VGK - Vanguard FTSE Europe Index Fund ETF Shares
| Previous Close | 52.17 |
| Open | 52.76 |
| Bid | 53.06 x 900 |
| Ask | 53.07 x 4000 |
| Day's Range | 52.62 - 53.15 |
| 52 Week Range | 36.29 - 59.09 |
| Volume | 2,127,267 |
| Avg. Volume | 4,834,415 |
| Net Assets | 15.79B |
| NAV | 51.66 |
| PE Ratio (TTM) | N/A |
| Yield | 2.47% |
| YTD Daily Total Return | -10.39% |
| Beta (5Y Monthly) | 1.05 |
| Expense Ratio (net) | 0.08% |
| Inception Date | 2005-03-04 |
- Benzinga
How Powerful Is Your Passport In A World Facing A Pandemic?
As air travel begins to resume and parts of the globe cautiously begin to re-open, travel freedom and mobility has rapidly changed for many citizens in the time of the coronavirus. Premium Passports Lose Their Shine: The Henley Passport Index ranks passport power based on the number of destinations their holders can enter without a visa. An extraordinary shift in passport power has occurred due to temporary pandemic-related bans.Japan Holds No. 1 Spot: Without taking the various travel bans and restrictions into account, Japan continues to hold the No. 1 spot on the Henley Passport Index. Singapore remains in second place, while Germany and South Korea rank jointly in third. Both Japan and South Korea have been included on the EU's list of safe countries, while Singapore has been excluded.This means Singaporean passport holders have far less travel freedom than their closest competitors on the index, which is based on exclusive data from the International Air Transport Association. EU Bans American Visitors: Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. passport usually ranked within the top 10 on the Henley Passport Index in the sixth or seventh place, with American citizens able to access 185 destinations around the world without an advance visa. Last week, the EU released a list of countries whose residents would be allowed entry into the bloc after July 1 based on coronavirus-related health and safety criteria.The list includes Australia, Canada, Japan and South Korea, all of which have traditionally scored highly on the Henley Passport Index.The Henley Passport Index says that, in a move perceived as a stinging rebuke for its poor handling of the pandemic, the U.S. has been excluded from the list, as were Brazil and Russia.This could eventually change if the countries come to grips with the COVID-19 pandemic and manage to control the spread, or a vaccine is found. U.S. nationals now have roughly the same level of travel freedom as citizens of Uruguay , which is included on the EU's list of welcome countries and ranks 28th on the Henley index. In another striking inversion, the U.S's dramatic decline in passport power means that Americans find themselves with a similar level of travel freedom usually available to citizens of Mexico, which is 25th on the index. "As we have already seen, the pandemic's impact on travel freedom has been more drastic and long lasting than initially anticipated," says Christian Kaelin, chairman of investment migration firm Henley and Partners. The EU's recent decision will have far-reaching effects, he says. International Mobility Restricted: The Henley Passport Index says that as premium passports lose their privileges, experts suggest that the crisis is likely to make international mobility more restricted and unpredictable in the longer term."Even as countries open their borders, it is expected that numerous governments will use epidemiological concerns as a justification for imposing new immigration restrictions and nationality-targeted travel bans that will mainly be aimed at citizens of developing countries," says Yossi Harpaz, assistant professor of sociology at Tel Aviv University."The passports of both developing and developed nations stand to decrease in value, at least temporarily. In such uncertain times, global demand for dual citizenship and investor visas is expected to increase."See more from Benzinga * Martini Tax: US Considering .1B In New Tariffs On UK, European Goods * Bank Of England Boosts Bond Buying By 4B, Maintains Bank Rate * UK Formally Confirms To EU That It Won't Extend Brexit Transition(C) 2020 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
- Benzinga
Martini Tax: US Considering $3.1B In New Tariffs On UK, European Goods
