Latest news with #internationalMarkets
Yahoo
29-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Diversification is still key: Here's where to find opportunity
Investors chasing S&P 500 (^GSPC) and Nasdaq Composite (^IXIC) gains may be missing out on other promising opportunities overseas and in smaller companies. Katharine George, financial adviser at Wealthstream Advisors, joins Market Catalysts to explain why broad diversification still matters even in a market hitting record highs. To watch more expert insights and analysis on the latest market action, check out more Market Catalysts here. The S&P 500 and the Nasdaq are both in record territory today, but my next guest says the diversification, yes, it still matters. I want to bring in Catherine George, Wealthstream advisors, financial advisor for this week's FA Corner brought to you by Capital Group. Great to have you here with us, Catherine. First and foremost, diversification, yes, of course, still matters, but are there surprising areas of the market that have shown you resilience in that diversification strategy? Yeah, I think it's really exciting to be able to talk about about diversification because over the last 10 years, the S&P 500 has been a consistent top performer, and I think because of that, investors have become more concentrated in the S&P 500 and more focused in that area. Um, but what's been happening this year is that the S&P 500 has is only up about 4%, whereas international developed countries are up closer to 17ish percent and emerging market countries are up about 15%. So, by the time that you see these numbers, you know, these these countries and areas have already rebounded, which is why it's so important to be invested from the beginning and not get so focused on, you know, what has it been doing for me lately. You know, it's interesting and and we were talking about this in our morning meeting this morning. I raised this question of the S&P 500, it's got 11 sectors in it. So, you you've got some pretty good diversification already, but if that is not diversified enough for you, how else should you be looking across the assets in your portfolio to make sure that it's well-rounded? Yes, so the S&P 500 is still only a small portion of the US companies. So those are the top 500 companies. You can even look to a medium-sized companies and small-sized companies in the US. Of course, those international companies that I just talked about are really important. Um, but also bonds. Uh, so, you know, if we compare the new cycles and the volatility to earlier in the year, things are a little quieter right now. Um, and I think that people put their portfolios out of mind when things are quiet, but I actually think it's the best time to re-evaluate your longer term needs, your longer term goals, do you need cash? Is this stock to bond mix appropriate? Um, and it's contrary to what we might think because when things are in turmoil or volatile, we want to take some sort of action, but it can oftentimes be the worst time to do that. Um, so I think actually now is a good great time to re-evaluate just like you said, am I diversified enough? Do I have the bonds, the types of bonds, all of the different types of equities in my portfolio that I should? Um, and and really evaluate that risk. Where do small caps, mid caps and small caps fit within that strategy? Yeah, so you know, those are they're going to be more volatile, right? If you have if you're going to buy a smaller company in the US, um, there's more risk because it hasn't proved itself yet. Um, but that means the expected return over long periods of time should be higher. You know, I want to make more money on a company that hasn't proved itself. Um, so, you know, smaller sized companies that really haven't proven themselves, those are actually also it's an interesting sector to look at because, um, things have kind of shifted to private markets on the smaller company side. Um, so many small companies aren't going public, or as many as they there used to be. Um, so there is still a public market, but if you're interested in diversifying further, we've also been looking into some of these private equity strategies. Um, but it is for, you know, a smaller portion of the portfolio and a longer term portion of the portfolio because it's illiquid. Um, but it has becoming it has become more accessible to the everyday investor. How can an investor find diversification and new companies that do make their way into the public market? They make that debut, but ultimately, there might be a checklist that investors need to run through in their mind as to whether or not is is a ripe opportunity or one that uh, perhaps still has a little bit of a a sour road ahead. Yeah, so if you're going to look at an individual company, it's really a bet. It's a it's either a home run or it's going to be, you know, a fail. And so it's those are really lottery tickets and there's no way to know for certain which ones are going to, you know, be the home run. Um, but when I look at for for our investors, how can we capture that market without making these big bets and risks? If you own the whole market in an ETF or a mutual fund, those will get captured over time. So you'll be able to, um, you'll be able to experience the wins. They won't, you won't feel them as much, but for the ones that don't win, you won't feel that as much either. So that's a, um, an easier way to get introduced to some of these smaller companies. Catherine, thanks so much for taking the time here with us today. Of course. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Forbes
26-06-2025
- Business
- Forbes
14 Tips To Assess If Your Business Is Ready For Global Expansion
