportunities are coming about. As with the other countries in the group, much of China's economic growth can be attributed to a new middle class that is helping the country to become more self-sufficient and less reliant on the Western consumer. Even so, manufacturing exports remain a mainstay of the Chinese economy (see "'BRIC' ETF Investing: Getting Started in China").

As a group, Chinese stocks are enjoying a bull run. Since January, the Dow Jones Shanghai Index has returned over 115%. Enough said.