Some of his holdings are truly global. Naspers , a South African company, has stakes in a Chinese social-networking company, South African newspapers (whose readership levels are increasing), as well as Brazilian magazines and central European e-commerce Websites.

The stocks he buys fit into one or more cross-border themes, such as the shift in global economic leadership. He believes, for instance, that stocks of commodity producers are poised to outperform as consolidation continues. "Government-backed entities in countries like China are motivated buyers of these companies for strategic rather than financial reasons," he argues. Levitt thinks that as investors find fewer publicly traded alternatives to choose from, behemoths such as BHP Billiton and independent metals producers such as Teck Cominco will benefit, outperforming the market.

The stocks he buys fit into one or more cross-border themes, such as the shift in global economic leadership. He believes, for instance, that stocks of commodity producers are poised to outperform as consolidation continues. "Government-backed entities in countries like China are motivated buyers of these companies for strategic rather than financial reasons," he argues. Levitt thinks that as investors find fewer publicly traded alternatives to choose from, behemoths such as BHP Billiton and independent metals producers such as Teck Cominco will benefit, outperforming the market.

Agricultural land is scarce, too, and highly prized by high-growth economies, Levitt argues: "You see food-importing nations like Korea and Saudi Arabia leasing land in grain-producing nations in parts of Africa, improving irrigation and fertilizing the land to produce higher crop yields." That investment theme has led him to companies like Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile (SQM), a Chilean producer of fertilizer that trades on the New York Stock Exchange. "It's also a big producer of lithium, which is a key ingredient needed for making the next generation of environmentally friendly cars," Levitt notes.

While Levitt isn't betting on General Motors' recovery, he's bullish on the future of the auto business. "It just won't be a Detroit-centered industry any more," he explains. BYD (1211.Hong Kong), a manufacturer of lithium-ion batteries, has begun making cars in the Chinese market. He's also invested in Fiat -- the Italian auto maker that has taken a 20% stake in Chrysler in exchange for small-car production technologies and is still hoping to acquire the assets of GM's German unit.

He sees similar opportunities closer to home, such as eBay (EBAY), Apple (AAPL) and Ontario-based Research in Motion (RIM) -- which appeal to him because they, too, are global.

He sees similar opportunities closer to home, such as eBay (EBAY), Apple (AAPL) and Ontario-based Research in Motion (RIM) -- which appeal to him because they, too, are global.

He sees similar opportunities closer to home, such as eBay (EBAY), Apple (AAPL) and Ontario-based Research in Motion (RIM) -- which appeal to him because they, too, are global.