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Vanguard FTSE Developed All Cap ex North America Index ETF (VIU $41.10)
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Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets All Cap Index ETF (VEE $45.11)
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SPDR EURO Stoxx 50 ETF (FEZ $60.60)
I’m very pleased with my portfolio growth and I have your team to thank for the advice and suggestions. In my portfolio analysis, your suggestion is for me to have 30 per cent allocated to international stocks. Since the vast majority of your advice and reports pertain to Canadian and to a lesser extent American stocks, how do I gain the expertise and suggestions having to do with international investing? Is it really a concern or can I accomplish steady growth without the full 30 percent international diversification? Thanks
It can be a difficult exercise. Many Canadian and US companies have a lot of international business exposure as well, and this provides some additional diversification. But often, regions move together. For example this year Europe has done very well as investors went into an 'avoid the US' stance. International stocks are also (right now) much cheaper. It can be quite difficult to select individual companies on international markets, but it is possible. Some investors will buy several of the largest safest companies in different regions. But the easier way is to get exposure via diversified ETFs. We typically suggest VIU, which is an international ETF that excludes North America. It can be a good option for investors who already have US and Canada exposure. There are also lots of regional ETFs as well, for example FEZ if one wants European exposure, or VEE for emerging markets. For portfolio allocation, we would still prefer at least some direct international or ETF exposure rather than assuming that Canadian/US companies will have enough business exposure internationally.