Make your money go global: Invest in US & China stocks

The Indian stock market has given negative returns to investors in the last one year. By contrast, Wall Street and Chinese equities have had a good run.Now, you have also read these headlines, but probably not sure how to act on these. If that’s the case, then here are four easy ways to make your money global in just a few taps.

#1 International Mutual Funds

These are Indian mutual funds that invest in global stocks. They work like your regular mutual funds. You use the same app, a similar SIP set-up. Your investment is in rupees, and the taxation is the same. But your money is invested in global markets.

Now, due to the solid run in global markets in the last year, some of these funds have outperformed investments in India by a wide margin. So, here are the top three performers in terms of returns in the last year.

Invesco Global Consumer Trends Fund of Funds tops the list with a stellar 63% return, followed by Edelweiss Greater China Equity Offshore Fund and Edelweiss US Technology Equity Fund of Funds.

#2 Global ETFs on NSE/BSE

On to the next option now – global ETFs listed on Indian stock exchanges. They trade like other Indian stocks but track foreign markets. For you, the investment process and tax implications remain the same as other regular ETFs.

Basically, instant global exposure, directly in rupees and no extra steps. These ETFs have also given handsome returns in the last one year. Let’s look at the top three:



Mirae Asset NYSE FANG Plus has topped the charts with a solid 76% return. Then the same fund house has Hang Seng Tech ETF and S&P 500 Top 50 at the second and the third spots too.

#3 Direct Global Investments
The third option to make your money go global is direct investing through international brokers. Do you want to actually own Apple or Alibaba shares? Apps like Interactive Brokers or Vested make it possible.

You can send up to $250,000 a year abroad for investment under the Liberalised Remittance Scheme. Transfers up to ₹10 lakh rupees don’t attract extra tax. However, above that there will be 20% tax collected at source.You’ll also need to manage currency swings and paperwork, but you get real-time trading and full control.

#4 GIFT City Funds
And now our last option, which is the newest kid on the block: GIFT City funds. But to understand that, let’s first understand what GIFT City is. This special finance zone in Gujarat works like an offshore hub – let’s say like Dubai or Singapore.

It offers special tax perks, easier rules and currency flexibility. That makes funds based in GIFT City an attractive option to invest globally. Though, this investment also falls under the $250,000 LRS limit.Also, this is for a slightly higher league.

For example, DSP’s Global Equity Fund has a minimum investment requirement of $5,000, that’s a little over ₹4 lakh.

Now that you know how to give your portfolio a global flavour, without using the passport, pick the path that suits your budget and paperwork comfort.