Core Insights - The Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) and iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (EEM) differ significantly in cost, yield, diversification, and risk, with VXUS providing broader international exposure and EEM focusing on emerging markets [1][2] Cost & Size Comparison - VXUS has an expense ratio of 0.05%, significantly lower than EEM's 0.72% - The one-year return for VXUS is 31.4%, while EEM's is higher at 36.2% - VXUS offers a dividend yield of 3.0%, compared to EEM's 2.1% - VXUS has assets under management (AUM) of $606.2 billion, whereas EEM has $26.95 billion [3][4] Performance & Risk Analysis - Over five years, VXUS experienced a maximum drawdown of 29.43%, while EEM had a higher drawdown of 39.82% - An investment of $1,000 in VXUS would grow to $1,277 over five years, compared to $1,046 for EEM [5] Sector Composition - EEM's portfolio is concentrated in emerging markets, with technology (28%), financial services (22%), and consumer cyclical (12%) as leading sectors, holding 1,214 stocks [6] - VXUS covers a wider range of international markets, with financial services (23%), industrials (16%), and technology (15%) as its top sectors, and it holds 8,602 stocks [7] Investor Suitability - EEM is suited for aggressive investors seeking high growth potential from emerging markets, despite its higher expense ratio and risk profile [8] - VXUS is recommended for long-term investors looking for stability and lower costs, with a more attractive dividend yield [10]

Core Insights - The Schwab Emerging Markets Equity ETF (SCHE) and iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF (IEFA) provide low-cost international diversification but differ significantly in regional focus, sector weights, and recent performance [1][2] Cost & Size - Both SCHE and IEFA have an expense ratio of 0.07% - As of February 4, 2026, SCHE has a one-year return of 26.1% while IEFA has a return of 29.0% - SCHE offers a dividend yield of 2.8%, whereas IEFA provides a higher yield of 3.4% - SCHE has a beta of 0.87, indicating lower volatility compared to the S&P 500, while IEFA has a beta of 1.01 - Assets under management (AUM) for SCHE stand at $12.2 billion, significantly lower than IEFA's $173.4 billion [3][4] Performance & Risk Comparison - Over the past five years, SCHE experienced a maximum drawdown of -35.70%, compared to IEFA's -30.41% - An investment of $1,000 in SCHE would have grown to $1,027 over five years, while the same investment in IEFA would have grown to $1,338 [5] Portfolio Composition - IEFA includes over 2,500 developed-market stocks, with significant sector allocations in financial services (22%), industrials (20%), and healthcare (11%) - Major holdings in IEFA include ASML Holding, Roche Holding, and HSBC Holdings - SCHE focuses on emerging markets, with a notable emphasis on technology (23%) and financial services (23%), featuring top positions in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing, Tencent Holdings Ltd., and Alibaba Group [6][7] Investor Implications - IEFA is suitable for investors seeking lower risk and volatility, given its focus on developed markets and larger number of holdings, which contributes to its lower five-year drawdown and higher dividend yield - SCHE appeals to aggressive investors looking for growth, particularly in technology stocks, but comes with higher volatility and political risks associated with emerging markets [9][10]

Quick Read Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) returned 38.4% over the past year. VXUS outpaced VTI’s 15.0%. VXUS holds $606.2B in assets with exposure to financials and energy through Royal Bank of Canada and Enbridge. VXUS gained 51.8% over five years compared to VTI’s 66.4%. A recent study identified one single habit that doubled Americans’ retirement savings and moved retirement from dream, to reality. Read more here. If you own U.S. stocks, you've likely questioned whether interna ...

If you own U.S. stocks, you've likely questioned whether international diversification still makes sense. ...

Core Insights - J.P. Morgan Asset Management has launched the JPMorgan International Dynamic ETF (JIDE) on NYSE Arca, aimed at providing U.S. investors with access to international equity markets [1][2] Group 1: Product Overview - JIDE targets the $2 trillion Foreign Large Blend category, focusing on large and mid-cap stocks in developed markets outside North America, including regions like Australia, Japan, and the UK [2] - The fund's holdings are similar to those in the MSCI EAFE Index and are not limited by style or sector [2] Group 2: Management and Strategy - The fund is managed by the International Equity Portfolio Management team, led by Jon Ingram, with over 60 years of combined investment experience among the portfolio managers [3] - JIDE aims to provide a dynamic investment strategy leveraging global research and expertise to adapt to changing market conditions [3] Group 3: Cost and Market Position - JIDE is competitively priced with a net expense ratio of 55 basis points [4] - J.P. Morgan Asset Management is recognized as the largest issuer of active ETFs globally, reflecting its commitment to innovative investment solutions [4] Group 4: Company Background - As of December 31, 2025, J.P. Morgan Asset Management manages $4.2 trillion in assets and serves a diverse client base including institutions and high net worth individuals [5] - JPMorgan Chase & Co. reported $4.4 trillion in assets and $362 billion in stockholders' equity as of the same date, positioning itself as a leader in various financial services [6]

