Vanguard Expands Global Investment Push with Fee Cuts and Strategic Shifts

Vanguard, the world's second-largest asset manager with over $12 trillion in global assets, is aggressively expanding its international footprint. The firm aims to double its non-US client base from 17 million to 40 million by 2031, capitalizing on what CEO Salim Ramji calls "incredible opportunities" in overseas markets.

The UK market has become a key battleground, where Vanguard joined 18 other firms in a government-backed initiative to MOVE savers from cash deposits to investments. Last week's fee reductions on its £52 billion LifeStrategy funds and reallocation toward global stocks reflect this strategy. "People in the UK and Europe keep too much in cash because investing feels expensive and complex," Ramji noted.

International head Chris McIsaac revealed Vanguard has already doubled overseas assets in three years. At current growth rates, the next $1 trillion in international inflows could come within five years. This expansion coincides with global governments increasingly encouraging citizens to invest rather than hoard savings—a macroeconomic shift creating tailwinds for asset managers worldwide.