The Vanguard International High Dividend Yield ETF (NASDAQ: VYMI) had an extraordinary year in 2025. The 38% gain was its best calendar-year return since the exchange-traded fund (ETF) launched nearly a decade ago. International stocks have been largely ignored in an environment dominated by U.S. tech stocks and the S&P 500 (SNPINDEX: ^GSPC). Dividend stocks have generally lagged even further, as investors found little need for defensive income strategies in a high-growth economy. Where to invest $1,000 r ...