intl stock: Main International ETF (INTL)

Main International ETF (INTL)

Keyword: intl stock

Introduction

The Main International ETF (traded under the ticker INTL) is an exchange‑traded fund designed to provide diversified exposure to non‑U.S. equities through an actively managed fund‑of‑funds structure. This page explains what INTL is, how it implements international equity exposure, key holdings and allocation rules, cost and tax considerations, common risks, and where to verify up‑to‑date information. If you are researching intl stock exposure via an ETF vehicle, this guide summarizes the facts and the practical items investors typically check before further due diligence.

As of 2026-01-25, according to AP market reporting, US equity markets showed varied activity across large technology and smaller cap issues — a snapshot that underscores why investors monitor both domestic trading dynamics and intl stock allocations when building diversified portfolios.

Fund overview

• Fund name and filing vehicle: Main International ETF (official trust filing name referenced as Northern Lights Trust IV — Main International ETF).
• Trading ticker: INTL (trades on major U.S. equity exchanges / data feeds; confirm the exchange via your broker or the fund’s official documents).
• Sponsor / manager: Main Management (sponsor) with administrative/trust vehicle through Northern Lights Trust IV as disclosed in regulatory filings.
• Inception date: December 1, 2022 (fund launch date reported in prospectus materials).
• Structure: Actively managed exchange‑traded fund using a fund‑of‑funds implementation that primarily invests in other exchange‑traded funds to obtain non‑U.S. equity exposure.
• Stated objective: Seek long‑term capital appreciation by providing exposure to non‑U.S. equity markets.

This fund is positioned as an actively managed solution for investors targeting international equity returns without direct holdings of individual foreign stocks. Because it is a fund‑of‑funds, INTL builds its portfolio mainly by selecting and weighting other ETFs that focus on specific countries, regions, or market segments outside the United States.

Investment strategy and approach

INTL uses a multi‑layered approach to obtain international equity exposure. Key strategy features reported in the fund’s prospectus and public provider pages include:

• Fund‑of‑funds implementation: INTL primarily invests in other ETFs (underlying funds). This allows the manager to implement exposure efficiently across countries, regions, sectors, and investment styles using liquid ETF wrappers instead of acquiring many individual foreign securities directly.

• Active strategic and tactical allocation: The fund manager follows a mix of strategic allocation (longer‑term target weights across regions/sectors) and tactical overlays (shorter‑term shifts intended to exploit perceived valuation/relative strength opportunities). Tactical tilts may increase or decrease exposure to specific geographies, sectors, or market capitalizations.

• Use of third‑party ETFs for exposure: Rather than replicate individual indices internally, INTL selects ETFs from established fund families to represent exposure to Japan, China, Taiwan, Israel, and other non‑U.S. markets, where appropriate.

• Tactical overlays including option strategies: Public materials indicate the fund may employ tactical overlays in certain implementations. For example, in some implementations managers may use covered option writing on portfolio positions to generate incremental income or manage volatility. If such derivatives are used, they are part of active management and can affect return and risk characteristics relative to simpler passive international ETFs.

• Risk management and liquidity focus: By using ETFs as underlying holdings, the manager can maintain daily liquidity and implement rebalancing without trading many individual foreign securities. However, the layered approach introduces the potential for layered fees and complexity that investors should evaluate.

Because INTL explicitly blends strategic and tactical decision‑making, performance and allocations can change based on manager views. Always consult the latest prospectus and fact sheet for current strategy language and any tactical programs in effect.

Eligibility and portfolio construction rules

The prospectus and marketing materials for INTL disclose allocation rules that define how the manager constructs the portfolio. Typical rules and limits reported include:

• Minimum non‑U.S. exposure rule: Typically, at least 50% of the fund’s assets are invested in funds (underlying ETFs) that themselves invest at least 50% of their assets in non‑U.S. issuers. This requirement is intended to preserve the fund’s objective of being primarily non‑U.S. equity focused.

• Underlying fund count and concentration: Public profile pages and regulatory filings show INTL invests in a relatively small number of underlying ETF holdings — commonly in the range of ~10–13 funds at a given time. A concentrated underlying holding list implies more pronounced exposures to a handful of country or sector ETFs versus extremely broad passive funds.

• Diversification, sector, and region constraints: The prospectus typically notes that the manager will seek diversification across countries, regions and sectors but may concentrate exposure where it believes opportunities exist. Specific constraints (for example, maximum allocations to a single underlying fund or limits to country concentrations) vary and should be confirmed in the fund’s prospectus or statement of additional information.

