International

Hey Dave,

It's almost impossible to predict what the markets will do in the future, so we don't think you should even try. Instead of thinking about whether international stock funds are a good idea now, ask whether they are a good idea in general.

The answer is yes, they are. Most portfolios should have a piece invested in international funds at all times. International funds are good diversifiers: they can lower volatility and add a little extra return to your stock portfolio. Personally, I like to invest half of my stock portfolio in non-U.S. funds. Most experts agree that at least a third of your stock portfolio should be invested in international funds.

If you're not invested overseas and are nervous about buying in at a bad time, then you can slowly build a position over time. Sometimes investors will build towards their target allocation over the course of a year, or two, in order to avoid market effects.

The key is to pick the right long-term asset allocation and stick to it. Check out our primer on asset allocation for more advice. If you're ready to start hunting for an international fund then take a look at our mutual fund reviews here.