We recently published a list of 9 Best International Index Funds to Invest In. In this article, we are going to take a look at where Vanguard European Stock Index Fund (NASDAQ:VEUSX) stands against other best international index funds to invest in.
Undoubtedly, the US plays host to the largest equity market in the world as home to the largest stock exchanges. Likewise, it is home to the largest companies in the world by market capitalization. Therefore, investors often turn to the US, given the high liquidity always in play when seeking exposure to some of the biggest and emerging market segments.
Over the years, US indices have provided broad exposure to various sectors, from financial services to healthcare, technology, industrials, and even consumer cyclical. However, amid the escalating tariff and trade war pitting the US and its allies or other economies, sentiments in the equity markets are increasingly shifting.
Major US equities and indices have pulled back significantly from record highs after President Donald Trump imposed significant trade tariffs on Canada, China, the EU, and other nations. In the year’s first quarter, the US S&P 500 was down by about 6% as the tech-heavy Nasdaq 100 slid more than 8.1%. The slump came as investors became net sellers concerned by the impact of the trade war waged by the Trump administration.
In contrast, European equities were on a roll, with the EURO STOXX 50 index tracking the 50 largest blue chip stocks in the trading block, soaring 11%. The rally in European equities underscores how the focus is increasingly shifting away from US equities to other markets.
“The first months of 2025 have shown increased investor focus on international investing, with developed markets strongly outperforming their U.S. counterparts,” says Arne Noack, regional investment head of Xtrackers, Americas, at DWS Group.
This superior performance has been fueled by a shift towards international equities, primarily linked to the Trump administration’s growing isolationist stance. A mix of diminished backing for Ukraine and tariffs imposed on crucial trading allies such as Canada has led to a reevaluation of the stability of the U.S. market, which has long been a fundamental aspect of investor trust.
In addition to policy issues, valuations have also influenced this trend. For many years, U.S. stocks have been priced at considerably higher forward price-to-earnings (P/E) ratios than their international counterparts. Now, as those multiples shrink, investors are rethinking their investment strategies.
