Lower valuations can translate into higher expected returns, particularly if earnings growth stabilizes and investor sentiment improves. In contrast, elevated U.S. valuations increase sensitivity to earnings disappointments and interest rate changes.
Compared to developed markets, emerging markets could offer access to higher-growth economies driven by urbanization, rising middle classes, and technological adoption. These structural tailwinds support long-term earnings growth and provide diversification beyond developed markets.
The Power of Diversification
Diversification remains one of the most reliable tools for managing risk in an investment portfolio. International equities help reduce overall portfolio volatility because global markets are not necessarily correlated with the U.S. stock market.
Global markets have their own distinct economic cycles, monetary policies, and geopolitical influences. As a result, international investments can provide a buffer during periods when U.S. markets underperform.
Additionally, global diversification reduces reliance on any single economy. With the U.S. now accounting for more than 60% of global equity market capitalization, which is up from nearly 40% in 1987, overconcentration in something to consider.
Currency and Policy Tailwinds
Currency dynamics can also enhance returns. The weakening of the U.S. dollar in 2025 increased the value of foreign-denominated assets for U.S.-based investors. Typically, a weakening dollar could act as an additional tailwind for international equities.
Furthermore, several international markets are undergoing structural reforms aimed at improving shareholder returns and corporate governance. Initiatives in Japan, China, and South Korea are encouraging more efficient capital allocation and enhancing long-term equity performance potential.
Managing the Risks
As with any type of investing, there are risks. Currency fluctuations, geopolitical uncertainty, and varying regulatory environments can introduce volatility. Emerging and frontier markets, in particular, carry higher risk profiles.
However, these risks can be mitigated through thoughtful allocation and diversification across regions and market types. Moreover, current valuations in many international markets may already compensate investors for assuming these risks.
Overcoming Home-Country Bias
Some investors exhibit a natural home-country bias, favoring U.S. investments due to familiarity and perceived stability. While understandable, this bias can limit opportunity and reduce diversification benefits.
Given that a sizable portion of global economic activity and corporate leadership exists outside the United States, investors are better positioned by having a globally diversified portfolio.
The Bottom Line
For high-net-worth investors seeking to optimize long-term investment outcomes, international equities offer a compelling combination of diversification, valuation opportunity, and exposure to global growth. With U.S. market concentration near historic highs and international markets trading at attractive levels, the case for expanding beyond domestic borders is strong.
A disciplined allocation to international equities can help ensure that portfolios can capture opportunities wherever they emerge.
The World is Your Oyster
by Bruce Hoffmann
For much of the past decade, U.S. equities have led global markets, delivering strong and consistent returns. Even though investors in U.S. stocks have done well, it may be worthwhile considering portfolio diversification through international equities.
Markets move in cycles, and leadership rotates over time. A globally diversified approach that includes international equities can potentially enhance returns, reduce concentration risk, and position your portfolio to benefit from a broader range of economic drivers.
A History of Rotating Leadership
History shows that U.S. and international equities have each outperformed at different periods over time. There have been extended stretches when non-U.S. markets have led, driven by differences in economic cycles, sector composition, and valuations.
Today’s market environment underscores this cyclical dynamic. International markets are more heavily weighted toward value-oriented and cyclical sectors such as financials, industrials, materials, and energy. In an environment where inflation remains structurally higher than the prior decade, these sectors may be better positioned to outperform relative to the growth-heavy U.S. market.
The Opportunity Beneath the Surface
A significant share of the world’s top-performing companies is based outside the United States. This highlights an important point: global innovation and corporate leadership are not confined to U.S. borders. This is especially true when it comes to AI and the need for speed and semiconductor technology, which is primarily manufactured in South Korea and Taiwan.
By investing internationally, investors gain exposure to different growth engines, industry leaders, and structural trends that may not be fully represented in U.S. companies. In addition, the global equity landscape offers broader sector diversification, helping to balance portfolios that may be overly concentrated in U.S. technology stocks.
Valuations and Forward Return Potential
One of the most compelling arguments for international equities today is valuation. Compared to U.S. stocks, international markets are trading at a meaningful discount on a forward earnings basis. This valuation gap has persisted for years and may create a more attractive entry point for long-term investors.
Lower valuations can translate into higher expected returns, particularly if earnings growth stabilizes and investor sentiment improves. In contrast, elevated U.S. valuations increase sensitivity to earnings disappointments and interest rate changes.
Compared to developed markets, emerging markets could offer access to higher-growth economies driven by urbanization, rising middle classes, and technological adoption. These structural tailwinds support long-term earnings growth and provide diversification beyond developed markets.
The Power of Diversification
Diversification remains one of the most reliable tools for managing risk in an investment portfolio. International equities help reduce overall portfolio volatility because global markets are not necessarily correlated with the U.S. stock market.
Global markets have their own distinct economic cycles, monetary policies, and geopolitical influences. As a result, international investments can provide a buffer during periods when U.S. markets underperform.
Additionally, global diversification reduces reliance on any single economy. With the U.S. now accounting for more than 60% of global equity market capitalization, which is up from nearly 40% in 1987, overconcentration in something to consider.
Currency and Policy Tailwinds
Currency dynamics can also enhance returns. The weakening of the U.S. dollar in 2025 increased the value of foreign-denominated assets for U.S.-based investors. Typically, a weakening dollar could act as an additional tailwind for international equities.
Furthermore, several international markets are undergoing structural reforms aimed at improving shareholder returns and corporate governance. Initiatives in Japan, China, and South Korea are encouraging more efficient capital allocation and enhancing long-term equity performance potential.
Managing the Risks
As with any type of investing, there are risks. Currency fluctuations, geopolitical uncertainty, and varying regulatory environments can introduce volatility. Emerging and frontier markets, in particular, carry higher risk profiles.
However, these risks can be mitigated through thoughtful allocation and diversification across regions and market types. Moreover, current valuations in many international markets may already compensate investors for assuming these risks.
Overcoming Home-Country Bias
Some investors exhibit a natural home-country bias, favoring U.S. investments due to familiarity and perceived stability. While understandable, this bias can limit opportunity and reduce diversification benefits.
Given that a sizable portion of global economic activity and corporate leadership exists outside the United States, investors are better positioned by having a globally diversified portfolio.
The Bottom Line
For high-net-worth investors seeking to optimize long-term investment outcomes, international equities offer a compelling combination of diversification, valuation opportunity, and exposure to global growth. With U.S. market concentration near historic highs and international markets trading at attractive levels, the case for expanding beyond domestic borders is strong.
A disciplined allocation to international equities can help ensure that portfolios can capture opportunities wherever they emerge.
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