VanEck Semiconductor ETF

SMH expense ratio is 0.35%, which is the annual cost of holding the fund relative to its assets. A lower ratio means more of your return stays with you. Another figure you will often see is the fund's assets under management (AUM), which simply reflects its total size and how much money investors have placed in it.

It depends on the type of ETF. Distributing ETFs pass the dividends from their underlying holdings on to you in cash, usually a few times a year, while accumulating ETFs reinvest those dividends inside the fund so your position grows automatically. As an investor in Latin America, any cash distributions land in your brokerage account in the fund's currency, and many platforms let you reinvest them with a single tap.

Investors in Latin America can buy foreign ETFs through international and regional brokerage and investment platforms. You simply need a valid government ID or passport to get started.

Yes. Through fractional investing, you can invest exactly the amount you want, starting with as little as $1 or $5 USD (depending on what investment platform you use), and own a proportional piece of the fund.

Many investors in Latin America buy international ETFs like SMH to protect their purchasing power. Because SMH is priced in foreign currency, your investment is tied to a hard currency. If your local currency devalues against the foreign currency, usually USD or Euro, the underlying value of your portfolio remains protected from local inflation.

No. A common misconception is that you need a foreign bank account or a foreign visa to invest in international stocks. Today, modern investment platforms allow you to fund your account using local bank transfers or local payment methods right from your home country.