Core Insights - International equities and value-oriented strategies are gaining investor interest, particularly highlighted by the inflows into the American Century Quality Diversified International ETF (QINT) [3][5] - The QINT fund has attracted over $27 million in the last month and nearly $88 million year-to-date, indicating strong demand for international exposure [4] - American Century manages nearly $6 billion across more than 15 ETFs, with the largest being the American Century U.S. Quality Growth ETF (QGRO) at over $2 billion [4] International Equities - The appeal of QINT is attributed to its international exposure, as non-U.S. markets have outperformed recently, prompting advisors to seek diversification outside the U.S. [5][6] - Testani noted that 70% of companies are located outside the U.S., while the U.S. accounts for nearly two-thirds of global market capitalization but only 25%-30% of global GDP, suggesting significant opportunities abroad [6] Value Investing - As investors become disillusioned with the concentration of the "Magnificent Seven" stocks in U.S. indexes, there is a growing interest in value investments [7][8] - The top 10 names in U.S. growth indexes represent almost 60% of the index, while in the S&P 500, they account for nearly 40%, indicating a high concentration risk [7] - Funds like the Focused Large Cap Value ETF (FLV) are gaining traction by providing broader exposure to sectors such as healthcare and financials [8][9] Municipal Bonds - The American Century Diversified Municipal Bond ETF (TAXF) is attracting interest, having pulled in approximately $38 million year-to-date, with a total of $582 million in assets [11] - Municipal bonds offer tax exemptions and have a low default rate, with some bonds classified as high yield due to lack of ratings, presenting opportunities for active managers [12][13] - Nearly 13% of TAXF's portfolio consists of high-yield municipal bonds, indicating a fertile ground for value addition in the municipal bond space [13]

Core Insights - International equities have gained significant attention in 2026, with investors increasingly seeking ex-U.S. offerings despite geopolitical volatility [1] - The American Century Quality Diversified International ETF (QINT) presents a quality-focused investment opportunity in the international equities space [1][2] Fund Overview - QINT charges a fee of 34 basis points to track the American Century Quality Diversified International Equity Index, targeting companies with strong growth prospects and healthy financials [2] - The ETF emphasizes larger, less volatile firms with appealing fundamentals, balancing growth and value stocks based on market conditions [3] Performance Metrics - Launched in 2018, QINT has shown strong long-term performance, returning 21% over the last year, outperforming its ETF Database Foreign Large Cap Equities Category average [4] - Recent global economic turmoil has led to the ETF being considered oversold, suggesting a potential buying opportunity [5] Investment Strategy - QINT's rules-based index approach is more focused than typical international equities ETFs, utilizing a smaller, more refined list of equity investments [3][6] - The emphasis on quality in ex-U.S. equities may differentiate QINT from other ETFs that primarily assess firms based on market capitalization [6]

Core Insights - The shift in focus from domestic tech investments to international investing is gaining momentum due to the high concentration of U.S. equities, where the top ten stocks account for 40% of the index [1] Group 1: International Investment Opportunities - International markets represent approximately 35% of global benchmarks, yet the average private client portfolio only allocates about 5% to these markets [3] - Over 70% of investable equities are located outside the U.S., often trading at 20-year valuation lows, presenting a significant opportunity for diversification [3] Group 2: Investment Strategies - The panel highlighted the risks associated with market-cap weighting in international indexes, suggesting that passive investment strategies may lead to exposure to stagnant "museum stocks" [4] - Active or factor-based ETFs are recommended to capture growth in emerging markets like India and Japan [4] Group 3: Managing Risks - Currency volatility is a concern for international investments, but currency-hedged ETFs can help mitigate overall portfolio risk [5] - The panel emphasized that international investing should be viewed as a form of insurance rather than merely a performance chase [5] Group 4: ETF Offerings - American Century offers several ETFs for international exposure, including the American Century Quality Diversified International ETF (QINT), Avantis International Small Cap Equity ETF (AVDS), and Avantis Emerging Markets Equity ETF (AVEM) [5] - Franklin Templeton's international ETF lineup includes the Franklin International Dividend Booster Index ETF (XIDV), Franklin International Core Dividend Tilt Index ETF (DIVI), and Franklin International Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF (LVHI) [6]

