Sturkie Wealth Management Group

06/08/2026

Markets continued their upward climb in May, supported by strong technology performance, positive economic data, and ongoing diplomatic efforts in the Middle East. The Nasdaq gained 8.36%, the S&P 500 rose 5.15%, and Canada’s S&P/TSX Composite added 2.37%, while investors welcomed better-than-expected job growth and upbeat corporate earnings. With the Fed's next meeting scheduled for June, attention is turning to updated economic projections and what they may signal about the broader economy. From \$24 billion spent on Father's Day to the popularity of dining out and special outings, this month's by-the-numbers highlights how families celebrate the dads in their lives.

Monthly Market Insights | June 2026 U.S. and Canadian Markets Stocks pushed higher in May, fueled by big tech names, positive economic news, and ongoing diplomatic efforts in the Middle East. The Nasdaq Composite, which rose 15.29 percent in April, tacked on another 8.36 percent. The Standard & Poor...

06/07/2026

Day 5 of our discussion on international investing. Today we’ll talk about types of international investing.

Here’s the thing: the next 20 years of global growth won’t look like the last 20. So when clients ask me about international investing, I frame it two ways:

Option 1: The Thematic Story
You invest in a country because you believe in its trajectory.

India is the example I keep coming back to. It’s now the world’s most populous nation, with a median age under 30, a growing middle class, and digital infrastructure expanding rapidly. That’s the kind of demographic tailwind that took decades to play out in the U.S. — and it’s just getting started there.

You can access this through funds like EPI or INDA, or broader emerging market ETFs. You’re making a long-term bet on a country’s economic story. High potential — but also higher volatility and geopolitical risk. Eyes open.

You can make an argument for countries in South America, Japan with their changing investment conditions, South Korea etc.

Option 2: The Dividend Aristocrat Approach — International Edition
Forget the country. Follow the cash flow.

Many of the world’s most durable dividend payers aren’t American. Nestlé. Unilever. Novartis. These are multi-decade businesses with global revenue, pricing power, and consistent dividend histories. Funds like VYMI or IDV focus on international dividend-paying companies — quality companies that happen to be based abroad.

It’s a quieter, lower-drama way to go global. Less growth sizzle, more income stability.

So which is right?

Honestly — both can have a role, depending on your goals, time horizon, and risk tolerance.

Thematic international investing = growth orientation, higher risk, patient capital needed.
International dividend investing = income orientation, more stability, still diversified away from the U.S.

The worst outcome? Ignoring international exposure entirely and then wondering why your portfolio feels heavy when U.S. markets struggle.

The world is open for business. Your portfolio should reflect that.

Today’s post comes to you from The Path of the Gods (Sentiero degli Dei). 7 KM hike between Bomerano (Agerola) and Nocelle (Positano), the 2.5 to 4-hour trek features jaw-dropping panoramic views of the sea, terraced cliffs, and quaint villages.

In the distance you’ll also see the yacht of one of the most famous basketball players on the planet. You’ll know it’s him because the engine would choke as he’d get close to the shore. 😆

***as always, not advice. Talk to your financial professional first***

06/05/2026

Day 4 of our conversation about international investing - what if you do have conviction about a single stock, not just an actively managed etf / fund?

For example, one of the largest insurance companies in the world is Allianz. The travelers insurance offered to us when we booked this trip to the amalfi coast was from Allianz. In our firm, we’ve used their RILA for years. If we sorted world companies by revenues, they would be in the top 50 companies worldwide. And they’re up 50% over the last 2 years… (not a recommendation, just a fact. Talk to your own financial advisor first before investing in single stocks)

Global diversification makes sense. But buying foreign stocks — even well-known names like Allianz, Nestlé, or LVMH — comes with a few wrinkles that don’t show up in a domestic portfolio. Here’s what I walk clients through:

1. ADRs vs. Ordinary Shares
Most U.S. investors buy foreign companies through American Depositary Receipts (ADRs) — dollar-denominated instruments that trade on U.S. exchanges. Convenient, yes. But ADRs carry custodian fees (called “pass-through fees”) that quietly erode returns. They’re not always disclosed upfront.

2. Dividend Withholding Tax
This one surprises people. Germany withholds 25% on dividends paid by companies like Allianz — before the money ever reaches your account. The U.S.-Germany tax treaty may reduce that, and you may be able to claim a Foreign Tax Credit on your U.S. return. But it requires paperwork, and not all custodians handle it automatically.

3. Currency Risk
Even if Allianz has a great year, a weakening euro can eat into your dollar-denominated return. This is a risk with no domestic equivalent.

4. Less Regulatory Transparency
Foreign companies report under different accounting standards (IFRS vs. GAAP). Financial statements look familiar — but they aren’t identical. Comparability gets tricky.