The United States Trade Representative is weighing new tariffs on $3.1 billion in exports from France, Germany, Spain and the U.K.The USTR made a disclosure in a filing stating the additional list of products, which contains 30 tariff subheadings with an approximate value of $3.1 billion.The products named for new tariffs include olives, gin, chocolate and trucks, while the USTR proposed increased tariffs for aircraft and yogurt.This is not the first time the U.S. has discussed imposing tariffs on European goods. In October 2019, the USTR announced $7.5 billion in tariffs on European products that took effect Oct. 18.Last year, the World Trade Organization authorized annual tariffs on a range of European goods, including luxury goods and premium spirits, that are imported to the U.S.On Tuesday, it emerged that President Donald Trump could also reimpose tariffs on aluminum imports from Canada later this week.Related Links:Analyst: US Tariffs On European Goods Will Impact Luxury MarketBloomberg: Trump's Mexican Tariffs Are 'Reckless,' Could Trigger RecessionSee more from Benzinga * Bank Of England Boosts Bond Buying By 4B, Maintains Bank Rate * UK Formally Confirms To EU That It Won't Extend Brexit Transition * The Undervalued Currencies In A Coronavirus Market, According To SEB(C) 2020 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
- Benzinga
UK Formally Confirms To EU That It Won't Extend Brexit Transition
The U.K. formally confirmed Friday to the European Union it will not extend the Brexit transition period.The U.K. officially left the EU Jan. 31, but the transition period lasts until Dec. 31, which means U.K. is still bound to some EU rules.Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove tweeted:> I just chaired a constructive EU Joint Committee meeting with @MarosSefcovic> > I formally confirmed the UK will not extend the transition period & the moment for extension has now passed. On 1 January 2021 we will take back control and regain our political & economic independence pic.twitter.com/nZjNpez8LI> > -- Michael Gove (@michaelgove) June 12, 2020The full press conference by European Commission Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič following the second meeting of the EU-UK Joint Committee can be found here.The BBC reports that checks on EU goods coming into the U.K. will be phased in 2021 to give firms "time to adjust."Related Links:Brexit Finally Arrives, Johnson Says It's 'A New Dawn'A Brexit Recap: What's Next?See more from Benzinga * Brexit Trade Talks In Deadlock, 'Progress Remains Limited' * ECB Doubles Pandemic Bond-Buying Program, Investors Watch Europe With Interest * Brexit Update: Coronavirus Creates Further Uncertainty Over UK Trade Agreement(C) 2020 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
- Benzinga
Brexit Trade Talks In Deadlock, 'Progress Remains Limited'
The United Kingdom and European Union Brexit trade talks are in a deadlock, with both sides criticizing each other's negotiation stance.'Progress Remains Limited' Between UK, EU The U.K. officially left the EU Jan. 31, but the transition period lasts until Dec. 31, which means U.K. is still bound to some EU rules. This is the fourth round of Brexit negotiations between London and Brussels.On Friday, Michael Barnier, the EU chief negotiator said: "in all areas, the U.K. continues to backtrack on the commitments it has undertaken."Barnier says the U.K. doesn't want to talk about "cooperation on foreign policy, development and defence ... I still don't understand why?"U.K. chief negotiator David Frost has also said "progress remains limited."Brexit Overshadowed By Pandemic The U.K. and the EU have had to deal with the global coronavirus pandemic, which has seen Brexit trade negotiations fall to the wayside. "The Brexit issue, like so much else, has fallen under the radar due to the COVID19 crisis, but negotiations are going on, albeit slowly," said Per Hammarlund, chief emerging markets strategist at SEB AB in Stockholm.Before the end of June, a decision needs to be made as to whether the transition period should be extended by two years to allow more time for negotiations of the final agreement, adds Hammarlund.UK, EU Stuck In Messy Divorce Negotiations "Today, negotiators of the divorce agreement should have been ready with a proposal for such an extension, but it appears as if they have hit a wall," says Hammarlund.In exchange for an agreement, the EU wants the U.K. to continue to follow some of the EU rules to ensure a level playing field and for the European Court of Justice to have jurisdiction in the U.K, adds the analyst.FXTM research analyst Lukman Otunuga said the clock is "dangerously ticking closer" to the June 30 extension deadline, increasing fears over a no-deal Brexit. "Given how the coronavirus chaos has exposed the UK economy to downside shocks with a technical recession on the horizon, more drama and uncertainty around Brexit is the last thing the economy needs," adds Otunuga.The analyst expects the British Pound to remain vulnerable, depressed and unloved as Brexit fears and growth concerns haunt investor attraction toward the currency. Fishing Rights Brussels and London disagree on fishing rights, security and governance.The U.K. is resisting EU demands for continued long-term access to British waters. The EU wants fishing rights in British waters."There have been no significant areas of progress" on fishing, "economic fair play, trade fair play" or governance, said the EU's