Explore international ETFs and how they may fit into a diversified portfolio, including general information on global markets and investment considerations.

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Vanguard international bond and stock ETFs

Vanguard international bond and stock ETFs
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Add international ETFs to your investment mix

International ETFs (exchange-traded funds) can add another layer of diversification to your overall portfolio.

Generally, we suggest that you choose international investments for about 30% of the bond portion and 40% of the stock portion of your portfolio.

Diversification

A strategy intended to lower your chances of losing money on your investments.

Diversification can be achieved in many ways, including spreading your investments across:

  • Multiple asset classes, by buying a combination of cash, bonds, and stocks.
  • Multiple holdings, by buying many bonds and stocks (which you can do through a single ETF) instead of just one or a few.
  • Multiple geographic regions, by buying a combination of U.S. and international investments.

Protect yourself through diversification

Get broad exposure to international markets

Vanguard Total International Bond ETF holds more than 4,500 non-U.S. bonds.

Vanguard Total International Bond ETF (BNDX)

Vanguard Total International Stock ETF holds more than 6,000 non-U.S. stocks.

Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS)

You can use just a few ETFs to invest overseas. Each of these ETFs gives you access to a wide variety of international bonds or stocks in a single, diversified investment.

How to choose an international ETF

There are a few ways you can invest in foreign markets:

  • International ETFs invest only in foreign markets, excluding the United States.
  • Global or world ETFs provide exposure to both foreign and U.S. markets.
  • Regional ETFs invest primarily in a specific part of the world, like Europe or the Pacific region.
  • Developed markets ETFs focus on foreign countries with proven economies, like Japan, France, and the United Kingdom.
  • Emerging markets ETFs combine investments in countries that are considered to have "developing" economies, like India, Brazil, and China.

Search for a specific international ETF

What is ESG investing?

ESG investing offers a way for you to invest in funds that consider environmental, social, and governance issues.

We offer a lineup of ESG investments that can help you achieve your financial goals and match your dollars with what matters to you.

Explore ESG investing with Vanguard

Learn about other types of ETFs

Bond ETFs

Stock ETFs

Sector ETFs

Ready to choose your international ETFs?

Get a list of Vanguard international bond ETFs

Get a list of Vanguard international stock ETFs

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For more information about Vanguard mutual funds and ETFs, visit Vanguard mutual fund prospectuses or Vanguard ETF prospectuses to obtain a prospectus or, if available, a summary prospectus. Investment objectives, risks, charges, expenses, and other important information are contained in the prospectus; read and consider it carefully before investing.

You must buy and sell Vanguard ETF Shares through Vanguard Brokerage Services (we offer them commission-free online) or through another broker (who may charge commissions). See the Vanguard Brokerage Services Commission and Fee Schedules for limits. Vanguard ETF Shares are not redeemable directly with the issuing Fund other than in very large aggregations worth millions of dollars. ETFs are subject to market volatility. When buying or selling an ETF, you will pay or receive the current market price, which may be more or less than net asset value.

All investing is subject to risk, including the possible loss of the money you invest. Diversification does not ensure a profit or protect against a loss.

Investments in stocks and bonds issued by non-U.S. companies are subject to risks including country/regional risk, which is the chance that political upheaval, financial troubles, or natural disasters will adversely affect the value of securities issued by companies in foreign countries or regions; and currency risk, which is the chance that the value of a foreign investment, measured in U.S. dollars, will decrease because of unfavorable changes in currency exchange rates. These risks are especially high in emerging markets.

ESG funds are subject to ESG investment risk, which is the chance that the stocks or bonds screened by the index provider or advisor, as applicable, for ESG criteria generally will underperform the market as a whole or, in the aggregate, will trail returns of other funds screened for ESG criteria. The index provider or advisor’s assessment of a company, based on the company’s level of involvement in a particular industry or their own ESG criteria, may differ from that of other funds or an investor’s assessment of such company. As a result, the companies deemed eligible by the index provider or advisor may not reflect the beliefs and values of any particular investor and may not exhibit positive or favorable ESG characteristics. The evaluation of companies for ESG screening or integration is dependent on the timely and accurate reporting of ESG data by the companies. Successful application of the screens will depend on the index provider or advisor's proper identification and analysis of ESG data. The advisor may not be successful in assessing and identifying companies that have or will have a positive impact or support a given position. In some circumstances, companies could ultimately have a negative or no impact or support of a given position.