How should you improve your returns in the current low-growth environment? Take a look at this month’s Economic Analysis and review the year-to-date returns. This will help you understand what you’re going to need to profit from this market. With new money your focus should be on alternatives to the weak U.S. dollar. There are two components to this approach–precious metals and currency investment. I have long been an advocate for precious metals. In this month’s issue, I give you an overview of some of my top choices for foreign currency funds and four of the six countries that I feel are your best options. I also have a detailed rundown on my Top 10 Countdown along with some of our other Master Monster List stocks. Make it a good month.

Tags: aber diamond, Alcan, Alpha Natural Resources, American Express, Argentina, Australia, Big Mac, Black Hills, Bombardier, British Petroleum, Canada, citigroup, counterbalancing, Credit Suisse, currency, Dodge & Cox Balanced Fund, Federated Investors, Fidelity Canada, Fidelity International real Estate, Ford, Garmin, General Dynamics, harley-davidson, Imus, income tax, inference, iShares Australia, Japan, Jardine Matheson, johnson & johnson, NBC, Newmont Mining, Obama, Pepsi Bottling, Plum Creek, Precious Metals & Mining, reading, ruger, Russia, Singapore, Sturm, Switzerland, Syngenta, T. Rowe Price Emerging Europe & Mediterranean Fund, T. Rowe Price Japan, Tiffany, tort reform, United Kingdom, vanguard

I always talk to you about the power of compound growth–well, this month we get back to the basics. My wife and I recently visited Vermont’s Authentic Designs to order new lighting for our home. The skilled craftsmen of Authentic Designs still work on 150 year-old machines and turn out some masterful creations. Their guiding principle is “Simple Is Sophisticated.” I love that phrase, and I think it’s one that every investor should take to heart. In this month’s issue I cover all the “keep it simple” principles and steps that help our portfolios grow. This is an educational issue you won’t want to miss. Enjoy, and make it a good month!

Tags: ALEX, Alexander & Baldwin, Berkshire Hathaway, Brazil, BRKb, Efficiency Frontier, Fidelity Canada fund, Fidelity International real Estate, GE, general electric, harley-davidson, HDI, illinois tool works, Imer, Inco, iShares Australia, iShares Singapore, ITW, Jardine Matheson Holdings Ltd., JMHLY, JOE, LMI.L, Lonmin PLC, N, St. Joe, Third Avenue International Value, time warner, TWX, Vanguard GNMA, Vanguard Precious Metals & Mining, Vanguard Short Term Investment Grade, Vanguard tax-Managed growth & Income, Vanguard Wellington