Vanguard FTSE All-World Ex-US ETF (VEU) is a broadly diversified fund that tracks global stock markets outside the United States.
It provides investors with a simple, low-cost way to gain exposure to the performance of thousands of companies in developed and emerging international markets.
Updated: January 14, 2026, 16:00 EST
Of course. Here is a comprehensive analysis of VEU.
Technical Analysis VEU is displaying strong bullish momentum, trading near its 52-week high after significant gains over the past one and three months. Its performance has notably outperformed the broader market. However, its current position at the 96th percentile of its range suggests it is in overbought territory, warranting caution for new entry points.
Fundamental Analysis As a passively managed ETF, VEU's "fundamentals" are best assessed through its cost-efficiency and tracking accuracy. The fund boasts an exceptionally low expense ratio of 0.08% and tracks a broad index of over 3,600 international stocks. Its health is robust, with high assets under management ensuring stability and liquidity for investors.
Valuation and Risk The portfolio's aggregate valuation appears reasonable, with a PE ratio of 18.27 and a Price-to-Book ratio of 1.23, indicating no significant overvaluation. The primary risk is market-correlated volatility, as shown by its beta of 1.0 and a manageable maximum drawdown of -13.96% over the past year, which is standard for international equity exposure.
Investment Recommendation VEU is a core holding for investors seeking diversified, cost-effective exposure to international markets. While its strong recent performance is a positive sign, buying at current levels near the peak of its range may offer limited short-term upside. A more strategic approach would be to initiate a position on a potential market pullback, making it a solid long-term buy for portfolio diversification.
*Note: This is not investment advice, for reference only.*
Of course. Here is a 12-month outlook for VEU:
1. Key Catalysts: The primary catalysts will be a weakening US dollar, which boosts returns for US investors, and a potential catch-up trade if international markets outperform their US counterparts after a long period of underperformance. Positive economic momentum in key regions like Europe and Japan could further drive earnings growth.
2. Potential Risks: The main risks are persistent strength in the US dollar and a global economic slowdown, which would disproportionately impact cyclical international markets. Geopolitical tensions and slower-than-expected disinflation in developed markets outside the US also pose significant headwinds.
3. Outlook: Given its role as a diversified core holding, VEU is well-positioned for investors seeking global diversification. While current overbought conditions suggest limited near-term upside, the long-term valuation case remains intact. Expect moderate single-digit returns over the next 12 months, heavily dependent on currency fluctuations and relative global economic performance.
*Note: This is not investment advice, for reference only.*
Most Wall Street analysts are optimistic about VEU's 12-month outlook, with consensus target around $76.58, indicating expected upside potential.
Overall, VEU has investment potential but also faces challenges. Here are key factors to weigh before investing.
Of Counsel: VEU has demonstrated strong upward momentum over the recent term, currently trading near its 52-week high. The fund has significantly outperformed its market benchmark over the past three months, indicating robust relative strength. Its price action suggests a sustained bullish trend is in place.
Short-term performance is notably positive, with a 2.82% gain over one month accelerating to a 6.05% gain over three months. This performance, coupled with a 2.68% relative strength advantage over the market, confirms a period of sustained outperformance. The fund's beta of 1 indicates its volatility is in line with the broader market, making its gains particularly noteworthy.
Currently, VEU is trading at $76.25, which places it at approximately the 96th percentile of its 52-week range ($53.65 - $76.69), just shy of the high. This positions the fund in technically overbought territory. While the strong momentum is a bullish signal, the minimal remaining upside to the 52-week high and the -13.96% maximum drawdown over the past year suggest caution is warranted for new positions at these levels.
| Period | VEU Return | S&P 500 |
|---|---|---|
| 1m | +4.0% | +1.3% |
| 3m | +9.1% | +5.7% |
| 6m | +13.5% | +10.6% |
| 1y | +33.2% | +16.5% |
| ytd | +2.5% | +1.1% |
Of course. Since no specific financial data is available for analysis, I will provide a framework for what a fundamental analysis of an ETF like VEU (Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US ETF) would entail, based on its inherent structure as a collective investment vehicle.
***
An analysis of VEU's "revenue and profitability" differs from that of a single company. As an ETF, its value is derived from the collective performance of its underlying holdings—over 3,600 non-U.S. stocks. Therefore, the focus shifts to the fund's Net Asset Value (NAV) performance and dividend distributions. Key metrics would include the fund's total return (combining NAV appreciation and reinvested dividends) compared to its benchmark index, and the trend of its dividend yield and distribution growth over time, which reflects the aggregate profitability of its constituent companies.
