Investor Trends in International Stocks

Man, have you noticed how everyone's been jumping into international stocks this year? It's kind of like a gold rush in 2025! Over at Lazard Asset Management, they’re pretty stoked about the opportunities popping up, especially in European and Asian banks not to mention those chipmakers and some folks digging for gold across the globe.

Shifting Strategies Amid Market Volatility

Investors are getting crafty with their money, betting on international stocks to dodge some pretty wild market swings back home, all these geopolitical dramas brewing up, and let’s not even talk about those sky-high U.S stock prices that feel a bit wobbly lately. Oh, and there’s this iShares MSCI ACWI ex US ETF that’s been a total rockstar, pulling in a whopping 23% this year - that’s more than double the gains than what the SPDR S & P 500 ETF managed.

Lazard's New ETF and Investment Strategy

Seriously, these Lazard folks have been all over this area for nearly two decades but Paul Moghtader is kinda the wizard behind their latest move, this Lazard International Dynamic Equity ETF. Rolling in money with about $422 million, this baby got a shiny five-star rating from Morningstar and isn’t too heavy on the wallet with an expense ratio of 0.40%. They switched gears in May from an open-ended mutual fund setup, so you can tell they’re not just dabbling; they’re pretty serious.

Paul Moghtader's Market Perspective

When Paul talks shop, you want to take notes. He’s seeing the market like a wild rollercoaster lately - who isn’t, right? But his way to chill out that ride is by spreading bets across the globe. Makes total sense, given those tempting valuations outside the U.S. and companies elsewhere stepping up their game big time for shareholders.

Stock Selection Methodology

Paul’s got this neat approach to picking stocks; it's like he’s looking through a kaleidoscope to find just the right mix. They size up everything from what a stock costs compared to what it earns, to its future growth vibes, how solid its finances are, and what the crowd thinks about it. Recently, they started peeking at how stock reacts to the economy - kind of like matching the beat of a song to your mood, right? And when Lazard picks stocks, they’re not just throwing darts. They mix and match all these insights to stack up a portfolio that aims to dodge too much risk but still snag the good stuff. The IEQ ETF, where you find companies like Taiwan Semiconductor and BNP Paribas chilling together, showcases some savvy moves – think Canadian gold diggers and Euro bankers, all handpicked because Lazard’s secret sauce models find them super appealing.

Focus on European Banks and Canadian Gold

BNP Paribas, for example, isn’t just any bank. They’ve been on a shopping spree, picking up AXA’s investment arm, which ballooned them to titan status in Europe's asset management scene. And the numbers are singing, with BNP’s stock leaping up nearly 30% this year. Their neighbors like Societe Generale aren’t just watching the show; they've nearly doubled their worth. Hefty dividends and low price tags are making them the belles of the ball. Now, while they’re jazzed about European banks, Paul is also keeping an eye on the gold nuggets in Canada. Kinross Gold and Barrick Mining have had meteoric rises this year - we’re talking triple digits! All this while they’re cooling off on software stocks - guess they reckon writing code’s easier now with all the AI wizardry. Amphenol, Erickson, and Western Digital are some of the new tech toys they’ve picked up recently.

Lazard's Asset Management Overview

And, just in case you wondered, Lazard manages a cool $231 billion - yeah, billion with a 'B'. So next time you’re thinking about where to park your money, maybe give a nod to how these guys are playing the game. Feels like they’ve got a decent handle on things, even when the market feels like it's on a never-ending spin cycle!