• Leverage and derivative limits: Any use of derivatives, such as options, is governed by the fund’s derivatives policy disclosed in regulatory documents. If the fund uses covered option writing or other derivatives as part of a tactical overlay, these are subject to risk‑management and disclosure requirements in the prospectus.

Investors should review the fund’s prospectus for precise numerical limits, descriptions of permitted underlying funds, and the specific language that governs how the manager implements tactical positions.

Top holdings and sector/region allocation

Note: Holdings and weightings change over time. Below are commonly reported underlying ETF holdings and sector/region exposures from widely used financial portals; verify the current holdings directly with the issuer.

Commonly reported top underlying ETF holdings (examples seen across providers):

• Franklin FTSE Japan ETF (representing Japanese equity exposure)
• Franklin FTSE China ETF (China exposure; could be large‑cap Chinese shares and ADRs)
• iShares MSCI Israel ETF (country exposure to Israel)
• Franklin FTSE Taiwan ETF (Taiwan equity exposure)
• Additional regional/country ETFs covering developed Europe, emerging markets, and other country or regional allocations

Sector allocation themes (examples observed across data providers):

• Technology: Notable weight due to country exposures where large technology firms are listed (e.g., Taiwan, Japan).
• Financials: Common weight in many international markets and often meaningful in developed Europe and emerging markets allocations.
• Industrials: Present across Japan and other developed market exposures.

Because INTL is implemented via other ETFs, sector and region weights are driven by selections and weightings of those underlying ETFs. The fund can therefore display concentrated country or sector exposures depending on manager decisions (for example, overweighting Japan or China via concentrated ETF holdings).

Always consult the fund’s latest holdings document (available from the issuer) for the current list of underlying ETFs and up‑to‑date sector/region breakdowns.

Key facts and statistics

Ticker, exchange, and listing details

• Ticker: INTL.
• Exchange / listing: Quotes and trades for INTL appear on major U.S. exchanges and market data feeds. Different data providers may display exchange as NASDAQ, NYSE/ARCA/AMEX, or show Cboe‑delayed quotes. Investors should confirm the live trading venue and quote source via their broker or the fund’s official documents before trading.

For unified account access and trading tools, consider researching market access options via regulated brokerages and trading platforms; for crypto and multi‑asset research tools, users may also explore Bitget’s market data and wallet products for integrated portfolio workflows.

Assets under management and NAV

• Reported AUM: Public quote pages commonly report INTL’s assets under management in the low hundreds of millions of U.S. dollars. AUM figures vary by data provider and fluctuate daily with market movements and flows.
• Net asset value (NAV) and price ranges: Financial portals will list the fund’s current NAV per share and 52‑week NAV/price ranges; these are time‑sensitive and should be checked on the fund issuer’s site or a reliable market data provider for live values.

Because AUM and NAV are time‑sensitive metrics, always verify the date and source when comparing statistics.

Expense ratio, yield, and distributions

• Expense ratio: Major quote pages have shown an expense ratio in the range of approximately 1.04%–1.08% as reported by public data providers. Expense ratios are published by the issuer and listed on financial portals; they can change if the fund revises fees.
• Yield and distributions: Dividend yield and distribution amounts are shown on finance portals when the fund has paid distributions. INTL’s distribution profile (frequency and yield) should be verified on the issuer’s fact sheet and in cleared historical distribution tables.

Because the fund uses other ETFs as underlying holdings, realized dividend flows and foreign withholding tax effects can influence net distribution amounts to shareholders.

Liquidity and trading volume

• Average daily trading volume: Public pages often show average volumes in the tens of thousands of shares. ETFs implemented via other ETFs typically trade with reasonable intraday liquidity, but volume can be lower than very large passive funds.
• Liquidity indicators and trading spreads: Lower average daily volume can translate to wider bid‑ask spreads and higher market impact for large orders. Traders should monitor quoted spreads, displayed market depth, and use limit orders when appropriate to manage execution costs.

Investors placing sizeable orders or trading outside normal liquidity hours should consult their broker for best execution guidance and consider trading in smaller increments or using limit orders to control execution price.

