Now, folks, if a body’s got a mind to cast their financial nets beyond the shores of America—and there’s a heap of good reason to do just that—there’s a passel of ways to go about it. One method, tried and true as a Mississippi steamboat, is to invest in an international exchange-traded fund, or ETF, as the city fellas call it. The Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS 1.92%) is a solid enough vessel, owning nigh on 8,691 stocks across the globe and deliverin’ a respectable 10.6% average annual return these past ten years. Not bad, not bad at all.
But what if a body’s lookin’ for a bit more… oomph in their dividends? A richer harvest for their trouble? Well, you might just cast an eye towards the Vanguard International High Dividend Yield ETF (VYMI 1.61%). This here fund has been outpacin’ the VXUS for a decade now, returnin’ an average of 11.8% each year. And just lately, it’s even bested the S&P 500 and that high-falutin’ Nasdaq-100 index. A curious thing, wouldn’t you say?
Let’s mosey on and see what makes this international dividend stock ETF a potential good bet, shall we?
VYMI: Diversified International Stocks, with a Dividend Focus
This Vanguard International High Dividend Yield ETF, much like that popular VXUS, is a broadly diversified fund. It holds a considerable 1,535 stocks. And it’s passively managed, which keeps the expenses down—a mere 0.07% expense ratio. A thrifty arrangement, indeed.
But here’s the rub: what sets the VYMI apart from other international stock funds? It’s got a particular fondness for stocks that are forecast to pay out higher-than-average dividends. Seems these fund managers aren’t shy about seekin’ a bit of income, and who can blame ’em?
| Stock | Holding as % of Fund | Forward Dividend Yield (as of March 8, 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Roche Holding AG | 1.8% | 2.9% |
| HSBC Holdings PLC | 1.7% | 4.5% |
| Novartis AG | 1.6% | 3% |
| Nestlé SA | 1.4% | 3.9% |
| Toyota Motor | 1.4% | 2.6% |
Now, don’t go thinkin’ every high-yield dividend stock is a sure thing, or that every stock in the VYMI pays the same generous dividend. But that little list there shows some promising returns, competitive with the best high-yield dividend stocks a body might find.
Should You Buy the VYMI?
If a body’s lookin’ to invest in international stocks, it’s important to understand the risks involved. When you buy an international ETF like the VYMI, you’re spreadin’ your bets across hundreds of stocks in various regions and markets. This helps you avoid puttin’ all your eggs in one basket, which is a sensible approach, wouldn’t you agree?
One risk with the VYMI is that about 21.1% of its holdings are in emergín’ market stocks. These countries, with their smaller economies, tend to be a bit more volatile, especially during times of high oil prices or international squabbles. And we’re seein’ a bit of that now with the recent unrest in the Middle East.
Ever since the troubles began on February 28th, the VYMI has dipped about 5%. If oil prices stay high for a prolonged period, that could spell trouble for international stocks in oil-importin’ countries like Japan, which makes up 14.2% of the VYMI fund’s holdings. A body ought to keep a weather eye on that.
If this conflict ends swiftly, the VYMI share price could bounce back quickly. And this international ETF has a solid track record of annual returns over the past decade. Long-term investors, those with a bit of patience and foresight, should certainly consider addin’ the VYMI to their portfolio.
Read More
- Building 3D Worlds from Words: Is Reinforcement Learning the Key?
- The Best Directors of 2025
- 2025 Crypto Wallets: Secure, Smart, and Surprisingly Simple!
- 20 Best TV Shows Featuring All-White Casts You Should See
- Umamusume: Gold Ship build guide
- Mel Gibson, 69, and Rosalind Ross, 35, Call It Quits After Nearly a Decade: “It’s Sad To End This Chapter in our Lives”
- 39th Developer Notes: 2.5th Anniversary Update
- Gold Rate Forecast
- Most Famous Richards in the World
- The Most Famous Foreign Actresses of All Time
2026-03-12 17:43