Going global U.S. stock indices continue to hit record highs day after day, but when zooming out to the rest of the globe, many other markets are eating those returns for breakfast. It's been somewhat of an anomaly in 2025, given that the last time international stocks had their moment was in the 2000s. U.S. exceptionalism, global growth struggles, and wars in Europe and the Middle East all seemed to dominate market headlines until recently, making many investors question just exactly what is going on ...

Market Outlook - Markets anticipate the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates in September following a disappointing jobs report [1] - Fidelity leaders discuss the likelihood of a rate cut in September and its potential implications for investors [1] - The discussion includes the potential impact of tariffs [1] Historical Analysis - The report examines historical data to understand the effects of rate cuts on the markets [1] Investment Strategies - The discussion covers the bond market and the 60/40 portfolio strategy [1] - The report identifies potential investment opportunities [1] Economic Factors - The report analyzes the relationship between rate cuts and inflation [1] - The future actions of the Federal Reserve are considered [1]

Market Trends & Opportunities - International stocks have outperformed US stocks in 2025 [1] - Potential investment opportunities exist in Europe, Germany, and Japan [1] - International AI is a growing area of interest [1] Economic Factors - A weaker dollar could be a contributing factor to international stock success [1] - Fiscal stimulus in Europe may be driving growth [1] - Economic drivers in Japan are worth considering [1] Investment Considerations - Investors should consider whether international stocks are a bargain or a value trap [1] - The report addresses whether it's too late for investors to capitalize on the international stock rally [1] Other Topics - The report touches on tariff deadlines [1] - Meme stocks are briefly discussed [1]

Macroeconomic Context - A weaker U.S. dollar is making international stocks more attractive as it increases the value of foreign earnings when converted to USD [1][2] - The Trump administration's One Big, Beautiful Bill raised the debt ceiling, leading to inflationary pressures on the dollar despite some spending cuts [2] - Analysts expect the Federal Reserve to begin cutting interest rates in the fall, which may further support international stock investments [2] Investment Opportunities - Mizuho Financial Group is gaining investor interest as Japanese stocks are seen as undervalued, particularly with the Bank of Japan cautiously raising interest rates [3][4] - Mizuho's stock has increased by about 20% in 2025, driven by improved loan profitability and earnings power due to a steepening yield curve [4] - United Microelectronics Corp. is positioned as a stable investment in the semiconductor sector, focusing on mature nodes needed for automotive and IoT applications, despite facing tariff concerns [7][8] - United Micro's stock is up 9.7% in 2025, with a stable net margin of 19%, although it has seen a decline of 5.6% over the last 12 months [8] - Suzano S.A., the world's largest pulp producer, is benefiting from recovering pulp prices and a joint venture with Kimberly-Clark, with its stock up nearly 5% in the last three months [11][12] - The Brazilian real's strengthening adds to the bullish case for Suzano, as its products are priced in dollars, indicating potential for growth [13]

Market Trend - Goldman Sachs' Peter Oppenheimer advised investors to shift to international stocks due to the US market's high valuation [1] - The shift to international stocks is expected to yield further benefits this year [1]

Market Trends & Sentiment - The market's current highs, reminiscent of pre-peak levels in November 2021, are accompanied by a "memeish mood," but it's less extreme than in 2021 [1] - Investors are taking profits from tech stocks and seeking temporary alternative investments while the market is at all-time highs [1] - A return to retail investors' favorite stocks like Nvidia and Tesla is expected in about a month, leading to a cooling off of meme stocks [1] Portfolio Strategy & Diversification - The current market environment makes diversification a hard sell, but it's a good time for concerned investors to exit before potential market corrections [1][2] - International stocks, including international ETFs, are a decent bet, especially in the tech sector, given the global spread of AI development [2][3][4] - Emerging Asia, particularly China, is considered a speculative investment due to data reliability and legal restrictions for American investors [6][7][8] AI Investment Landscape - The AI trade is expected to continue due to significant investments from companies like Meta and Microsoft, each investing $80 billion annually, and Alphabet increasing its capital expenditure by $10 billion [5] - The US dominance in AI tech is unlikely to continue, with the EU, Latin America, and Asian countries also making advancements [4]