Historical performance

Performance figures (YTD, 1‑year, multi‑year trailing returns) are reported by major financial portals and reflect net returns after fund fees where indicated. Because INTL launched in December 2022, multi‑year track record is limited relative to long‑standing passive funds. When evaluating performance:

• Confirm the exact time periods (YTD, 1‑year, since‑inception) and whether returns are net of fees.
• Note that performance shown on portals is often delayed and may differ slightly from official returns published by the fund due to timing differences.
• Past performance is not indicative of future results. Manager tactics, regional allocations, and option overlays can materially change the fund’s return profile versus passive international benchmarks.

For precise trailing returns and performance attribution by underlying ETF holdings, consult the fund’s official performance table and its periodic shareholder reports.

Risks and considerations

INTL carries risks that prospective investors should evaluate. Key risks specific to this fund include:

• International equity market risk: Exposure to non‑U.S. stock markets brings risks tied to foreign economic cycles, political and regulatory developments, and local market volatility.

• Currency risk: Holdings denominated in non‑U.S. currencies are subject to foreign exchange fluctuations relative to the U.S. dollar, which can amplify or reduce returns to U.S. investors.

• Concentration risk: Because the fund commonly holds a limited number of underlying ETFs (often ~10–13), it may have higher concentration in particular countries or sectors compared with broad international funds.

• Expense and layered fees: As a fund‑of‑funds, INTL incurs its own expense ratio and also carries the embedded expenses of the underlying ETFs. Layered fees can make INTL relatively more expensive than single‑layer passive international ETFs.

• Derivatives and overlay risk: If the manager employs tactical overlays, such as covered option writing, those strategies carry risks including option counterparty/operational risk, potential capping of upside, and changes in volatility profile.

• Liquidity and trading spreads: Lower trading volumes versus very large ETFs can mean wider bid‑ask spreads and greater market impact on execution.

• Operational risk: As with any fund, operational issues at the issuer, administrator, or an underlying ETF could affect NAV calculation, redemptions, or timing of information.

Investors should carefully read the prospectus for a full description of risks and consult with tax and financial professionals for implications to individual portfolios. This article is factual and educational and does not constitute investment advice.

Fees, tax treatment, and expenses

• Expense ratio and trading costs: The fund’s published expense ratio (commonly reported near 1.04%–1.08%) covers the fund’s operating expenses but not the embedded fees of underlying ETFs. Additional investor costs include bid‑ask spreads, brokerage commissions (if applicable), and market impact costs when trading shares.

• Layered costs: Because INTL invests in ETFs, shareholders effectively bear two layers of expenses — the fund’s own expense ratio and indirect costs from the underlying ETFs. This layered expense structure is disclosed in prospectus fee tables.

• Tax considerations for U.S. investors: Typical U.S. tax issues for international equity ETFs apply:

  • Ordinary dividends and qualified dividends: The nature of distributions (ordinary vs. qualified) depends on the source of income and holding period rules. Some foreign dividends paid via underlying funds may not qualify for the lower qualified dividend tax rate.
  • Foreign tax withholding and foreign tax credit: Dividends from foreign securities may be subject to foreign withholding taxes at the source. U.S. investors may be able to claim a foreign tax credit or itemize foreign taxes paid when filing U.S. taxes. The fund’s annual tax reporting documents (Form 1099 and the fund’s year‑end tax package) provide details on foreign taxes paid on behalf of shareholders.
  • Capital gains distributions: Realized gains from the underlying ETFs or from the fund’s own trading may produce taxable capital gain distributions to shareholders.

Tax rules are complex and investor‑specific. Consult a qualified tax advisor for advice tailored to your situation.

Who this fund may suit

INTL may be appropriate for investors who:

• Want active non‑U.S. equity exposure delivered via an ETF wrapper rather than holding many foreign equities directly.
• Prefer a manager who uses a mix of strategic and tactical allocation to overweight perceived opportunities across international regions or sectors.
• Accept paying a higher fee for active management and potential tactical overlays instead of using a low‑cost passive index ETF.

Conversely, INTL may be less suitable for investors who:

• Prioritize the lowest possible cost exposure to international equities and prefer broad passive funds with minimal layered fees.
• Seek a very long performance history — INTL’s post‑launch track record is shorter than many legacy international funds.

This section is informational and not investment advice. Evaluate your risk tolerance, investment horizon, and costs before selecting any fund.

