By Carl Delfeld of the Chartwell ETF Advisor
It is easy to tap into in this global corporate vigor through the Netherlands iShare (EWN) that contains a basket of 27 Dutch companies. The global financial services firm ING accounts for 18% of the basket. ING has a dominant position in growing Asian markets such as China, India and Thailand and its direct bank now has 15 million customers worldwide. 50% of its profits come from insurance operations and since European and American markets are rather mature, it’s strategy is to continue to diversify geographically and move into higher growth areas such as retirement services. ING is a low cost provider resulting in an ROE in 2005 of 24% though the relatively high debt load is a concern.
The next four highest weighted companies in this ETF are all top quality: ABN Amro, Phillips Electronics, Unilever and Aegon. In terms of sectors, diversified financials account for 18% of the basket, food, beverage and tobacco is 13%, banks, 13% and consumer durables 10%.
The Netherlands stock market is undervalued with its AEX index trading at a price earnings ratio of 12 times earnings. And as Lynnley Browning of the New York Times reported over the weekend, the Netherlands has also emerged as a tax haven for high end intellectual property investors.
Comments