STRICTLY BUSINESS: WHERE IN THE "WORLD" TO INVEST

"Cifra" is a familiar name with stock investors.

Cifra is Mexico's leading retailer and has been rated in some circles as Latin America's best-run company.

Little wonder. Cifra has some guidance from the top retailer in the United States -- Wal-Mart.

Cifra is a partner in Wal-Mart's first venture outside the United States, and one of its operations in the Mexico City area nets more than $1 million in sales over most weekends.

Cifra, Telefonos de Mexico, Cemex (Mexico), Glaxo (British), Trans Canadian Pipeline (Canada) and Hanson (United Kingdom) are just a few of the many foreign-based stocks that attract American investors.

"Southeast Missourians are especially familiar with Cifra and Telefonos de Mexico (Telamex)," said Joe Domian, representative of the Cape Girardeau Edward D. Jones & Co. branch. "A lot of people have been buying both of these stocks."

Telamex is listed on the New York Exchange (TMX). Cifra investors can check with their stock brokers to keep up with Cifra.

Telefonos De Mexico provides all domestic and international telephone service in Mexico and is that nation's largest publicly traded company.

Marsha Limbaugh, manager of the Cape Girardeau branch of A. G. Edwards & Sons Inc., agrees Cifra is a familiar stock with area investors.

U.S. investors have leaned toward foreign investing over the past few years.

In 1992, American investors purchased a record $35 billion, almost three times the previous record set in 1989.

Why the recent interest in foreign stocks?

The two area investment companies, both headquartered in St. Louis, offer some interesting facts.

The world is changing. In 1970, the United States produced $1 trillion worth of goods and services, which accounted for 47 percent of worldwide input.

By 1993, U.S. production had jumped to $6 trillion, but that amount represented only 30 percent of the world's output.

In simple terms, this means nearly 70 percent of the world's goods and services are produced outside the United States. And, over the past 25 years, non-U.S. stock markets outperformed the U.S. markets 16 times.

A chart, issued by the Morgan Stanley International Perspective, says people not investing globally miss eight of the world's 10 largest electrical and electronic companies, seven of the world's 10 largest automobile companies, seven of the world's 10 largest insurance companies, and eight of the world's 10 largest machinery and engineering companies.

Currency fluctuation a concern

So, if global investing is such a good idea, why don't more investors take advantage of the opportunities?

Foreign investing can be confusing for American investors say stock investment representatives.

A major concern is the effect currency fluctuations can have on the return from an investment.

When people buy securities on a foreign exchange, their U.S. dollars are converted to that country's currency, and when they receive income or sell their investment, the foreign currency is converted back into U.S. dollars.

Another big concern is lack of information about international opportunities and keeping up with an investment. Most foreign investments aren't listed on the New York Stock Exchange. There are some exceptions -- Telamex and Hanson.

Hanson might not be a familiar name to U.S. investors, but many of the companies making up this conglomerate are Peabody Coal, Universal Gym Equipment, Jacuzzi Whirlpool Bath, Beazer U.S.A. and ERTL Toys.

Hanson started operations in 1964, developed a U.S. headquarters in 1974 and has been traded on the NYSE since 1986. Its 1993 figures show an $18 billion company with 75,000 employees worldwide.

According to the American Funds group of mutual funds, there is no single "best" foreign stock market.

During the past decade, good stock market returns during a single year have been reported from Austria, Belgium, China, Japan and the United Kingdom.

The list of foreign companies is a lengthy one -- Hong Kong & China Gas, Volkswagen, Telefonica de Argentina, Bank of East Asia and Singapore Airlines to mention a few.

Before rushing out to invest, however, have a talk with your local stock broker.

AGC: more than gas products

When AGC was founded more than 65 years ago, its only product was acetylene gas.

AGC, which recently opened an 8,400-square-foot facility at 844 S. Kingshighway, now offers much more.

The company, founded in 1928, has expanded its production capabilities to all aspects of the industrial gas business, including bulk cryogenics and gas distributing equipment.

"We now produce and distribute industrial, medical and pharmaceutical and other specialty gas," said Tim Wilson, assistant branch manager of the Cape Girardeau facility.

The company also offers a variety of welding equipment and supplies, featuring brands like Hobart, L-Tec, Jackson, Tweco and UTP.

AGC, headquartered in St. Louis, has a dozen locations in Missouri, Illinois and Kentucky.

"This is our 12th location," Wilson said.

Other Missouri locations include Rolla, Pacific, Farmington, Holts Summit, Mountain Grove, Lebanon and St. Louis. Centers are also located at Alton, Mount Vernon and Benton in Illinois, and in Henderson, Ky.

Denist Gibson of Cape Girardeau, who has more than 25 years experience in the gas industry, two with AGC, manages the local branch.

Wilson previously worked at the Rolla branch and has two years in the industry.

Other employees at the Cape Girardeau branch are salesmen Bill Ingram and Alan Ponder.

AGC will hold its grand opening celebration Oct. 28 and 29.

Factory technicians will be available to talk with the public, Wilson said.

New residential care center

A 34-bed, residential-care center will be built in Cape Girardeau with a targeted opening date of February.

Groundbreaking for the 8,700-square-foot center will be held at 2910 Beaver Creek Drive later this month.

The facility is being built by Americare Systems Inc. of Sikeston, a long-term care provider with 15 residential-care centers and 20 skilled nursing centers throughout Missouri and Kansas.

The Cape Girardeau Residential Care Center will include 17 resident rooms that can accommodate one or two people. The rooms are equipped with a full private bath, wall-to-wall carpeting, and emergency call systems in both the room and bathroom.

The facility will provide medication distribution, rehabilitation options and 24-hour personal assistance by certified medication aides. It will also include restaurant-style dining, housekeeping and laundry services.

When fully occupied, the facility will employ a staff of 12, including a full-time administrator and director of nursing.

"Our concept of residential care represents a unique option to the seniors of Cape Girardeau," said Jane Abel, operations director, Residential Care Division of Americare Systems Inc. "Our full-service concept combines gracious living with the security of 24-hour personal assistance."

Relocating to Cape Girardeau

Kenneth L. Johnson Insurance Services Inc. has moved to Cape Girardeau.

The company, which has been in Scott City since 1988, occupies a building at 6 N. Clark.

Company President Kenneth L. Johnson of Cape Girardeau has more than 25 years in the insurance industry.

Johnson's son, Bradley Johnson, joined the company about a year ago after serving in the U.S. Air Force.

New service opens here

Mediation & Conflict Resolution Service of Southeast Missouri has in Cape Girardeau.

The new service, which provides a mediation process in resolving business and personal conflicts, is located at 1221 Kingsway Drive, Suite 4.

Owner Jody Neal Thompson is trained in conflict resolution and mediation. She is a member of the Academy of Family Mediators and has a graduate degree in psychological counseling.

She recently attended a facilitators training session at Boulder, Colo. The workshop was conducted by Bruce Fisher, author of the book, "Rebuilding."

Thompson will offer classes on "Rebuilding When Your Relationship Ends," an educational seminar, starting Wednesday.

Additional information is available by calling 335-1540.