getty Successful expansion into international markets is all about reading the signs of readiness. If you're seeing consistent demand from overseas, hitting growth plateaus domestically or fielding inquiries from international partners, it may be time to look beyond your current borders. But external demand isn't the only factor to consider; you also need internal readiness—operationally, culturally and financially. Here, 14 Forbes Business Development Council members present key strategies that can help you determine whether global expansion is a smart, sustainable next step for your business right now. You know the time is right when your business is consistently profitable, has demand in new markets and is built on a strong foundation. The key is "glocalization," thinking globally but acting locally. Tailor products, marketing and pricing to fit local needs and culture. Build local partnerships for insights and remain flexible to navigate market challenges, even if revenues are plateauing. - Nikhila Shashikanth , Spring Bio Solution How do you know when it's time to expand your business globally? It's when your business is ready to scale and international demand is too strong to ignore. The global e-commerce boom, driven by changing consumer habits and mobile-first shopping, presents huge opportunities. But success depends on more than demand. Merchants must localize payment methods, offer local currency pricing and understand regional preferences to truly connect with new customers. - Paul Marcantonio , Ecommpay Expand globally when trends align and others hesitate. Growth during uncertain times gives you a competitive edge; while competitors pull back, you gain ground. Yes, it's harder to secure capital, but if you embrace the risk, you'll be ahead when the market rebounds, with your ecosystem already established and compounding returns. - Amaan Gulacha , Gulacha Brothers Trucking Inc. 4. Align Capability, Demand And Culture Before Going Global The right time to expand is when three things align: customer demand, internal capability and cultural readiness. From our journey, we learned to hold back until we had the depth—not just in our services but also in our people and process—to deliver consistently, no matter where the client sat. That's when global growth truly works. - Ashu Goel , WinWire 5. Identify Untapped Markets For Strategic Entry Look at your industry in overseas markets and try to identify competitors. A lot of times, you'll find that in certain markets, there is a blue ocean opportunity with limited solutions that can allow you to move in with a significant market share early. - Max Avery , Digital Ascension Group Forbes Business Development Council is an invitation-only community for sales and biz dev executives. Do I qualify? 6. Let Organic Momentum Signal Expansion Readiness Expansion is not to be imposed, but embraced when summoned by momentum. When organic demand arises, through unsolicited inquiries, traffic or transactions across borders, it is the market extending its invitation. Global growth flourishes not through force, but through alignment with undeniable energy. Seize the moment only when your presence is no longer optional. - Praneeth Kudithipudi , Sacumen 7. Ensure Infrastructure And Leadership Can Handle Complexity Global expansion is often timely when your business has strong domestic success and sees validated international demand. You also need adequate finances, robust operational capacity and a product or service adaptable to new cultures and regulations. Crucially, your leadership team must be prepared for the increased complexity involved. - Anoop Anthore , Salesforce Inc. 8. Track Client Behavior And Market Saturation As Key Triggers You'll know it's time to expand globally when: Your clients grow internationally and take you with them; your competitors enter new markets; or your current market becomes too saturated. Global expansion doesn't always require heavy investment, but it does require a solid track record and a loyal customer base. - Anoma Baste , Space Matrix 9. Use Conversion Data To Uncover Global Opportunity In affiliate marketing—my niche—the right time to expand globally is when analytics show steady conversions from international traffic, even without targeting those regions. That signals your content already resonates abroad, and it's time to shift from passive reach to strategic growth. - Bryce Welker , The CPA Exam Guy 10. Follow Customer Signals And Build With Strategic Partners We started our brand's operations globally from the start, but it began with strategic partnerships. But if a business is focused on the U.S., once people from other countries come knocking, it may be time to work cross-border. It's essential to ensure that you can scale with a robust infrastructure. So, if your brand resonates beyond the U.S. and you have the resources, it may be time to go global. - Wayne Elsey , The Funds2Orgs Group 11. Prepare Governance Before Geography Global expansion isn't a growth strategy—it's a governance challenge. The real question isn't "When should we go global?" but "How will our culture, controls and commitments survive translation?" If you haven't solved for complexity before geography, you're scaling risk, not reach. - Alexander Masters, MBA, BIDA , Siemens 12. Understand The Value Of Anchor Clients When Opening New Markets There isn't a right time, but more a bias toward when the team is ready for the challenge. The product, internal resourcing or capital doesn't need to be perfectly aligned. Understand the power of one anchor, a large customer or contract, which then paves the way to expand into a new region. - Aman Rangrass , 13. Test For Scalable Value, Not Just Local Success Global expansion isn't about ambition alone—it's about readiness. If your business works well locally, test global demand carefully. Consider cultural nuances, local competition, delivery capabilities and legal complexity. Only expand when you're confident in delivering consistent value at scale. Without that, growth can quickly become chaos. - Anna Jankowska , RTB House 14. Expand Only When Strategy, Systems, And Capital Align Global expansion is appropriate when three conditions align: a strategic pull, evidenced by clear demand or a competitive gap; operational readiness, with scalable and replicable systems; and risk-balanced resources, including capital, leadership capacity and risk tolerance. Expansion should be driven not just by ambition, but by timing, market traction and disciplined execution. - Salice Thomas , Wipro Limited
Bloomberg
23-06-2025
- Business
- Bloomberg
Kuwait Starts Mobilizing Banks for $6 Billion Bond Sale
Kuwait has started the process of sending a request for proposal to banks to raise about $6 billion from international debt markets, according to Ministry of Finance officials. The OPEC-member started approaching banks earlier today and is still in the process of contacting others, the officials said, asking not to be named. The offering is for dollar-denominated bonds, for the current fiscal year ending March 31, 2026, the officials said.