Alternatives and comparisons

Common low‑cost or broad international alternatives typically include passive index funds and ETFs that track broad ex‑U.S. benchmarks. Examples frequently used for comparison (investors should verify ticker details and suitability):

• Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund / ETFs (broad developed and emerging markets ex‑U.S.)
• Other large passive ex‑U.S. ETFs that track MSCI or FTSE ex‑US indices

Main tradeoffs when comparing INTL with passive alternatives:

• Active allocation vs. passive: INTL offers active strategic/tactical allocation and potential concentrated country or sector tilts; passive alternatives aim to replicate broad market exposure at much lower cost.
• Concentration and risk: INTL may be more concentrated in select countries via underlying ETFs; broad passive funds tend to be more diversified across many countries and holdings.
• Cost: INTL’s expense ratio and layered fees are typically higher than low‑cost passive ETFs.

When comparing funds, examine expense ratios, tracking methodology, holdings, liquidity, tax efficiency, and historical performance for the exact time periods you care about.

How to obtain current information

To verify live data and the fund’s official documents, consult the following sources (search by fund name or ticker):

• The fund issuer’s official prospectus, fact sheet, and shareholder reports (primary authoritative documents).
• SEC filings (the fund’s registration statement, prospectus supplements, and periodic filings).
• Major market data portals and broker quote pages for live NAV, price, AUM, and holdings snapshots (for example: Yahoo Finance, MarketChameleon, Investing.com, FINVIZ, and institutional broker platforms). Note that data from different providers may show slight timing or calculation differences.

When executing trades or researching market access, confirm the trading exchange and live quotes via your brokerage platform. For a unified multi‑asset research experience and wallet integrations, consider Bitget’s market tools and Bitget Wallet for managing holdings and research across assets.

References and external links

Sources referenced when compiling this article include public financial portals and broker profile pages that list INTL statistics and holdings. Primary source types used:

• MarketChameleon: INTL ETF summary and profile (holdings, allocations, trading metrics).
• Yahoo Finance: Main International ETF (INTL) quote page and fund overview.
• FINVIZ: INTL profile and summary stats.
• Investing.com: INTL ETF page for market data and performance metrics.
• Broker/quote pages: public pages where INTL is profiled (examples include Moomoo, Robinhood, Fidelity) for quotes and holdings snapshots.
• Fund prospectus and issuer documents filed with regulators (the trust registration and prospectus are the authoritative sources for objective, holdings, strategy, fees, and risks).

For any investment decision, always confirm live numbers and read the fund prospectus. The items above were used to shape the factual outline but are time‑sensitive — holdings, AUM, NAV, expense ratio, yields and other metrics change frequently.

Market snapshot (context)

As of 2026-01-25, according to Associated Press market reporting, the Nasdaq composite, NYSE and NYSE American listings showed broad activity across large technology names and many smaller issues. High volume leaders included names such as Intel, NVIDIA, and a range of smaller and micro‑cap issuers across exchanges. This intraday trading context highlights typical market dynamics that can influence international fund flows and investor appetite for intl stock exposure in diversified portfolios.

Investors tracking INTL should be aware that macro and domestic equity conditions — including liquidity and flows into equities — can influence international allocations and fund performance indirectly.

See also

• International equity ETFs
• Fund‑of‑funds ETFs
• Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund (VTIAX) — example passive benchmark for comparison
• Exchange‑traded fund basics

Notes on sources, reporting date, and verification

• Reporting date: As noted above, market snapshot data and the AP market context are reported as of 2026-01-25, according to Associated Press market coverage.
• Data sensitivity: Fee numbers, AUM ranges, holdings lists, yields, NAV values and average volumes cited in this article are drawn from the cited market data providers and are time‑sensitive. Always verify against the issuer’s official materials and the fund’s most recent SEC filings before acting on the information.

Final remarks and next steps

If you are researching intl stock exposure through an actively managed ETF, INTL offers a manager‑driven fund‑of‑funds approach that combines strategic allocation with tactical overlays implemented via other ETFs. That design can provide efficient access to selected non‑U.S. markets while introducing layered fees, concentration effects, and potential derivative overlay risks. For the latest holdings, performance, and fee disclosures, review the fund prospectus and issuer materials.

Explore Bitget’s research tools and Bitget Wallet if you want integrated market data and portfolio tools for multi‑asset monitoring. For trading or execution, verify live quotes and the trade venue via your broker and consult a qualified tax or financial advisor about how intl stock allocations fit your overall plan.

Thank you for reading. If you’d like, I can expand any section into a printable investor brief, create a sample infobox with current stats from a specified provider and date, or produce a side‑by‑side comparison of INTL versus a selected passive international ETF.