International diversification reduces concentration risk in any single market. Learn why home country bias is dangerous, the case for international allocation, and the best funds for global investing.
US stocks have performed exceptionally well over the past decade. This creates home country bias: investors overweight their home market because recent performance confirms their comfort.
Historically, different markets lead in different decades. Japan led in the 1980s. Emerging markets led in the 2000s. The US led in the 2010s. International diversification reduces the risk of any single market dominating your portfolio.
US market: 60% of global market cap.
International developed markets: ~30% (Europe, Japan, Australia, Canada).
Emerging markets: ~10% (China, India, Brazil, Taiwan, etc.).
A globally market-cap-weighted portfolio is approximately 60% US, 40% international.
Many experts recommend 20-40% international allocation. Warren Buffett famously suggests 90% S&P 500, 10% short-term bonds — but he is unusual in his US-only approach.
VXUS: Vanguard Total International Stock ETF. Covers entire international market excluding US. Expense ratio: 0.07%.
VEA: Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF. Developed countries only (no emerging).
VWO: Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF. Emerging market exposure only.
VWRA: For non-US investors. Vanguard FTSE All-World Accumulating. Entire global market in one fund.
As a freelancer earning in multiple currencies, your income is already internationally diversified. A US-heavy portfolio counterbalances non-USD income. Consider your total financial picture, not just your investment portfolio, when deciding on international allocation.
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