Why Currency-Hedge Foreign Developed Equities

This is one reason why WisdomTree believes one may want to have a high conviction in the euro, yen and British pound’s direction to fully take on this currency risk in a traditional ETF that does not hedge the currency.

Illustrating the Difference Between High- and Low-Cost Currency Hedging

Conclusion

The bottom line is that WisdomTree ultimately believes currency hedging is gaining prominence and importance—as was particularly evident with Japan in 2013. But Japan is not a unique application. WisdomTree believes that currency-hedged strategies should have broad appeal, in Europe today based on monetary policy directions of the ECB, but also more strategically from a long-term standpoint in broader-based developed world exposures.

1WisdomTree launched the WisdomTree Europe Hedged Equity Fund on 12/31/09, the first U.S.-listed currency-hedged equity ETF.
2Refers to the Federal Funds Rate.
3Source: Bloomberg, as of 3/31/14. Refers specifically to the SELIC rate, which was the rate used to implement this policy action.
4Source: Bloomberg, as of 3/31/14.
5Source: Bloomberg, as of 3/31/14. For both currency weights within the MSCI EAFE Index and the cost to hedge the respective currencies.
6Source: Bloomberg, as of 3/31/14.

Important Risks Related to this Article

There are risks associated with investing, including possible loss of principal. Foreign investing involves special risks, such as risk of loss from currency fluctuation or political or economic uncertainty. The Fund focuses its investments in specific regions or countries, thereby increasing the impact of events and developments associated with the region or country, which can adversely affect performance. Dividends are not guaranteed, and a company’s future ability to pay dividends may be limited. A company currently paying dividends may cease paying dividends at any time.

Investments in currency involve additional special risks, such as credit risk and interest rate fluctuations. Derivative investments can be volatile, and these investments may be less liquid than other securities, and more sensitive to the effect of varied economic conditions. As this Fund can have a high concentration in some issuers, the Fund can be adversely impacted by changes affecting those issuers.

The Fund invests in the securities included in, or representative of, its Index regardless of their investment merit and the Fund does not attempt to outperform its Index or take defensive positions in declining markets. Due to the investment strategy of this Fund, it may make higher capital gain distributions than other ETFs. Please see the Fund’s prospectus for specific details regarding the Fund’s risk profile.