BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Many U.S. investors are ignoring or avoiding international stocks, often due to some common misperceptions. A new paper from Fidelity Investments, “Five Myths of International Investing,” examines and debunks that prevailing conventional wisdom.
“Having a globally diversified portfolio shouldn’t be a foreign concept,” says Tim Cohen, chief investment officer at Fidelity Investments. “Many U.S. investors incorrectly assume that having international exposure is too risky. On the contrary, international stocks within a globally balanced portfolio can provide enhanced diversification and increase the potential for better risk-adjusted returns over the long term.”
Myth 1 - International investing is too risky
Reality: In
combination with U.S. stocks, international exposure can actually lower
risk in an equity portfolio. Over the past 60 years, a globally balanced
hypothetical portfolio of 70% U.S./30% international equities has
produced better risk-adjusted returns (Sharpe ratio)1
and lower volatility than an all-U.S. portfolio.
Myth 2 - U.S. stocks usually outperform foreign stocks
Reality:
Historically, the performance of international and U.S. stocks is
cyclical: One typically outperforms the other for several years before
the cycle rotates.
Myth 3 - U.S. multinationals provide adequate international
diversification
Reality: While U.S. multinationals may
provide some exposure to foreign markets, they still offer only a
fraction of the currency diversification offered by overseas
markets.
Myth 4 - Investors should hedge their currency exposure
Reality:
While it might sound good in theory, the effort and expense involved in
currency hedging might not be worth it. Since 1973, currency hedging has
detracted from returns in 54% of quarters, and helped in only 46% of
quarters.
Myth 5 - Index funds beat active funds in international
Reality:
Investing in companies overseas comes with political, liquidity, and
currency risks, all of which can create price inefficiencies within
individual stocks. Taking advantage of these inefficiencies requires
specialized local knowledge, careful research, and efficient trading.
Active managers can maneuver a portfolio to take advantage of these
inefficiencies and have a demonstrated ability to outperform their
index, producing significantly greater excess return compared to passive
strategies.
Even investors who had a well-diversified portfolio of global stocks may find their allocation out of balance after several years of U.S. stocks outperforming international markets.
Now may be an ideal time to re-examine stock allocations and add more international equities to your investment mix, especially actively managed strategies.
For more information on the “Five Myths of International Investing,” please click here.
About Fidelity Investments
Fidelity’s
goal is to make financial expertise broadly accessible and effective in
helping people live the lives they want. With assets under
administration of $5.0 trillion, including managed assets of $2.0
trillion as of January 31, 2016, we focus on meeting the unique needs of
a diverse set of customers: helping more than 25 million people invest
their own life savings, nearly 20,000 businesses manage employee benefit
programs, as well as providing nearly 10,000 advisory firms with
investment and technology solutions to invest their own clients’ money.
Privately held for nearly 70 years, Fidelity employs 45,000 associates
who are focused on the long-term success of our customers. For more
information about Fidelity Investments, visit https://www.fidelity.com/about.
Views expressed are as of the date indicated, based on the information available at that time, and may change based on market and other conditions. Unless otherwise noted, the opinions provided are those of the authors and not necessarily those of Fidelity Investments or its affiliates. Fidelity does not assume any duty to update any of the information. Investment decisions should be based on an individual’s own goals, time horizon, and tolerance for risk.
Past performance is no guarantee of future results.
Diversification and asset allocation do not ensure a profit or guarantee against loss.
Investing involves risk, including risk of loss.
Stock markets are volatile and can fluctuate significantly in response to company, industry, political, regulatory, market, or economic developments. Investing in stock involves risks, including the loss of principal. Foreign markets can be more volatile than U.S. markets due to increased risks of adverse issuer, political, market or economic developments. Investments in smaller companies may involve greater risks than those in larger, more well-known companies.
1Sharpe ratio compares portfolio returns above the risk-free rate relative to overall portfolio volatility. A higher Sharpe ratio implies better risk-adjusted returns.
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Street, Smithfield, RI 02917
Fidelity Investments Institutional Services Company, Inc.,
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Salem Street, Smithfield, RI 02917
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