Barnier. He adds the UK-EU talks can't "go on like this forever."SEB's Hammarlund said that none of this is acceptable to the British. "Now everyone hopes that a scheduled meeting between Boris Johnson and Ursula von der Leyen later this month will be able to resolve the knots." British fishermen have argued that joining Europe led to the decimation of the fishing industry and now see a golden opportunity to right that wrong, according to Foreign Policy.What's Next Talks between the U.K. and the EU are set to continue Oct. 31 when the two hope to find "some common ground" and come to an agreement.Related Links:Brexit Update: Coronavirus Creates Further Uncertainty Over UK Trade AgreementA Brexit Recap: What's Next?See more from Benzinga * ECB Doubles Pandemic Bond-Buying Program, Investors Watch Europe With Interest * Brexit Update: Coronavirus Creates Further Uncertainty Over UK Trade Agreement * European Union Sets Out 750-Billion-Euro Coronavirus Recovery Plan(C) 2020 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
- Benzinga
Brexit Update: Coronavirus Creates Further Uncertainty Over UK Trade Agreement
The United Kingdom is meeting for the fourth round of Brexit negotiations between London and Brussels Tuesday, as a comprehensive trade deal to replace the transition phase by the end of this year kicks off.The U.K. officially left the European Union on Jan. 31 and is in a Brexit transition period that aims to give both sides some breathing space while a new free trade agreement is negotiated between the U.K. and the EU.The coronavirus pandemic has overshadowed the urgency of Brexit. Both sides have been negotiating using videoconferencing, with the next round of virtual talks beginning on Tuesday.FX Analyst Predicts Limited Agreement In 2020 Richard Falkenhall, senior FX strategist at SEB, says to expect a "limited trade agreement to be reached by end of 2020," adding that the COVID-19 pandemic creates further uncertainty."Time is running out and the deadline for an extension of the transition period is now less than one month away," Falkenhall says in a research note.In a letter to the British Parliament, EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier told MPs that the EU is prepared to accept an extension of one or two years to have enough time to negotiate a new deal, and so far this has not been an option for U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson and the U.K. government, according to SEB. "Our main scenario remains that some sort of limited trade agreement will be reached before the end of 2020, because the alternative would be bad for both parties," the analyst says. There's no doubt the coronavirus outbreak has created further uncertainty, as the EU would now prefer to focus on support for its own economy, including a long-term budget and the new rescue fund, rather than on negotiations with the U.K., adds Falkenhall.Fishing Rights There is one area which is coming under extreme scrutiny: fishing rights. Both Brussels and London disagree on fishing rights, security and governance.British fishermen have argued that joining Europe led to the decimation of the fishing industry and now see a golden opportunity to right that wrong, reports Foreign Policy.Related Links:Brexit Finally Arrives, Johnson Says It's 'A New Dawn'A Brexit Recap: What's Next?See more from Benzinga * European Union Sets Out 750-Billion-Euro Coronavirus Recovery Plan * Coronavirus Crisis An Existential Threat To European Union, Says George Soros * German Constitutional Court Challenges ECB's Bond Buying(C) 2020 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
- Benzinga
European Union Sets Out 750-Billion-Euro Coronavirus Recovery Plan
The European Union is proposing a 750-billion-euro ($824 billion) coronavirus recovery plan to assist the bloc with its recovery. The funds, as well as targeted reinforcements to the long-term EU budget for 2021-2027, will bring the total financial firepower of the EU budget to 1.85 trillion euros, according to the European Commission. "This is Europe's moment. Our willingness to act must live up to the challenges we are all facing. With Next Generation EU we are providing an ambitious answer," said Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. "The coronavirus pandemic has shaken Europe and the world to its core, testing health care and welfare systems, our societies and economies and our way of living and working together."Benzinga is covering every angle of how the coronavirus affects the financial world. For daily updates, sign up for our coronavirus newsletter.EU Must Evolve To Survive, CIO Says "While the EU relief package will certainly help things in Europe, it appears to be more of a stop gap measure and pales in comparison to actions taken by the U.S. government," Zach Abraham, chief investment officer and principal at Bulwark Capital Management, told