Core Insights - The article compares two international ETFs, iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF (IEFA) and iShares MSCI ACWI ex U.S. ETF (ACWX), highlighting their differing approaches to international equity exposure [1] Cost & Size - IEFA has a lower expense ratio of 0.07% compared to ACWX's 0.32% [2] - IEFA's one-year return is 28.66%, while ACWX's is 31.86% [2] - IEFA offers a higher dividend yield of 3.4% versus ACWX's 2.7% [2] - IEFA has assets under management (AUM) of $170.35 billion, significantly higher than ACWX's $8.6 billion [2] Performance & Risk Comparison - Over five years, IEFA's maximum drawdown is -30.41%, slightly worse than ACWX's -30.06% [4] - A $1,000 investment in IEFA would grow to $1,302 over five years, compared to $1,267 for ACWX [4] Portfolio Composition - ACWX holds 1,796 companies across developed and emerging markets, with a focus on financial services, industrials, and technology [5] - IEFA focuses on developed markets with 2,619 stocks and a lighter allocation to technology [6] - The largest holdings in ACWX include Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing, Tencent Holdings, and ASML Holding, while IEFA's largest holdings are ASML, Roche Holding, and HSBC Holdings [5][6] Investor Considerations - Both ETFs exclude U.S. stocks, and their international holdings may behave differently from U.S. equities [7] - ACWX's top holdings are primarily based in Asia, while IEFA's are mainly in Europe, suggesting that U.S. investors should monitor relevant foreign events [8] - IEFA outperforms ACWX in terms of expense ratio, dividends, and five-year returns, but ACWX remains a viable option for exposure to both emerging and developed markets [9]

Core Insights - The iShares MSCI World ETF (URTH) and the iShares MSCI ACWI ex US ETF (ACWX) differ in cost and composition, with ACWX being more expensive but yielding higher dividends, while URTH is heavily weighted towards U.S. technology stocks [2][3] Cost & Size Comparison - URTH has an expense ratio of 0.24% and AUM of $6.74 billion, while ACWX has a higher expense ratio of 0.32% and AUM of $7.87 billion [4] - The 1-year return for URTH is 23.08%, compared to ACWX's 35.9%, and the dividend yield for URTH is 1.5% versus ACWX's 2.83% [4] Performance & Risk Comparison - Over the past five years, URTH experienced a maximum drawdown of -26.06%, while ACWX had a deeper drawdown of -30.06% [6] - The growth of $1,000 over five years is $1,644 for URTH and $1,251 for ACWX, indicating better long-term growth for URTH despite ACWX's recent outperformance [6][9] Portfolio Composition - ACWX holds 1,751 non-U.S. companies, with a sector emphasis on financial services (25%), technology (15%), and industrials (15%), featuring top positions like Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing and Tencent Holdings [7] - URTH covers 1,319 developed market stocks, heavily weighted towards U.S. technology, with major holdings including Nvidia, Apple, and Microsoft, resulting in a sector allocation of 26% technology and 17% financial services [8][9] Investment Implications - Both ETFs provide international diversification but cater to different investor preferences: URTH for those seeking U.S.-centric exposure and ACWX for those wanting to avoid U.S. equity dominance [11]

Core Viewpoint - The iShares MSCI ACWI ex U.S. ETF provides a cost-effective way for investors to gain exposure to a diverse range of international equities, excluding the U.S., and is well-positioned to capture growth opportunities in both developed and emerging markets [1][2]. Group 1: Fund Structure and Strategy - The fund is structured as an ETF with a competitive expense ratio, making it suitable for both institutional and individual investors seeking international diversification [2]. - The investment strategy aims to track the performance of the MSCI ACWI ex U.S. Index, offering exposure to developed and emerging markets outside the U.S. [3]. Group 2: Performance Metrics - As of January 21, 2026, shares were priced at $69.74, reflecting a 30.1% increase over the past year, with a one-year alpha of 15.0 percentage points compared to the S&P 500 [3]. - Premier Path Wealth Partners, LLC increased its holding in the ETF to $18.16 million, marking a $4.74 million increase from the previous period [4]. Group 3: Holdings and Sector Allocation - The fund's top holdings include significant non-U.S. stocks such as Taiwan Semiconductor (TSMC), Tencent Holdings, and ASML, which are crucial for the global economy [6]. - Despite a notable presence in technology, the fund has a heavier investment in the financial and industrial sectors, contributing to its diversification and potential returns [7].

Core Insights - Valuation and economic concerns regarding the United States are increasing, leading to a focus on international investment options in 2025 that are outperforming the S&P 500 [1] Group 1 - International ETFs are gaining attention as they show better performance compared to the S&P 500 amid rising concerns in the U.S. market [1]

Core Insights - The international equity proposition has gained traction as the MSCI EAFE Index has significantly outperformed the S&P 500, prompting advisors and investors to consider allocating more to ex-US markets [1] - The ALPS O'Shares International Developed Quality Dividend ETF (OEFA) is highlighted as a viable option for diversifying US-heavy portfolios, showing performance comparable to the S&P 500 over the past year [2] Group 1: Market Dynamics - A small number of US companies dominate the value of US stocks, leading to an all-time high in concentration risk [3] - While current tech companies are profitable, there are concerns that some may falter for various reasons, indicating potential vulnerabilities in the market [3] Group 2: OEFA Advantages - OEFA offers a different sector profile compared to US-focused funds, which is significant given the current dominance of domestic communication services and technology stocks [4] - The ETF's reduced reliance on growth sectors may benefit investors if the market shifts towards value sectors, with industrial, consumer cyclical, and healthcare stocks making up over 61% of its holdings [5] Group 3: International Exposure - International stocks tend to have a higher concentration in sectors outside of technology and communications services, suggesting that future growth may be concentrated outside the US [6] - OEFA provides exposure to eight GICS sectors and includes stocks from 15 countries, enhancing breadth in international investment [6]