DoubleLine Capital CEO Jeffrey Gundlach said Wednesday he expects the Federal Reserve to stay on hold for the remainder of Jerome Powell's term as chair with a more balanced outlook for the economy."I think I would bet pretty heavily that there's not another rate cut under Jay Powell," Gundlach said on CNBC's "Closing Bell." "I think he's going out of his way to emphasize that inflation is a little elevated, but not as bad as maybe it was feared a few months ago, that the unemployment rate is no longer sepa ...

James Foord is an economist by trade and has been analyzing global markets for the past decade. He leads the investing group The Pragmatic Investor where the focus is on building robust and truly diversified portfolios that will continually preserve and increase wealth. The Pragmatic Investor covers global macro, international equities, commodities, tech and cryptocurrencies and is designed to guide investors of all levels in their journey. Features include a The Pragmatic Investor Portfolio, weekly market ...

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]

As the dollar weakens and the migration to international equities continues, investors might still be on the fence when it comes to getting exposure. In other instances, they've done the research and have the confidence to dive right in. In both cases, the actively managed Fidelity Fundamental Developed International ETF (FFDI) is worthy of consideration. Fidelity Investments® is an independent company unaffiliated with VettaFi LLC ("VettaFi†). These articles do not form any kind of legal partnership, age ...

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]

Core Insights - The current market environment is characterized by geopolitical tensions, easing monetary policy, and high levels of cash reserves, creating uncertainty and potential investment opportunities [1][2][3] - Approximately $7 trillion in cash is currently sitting on the sidelines, representing one of the highest levels in decades, which presents a significant opportunity for active managers to attract capital [3] - Investors are increasingly considering reallocating funds into international equities, as the U.S. equity market is trading at a premium compared to international markets, indicating potential for substantial returns [5] Market Conditions - The easing monetary policy is expected to apply downward pressure on the dollar, which could enhance the attractiveness of international equities [4] - Many investors have been hesitant to participate in the markets due to lofty valuations, particularly in large tech stocks driven by AI themes [2] Investment Opportunities - Active management is essential when navigating international markets due to their unique risks and opportunities, including tariffs [5] - Thornburg's actively managed funds, such as the Thornburg International Equity ETF (TXUE) and Thornburg International Growth Fund ETF (TXUG), are positioned to capitalize on these opportunities [6]

Core Insights - The resurgence of international equities is a significant theme for advisors and investors in 2025, with the MSCI EAFE Index up 24.1% year-to-date compared to the S&P 500's 12.4% return [1] - The NEOS MSCI EAFE High Income ETF (NIHI) offers a higher income proposition for investors in ex-U.S. developed market equities, yielding 2.75%, which is more than double the yield of competing S&P 500 ETFs [1] Group 1 - NIHI debuted last month and follows a simple strategy of selling calls on the iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF (IEFA), avoiding complex options strategies that can lead to net asset value erosion [2] - The popularity of covered call ETFs has surged, particularly after the 2022 bond bear market, but they come with risks that investors should be aware of [3] - Covered call ETFs provide income through options contract premiums and dividends, but they may limit upside potential if call options are exercised [4] Group 2 - NEOS has demonstrated the ability to manage risks associated with call-writing while allowing for some upside participation for investors [4] - NIHI aims to balance income generation with potential upside, appealing to income-focused investors who also seek some growth [5] - Covered call ETFs may be particularly attractive when underlying securities are expected to trade sideways or decline slightly, allowing investors to trade off potential gains for near-term income [6]