Core Insights - A weakening U.S. dollar is prompting a shift towards international equities as investors seek better opportunities abroad [1] - Valuations in domestic markets are perceived as stretched, further encouraging this transition to international investments [1] Group 1 - The VictoryShares International Free Cash Flow Growth ETF (GRIN) is highlighted as a potential beneficiary of this trend towards international equities [1]

Core Insights - The article emphasizes the importance of international equity exposure for investors, highlighting that significant market value exists outside the U.S. [2] - The Schwab International Equity ETF (SCHF) offers a low-cost solution to address home bias in investing, providing access to developed market equities [2][3] Group 1: Fund Overview - SCHF manages approximately $55.4 billion in assets and provides access to around 1,300 established companies across Europe, Japan, Canada, and Australia [3] - The fund's expense ratio is notably low at 0.03% annually, allowing investors to retain more of their returns while benefiting from a 2.35% dividend yield [3] Group 2: Performance Comparison - Over the past decade, SCHF returned 167%, while the SPY delivered 264%, resulting in a 97 percentage point performance gap primarily due to U.S. tech dominance and dollar strength [4][8] - Recent performance indicates a positive trend, with SCHF gaining 35% over the past year, significantly higher than its five-year annualized return of 11% [6] Group 3: Competitive Advantage - SCHF's cost structure is a key differentiator, with its 0.03% expense ratio significantly lower than competitors like EFA at 0.32% and comparable to VEA at 0.05% [7] - The fee difference compounds over time, favoring cost-conscious investors and enhancing long-term returns [7]

Core Viewpoint - DoubleLine Capital CEO Jeffrey Gundlach anticipates that the Federal Reserve will maintain its current interest rates for the remainder of Jerome Powell's term, reflecting a more balanced economic outlook [1][2]. Group 1: Federal Reserve's Current Stance - The Federal Reserve has kept its overnight lending rate steady at a range of 3.5% to 3.75%, indicating that economic activity is expanding at a solid pace [3]. - Powell noted that the unemployment rate is stabilizing and that the current policy is not significantly restrictive [3]. Group 2: Future Expectations - Gundlach predicts that there will not be another rate cut under Powell, emphasizing that inflation is elevated but not as concerning as previously feared [2]. - Fed funds futures trading indicates expectations of two quarter percentage point cuts by the end of 2026, according to the CME FedWatch Tool [4]. Group 3: Investment Strategy - Gundlach recommends that investors consider allocating 30% to 40% of their portfolios to unhedged international equities, which could benefit from local currency gains against the U.S. dollar [4].

Core Insights - The article highlights the expertise of James Foord, an economist with a decade of experience in analyzing global markets, and his leadership role in The Pragmatic Investor, which focuses on building diversified investment portfolios [1] Group 1: Company Overview - The Pragmatic Investor aims to preserve and increase wealth through robust portfolio construction [1] - The investment group covers various sectors including global macro, international equities, commodities, technology, and cryptocurrencies [1] Group 2: Services Offered - The Pragmatic Investor provides features such as a dedicated portfolio, weekly market updates, actionable trades, technical analysis, and a chat room for investor engagement [1]

Core Insights - International equities experienced a strong performance in 2025, primarily driven by a focus on valuations [1] - The opportunity for international equities is expanding and is now supported by fundamental factors, increasing the appetite for investment in this sector [1] Summary by Categories Performance - The strong performance of international equities in 2025 indicates a positive trend in the market [1] Investment Sentiment - There is a growing appetite for exposure to international equities as the market conditions improve and fundamental support becomes evident [1]

Group 1 - International equities have shown significant performance improvement over the past year, outperforming U.S.-based funds [1] - Many international funds that were previously trading at discounts compared to U.S. equities have quietly gained traction [1]

Core Insights - International equities performed strongly last year, driven by foreign firms across various regions, but replicating this success may be challenging for investors [1] - Small-cap international equities, such as those offered by the Avantis International Small Cap Equity ETF (AVDS), present opportunities for greater upside and growth potential [1][4] Performance Comparison - AVDS significantly outperformed the S&P 500, returning 47.4% compared to the S&P 500's 21.2% over the past year [2] - AVDS also surpassed other international equities strategies, including the WisdomTree True Developed International Fund (DOL), which returned 42.5% [2] Investment Strategy - The Avantis International Small Cap Value ETF (AVDV) focuses on value-oriented small-cap firms and has attracted over $5 billion in investments while delivering a return of 58.8% [3] - Smaller firms are believed to offer greater growth potential, especially when selected through fundamental analysis, which may enhance their resilience during uncertain times [4]

Core Viewpoint - The actively managed Fidelity Fundamental Developed International ETF (FFDI) is a strong option for investors seeking exposure to international equities amid a weakening dollar and ongoing market uncertainties [1][2]. Group 1: Market Trends - The migration to international equities has been a consistent trend this year, despite macroeconomic uncertainties such as tariffs, geopolitical tensions, and changing interest rate policies in the U.S. [2] - Potential further rate cuts by the U.S. Federal Reserve in 2026 may encourage more investors to shift towards international equities as the dollar weakens [3]. Group 2: Fund Characteristics - FFDI focuses on equities in developed markets, which helps mitigate risks associated with emerging markets that are more volatile due to less stable economies [4]. - The fund employs active management, allowing portfolio managers to adjust holdings based on current market conditions, which is crucial for navigating the complexities of international markets [5]. - FFDI utilizes fundamental research and a quantitative approach for portfolio construction, primarily allocating to large-cap companies for stability and growth potential [6].

Core Insights - Uncertainty in the U.S. economy is expected to persist, prompting advisors and investors to diversify away from U.S. equities [1] - International equities are increasingly favored for diversification and can yield returns similar to U.S. equities [2] - Active management is essential for navigating the complexities of international investing, allowing for better asset allocation and opportunity identification [2] Group 1: International Equity Investment - Many investors are broadening their international equity exposure for diversification and return potential [2] - International equities introduce various economic and geopolitical risks, necessitating careful asset allocation [2] - Active management can enhance the ability to navigate different countries and sectors, optimizing investment opportunities [2] Group 2: MFS Active International ETF (MFSI) - MFSI is an actively managed fund focused on capital appreciation through international equities [3] - The fund emphasizes fundamental analysis and seeks high-quality, attractively valued companies [3] - MFSI has achieved a year-to-date NAV increase of 21.44% as of September 30, 2025, indicating strong performance [3]

Core Insights - Adventist Health System West established a new position in the iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF (IXUS) valued at approximately $38.2 million as of September 30, representing 6.2% of its reportable 13F assets under management [1][3][6] Investment Details - The fund acquired approximately 462,368 shares of IXUS during the third quarter, with shares priced at $83.98 as of the latest market close [2][3] - IXUS has a net asset value of $50.9 billion and a one-year total return of 17.5% [4][5] Strategic Shift - This investment reflects Adventist Health's strategy to pivot towards broader, diversified global exposure, moving away from more volatile emerging markets [6][10] - The organization manages about $600 million in equity assets to support its $6 billion nonprofit healthcare operation, aiming for long-term growth and liquidity [9] ETF Overview - IXUS provides comprehensive access to global equity markets outside the United States, including both developed and emerging markets, capturing over 4,000 global stocks [5][9] - The fund is passively managed and designed for long-term international equity allocation, serving as a core holding for diversified portfolios [7][9]