What Investors Should Know Before Buying This International ETF

It can be a one-stop shop for people wanting broad exposure.Many of the world's top companies are headquartered in the U.S., but there are plenty of worthwhile companies across the globe. That's why it's helpful to invest in international stocks to achieve a truly diversified portfolio. My preferred way to invest in international companies is through an international ETF, such as the Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS +0.34%). If you're interested in investing in an international ETF and considering VXUS, here's one thing you should know. Image source: Getty Images. When you invest in VXUS, you're investing in nearly 8,700 companies from both developed and emerging markets. That's worth noting, because each of those markets has its own pros and cons. Developed markets are those with more mature economies and infrastructure, meaning those companies tend to be more reliable, but the upside can be modest. Emerging markets are those with developing economies and industrialization, meaning companies in these markets tend to be more volatile, but there are often more growth opportunities as their economies modernize. Of course, this is a broad generalization, and there are exceptions. However, that's the general risk-reward trade-off investors can expect with these two segments. Investing in VXUS allows you to have the best of both worlds while hedging the downsides of each market.Read NextFeb 14, 2026 •By Robert IzquierdoBetter International ETF: Vanguard's VXUS vs. iShares' EEMFeb 14, 2026 •By John BallardVXUS Offers Broader Global Exposure Than IEFAFeb 12, 2026 •By Leo Sun1 No-Brainer Vanguard ETF to Buy If You Think U.S.

Stocks Are OvervaluedFeb 8, 2026 •By Adé HennisHow Do These Two Top International ETFs Stack Up Against Each Other?Feb 7, 2026 •By Jake LerchEEM vs. VXUS: Should Investors Favor Emerging Markets Upside or Broad International Stability?Feb 7, 2026 •By Sara AppinoInternational ETFs: VXUS Chases Global Growth While IEFA Prioritizes PredictabilityAbout the AuthorStefon Walters is a contributing Motley Fool stock market analyst covering publicly traded companies across technology, consumer goods, and financials, as well as retirement planning. Stefon is a published author and has more than a decade of experience teaching financial literacy. He holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.TMFStefonWStocks MentionedVanguard Total International Stock ETFNASDAQ: VXUS$82.51 (+0.34%) $+0.28*Average returns of all recommendations since inception. Cost basis and return based on previous market day close.