Franklin Templeton launches three new geographically focused ETFs, Franklin FTSE Saudi Arabia ETF FLSA, Franklin FTSE South Africa ETF FLZA and Franklin FTSE Latin America ETF FLLA. These ETFs are linked to market cap weighted foreign stock indexes and listed on the NYSE (see: Goldman Sachs Launches TIPS ETF).

Many investors are looking to go beyond broad-based emerging markets or developed markets portfolios to capture the differences in performance that individual countries or regions can experience at different times based on a variety of market events,” said Patrick O’Connor, head of global ETFs, in a statement. “We offer investors access to a large proportion of this universe in order to make these tactical allocations using passive ETFs.”

Inside FLSA

This ETF tracks the FTSE Saudi Arabia Capped Index representing the price performance of Saudi Arabian large and mid-cap stocks. Financials (39%) and Basic Materials (36%) are the double-digit weight holders sector wise. It comprises 47 holdings, amassed $2.4 million since inception on Oct 9, and has an expense ratio of 0.39% (see: High Flying Saudi Arabia ETF Plunges on Sanction Concerns).

Inside FLZA

It tacks the FTSE/JSE South Africa Capped Index reflecting the performance of South African large and mid-cap stocks. The fund comprises 82 holdings. Sectors having double-digit allocations comprise Financials (26%), Consumer, Cyclical (25%), and Consumer, Non Cyclical (10%). The fund has been able to amass $2.5 million since its inception on Oct 10 and has an expense ratio of 0.19%.

Inside FLLA

It tracks the FTSE Latin America Capped Index, which reflects on the performance of Latin American large and mid-cap stocks. Financials (16%) and Basic Materials (10%) hold double-digit weights sector wise. It comprises 152 holdings and amassed $2.5 million since inception on Oct 9. The fund has an expense ratio of 0.19%.

How Do They Fit Into a Portfolio?