Take part in the Country Pick competition by choosing countries to invest in.

Country Pick is a game where you invest in several countries and regions and compete based on investment performance.

Investing in countries actually means investing in virtual equity index funds, funds which are linked to equity indexes comprised of stocks from the major representative companies in each country.

In the Country Pick competition, there are 31 virtual index funds each representing a country or region in the investment universe. Participants will choose countries they would like to invest in and compete based on investment performance, or the percentage rise in their portfolios.

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• FAQ: Based on what criteria should I choose countries to invest in?

Let's build a portfolio.

1. What is a portfolio?

Although the word portfolio is described in the dictionary as a folder or a briefcase for documents, it is also described as a list of financial assets. However, the word is best remembered as “a combination of (several) investment assets and securities.” A good portfolio is an effective combination of securities, while restructuring of a portfolio means reviewing the combination of securities.

Country Pick's investment universe is comprised of virtual equity index funds of 31 countries and regions, and participants will build their portfolios using these equity index funds. In actual investing, however, various investment assets and securities, including not only stocks, but also bonds and real estate, among other securities, are generally contained in a portfolio.

2. Build a portfolio by clicking on “Composition and revision of portfolio.”

Please choose the name of the countries or regions you would like to invest in and enter the weighting for each. Please adjust the weightings so that the total percentage equals 100%.

Please be aware that you must choose at least four different countries to invest in because the maximum weight for one country under the rules of Country Pick is 30% (when making a purchase transaction).

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• FAQ: What do I need to do to get started?

3. Choose from model portfolios

For the Country Pick competition, we have prepared several model portfolios that participants can use as a reference. Model portfolios offer some investment perspective to participants who do not know which countries to initially select. You can also select a model portfolio and modify it by changing the country weightings. Of course, there is no guarantee that just because you select a model portfolio, your simulated investment will increase in value, but they are a good reference for those who have no idea where to start.

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Model portfolios are offered strictly as starting points to promote participation in the Country Pick competition. Nikko Asset Management makes no guarantees that any portfolios will increase in value and makes no recommendation as to any portfolios. Participants should choose securities to invest in, including actual investments, based on their own judgment. The Country Pick competition will start on January 4, 2010. Please enjoy testing this game during the trial period prior to the competition start.