Al Jazeera
04-06-2025
- Business
- Al Jazeera
What is the ‘revenge tax' in the US tax bill?
Tucked within the proposed 'Big Beautiful Bill', the more than 1,000-page tax and spending overhaul that United States President Donald Trump wants to see enacted in law, is a provision that is being referred to as a 'revenge tax'. The 'Enforcement of Remedies Against Unfair Foreign Taxes' in Section 899 targets countries that the Trump administration believes impose unfair or discriminatory taxes on US companies and individuals, and will allow the US to impose additional taxes on entities from those countries. The provision calls, for instance, for levies on revenue from digital services, such as data monetisation and online advertising. The proposal also includes a higher minimum tax on the profits of foreign entities, even if those profits are earned outside US borders. This could impact passive income streams, such as interest and dividends, and may discourage international investors from countries flagged as discriminatory. The administration's unpredictable approach to global economic policy has already created uncertainty in international markets. Should this measure be signed into law, it could further erode foreign investor confidence in the US market. 'This revenge tax move will add to economic uncertainty. It will stop foreign CEOs from investing – the very thing President Trump says he wants. It means more wild economic swings, stock market declines, less stability and a greater chance of recession this year,' Stuart Mackintosh, the executive director of the financial think tank Group of Thirty, told Al Jazeera. 'Every few days, we see a destabilising misuse of US power, more self-inflicted wounds, that look set to drive up prices and slow the economy. America has shredded its political and economic alliances. These revenge taxes underscore that America cannot be trusted.' Under the provision, certain foreign governments and international businesses could face an additional 20 percent tax, which would apply to non-US entities earning income from US sources, including interest, dividends and royalties. Taxes would be hiked gradually at the rate of 5 percent annually. It would also affect profits earned at US locations, which are transferred to foreign parent companies, as well as income from the sale of US real estate by designated 'bad actors'. Trusts, global foundations and partnerships with passive income could also be impacted. However, exceptions are built into the legislation for foreign pension funds and charitable organisations. The tax would only apply to countries designated as 'discriminatory' by the US Treasury Department. Countries not flagged would remain unaffected. House of Representatives Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith, a Republican from Missouri, said that while the provision could serve as an effective retaliatory tool, it 'will hopefully never take effect'. According to the nonpartisan Joint Committee on Taxation, the measure could bring in revenue of $116.3bn over the next decade. But it would also lower tax revenue in the long term, by $12.9bn in both 2033 and 2034. The administration's shifting trade strategies have already led to legal battles, policy reversals and a climate of unpredictability that has left companies hesitant to make long-term plans. Companies like toy manufacturer Mattel and automaker Stellantis have suspended financial guidance due to the volatile nature of US tariff policy. These policies have also contributed to swings in consumer confidence. When Trump announced his series of sweeping tariffs against trade partners on April 2, which he dubbed 'Liberation Day', confidence fell to a 13-year low, only to rebound after the administration paused the tariffs' implementation. Analysts warn that provisions like the 'revenge tax' could deter foreign investment and strain developing partnerships. 'If you've got the headwinds of an extra withholding tax that starts at an extra 5 percent [and] moves up to 20 percent over the subsequent four years, I think [investors would] have second thoughts. In terms of optimising your investment strategy, you'd have a slightly smaller allocation to the US,' Chris Turner, the global head of markets and regional head of research for the United Kingdom and Europe at ING, a financial services company, told Al Jazeera. There is already evidence that some economies have started diversifying away from the US. Canada, for example, has increased trade with Europe and Asia. Trump's trade policies have also been cited as a factor in foreign governments divesting from US treasuries, while the European Central Bank continues to promote the euro as a competing global reserve currency. This measure adds another mechanism to the Trump administration's broader trade strategy, which has relied heavily on tariffs even as many face legal scrutiny. Last week, the US Court of International Trade blocked the administration's blanket global tariffs enacted under the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act. A federal district court temporarily halted the block's enforcement as legal battles unfold. Experts believe many of these tariffs may not withstand judicial review. 'There's no statute that provides the president that authority', to impose sweeping international tariffs through the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, Greg Shaffer, a law professor at Georgetown University, told Al Jazeera. 'And as the court said, if there were such a statute, it would be unconstitutional because the Constitution provides that responsibility to Congress.' However, the ruling did not address tariffs on aluminium, steel and automobiles, which fall under a different legal basis – the 1962 Trade Expansion Act. Under that statute, Trump recently announced plans to raise those tariffs to 50 percent for most imports.
