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We think foreign stocks can safely make up 10% of a conservative investor’s portfolio. One way is through exchange-traded funds (ETFs) with an overseas focus.


The best of those ETFs charge you very low management fees yet offer you well-diversified, tax-efficient portfolios of high-quality stocks.


Here’s a look at four international ETFs we see as well- suited for new buying and two others your portfolio will continue to benefit from holding.


ISHARES MSCI EMERGING MARKETS ETF $43.93, is a buy for aggressive investors. The fund (New York symbol EEM; buy or sell through brokers) is designed to track the MSCI Emerging Markets Index; it gives you access to some of the world’s fastest growing markets.


The ETF’s geographic breakdown is as follows: China, 34.2%; South Korea, 11.7%; Taiwan, 11.5%; India, 9.0%; Brazil, 7.3%; South Africa, 4.6%; Russia, 4.0%; Saudi Arabia, 2.6%; Mexico, 2.5%; Thailand, 2.4%; Indonesia, 2.0%; and Malaysia, 1.8%.


Your biggest stock exposure through the fund is Alibaba Group (China: e-commerce), 5.9% of assets; Tencent Holdings (China: Internet), 4.6%; Taiwan Semiconductor (computer chips), 4.3%; Samsung Electronics (South Korea), 3.8%; China Construction Bank, 1.2%; Naspers (South Africa: media and Internet), 1.2%; Ping An Insurance Group (China), 1.1%; Reliance Industries (India: conglomerate), 1.0%; Housing Development Finance Corp....

Building on successful acquisitions, growth stock CGI Group targets growth in booming areas of outsourcing, cloud computing and IT security.

A: The Chefs’ Warehouse, $37.92, symbol CHEF on Nasdaq (Shares outstanding: 29.9 million; Market cap: $1.1 billion, www.chefswarehouse.com), distributes specialty food products in the U.S....

A: Magna International, $68.54, symbol MG on Toronto (Shares outstanding: 323.1 million; Market cap: $20.6 billion; www.magna.com), is a leading global supplier of technologically advanced automotive systems, components and complete modules....

Alcon began trading as a new spinoff last spring. At current prices, the stock is not inexpensive in relation to this year’s earnings. But we think trends now underway—including the company’s strong position in its key markets—have set its sales, profit and share price on a strong growth path.

Our Successful Investor research department has drawn up this Inner Circle Spotlight report on Alcon to explain why we think the stock will keep paying off for you as an investment, and why now is a good time to buy....

BECTON DICKINSON & CO. $282 is a buy. The company (New York symbol BDX; Conservative Growth Portfolio; Consumer sector; Shares o/s: 271.0 million; Market cap: $76.4 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 4.4; Divd. yield: 1.1%; TSINetwork Rating: Above Average; www.bd.com)....

Sticking with technology’s market leaders won’t hurt your returns. Indeed, as dominant players in their fields, they generate plenty of cash flow to keep launching new products and fuel more gains for investors. Our subscribers saw that play out last year with gains of up to 40% from the six tech stock we feature here.


MICROSOFT CORP. $168 is still a buy for investors. The company (Nasdaq symbol MSFT; Aggressive Growth Portfolio, Manufacturing & Industry sector; Shares o/s: 7.6 billion; Market cap: $1.3 trillion; Price-to-sales ratio: 9.8; Dividend yield: 1.2%; TSINetwork Rating: Above Average; www.microsoft.com) is the world’s largest computer software company.


Through their shares, investors tap the company’s Windows operating system, which powers 85% of the world’s personal computers....

FINNING INTERNATIONAL INC. $24 is still a buy. The company (Toronto symbol FTT; Cyclical-Growth Payer Portfolio, Manufacturing & Industry sector; Shares outstanding: 164.6 million; Market cap: $4.0 billion; Dividend yield: 3.4%; Dividend Sustainability Rating: Above Average; www.finning.com) The company sells and services Caterpillar-brand heavy equipment in Western Canada, South America and the U.K.


Finning last raised your quarterly dividend in June 2019....

Procter & Gamble has been a terrific holding for our subscribers. Not only has it paid dividends for 129 years—and increased its payout annually for the past 63—the stock is also up an impressive 40% in the past year.


We’re confident the company will continue to add to the value for investors as savings from its ongoing cost-control plan frees up cash for new investments....

CHEVRON CORP. $110 remains a buy for investors. The leading integrated oil and gas producer (New York symbol CVX; Cyclical-Growth Dividend Payer Portfolio, Resources sector; Shares outstanding: 1.9 billion; Market cap: $209.0 billion; Dividend yield: 4.3%; Dividend Sustainability Rating: Above Average; www.chevron.com) last raised your quarterly dividend by 6.2% with the March 2019 payment....