International

International mutual funds and ETFs invest in a wide range of asset... International mutual funds and ETFs invest in a wide range of asset classes, including equities, fixed income, commodities, and alternatives, in a range of countries or regions outside the U.S. Depending on the fund in question and its mandate, it may have exposure to developed markets, emerging markets, frontier markets, the so-called BRIC countries (Brazil, Russia, India, and China), EAFE (Europe, Australasia, and the Middle East) and small regions, among others. As a result, these funds have the flexibility to allocate funds to one (single asset) or a combination (multi-asset) of different asset classes depending on the fund objective and economic environment. Several of these funds and ETFs can be actively managed as they require special knowledge of foreign markets and active management may increase the chances of generating a higher return compared to an index fund or passive ETF. The fixed-income portion of these funds may invest in debt securities varying by type (government or corporate), credit quality (investment-grade or junk), duration (short or long), and strategy (inflation-protected or sector-diversified). The equity portion of these funds may invest in common equities, and these can vary by market capitalization (small or large), dividend income (total income or high income), and strategy (sector-based or factor-based), among others. The alternatives portion of these funds may invest in strategies including real estate, currency trading, commodities, derivatives or other techniques relying on volatility, hedge fund, or quantitative strategies. Investors looking to diversify their holdings and minimize downside risk, arising in the U.S, typically look for international funds and ETFs. Aggressive investors looking to take higher risk might prefer investing in emerging market or frontier market securities, while conservative investors might consider investing in developed market securities. Additionally, someone with a short-term bullish outlook on certain markets outside the U.S. might look for international funds and ETFs with a higher tilt toward high-quality debt securities. On the other hand, someone looking for an alternative developed region, might want to invest in international funds and ETFs focused on a country such as Germany or Japan. Last Updated: 12/24/2024 View more View less

International mutual funds and ETFs invest in a wide range of asset classes, including equities, fixed income, commodities, and alternatives, in a range of countries or regions outside the U.S. Depending on the... International mutual funds and ETFs invest in a wide range of asset classes, including equities, fixed income, commodities, and alternatives, in a range of countries or regions outside the U.S. Depending on the fund in question and its mandate, it may have exposure to developed markets, emerging markets, frontier markets, the so-called BRIC countries (Brazil, Russia, India, and China), EAFE (Europe, Australasia, and the Middle East) and small regions, among others. As a result, these funds have the flexibility to allocate funds to one (single asset) or a combination (multi-asset) of different asset classes depending on the fund objective and economic environment. Several of these funds and ETFs can be actively managed as they require special knowledge of foreign markets and active management may increase the chances of generating a higher return compared to an index fund or passive ETF. The fixed-income portion of these funds may invest in debt securities varying by type (government or corporate), credit quality (investment-grade or junk), duration (short or long), and strategy (inflation-protected or sector-diversified). The equity portion of these funds may invest in common equities, and these can vary by market capitalization (small or large), dividend income (total income or high income), and strategy (sector-based or factor-based), among others. The alternatives portion of these funds may invest in strategies including real estate, currency trading, commodities, derivatives or other techniques relying on volatility, hedge fund, or quantitative strategies. Investors looking to diversify their holdings and minimize downside risk, arising in the U.S, typically look for international funds and ETFs. Aggressive investors looking to take higher risk might prefer investing in emerging market or frontier market securities, while conservative investors might consider investing in developed market securities. Additionally, someone with a short-term bullish outlook on certain markets outside the U.S. might look for international funds and ETFs with a higher tilt toward high-quality debt securities. On the other hand, someone looking for an alternative developed region, might want to invest in international funds and ETFs focused on a country such as Germany or Japan. Last Updated: 12/24/2024 View more View less