Daniel Sotiroff

Striking a careful balance between yield and risk is a big appeal.

They have suffered 10 years of poor earnings growth.

A smoother ride is possible.

Consistent dividend growth is key.

It all comes down to two well-known factors.

Why these funds are struggling and what to do about it.

This low-cost ESG strategy balances its sustainability remit with broad diversification.

The firm is executing its new strategy and delivering for investors.

Dan Sotiroff looks at performance and how it might have affected your portfolio.

Here are a few ways to cope with the risks in emerging markets.

Use caution when chasing yield.

Outstanding diversification and an ultralow fee earn this fund a Gold rating.

Vanguard Total World Stock Index offers investors the entire global market in one low-cost package.

A smoother ride is possible.

Low-volatility strategies have different intended outcomes compared with value and profitability.

Vanguard Total International Stock Index earns our top rating of Gold.

This compelling choice gets an upgrade.

What is the best way to make a selection?

These three options are pretty good.

Foreign stock index funds are more diversified than ever.

But broad-market index funds are still great investments.

Diversification and a low fee improve its appeal.

Foreign governments aren't always on your side.

Investors should be sure to understand the issues with foreign dividend payers.

Not all dividend strategies are the same.

Stable companies are only part of the equation.

Dan Sotiroff provides some guidance on handling these funds.

Trim risk while staying diversified.

They're just stocks that look a little different.

These funds provide foreign-stock exposure but keep a lid on risk.

Diversification and low fees are a compelling combination.

Bigger yields require patience.

Growth leans toward quality.

Don't overthink it.

Vanguard International Dividend Appreciation Index's portfolio of high-quality firms exhibiting strong dividend growth earns a Morningstar Analyst Rating of Bronze.

Vanguard International High Dividend Yield ETF's ability to control risk is a big appeal.

The advantage is marginal.

These total foreign market index funds from Fidelity offer great diversification and carry low fees.

Diversification potential comes with some risk.

Attempting to time changes in foreign-exchange rates hurts long-term performance.

Capturing the evolving composition of the emerging-markets universe.

The composition of emerging markets continues to evolve.

Index funds are gaining ground on their active counterparts in this arena.

Silver-rated Schwab Short-Term U.S. Treasury ETF provides low-cost exposure to high-quality, shorter-maturity bonds.

Some investment strategies are overhyped.

Here are two of our favorite index-tracking municipal-bond funds.

We see the cuts as a directional improvement for investors, but they do not impact our Morningstar Analyst Ratings.

Portfolio managers have stepped up their game.

Outstanding tracking error and low ownership costs make this fund a compelling option.

This is one of the broadest and cheapest funds in its Morningstar Category.