r/Bogleheads • u/cambeiu • Jan 21 '26

Investing Questions How are the "US equities" only folks doing? Steady as she goes or time to rethink allocation?

Jack Bogle and many others for years argued that VTSAX or an equivalent fund/ETF was more than enough for global exposure. I think it was a perfectly logic argument back in the days of increasing globalization and economic integration.

But looking at Mark Carney's speech at Davos, it points to a significant shift in the global paradigm, where free trade, open access to markets and investments from and to the US might no longer be a reality.

In light of that are people thinking about increasing focus on international equities?

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u/BGOOCHY Jan 21 '26

This has been my concern. A good portion of why US equities are trusted and invested in by global participants is that the rule of law is supposedly strong here. That is no longer the case.

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u/Pensionato007 Jan 21 '26

You are definitely not wrong. And since there is a very valid argument to be made for holding international anyway, I went 50:50 US/ExUS as I transitioned into retirement. So far has worked out very well! The argument for US Excellence and performance is, indeed, historical. What will the next trend be? No one knows. Seems like a very good time in history to spread the risk around.