Canadian stocks make up over 3% of the global market, so international investing is a simple way to gain exposure to a much wider range of wealth-building opportunities. The good news is that there are multiple ways to buy international shares in Canada.
Whether you want to learn how to buy Chinese stocks, Japanese stocks, European stocks or investments in other markets, keep reading to find out how to buy international stocks in Canada.
Major European stock exchanges include Euronext, the Frankfurt Stock Exchange and the SIX Swiss Exchange. If you want to invest in European stocks traded on those exchanges, open an account with a broker that provides direct access to those markets.
But the simplest approach is to invest in ETFs that provide exposure to European shares, such as the Vanguard FTSE Developed Europe All Cap Index ETF (VE). These ETFs are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange, so you can invest with Canadian dollars and you don’t have to worry about the cost of currency conversion.
To invest, log in to your trading account, search for the ticker code of the ETF you want to purchase and then place a buy order.
If you want to invest directly in companies listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, there are some Canadian brokers that will allow you to do so.
Unfortunately, there are no TSX-listed ETFs that track the performance of the Hong Kong market. However, if your broker offers US market access, you may want to consider investing in a US-traded ETF that tracks Hong Kong shares. One popular option is the iShares MSCI Hong Kong ETF (EWH).
To invest, log in to your account and search for the ticker code of the stock or ETF you want to buy. You can then specify the amount of shares you want to buy and finalize your purchase.
If you want to invest in South Korean stocks directly, you’ll need to obtain an investment registration certificate from the Financial Supervisory Service (FSS). However, Korean exchanges aren’t widely supported by Canadian brokers, so the easiest option is to look into ETFs that invest in South Korean stocks.
In Canada, one example is the Vanguard FTSE Developed Asia Pacific All Cap Index ETF (VA), which tracks the performance of equities in developed Asia Pacific markets including South Korea.
If you want to invest in an ETF that tracks 100% South Korean stocks, one option is the iShares MSCI South Korea ETF (EWY), which is traded on the New York Stock Exchange.
While there are some brokers that allow you to invest directly in markets like the Shanghai Stock Exchange and Shenzhen Stock Exchange, an easier option is to invest in TSX-listed ETFs that track Chinese shares.
One popular example is the BMO MSCI China ESG Leaders Index ETF (ZCH), which aims to replicate the performance of the MSCI China ESG Leaders Index.
To invest in an ETF, log in to your brokerage account and search for the relevant ETF. Enter how many units you would like to purchase and place a buy order. Find out more about investing in Chinese stocks.
The Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) is one of the world’s 20 largest stock exchanges. While some Canadian brokers allow you to invest directly in ASX-listed stocks and ETFs, many don’t.
So if you’re looking for the easiest way to gain exposure to Australian stocks, look for a TSX-listed ETF that tracks the performance of the Australian market or a specific Australian market sector. One popular example is the Hamilton Australian Bank Equal-Weight Index ETF (HBA).
To buy shares in an ETF, log in to your brokerage account and search for the ETF’s ticker code. Choose a market or limit order and buy the number of shares you want.
To invest directly in Japanese stocks, you’ll need to open an account with a broker that offers access to the Tokyo Stock Exchange. The good news is that because this is a major exchange, it’s supported by a range of brokers.
However, you’ll also need to have a Japanese yen currency account and deal with the hassle of currency conversion costs eating into your profits.
That’s why the easiest way to gain exposure to Japanese equities is to invest in an ETF that’s traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange but which tracks the Japanese market, such as the BMO Japan Index ETF (ZJPN). To do so, open your brokerage account and search for the ETF ticker code, then place a buy order.
How to invest in the Nikkei 225
The London Stock Exchange is one of the world’s major exchanges. There are several Canadian brokers that allow you to trade the London Stock Exchange, so compare your options before signing up for an account.
You can invest in an individual company such as AstraZeneca or consider an ETF that tracks the performance of the UK market, for example the Vanguard FTSE 100 UCITS ETF (VUKE) or the iShares FTSE 250 UCITS ETF (MIDD).
You can invest by logging in to your brokerage account, searching for the stock or ETF you want to purchase and placing a buy order.
If you want to know how to invest in the Indian stock market in Canada, the first step is to open an account with a broker that provides access to Indian exchanges like the Bombay Stock Exchange and National Stock Exchange.
However, there are complicated rules and limits regarding foreign investment in Indian companies, so you’ll need to check whether you qualify as a non-resident Indian (NRI) or person of Indian origin (PIO).
To keep things simple, invest in an Indian stock-themed ETF listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange. Options include the iShares India Index ETF (XID) and the BMO India Equity Index ETF (ZID). To buy shares in an ETF, log in to your brokerage account and search for the ETF’s ticker code. You can then place a limit order or market order to purchase ETF shares.
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International investing comes with advantages and disadvantages. You’ll have more investment options, but you’ll also face more risks and challenges.
International ETFs offer an easier and more affordable way to buy international stocks than investing in a host of individual companies. Here’s why.
Diversify your portfolio. Buying shares in a single ETF provides exposure to a basket of assets, making it easy to diversify your portfolio. For example, an ETF that tracks the S&P 500 will invest in the 500 companies in that index.
Cost-effective. If you were to invest in several international companies, you’d need to pay brokerage fees on each trade. But if you invest in an ETF, you only need to pay brokerage on one trade, while some brokers also offer commission-free ETF trades.
Curated portfolio. If you’re a beginner, choosing which companies to invest in takes a lot of time and effort. With an ETF, all the hard work of choosing stocks is done for you.
No exchange rate fluctuations. When you buy and sell international stocks, fluctuating exchange rates and currency conversion costs can eat away at your profits. But when you trade international ETFs listed on the TSX, you can use Canadian dollars.
Simplifies tax. If you invest in foreign stocks, you’ll need to deal with complications with foreign tax obligations or withholding tax. That’s not the case when you invest in a TSX-listed ETF.
Leading investment advisory firm Vanguard recommends that Canadian investors allocate around 30% of their portfolio to domestic equities and 70% to international equities. Dividing your investments this way will help minimize long-term volatility.
Nevertheless, most Canadians prefer domestic investments for around half of their equity portfolios. However you choose to allocate your investments, diversity is key. It’s wise to avoid relying on a single market if you want to protect your wealth from regional economic swings.
The Canadian government requires you to disclose information about any foreign assets you hold so that gains and dividends can be taxed appropriately. The taxes you may incur will depend on the country in which you are investing and the type of asset(s) you are invested in.
Profits from stock investing—including international investing—are generally subject to capital gains tax. According to the CRA, you pay income tax on half your capital gains. But there are some exceptions. Holding investments in a tax-sheltered account like a TFSA or RRSP lets you avoid or defer paying income tax on stock profits. Speak with an investment or tax professional to find out what account type is best for you.
More than one in two (51.05%) Canadians rate stocks higher than any other type of investment, according to the Finder: Consumer Sentiment Survey January 2025. Mutual funds (39.86%) and GICs (36.76%) are the second and third most preferred investments, while crypto meme coins (4.1%) and crypto ETFs (5.69%) are rated the lowest.
International investing is a great way to diversify your portfolio. As long as you are using a broker that supports international exchanges, you can buy international shares with ease. You will need to be mindful of the exchange rate, as this will impact your return on investment.
If trading is new to you, you might want to start with the basics of share trading. If you already know how to buy international stocks, you can simply compare brokers and open an account.
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