Globe and Mail
29-05-2025
- Business
- Globe and Mail
These ETFs Provide Easy Exposure to Growing International Markets
Investors have ample reason to be concerned about the future of U.S. investment vehicles—mid-May's news of Moody's downgrade of the nation's credit rating and the resultant market shake-up and the lingering threat of dramatic tariff increases chief among them. Unsurprisingly, then, many investors may be likely to increase their exposure to international markets to avoid this turbulence. For investors most accustomed to targeting U.S. securities, picking international stocks can be difficult. Fortunately, many exchange-traded funds (ETFs) make it possible to gain easy access to markets worldwide. The funds below target baskets of stocks from areas already experiencing growth or with strong potential to do so in the future. Poland's Burgeoning Industry May Help to Fuel ETF Gains [content-module:CompanyOverview|NYSEARCA:EPOL] Fresh off encouraging signs in April's industry and labor markets, Poland appears poised to break away from stagnation elsewhere in Central Europe. Its industrial production improved in April, increasing by 1.2% year-over-year (YOY) while analysts predicted a modest decline. The iShares MSCI Poland ETF (NYSEARCA: EPOL) is an ETF that may be able to capitalize on this potential. EPOL is a rare fund focused exclusively on Polish equities. Keep in mind, though, that the fund is skewed toward financial names, with about 46% of the portfolio dedicated to this sector. The ETF is also concentrated, with just 33 holdings and the largest position representing more than 15% of invested assets. Still, the strategy has paid off nicely in 2025, as the fund has returned more than 44% year-to-date (YTD). With an expense ratio of 0.60%, EPOL is priced in line with many other international funds; investors should expect to spend a bit more on these specialized ETFs compared with many U.S.-focused alternatives. Narrow Focus on Austrian Stocks, With an Emphasis on Banks [content-module:CompanyOverview|NYSEARCA:EWO] The iShares MSCI Austria Capped ETF (NYSEARCA: EWO) capitalizes on companies listed in Austria's national stock exchange. Based on the MSCI Austria IMI 25/50 Index, the exposure to individual names is theoretically capped. Given EWO's narrow portfolio of only around 20 positions, a small number of stocks still represent a large portion of assets invested. Like EPOL, nearly half of EWO's portfolio is dedicated to financials. Fortunately, the most prominent positions in EWO's basket, the major banks Erste Group and BAWAG, together accounting for more than a third of the portfolio, have thrived this year, helping to catapult EWO's returns skyward. However, for investors seeking a more diversified approach, a broader European ETF may be the better option. EWO has achieved YTD returns of nearly 36% and has an expense ratio of 0.50%. Greek Economic Recovery Can Continue to Drive Big Returns [content-module:CompanyOverview|NYSEARCA:GREK] Greece's economy has made an impressive recovery following a crisis in the late 2000s. Investors anticipating this trend to continue might consider the Global X MSCI Greece ETF (NYSEARCA: GREK). GREK is currently the only ETF available in the United States that exclusively focuses on Greek stocks. Still, like the funds above, it is narrowly focused on a basket of just 31 names, with the three most extensive holdings collectively representing close to 40% of assets. Similar to the funds above, financial names are better represented in GREK's portfolio than stocks from other sectors. A full 51% of the portfolio is dedicated to banks and related stocks. Again, though, this has paid off with impressive returns of almost 40% so far this year. GREK's expense ratio of 0.57% is also reasonable, particularly given that this fund is alone in its targeting of Greek stocks. Small-Cap Focus on the Brazilian Equities Market [content-module:CompanyOverview|NASDAQ:EWZS] The iShares MSCI Brazil Small-Cap ETF (NASDAQ: EWZS) has a somewhat different focus from the funds above in that it targets the small-cap segment of the Brazilian equities space. This may be a play for investors looking for exposure to Brazilian stocks in the consumer discretionary and financials sectors, as together these two groups account for more than a third of the portfolio. EWZS is also more diversified than the funds above, with over 70 positions and the largest holdings occupying under 6% of the portfolio. Together, this basket of stocks has achieved YTD returns of almost 34% for an expense ratio of 0.60%. Before you make your next trade, you'll want to hear this. MarketBeat keeps track of Wall Street's top-rated and best performing research analysts and the stocks they recommend to their clients on a daily basis. Our team has identified the five stocks that top analysts are quietly whispering to their clients to buy now before the broader market catches on... and none of the big name stocks were on the list.
