Asian-Pacific Wealth Expands

A recent report issued by Merrill Lynch confirms one of the Asian region's more interesting themes: Rising incomes and the growth of the Asian consumer. The number of Asia-Pacific residents with investable assets of at least $1 million jumped nearly 26 percent through 2009. The zone now hosts almost 3 million millionaires, which is equal to Europe's total and very close to North Americas. The survey also found that 46 percent of Asian finance professionals enjoyed a wage increase through 2009, and 74 percent of those employees expect a bonus at the end of this year. This recent report helps strengthen the need for Asian equities exposure in a portfolio. Investors wanting to play the straight consumer theme can use the Global X China Consumer ETF CHIQ or the Claymore/Robb Report Global Luxury ROB. The CHIQ plays the strength of the Chinese consumer, while ROB owns high luxury firms that will benefit from increasing wealth. Broad-based funds such as the iShares MSCI All Country Asia ex Japan AAXJ or the SPDR S&P Emerging Asia Pacific GMF make great plays on the regions over-all growth. Disclosure Statement: The author has a long position in the AAXJ.