For the past decade, U.S. stocks have stolen the spotlight. Fueled by the dominance of tech giants and ultra-low interest rates, American equities have outperformed much of the world—leaving many investors to wonder if there’s any need to look beyond U.S. borders. But history—and current market conditions—suggest it may be time to take a fresh look at foreign stocks.
A recent article from Sound Mind Investing by Mark Biller outlines why international markets could be poised for a resurgence. From valuation gaps and shifting fiscal policy to global capital flows and post-COVID economic trends, several factors are aligning that could make foreign equities an important part of a well-diversified portfolio again.
Let’s walk through the key highlights and insights from the article—and why this may be a wise moment to think globally in your investment strategy.
Mark Biller is Executive Editor and Senior Portfolio Manager at Sound Mind Investing, an underwriter of Faith & Finance.
Why Should U.S. Investors Consider Foreign Stocks?1. Diversification and Market Dynamics
Foreign stocks offer investors the opportunity to diversify—not just by geography but also by market behavior. While U.S. stocks declined by more than 4% in Q1 of this year, a common international fund used by Sound Mind Investing rose by over 8%. That kind of divergence underscores the value of spreading risk across global markets.
Two decades ago, having 20% or more of your equity portfolio in international stocks was standard practice. However, as U.S. markets have surged over the last 14 years—outperforming foreign stocks by a factor of four—many investors have pulled back. History, however, suggests the pendulum could be swinging back.
2. The Tech Bubble Parallel
Remember the late 1990s tech boom? From 1995 to 1999, the S&P 500 rose more than 20% annually, driven largely by internet stocks. Sound familiar?
After the dot-com bubble burst in March 2000, U.S. stocks stalled—gaining just 13% over the next 7.5 years. Meanwhile, foreign stocks soared, climbing 69% during that same stretch. Market cycles like this remind us that chasing performance can lead to missed opportunities elsewhere.
3. A Price-to-Earnings Disparity
Currently, U.S. stocks trade at a P/E ratio of around 26—well above historical norms. Foreign stocks? Around 16. That’s a significant valuation gap. While valuation alone doesn’t indicate when markets will shift, it does suggest that the upside potential for international equities is greater—especially if investor sentiment begins to shift.
4. Post-COVID Spending and Sector Shifts
COVID-19 marked the end of a 40-year trend of declining inflation and interest rates. Since then, we’ve entered a new environment with higher inflation and rising rates—conditions that benefit the more industrial, less tech-heavy composition of many foreign markets.
U.S. tech stocks, dominant in low-rate environments, may not fare as well moving forward. Foreign markets, which lean toward traditional sectors, could outperform in this new
