investing in international indices

Hi
I am sorry if this is a basic question. Is it possible to invest in International indices - FTSE, NIKKEI, Shanghaai etc...
If so is just a question of going to your local friendly stockbroker and buying shares in these indices as you would in a normal company. Does your investment increase/decrease by the amount the index does.
It seems like a good way of having diversity in your shares portfolio

Thnaks
Xabi

Yes, many life companies offer tracker funds, these "track" a particular stock market index.

Quinn Life sell plenty of them.

search for previous posts on ETF's

You can also use spreadbetting or CFDs to take positions on the main indices.