5. Liquidity & Spread Differences
ADR trading volumes can be lower than the underlying shares. That means wider bid-ask spreads, especially in volatile markets.

Global exposure can absolutely belong in a well-constructed portfolio. But it comes with tax, currency, and structural considerations that deserve a conversation — not just a market order.

Now enjoy this picture of the coast from our hike today.

06/04/2026

Day 3 of our conversation about international investing.

Yesterday we discussed recent performance of international stocks and why it’s been such a good thing for your portfolio. So why doesn’t everyone have some international exposure?

I guess my my hike yesterday is a good analogy. Signpoints in Europe can be few and far between. Is Ravello still this way? I’ve been on this narrow road for at least 10 minutes. Am I still going the right way? More stairs? We’ve climbed at least 400 so far. That tightness in the chest is probably nothing.

If you navigate it successfully, you end up at an ancient castle with memorable views, gardens, scenic spots. But knowing where to go and the conviction to get there is important.

Back to investing. Who knew the largest bank in Slovenia would make such a run and yield a 3 percent dividend. Where does one even begin to buy their shares? It’s not listed in the US. That’s why for international investing, we prefer to use active managers who find these opportunities for us. They’re the tour guides, so you don’t need to worry about signpoints. They’ve been to the scenic spots. They can help us stay on track.

Tomorrow we’ll talk about style investing vs country investing.

06/03/2026

Continuing the conversation about international investing. (Day 2)

🌍 Are You Leaving Returns on the Table by Staying Home?

Most American investors have 90%+ of their equity exposure in U.S. markets. I get it — it’s familiar, it’s comfortable, and for a long time, it worked. But the data right now is telling a compelling story, and it deserves your attention.

Let me walk you through what’s been happening internationally:

South Korea (KOSPI): The KOSPI surged a staggering 76% in 2025 — the best performance among all major global indices. Not the Nasdaq. Not Japan’s Nikkei. South Korea. And it hasn’t stopped there. The KOSPI recently hit a new intraday high of 8,476, while Samsung Electronics surged on news that it had begun shipping samples of its latest high-bandwidth memory chip to customers globally. This is a market being driven by real structural catalysts: AI chips, corporate governance reform, and surging foreign capital inflows.

🇯🇵 Japan (Nikkei 225): Japan’s Nikkei 225 advanced roughly 26% in 2025, marking its third consecutive annual gain, driven largely by strength in chipmakers and construction-related shares. The rally has continued into 2026, with the Nikkei recently closing at 66,329 — up over 2.5% in a single session. Corporate reforms pushing companies to prioritize shareholder returns are fundamentally changing the investment case for Japan.

🇪🇺 Europe (Euro STOXX 50 / DAX): The Euro STOXX 50 is currently trading near its 52-week high range of 6,199. European stocks have been supported by the global AI and technology rally, with investors taking advantage of recent pullbacks as the broader tech-driven momentum continues.

So what does this mean for your portfolio?

International diversification isn’t just about managing risk anymore — it’s increasingly about accessing returns that the U.S. market isn’t delivering. Different business cycles, currency dynamics, and sector exposures mean global markets don’t always move in lockstep with the S&P 500.

The clients who were globally diversified in 2025 didn’t just hedge their bets — they participated in some of the most extraordinary market runs in a generation.

If you haven’t reviewed your international allocation recently, now is a great time to have that conversation.

PS if you have a teenager on tik tok, you know about the hot Italian guy slinging gelato in Amalfi. Here’s Mateo with said teenage daughter. Line outside the gelato place… 20 deep.



Past performance is not indicative of future results. This post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice.

06/02/2026

Since our advisor Joe is on vacation, he thought he’d revisit a very popular topic from a few years ago… investing internationally.

First we should talk about the difference between investing in global stocks versus investing internationally.

Global investing often means US based companies that do business everywhere. Think Facebook, Disney, Nike, Google…

International investing often means companies based in other countries that may not have a US presence.

Is one better than the other? Tune in over the next few days to find out more.

05/26/2026

AI is learning every day, but right now, there's plenty of situations like this.

It's a rapidly changing technology used by many, but it's not a genie yet.

05/25/2026

Resharing this post about the Warrior Dentist of WWII. Happy Memorial Day!

05/22/2026

Great points made by Phil in his most recent fox business appearance

Chief Market Strategist Phil Blancato joined Charles Payne on Making Money to discuss the state of investing. https://ow.ly/ncLF50Z2Vi8

05/17/2026

Genie: I grant you two wishes.

Bob: I want to be rich.

Genie: Granted.

Rich: I want a lot of money.

For those who don’t get to have a genie, I suggest a strong financial plan with a CFP.