Core Viewpoint - The American Century Quality Diversified International ETF (QINT) is highlighted as a notable investment option in the current market, emphasizing its strategic approach to international equity investments [1]. Group 1: ETF Overview - QINT focuses on quality companies with strong fundamentals, aiming to provide diversified exposure to international markets [1]. - The ETF is designed to capture growth opportunities while managing risks associated with international investments [1]. Group 2: Expert Insights - Todd Rosenbluth, Head of Research at VettaFi, provides insights into the ETF's performance and strategic positioning during the podcast [1]. - The discussion includes the importance of quality and diversification in enhancing investment returns in the international equity space [1].

Core Insights - The American Century Quality Diversified International ETF (QINT) has recently surpassed half a billion in assets under management (AUM), marking a significant milestone for the fund [1] - The ETF has experienced a notable inflow of $40 million over the last month, contributing to an overall AUM increase of $67 million [1] - QINT's strategy focuses on quality and diversification, targeting large- and midcap stocks with strong financials and growth potential, which has resulted in a 39.6% return over the past year, outperforming the average in its category [1] International Equities Trend - There is a growing trend among investors to diversify away from U.S. equities, driven by concerns over concentration risk and the search for better valuations in foreign markets [1] - Demand for international equity ETFs, including QINT, has been strong as advisors seek to diversify client portfolios [1] - The ETF's price is currently above both its 50- and 200-day simple moving averages, indicating a positive market signal [1] Fund Characteristics - QINT charges a management fee of 40 basis points, positioning it competitively within the ETF market [1] - The fund's approach of avoiding less volatile firms and adapting between growth and value styles enhances its performance compared to traditional passive funds [1] - The upcoming Exchange conference will feature discussions on QINT and its strategies, highlighting its appeal to financial advisors [1]

Core Insights - The ETF industry is experiencing a record-breaking trajectory, with the upcoming Exchange conference set to be a significant event for the sector [1] - The conference will take place from March 15–18, 2026, at the Virgin Hotel in Las Vegas, serving as a key gathering for financial advisors and industry stakeholders [1] - The event will feature sessions on international diversification and digital assets, highlighting the evolving landscape of ETFs and cryptocurrency [1] Group 1: Conference Details - The Exchange conference is described as the definitive summit for the ETF ecosystem, bringing together advisors, data providers, issuers, and thought leaders [1] - Todd Sohn from Strategas Asset Management emphasizes the importance of in-person interactions at the event, which contrasts with the digital interactions prevalent in the industry [1] - The agenda includes the ETF Study Hall, where intensive due diligence sessions will be led by industry experts [1] Group 2: Key Sessions - A session titled "A Smarter Way to Invest Internationally" will be moderated by Todd Sohn, focusing on strategies like the Franklin International Dividend Multiplier ETF (XIDV) and the American Century Quality Diversified International ETF (QINT) [1] - Another session will address the incorporation of cryptocurrency products into investment portfolios, moderated by Nate Geraci, featuring insights from industry professionals [1] - The discussions aim to provide actionable data for advisors to manage client expectations and portfolio risks amid a volatile global market [1]

