Stocks of foreign countries have always been popular with Americans. There are many reasons why they have looked at attractive buys in foreign countries and invested huge amounts of money. The slow growth rate of the economy in the United States and European nations has attracted a lot of wealth into the Asian countries. Buying foreign stocks has some rules and regulations, and at times, it can be a bit tedious. You have to be aware of the relevant government guidelines. Before we know how to buy these stocks, let us first understand why it is profitable to invest in them. Why Should You Invest in Foreign Stock? If you look at the best companies in the world, many of them are based in U.S. However, there are many companies in other nations, which are world leaders in manufacturing many useful products. By restricting yourself to the companies listed in a particular nation, you cannot be a part of the global growth story. Now, there are ways by which you can invest money in foreign stocks and be a part of the growth of these firms. Stock markets always react positively for the stock of a company which shows decent growth. Many companies in developing nations are posting better financial results, which indicates safe and robust growth and hence the appreciation in stock prices would be much more if you buy the stocks of these firms. Buying foreign stocks should be done at the right time to avoid losses in market crashes. For this, you need to study the composition, structure and nature of the markets well. Investment Procedure There are a few methods of buying stocks in foreign exchanges. Firstly, if you are interested in this type of stock investing, you should get in touch with your stockbroking firm and inquire whether you can trade in foreign securities through them. Another way is by trading through the broking firms present in the country, where you are eager to invest. Almost all brokerage firms welcome foreign investors, as they mean increased volumes for them. You need to understand their style of functioning and choose the best brokerage firm in the market. Go for reviews and facts about their service and select the best firm after careful research. Another way of investing in these stocks is through the safest and most reliable route of global mutual funds. These funds are offered to investors eager to diversify their investments and earn better returns as compared to domestic mutual funds. Your fund manager will explain the risks and positives of mutual funds which invest in foreign stocks. Buying them and earning profits in these investments needs a lot of stock research and patience. You need to look at sectors which are poised for fast growth and are on the right track. Infrastructure is the need of developing nations and hence these sectors can perform well along with capital goods and banks. Buying foreign stocks also comes with some risks. Foreign markets can be more fluctuating or volatile and you need to take steps to protect your capital. Often, investors get carried away by large promises and end up losing out. So, thinking in a rational way is a must for foreign investments. DISCLAIMER: This article is just for reference purposes and does not recommend any stock market transactions.