International stock mutual funds

[jIM_Ohio]

What international stock funds do people out there own?

I am looking for an IRA fund... which is international. It is the only "hole" in IRA portfolio (I have large, mid and small domestic funds, and an emerging markets fund already).

I have a short list I am looking at, but am always open to new ideas. First purchase will be in May of 2007, so I have about 5 weeks to make decision.

List fund name and tickers please, if known.

thx.

jIM

[safari]

I own JANUS OVERSEAS (JAOSX) and METZLER PAYDEN EURO EMERGING MKTS CL (MPYMX).

[disneysteve]

I've got VWIGX, Vanguard International Growth.

[HiImSeth]

Jim, I guess you will be purchasing this outside of TRP? Are TRPs International MF's not all that great or is that what is on your short list so far?

[jIM_Ohio]

Jim, I guess you will be purchasing this outside of TRP? Are TRPs International MF's not all that great or is that what is on your short list so far?

DODFX made the short list, as did the T Rowe funds listed below.

DODFX Dodge and Cox International fund

The investment seeks long-term growth of principal and income. The fund generally invest at least 80% of assets in a diversified portfolio of equity securities issued by non-U.S. companies from at least three different countries, including emerging markets. It focuses on countries whose economic and political systems appear more stable and are believed to provide some protection to foreign shareholders. Under normal circumstances, the fund will invest at in common stocks.

Year DODFX Category Diff
2006 28.01 25.94 2.07
2005 16.75 13.32 3.43
2004 32.46 21.95 10.51
2003 49.42 39.17 10.25
2002 -13.11 -11.85 -1.26
2001 N/A -14.36 N/A
2000 N/A -3.55 N/A
1999 N/A 28.62 N/A
1998 N/A 10.59 N/A
1997 N/A 9.18 N/A


TRIGX (T Rowe International Growth and Income)


The fund's objective is long-term growth of capital and reasonable
income through investments primarily in common stocks of mature,
dividend-paying, non-U.S. companies.


1 Year 23.72% 29.92%
3 Years 22.69% 22.79%
5 Years 18.94% 17.93%
10 Years N/A N/A
Since Inception* 10.27% 10.24%
Inception Date December 21, 1998


PRGSX T Rowe Global Stock


Investment Objective
The fund's objective is long-term growth of capital through
investments primarily in the common stocks of established companies
throughout the world, including the U.S.


Strategy
Invests in a variety of industries in developed and, to a lesser
extent, emerging markets. Normally, the fund will invest in at least
five countries, one of which will be the U.S.


Month End
01-31-2007 Quarter End
12-31-2006


1 Year 17.56% 22.50%
3 Years 20.43% 19.82%
5 Years 13.75% 12.13%
10 Years 9.67% 9.44%
Since Inception* 10.57% 10.36%
Inception Date December 29, 1995


TROSX T Rowe Price Overseas Stock


The fund seeks long-term growth of capital through investments in the
common stocks of non-U.S. companies.


This fund was created in Dec 06 and does not have much history.

[kv968]

In my Roth I have T Rowe's Emerging Europe and Mediterranian.

In my 401k I have Vanguard's Total Int'l Stock Index (VGTSX) and American Funds EuroPacific (RERFX).

However I don't think either of these will add to your options since you don't like indexes and I wouldn't recommend American Funds due to their high expenses. The only reason I invest in EuroPacific is because it's an "R" class share and the expense ratio is a lot lower than the normal fund's would be. I do also own Amercian Funds New Perspective (ANWPX) and Capital World G/I (CWGIX) in a taxable account but only because they were gifted to me. Don't get me wrong, they're really good funds, but because of the loads and high fees, I wouldn't invest in them on my own.

Out of the options you're looking at, I like either DODFX or TRIGX. Just my $.02.

[jIM_Ohio]

who manages the international index? I have one in my 401k account, but don't know much about how it's created, which countries get included excluded, etc...

[scfr]

VGTSX Vanguard Total International Stock Index

Underlying Funds are Vanguard's European Stock Index Fund, Pacific Stock Index Fund, and Emerging Markets Stock Index Fund

https://flagship.vanguard.com/VGApp/hnw/FundsSnapshot?FundId=0113&FundIntExt=INT

[kv968]

who manages the international index? I have one in my 401k account, but don't know much about how it's created, which countries get included excluded, etc...

