Daniel Sotiroff

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.

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.

Not all dividend strategies are the same.

Stable companies are only part of the equation.

Trim risk while staying diversified.

They're just stocks that look a little different.

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.

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.

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

Some investment strategies are overhyped.

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.

Some strategies don't benefit from a cap-weighted approach.

Vanguard Total International Stock ETF is an outstanding core foreign-stock fund.

Diversification has advantages for low-volatility strategies.

This cheap foreign-stock fund effectively cuts back on risk.

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

Developed-market indexes are less concentrated than they were 30 years ago.

Currency hedging comes with some trade-offs.

This solid value strategy can make some risky bets.

Not all value strategies are created equal.