Benzinga."Although we are keeping a watchful eye on all ECN and EU relief measures, we are far more focused on recent comments by Macron and Merkel that point to a willingness or at least an openness to a tighter fiscal union." In Abraham's view, the EU cannot continue as it is structured today."Either Germany will have to relent on ECB guidelines which restrict the central bank from applying unilateral QE and other forms of monetary stimulus (currently the ECB can only apply monetary stimulus evenly across all member countries) or more countries, specifically Italy and Spain, will be forced to leave." This issue is far more critical to the economic prospects of the EU as a whole, the professional investor said. On Friday, billionaire George Soros said the survival of the EU is challenged and that the EU may break apart in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic unless the bloc issues perpetual bonds to help weak members such as Italy. Soros said the damage to the eurozone economy will last longer than most people believe.Related Links:Coronavirus Crisis An Existential Threat To European Union, Says Billionaire Investor, Philanthropist George SorosEuropean Union Shapes COVID-19 Stabilization Plan: 'Details Have To Be Worked Out'See more from Benzinga * Coronavirus Crisis An Existential Threat To European Union, Says George Soros * German Constitutional Court Challenges ECB's Bond Buying * European Union Shapes COVID-19 Stabilization Plan: 'Details Have To Be Worked Out'(C) 2020 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
- Benzinga
Prince Charles Tests Positive For Coronavirus, Remains In Good Health
Britain's Prince Charles, the Prince of Wales, tested positive for the coronavirus on Wednesday.In a statement Clarence House announced Prince Charles has tested positive for novel coronavirus. Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, has also been tested but does not have the virus.The couple are now self-isolating. It's reported his last public engagement was on March 12.See Also: Why Meghan Markle Has A Tough Time Being A PrincessAccording to the statement, the 71-year-old prince, "had been displaying mild symptoms but otherwise remains in good health and has been working from home throughout the last few days as usual."Prince Charles is second in line to the British throne as the eldest son of Elizabeth II.Photo credit: Dan Marsh, FlickrSee more from Benzinga * Boris Johnson Announces UK Lockdown, Says Coronavirus Is Biggest Threat In Decades * Brexit Finally Arrives, Johnson Says It's 'A New Dawn'(C) 2020 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
- Benzinga
Boris Johnson Announces UK Lockdown, Says Coronavirus Is Biggest Threat In Decades
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced Monday that people will be barred from leaving their homes in an effort to stop the spread of the coronavirus spread.Johnson said people in Britain will be allowed to leave their homes for only very limited purposes, such as shopping for basic necessities, for one form of exercise a day, for any medical need and to travel to and from work when absolutely necessary.The coronavirus is "biggest threat [UK] has faced for decades," Johnson warned.Benzinga is covering every angle of how the coronavirus affects the financial world. For daily updates, sign up for our coronavirus newsletter.The tougher measures have been implemented after this weekend the UK witnessed many people flocking to parks to enjoy the start of spring.Johnson said people are warned not to meet friends or family members who they don't live with and the police will have powers to enforce the rules, including through fines and dispersing gatherings.All shops selling non-essential goods, such as clothing and electronic stores, are ordered to close. Libraries, playgrounds, outdoor gyms and places of worship are to close. All gatherings of more than two people in public - excluding people you live with - are banned and all social events, including weddings and baptisms are banned, excluding funerals.These restrictions have been implemented for three weeks until further notice.See more from Benzinga * Brexit Finally Arrives, Johnson Says It's 'A New Dawn'(C) 2020 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
- ETF Trends
Weakness in Europe ETFs Could Continue
As many begin to consider the potential economic fallout from the Wuhan coronavirus in China, investors should watch out for a slowdown in European markets and related exchange traded funds that are closely ...
- ETF Trends
ETFs to Track European Markets Hitting Record Highs
Europe-related ETFs are gaining momentum, with Eurozone markets hitting new highs as the banking sector led the charge, amid a broader global rally. The iShares MSCI Europe Financials ETF (NASDAQ: EUFN), ...
- Zacks
Is First Trust STOXX European Select Dividend ETF (FDD) a Strong ETF Right Now?