As far as Vanguard's Total Int'l Stock Index (VGTSX) goes, there are a few managers since that fund consists of three other int'l indexes (58% Europe, 27% Pacific and 15% Emerging). The funds themselves are indexed to the corresponding MSCI (Morgan Stanley Capital International) index, which is basically the world-wide standard. If you'd like to know how they comprise an index, I'd say it's pretty much cap-weighted. Or as they state on their website, it's calculated using..."the Lasperyes' concept of a weighted arithmetic average together with the concept of chain-linking"
If you'd really like to hurt your head, here's the website and you can go over the math for yourself: MSCI Index Calculation Methodology

[jIM_Ohio]

As far as Vanguard's Total Int'l Stock Index (VGTSX) goes, there are a few managers since that fund consists of three other int'l indexes (58% Europe, 27% Pacific and 15% Emerging). The funds themselves are indexed to the corresponding MSCI (Morgan Stanley Capital International) index, which is basically the world-wide standard. If you'd like to know how they comprise an index, I'd say it's pretty much cap-weighted. Or as they state on their website, it's calculated using..."the Lasperyes' concept of a weighted arithmetic average together with the concept of chain-linking"
If you'd really like to hurt your head, here's the website and you can go over the math for yourself: MSCI Index Calculation Methodology

cap weighted is a start... I assume it's an S&P equivalent? How many stocks... sampling or exact? What are requirements for a company to be "non US"- MSFT is traded in London... right, so is it part of that index?

[Scanner]

Janus Overseas - ticker symbol: JAOSX

[kv968]

cap weighted is a start... I assume it's an S&P equivalent? How many stocks... sampling or exact? What are requirements for a company to be "non US"- MSFT is traded in London... right, so is it part of that index?

I take it you're talking about the MSCI? I'm no expert on it by any means, but it does sound like it's an S&P equivalent. I think it aims to cover 85% or so of the targeted market. Since it uses free float market capitalization as it's inclusion determinant, I'd imagine, as in the S&P 500, there's not much small-cap exposure.

They classify each company to only one country, the one in which it's incorporated. So with that, no Microsoft wouldn't be included in their Europe Index.

Again, I'm no expert, but that's my take on it

[MonkeyMama]

I have DODFX & the Vanguard total Intl Stock Market Index

I bought them both this year so not a ton of feedback. Well they are both up more than my domestic stocks. I generally like to have a really strong managed fund and a low-cost index for each aspect of my portfolio. & I have been pleased with Vanguard's total stock index so I jumped into the Intl Total Stock Index this year - doesn't get much more cheaper or diversified.

Had Fidelity Intl Discovery for a while - was a great fund. I just traded it for DODFX because it was offered through my old 401k - felt it was a better fund overall and had had my eye on all the D&C funds for a while. I like that Dodge & Cox tends to closes its funds as they get massive, I figured I better jump at the chance.

[jIM_Ohio]

I have DODFX & the Vanguard total Intl Stock Market Index

I bought them both this year so not a ton of feedback. Well they are both up more than my domestic stocks. I generally like to have a really strong managed fund and a low-cost index for each aspect of my portfolio. & I have been pleased with Vanguard's total stock index so I jumped into the Intl Total Stock Index this year - doesn't get much more cheaper or diversified.

Had Fidelity Intl Discovery for a while - was a great fund. I just traded it for DODFX because it was offered through my old 401k - felt it was a better fund overall and had had my eye on all the D&C funds for a while. I like that Dodge & Cox tends to closes its funds as they get massive, I figured I better jump at the chance.

DODFX is on my short list. $1000 to open a Roth, but considering it. I can use the Vanguard index in my 401k, but use International Value instead.

[yellow heel]

Fidelity Spartan International Index Inv
( NASDAQ:FSIIX )

Low exp ratio: 0.10%
But...

Min Initial Investment: $10,000
Min Initial Investment, IRA: $0
Min Initial Investment, AIP: $10,000
Min Subsequent Investment: $1,000
Min Subsequent Investment, IRA: $1,000
Min Subsequent Investment, AIP: $500