The Markets September 24, 2010

Vanguard Switches International Fund Benchmark

Vanguard plans to change the target benchmark of its Total International Stock Index Fund from the MSCI EAFE + Emerging Markets Index to the MSCI All Country World ex USA Investable Market Index, the firm announced.

Reported by

PLANADVISER staff

A news release said the fund’s new target index covers 98% of the world’s non-U.S. markets, including the European, Pacific, and emerging market regions, as well as Canada. The index includes more than 6,000 issues encompassing stocks of large-, mid-, and small-capitalization companies in 44 countries.

Never miss a story — sign up for PLANADVISER newsletters to keep up on the latest retirement plan adviser news. 

“We believe that the new target benchmark offers a better representation of the international equity universe, offering exposure across the capitalization spectrum, including small-cap issues,” said Vanguard’s Chief Investment Officer Gus Sauter, in the announcement

Vanguard expects Vanguard Total International Stock ETF to begin trading in the first quarter of 2011. Introduced in 1996, Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund is Vanguard’s second largest international index fund with $26.2 billion in net assets.

Shares, Estimated Expense Ratio