Smart Beta ETF report for FDD
- ETF Trends
14 Europe ETFs to Diversify a Portfolio for the New Year
As investors position their portfolios for the year ahead, many may be focusing on European markets and region-related ETFs to capture new opportunities for growth. “Confidence is recovering at a pace ...
- Zacks
Is First Trust STOXX European Select Dividend Index Fund (FDD) a Strong ETF Right Now?
Smart Beta ETF report for FDD
- Zacks
5 Top-Ranked ADRs That More Than Doubled the S&P 500 in 2019
Though international markets trailed the U.S. market in 2019, there are hidden gems that crushed the S&P 500 this year on stock-specific strength.
- Zacks
Top Foreign ETFs of 2019
Volley of easy money polices and cues of easing in trade tensions in the second half of 2019 made these foreign ETFs winners in 2019.
- ETF Trends
Europe ETFs Are Finally Having Their Moment in the Limelight
As global markets rallied on Monday, European region-related ETFs touched new highs, with Europe's market breaking its first record in over four years, on diminishing political risks. The Europe ETFs are now trading around their highest level since early 2018. Meanwhile, the benchmark Stoxx Europe 600 index, which tracks companies across Europe and the U.K., climbed about 24% this year, putting it on track for its best performance in a decade, the Wall Street Journal reports.
- Benzinga
An American's Guide To The UK General Election
Prime Minister Boris Johnson pushed for a general election, saying he wanted "to be reasonable with Parliament" and give MPs more time to scrutinize his Brexit withdrawal deal. The U.K. is divided into 650 areas that are known as constituencies, and each area has a Member of Parliament, or MP, who will represent the constituency in the House of Commons in London. Most MPs belong to political parties such as the Labour Party, Conservative Party and the Liberal Democrats.
- ETF Trends
4 ETFs to Look at After Traders Poured $1.5B Into Euro-Focused Funds
U.S. traders have been racking up bets that Europe's economy has bottomed out with $1.5 billion poured into ETFs that focus on European assets, according to a Bloomberg report. “The downward momentum in manufacturing seems to have stalled out,” said Yung-Yu Ma, chief investment strategist at BMO Wealth Management, which had $74 billion of assets under administration as of July 31. WisdomTree Europe Hedged Equity Fund (HEDJ) : seeks to track the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the WisdomTree Europe Hedged Equity Index.
- Benzinga
EU Grants Another 3-Month Brexit Extension
Britain has the option to exit the E.U. before this deadline if its Parliament and the European Parliament ratify a deal. The EU is unlikely to oblige, according to the BBC. The bloc wants to avoid a no-deal scenario in case the British Parliament can’t ratify Johnson’s proposal by January. The EU further said it isn’t open to renegotiating the “Brexit deal” agreed to with Johnson.
- Benzinga
Eurozone Slowdown: Weak October Data Shows Stagnation
Germany released weak economic data last week that showed a fall in employment that is mainly the result of job losses in the manufacturing sector. Brexit jitters also continued to weigh on markets as ...
- ETF Trends
Europe ETFs Strengthen as ECB Cuts Rates, Signals More QE
Europe-related ETF gathered momentum Thursday after the European Central Bank cut key deposit rates and hinted at further supporting the Eurozone economy through accommodative measures. On Thursday, the ...
- ETF Trends
Europe ETF Rises, But Investors Show Brexit Jitters
Amid ongoing political turmoil in the U.K., the Vanguard FTSE Europe ETF (VGK) is up nearly 3% this month, an impressive move against the Brexit backdrop, but data indicate some investors aren't sticking around to see what happens next with largest US-listed Europe ETF. European markets have been mired by political risks surrounding Brexit, government finances in Italy and weak German growth. Sentiment also worsened after the European Central Bank (ECB) cut forecasts for growth in early March.
- Benzinga
Brexit Update: Queen Approves Johnson's Request To Suspend UK Parliament, Sterling Falls
"[The] sterling suffered a large sell-off this morning as traders suddenly got notice that Boris Johnson will not let Parliament get in the way of a no-deal Brexit," said Andy Scott, associate director at JCRA. "Today’s move by Johnson undermines Parliament’s chances and sets the U.K. on a hard Brexit course with arguably few prospects of avoiding such an outcome.
