Picture this.
You’re standing inside a massive global “ETF supermarket.”
Not snacks. Not gadgets.
But thousands of international ETFs from every corner of the world.
Emerging markets.
Developed Europe.
Asia-Pacific giants.
Dividend machines.
Growth monsters.
Now imagine someone says:
“You can only choose THREE.
And if you get it wrong, your global diversification is broken.”
Most investors freeze right here.
Too many options.
Too much noise.
Too much conflicting advice.
So instead of guessing, I did what most people don’t do.
I went straight to the source.
I pulled verified data directly from Vanguard and BlackRock, checked fund size, expense ratios, performance, and real-world investability — and narrowed everything down to three international ETFs that actually matter.
By the end of this article, you’ll know:
Which 3 ETFs deserve your attention
Why international investing is NOT optional anymore
And which single ETF I’d bet my own money on if forced to choose just one
Let’s start with a hard truth most investors ignore.
The Biggest Investing Mistake Most People Make 🚨
Most investors think the U.S. stock market is the world.
It’s not.
The U.S. makes up only about 60% of global market capitalization.
That means if you only invest in U.S. stocks, you’re ignoring 40% of the world’s opportunities.
That’s like:
Playing chess while ignoring half the board
Or trying to win a marathon hopping on one leg
Some of the world’s most powerful companies live outside the U.S.:
Taiwan Semiconductor (TSMC) – the brain behind your iPhone
Tencent – dominating China’s digital ecosystem
SAP – Europe’s enterprise software backbone
ASML – the only company that can build advanced chip machines
These aren’t small players.
They’re global titans — and many investors miss them completely.
So let’s fix that.
The Three International ETF Gladiators ⚔️
After filtering by size, cost, diversification, and performance, three ETFs survived.
🥇 1. VXUS – Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
The Diversification Beast
Assets: ~$55 billion
Holdings: 8,600+ international stocks
Expense ratio: 0.05%
YTD return: ~24%
This is institutional-level diversification.
VXUS owns almost everything outside the U.S.
From mega caps to small international growth stories you’ve never heard of.
If your goal is maximum global exposure with minimal fuss, VXUS is a monster.
🥈 2. VEU – Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US ETF
The Cost Assassin 💸
Assets: ~$68 billion
Holdings: ~3,800 stocks
Expense ratio: 0.04% (ultra-low)
YTD return: ~23.9%
This ETF is Vanguard efficiency at its finest.
That tiny 0.04% fee might look harmless — but over 30 years, it can mean thousands of dollars more in your pocket.
VEU is built for long-term investors who believe:
“Costs matter more than predictions.”
🥉 3. IXUS – iShares Core MSCI Total International ETF
The Income Generator 💰
Assets: ~$48 billion
Holdings: ~4,200 stocks
Expense ratio: 0.07%
Dividend yield: ~3.08%
YTD return: ~22%
IXUS does something different.
It pays you while you wait.
For income investors or retirees, a 3% yield can be life-changing — especially when combined with global diversification.
Head-to-Head: What Really Matters to Investors 🧠
🏆 Size & Stability
VXUS wins — massive assets, tight spreads, rock-solid tracking.
🏆 Cost Efficiency
VEU dominates — lowest expense ratio, maximum compounding advantage.
🏆 Income
IXUS shines — meaningful dividends plus growth.
🏆 Performance
All three performed strongly — proof that international markets are back.
My Real Strategy (And the ETF I’d Choose If Forced) 🎯
Here’s the honest truth:
I don’t pick just one.
I use a core-satellite approach:
60% VEU → ultra-low cost core
25% VXUS → extra diversification
15% IXUS → dividend income
This combo balances:
Cost
Growth
Income
Global reach
But…
👉 If I absolutely HAD to pick just ONE international ETF for the next 20 years?
✅ I’d choose VEU
Why?
The 0.04% expense ratio compounds relentlessly
3,800+ stocks is more than enough diversification
Vanguard’s track record = peace of mind
Over decades, that tiny cost advantage can easily mean RM20,000–RM40,000 more in your portfolio.
Ready to Buy These ETFs? Use moomoo 🚀
If you want to invest in VXUS, VEU, or IXUS easily, one of the best platforms to use is moomoo.
Why moomoo?
Access to global ETFs
Powerful charts & data
Beginner-friendly but pro-grade tools
Competitive fees
👉 Open a moomoo account here and start building your global ETF portfolio today:
🔗 https://j.moomoo.com/0xFRE4
Your future self will thank you for thinking globally while others stay stuck at home.
Final Thought 🌱
Investing is a marathon, not a sprint.
Think long term.
Think globally.
Control costs.
Let compounding do the heavy lifting.
If this article helped you cut through the noise, share it, bookmark it, and start building your international exposure today.
