USD$30k to invest in the US - advice or recommendations please?

[Chuckey]

I have approximately USD $30k sitting in a US online brokerage cash account from the sale of company stock options over a number of years.
Irish Income Tax has already been paid on this money.
I am conscious of the fact that the account attracts a very low rate of interest (0.25%), so I am losing money to inflation etc.
Its time to act.

My Question is: How best should I invest this money?

A couple of points to note:
1) I would prefer not to bring the money back into Ireland or the Euro right now given the economic climate.
2) I do not need access to these funds for a year or more.
3) In terms of risk, I would favour low to medium risk investments.
4) I'm tempted to invest in 9 or 10 top US companies that have dividend paying stock.
Example: Coca Cola, GE, Diageo, Royal Dutch Shell, Johnson & Johnson etc.
It would appear that I will have to pay 41% tax on such dividends, but it might be a good investment for the long term.

What do people think of this strategy? Is there a better way to invest this $30k?
A friend suggested Certificates of Deposit (CDs) in non-US currencies.

Are there any advisors around that specialise in this type of investment?

Thanks,
C.

 

[mercman]

From the criteria you have set out, you might be best to consider investing ETFs (exchange traded funds). There are many different types of these investment products, some dividend paying, some that are not.

It might be best to research the market yourself, as the money is in the US, especially when you don't want to bring it back to Ireland.

 

[Maggiemoo]

I suggest to check out Walton International (google them for details) and you may wish to consider a land investment with them. They have a 30 year track record investing in land in the US and Canada. I have no affiliation with them but found out about them, did some research, and am currently investing with them. They may have an office in Ireland (I dont currently live there so I have been dealing with their office in Asia) but this may be a good option for investment to remain in US. Depending on the land project you choose, you can decide how long you wish to invest.

 

[Marc]

Hi some inconsistencies in your question.

You say that you do not need access to the money for a year or two and you would consider low to medium risk investments.... Yet you consider speculating in 9 or 10 US stocks. You are either a short term cash saver or long term investor - which is it?

Are you tax resident in Ireland?

If you are,and you do decide to invest long term (5 to 10 years minimum), you would be better off moving the funds back to a European brokerage to invest for tax purposes. You could still invest in the S&P 500 or whatever but you would be able to purchase a more tax friendly investment to do so.

I do specialise in this problem and we have our clients who are US citizens invested in US$ portfolios through Schwab in the US and Irish citizens invested through our European brokerages to minimise taxes.

 

[Brumel]

Try Vanguard.com, lowest management fees in the industry, and offer a large selection of managed and index funds.
Other than having my own money invested with Vanguard, I have no vested interested.
Hope this helps.