Core Viewpoint - The discussion centers around the performance of foreign equities in 2026, with contrasting views on whether they can replicate the strong returns seen in 2025. One analyst expresses skepticism about the sustainability of last year's gains, while the other remains optimistic about continued favorable conditions for international strategies [1][7]. Performance Metrics - The S&P World ex-U.S. Index achieved a 34.5% return as of January 9, 2026. Notable ETFs included the KraneShares Emerging Markets Consumer Technology Index ETF (KEMQ) with a 56.2% return, the Avantis International Small Cap Value ETF (AVDV) at 49.4%, and the VanEck Africa Index (AFK) with a remarkable 74.7% return in 2025 [3][4]. Market Conditions - The uncertainty surrounding the U.S. economy continues to drive investor interest in foreign equities. The U.S. job market showed weak performance, adding only 50,000 jobs in December 2025, which was below expectations and marked the lowest job growth in five years [9][10]. - Geopolitical risks are highlighted as a significant concern for foreign equities in 2026, with potential conflicts in regions like Venezuela and Ukraine posing threats to market stability [23][25][26]. Investment Opportunities - Diversification through international markets is emphasized, with both developed and emerging markets presenting strong opportunities. Investing in a mix of these markets can enhance portfolio diversification [11][19]. - The American Century Quality Diversified International ETF (QINT) is noted for its strategy of investing in large- and mid-cap stocks outside the U.S. with strong fundamentals, achieving a 38.02% return year-to-date as of December 31, 2025 [22][21]. Sector Analysis - The discussion includes a focus on sectors such as precious metals and technology, with a cautionary note on the sustainability of returns from mining-focused ETFs. The potential for growth in AI and defense sectors is also mentioned, driven by increased spending commitments from NATO members [12][18][17]. Regional Insights - Analysts express concerns about Europe's growth potential, citing slower earnings growth and structural challenges. The outlook for Asia, particularly India, is also cautious, with projections indicating a slowdown compared to 2025 [14][15]. - China's market is highlighted for its resilience and potential growth opportunities, particularly in the tech sector, with expectations for a new five-year plan to stimulate the economy [32][33].

Core Insights - Investors showed interest in durable growth amidst tech volatility and sought income and alternative diversification in November [1][2] Growth Focus - The Invesco QQQ Trust (QQQ) and Invesco NASDAQ 100 ETF (QQQM) experienced a decline in value, yet there was significant interest in large cap growth funds [3] - The article "These ETFs Are on the Right Side of Tech Earnings Chasm" highlighted the earnings season for technology proxies within Invesco ETFs, discussing potential benefits from AI, particularly focusing on Alphabet and Amazon [3] Income Resilience - Alerian energy infrastructure ETFs outperformed QQQ in November, with a notable interest in their income components [4] - The Alerian MLP ETF (AMLP) distribution increased by 5% year-over-year, while the Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF (ENFR) distribution grew by 10% [4] Core Strategy - The Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta US Large Cap Equity ETF (GSLC) surpassed $15 billion in assets under management, primarily due to price appreciation [5] - The multi-factor index of GSLC incorporates momentum, quality, low volatility, and value, positioning it as a competitive option for core equity allocation [5] International Access - The American Century Quality Diversified International ETF (QINT) outperformed its category average through an index-based quality approach [6] - The portfolio includes significant holdings in large financials like Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria SA and luxury goods companies like Hermes International [6] Alternative Income - The Calamos CEF Income & Arbitrage ETF (CCEF) focuses on closed-end funds trading at discounts to net asset value (NAV), providing a unique income and diversification strategy [7] - CCEF offered a nearly 8% yield as of September 2025, appealing to investors amid uncertainty in traditional bond strategies [7]

Core Viewpoint - Investors are increasingly interested in global ex-U.S. stocks, driven by a strong performance in foreign equities and a weakened U.S. dollar, prompting a potential upgrade from underweight positions in international equities [1] Group 1: Investment Opportunities - The ETF ecosystem offers various options for gaining exposure to ex-U.S. stocks, but not all ETFs are equally effective [1] - The American Century Quality Diversified International ETF (QINT) is highlighted as a quality-focused option, charging a fee of 39 basis points to track the American Century Quality Diversified International Equity Index [2] - QINT emphasizes large- and midcap stocks with strong financials, growth prospects, and attractive fundamentals [2] Group 2: Performance Metrics - QINT has achieved a year-to-date return of 33.7%, outperforming its category average, and has returned 29.6% over the last year, also exceeding its average [3] - The quality approach of QINT has led to a distinct portfolio compared to other international ETFs, including significant holdings in large financial firms like Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria SA (BBVA) and luxury brand Hermes International (HESAY) [4] Group 3: Strategic Focus - QINT's focus on quality metrics is expected to continue differentiating it from other ETFs, providing diversification and performance without heavily relying on trends like the AI revolution [4]