The Dow Jones Industrials (^DJI -0.11%) has been extremely volatile during 2015, but overall, the average stands almost exactly where it began the year, giving investors no return for the risk that they've taken on. That's bad news for investors who stay close to home in their investment portfolios. But for those who've been willing to venture into certain international markets, there have been opportunities for them to profit more extensively.
In the following slideshow, you'll learn about seven different international markets that have picked up at least 5% this year in U.S. dollar terms, overcoming currency-based headwinds that, in most cases, have put U.S. investors at a disadvantage compared to their foreign counterparts. There's no guarantee these markets will keep outperforming the Dow, but it's worth it for investors to take a closer look at these overseas opportunities and decide for themselves whether to consider venturing beyond the borders of the U.S. in search of larger returns in 2016 and beyond.
The $15,978 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook
If you're like most Americans, you're a few years (or more) behind on your retirement savings. But a handful of little-known "Social Security secrets" could help ensure a boost in your retirement income. In fact, one MarketWatch reporter argues that if more Americans knew about this, the government would have to shell out an extra $10 billion annually. For example: one easy, 17-minute trick could pay you as much as $15,978 more... each year! Once you learn how to take advantage of all these loopholes, we think you could retire confidently with the peace of mind we're all after. Simply click here to discover how you can take advantage of these strategies.
