VXUS: The Global Balancer in a U.S. Portfolio

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Mark my words, the folks at Gleason Group, Inc. have been busy lately-snapping up 97,690 shares of VXUS, a move estimated to cost $6.93 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2025, as revealed in their October 16, 2025, SEC filing. A tidy sum, if you ask me, though it’s the sort of number that makes your average farmer’s wallet weep.

Now, according to the SEC’s filings, Gleason Group upped its stake in the Vanguard STAR Funds-specifically, the Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS +0.32%)-by that same 97,690 shares during Q3 2025. The trade, as they say, was a whopper, valued at $6.93 million. The fund now holds 1,216,619 shares, worth a cool $89.37 million. One might say they’ve gone all-in on the global game, though I’d wager they’re not betting on the lottery.

The fund’s appetite for VXUS hasn’t waned, either. The ETF now accounts for 8.98% of its 13F reportable assets under management. A sizable chunk, to be sure, and one that suggests the fund’s managers are eyeing the horizon beyond the U.S. shores.

Top holdings after the filing? Let’s see: VOO with $220 million, VTI with $137 million, VXF with $126 million, VXUS itself with $89 million, and VUG with $65 million. A mix of familiar faces, though one can’t help but wonder if the folks at Vanguard are quietly chuckling at the notion of diversification.

As of October 15, 2025, VXUS shares were priced at $73.92. The ETF’s trailing 12-month dividend yield stood at 2.74%, and it closed 0.73% below its 52-week high. A modest dip, perhaps, but the market’s a fickle mistress, and she’s never been known for her consistency.

The Vanguard Total International Stock ETF, with its $546.1 billion in assets under management, is a behemoth of a fund. At $73.92 a share, it offers a 2.74% dividend yield and a 17.09% one-year total return. A solid performer, to be sure, but one that’s not without its quirks.

This ETF, you see, is a passport to the world’s stock markets, offering exposure to over 7,000 international stocks across 40+ countries. Europe and Japan dominate its weightings, while emerging markets provide a dash of long-term growth. It’s the sort of fund that could make a man feel like a global citizen, if only for a moment.

But let’s not get too carried away. The ETF’s passive approach-tracking the FTSE Global All Cap ex US Index with a full replication strategy-means it’s as much a mirror as it is a map. It reflects the world’s markets, but it doesn’t pretend to know where you’re going. Still, for those seeking balance in a portfolio, it’s a reliable companion.

The Foolish take? Well, it’s a tale as old as time: investors, ever myopic, only realize the folly of their U.S.-centric bets when the market turns. Gleason Group’s recent move is a sign that even the most steadfast U.S. allocators are starting to look beyond their own shores. A wise move, if you ask me, though I’d wager they’re not doing it for the love of global unity.

VXUS, with its low fees and broad diversification, is a tempting proposition. It’s the financial equivalent of a well-worn pair of boots-comfortable, reliable, and built to last. Yet, as with all things, one must tread carefully. The world’s markets are as unpredictable as a Missouri summer, and even the best-laid plans can go awry.

In the end, the lesson is simple: don’t put all your eggs in one basket, no matter how shiny that basket may be. And if you’re feeling adventurous, a little global diversification might just be the ticket to a more balanced portfolio. After all, the world’s a big place, and there’s more than one way to skin a cat-or invest a dollar.

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2025-10-25 00:13