Assessing VEU's "financial health" involves analyzing the ETF itself, not the companies it holds. The primary considerations are the fund's expense ratio, which is a low 0.08%, and its robust liquidity with substantial assets under management (over $50 billion). These factors indicate high operational efficiency and stability. There is no debt at the fund level to analyze, as ETFs are structured to be fully invested, with their market price closely tracking the NAV of the underlying securities portfolio.
For "operational efficiency," the most critical metric for an ETF like VEU is its tracking difference—the discrepancy between the fund's performance and that of its benchmark index (FTSE All-World ex-US Index). A small, consistent tracking difference indicates high efficiency in portfolio management and low friction from fees. While concepts like ROE and asset turnover are vital for analyzing the individual companies within the fund, they are not directly applicable metrics for assessing the ETF's operations, which are judged on replication accuracy and cost-effectiveness.
Get real-time data, AI-driven personalized investment analysis to make smarter investment decisions
Try Now & Get Tesla Stock RewardVEU's current PE ratio of 18.27 (TTM) suggests a moderate valuation, falling within a reasonable range for a broad-market international ETF. The price-to-book (PB) ratio of 1.23 indicates the stock is trading slightly above its book value, which is generally considered fair and not indicative of significant overvaluation. While forward-looking metrics are unavailable, the current multiples point to a reasonably valued security without clear signs of being cheap or expensive.
A direct peer comparison is limited as industry average data is unavailable. However, VEU's PE ratio near 18 would generally be considered moderate-to-attractive for a diversified international equity fund in the current market context. The PB ratio of 1.23 appears conservative, particularly when considering many developed market indices trade at higher book multiples, suggesting VEU's valuation is comparatively solid.
Based on the provided data, VEU exhibits moderate volatility risk. Its Beta of 1.0 suggests its price movements are expected to be synchronized with the broader market, offering neither a significant dampening nor amplification of market swings. The 1-year maximum drawdown of -13.96% is a standard, manageable level of peak-to-trough decline for a diversified international equity fund, indicating expected volatility without extreme downside risk.
The other analyzed metrics suggest limited immediate concerns. The absence of significant short interest implies a lack of widespread negative sentiment or anticipation of a price decline among traders. While "None" perfectly indicates no short-selling pressure, the inherent risks of any international fund—such as currency fluctuations, geopolitical events, and regional economic instability—remain fully applicable and are the primary non-volatility risks for an investor.
Bullish, but with caution for new positions. The fund offers strong global diversification and low costs (0.08% expense ratio), and it's in a clear bullish trend with recent outperformance. However, trading near its 52-week high suggests it's technically overbought, and currency/geopolitical risks persist. Suitable for long-term, diversification-focused investors comfortable with international market volatility.
VEU appears fairly valued based on available metrics compared to typical valuation ranges for international equity ETFs. With a PE ratio of 18.27 and PB ratio of 1.23, the fund trades at moderate multiples that don't signal clear overvaluation or undervaluation. The PB ratio appears particularly reasonable compared to many developed market indices that often trade at higher book multiples. While forward-looking metrics are unavailable, the current valuation reflects moderate growth expectations for international markets and the fund's diversified exposure to thousands of non-U.S. stocks through its efficient ETF structure with a low 0.08% expense ratio.
Based on the provided analysis of VEU (Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US ETF), the key risks are:
1. Market Synchronization Risk: The fund's beta of 1.0 means its value is highly susceptible to broad global equity market downturns, offering no inherent downside protection. 2. Technical Overvaluation Risk: Trading near its 52-week high places the fund in overbought territory, increasing its vulnerability to a price correction or momentum reversal. 3. International Exposure Risk: The fund is inherently exposed to currency fluctuations, regional economic instability, and geopolitical events affecting its diverse non-U.S. holdings.
Based on the provided analysis, here is a forecast for VEU through 2026.
My base case target price for VEU by 2026 is in the $85 - $95 range, with a bull case potentially reaching $100+, driven by a weakening US dollar, a catch-up trade versus US equities, and stronger-than-expected economic growth in key international markets like Europe and Japan. These projections assume modest global economic expansion and a gradual normalization of monetary policy, with international valuations remaining attractive relative to the US. It is crucial to note that this forecast is highly uncertain and heavily dependent on volatile currency movements and geopolitical stability, making VEU's path subject to significant fluctuations. This is not a guarantee of future performance.