IShares for Your Financial Goals

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iShares offers a wide range of exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that can help you achieve your financial goals.

Whether you're saving for retirement, a down payment on a house, or a big purchase, iShares has an ETF that can help you get there.

You can use iShares ETFs to diversify your portfolio and reduce risk. By investing in a mix of assets, you can spread out your risk and potentially increase your returns.

iShares ETFs are designed to track a specific index, sector, or asset class, making it easy to invest in a particular area of the market.

What Is an ETF?

An exchange-traded fund, or ETF, is a collection of assets that trades on an exchange.

iShares ETFs offer diversified, low-cost, and tax-efficient access to the world's investment markets.

You can think of an ETF as a basket that holds a variety of assets, such as stocks, bonds, or commodities, and allows you to trade it as a single unit.

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iShares is a global leader in Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) with a line-up of over 1,400 funds.

This means you can invest in a broad range of assets with just one trade, rather than having to buy individual stocks or bonds.

iShares Core ETFs simplify the offering of over 300+ ETFs to the basic building blocks of an investment portfolio.

With just a handful of funds, you can create a low-cost, diversified set of holdings.

In fact, iShares Core ETFs can help you build a portfolio to pursue your needs, regardless of your investment goals.

For another approach, see: Investment Portfolio Managers

ETF Lists

ETF Lists are a great way to diversify your portfolio and gain exposure to various asset classes. The iShares ETF list includes a range of funds that cater to different investment goals and risk appetites.

The iShares 3-7 Year Treasury Bond ETF (IEI) has a total return of 0.50% YTD, ranking 38th in its category. The iShares 7-10 Year Treasury Bond ETF (IEF) has a total return of 0.62% YTD, ranking 15th in its category.

For more insights, see: Ishares Treasury Etfs

Credit: youtube.com, iShares Top 20 US Stocks ETF - TOPT - Fidelity Investments

Here's a brief overview of the iShares ETF list:

The iShares ETF list also includes funds with different expense ratios, such as the iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV) with an adjusted expense ratio of 0.030%.

List

The iShares ETF list is a comprehensive collection of exchange-traded funds that cater to various investment needs. Here are some key facts about the list:

The iShares 3-7 Year Treasury Bond ETF (IEI) has a total return of 0.50% YTD and ranks 38th in its category.

Its adjusted expense ratio is 0.150%.

The iShares CMBS ETF (CMBS) has a total return of 1.08% YTD and ranks 5th in its category.

Its adjusted expense ratio is 0.250%.

The iShares Core Aggressive Allocation ETF (AOA) has a total return of 2.41% YTD and ranks 51st in its category.

Its adjusted expense ratio is 0.150%.

The iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV) has a total return of 2.71% YTD and ranks 72nd in its category.

Broaden your view: S&p 500 Index Total Return

Credit: youtube.com, Complete ETF Guide (17 Top ETFs to invest in to make you VERY RICH)

Its adjusted expense ratio is 0.030%.

Here is a breakdown of the ETFs with the highest total returns YTD:

Default List Criteria

When building an ETF list, it's essential to understand the default list criteria. This determines which funds are included in the list.

The default list criteria exclude funds that are closed to new investments. This means you won't see any funds that have stopped accepting new purchases.

To be considered for the list, funds must be open to new purchases or limited. This ensures that the list remains dynamic and reflects the current market.

The list does not include funds that have reached their maximum capacity or are no longer accepting new investments. This helps investors make informed decisions about which funds to invest in.

ETFs are a popular investment option, offering diversification and flexibility. They can be traded on major stock exchanges, just like individual stocks.

The number of ETFs available has grown significantly over the years, with over 7,000 ETFs listed in the US alone. This has made it easier for investors to find the right fit for their portfolio.

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Investors can choose from a wide range of ETFs, including those that track indices, sectors, and commodities. Some popular ETFs include the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust and the Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF.

ETFs are often more tax-efficient than mutual funds, thanks to their pass-through tax structure. This can lead to lower costs for investors over time.

Investors can use ETFs to gain exposure to various asset classes, including stocks, bonds, and commodities. This can help to diversify a portfolio and reduce risk.

Investment Options

The iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF provides low-cost access to nearly every stock in the international market, tracking the MSCI ACWI ex USA Investable Market Index.

This ETF owns large-, mid-, and small-cap stocks weighted by market cap, and its low fee and superior diversification should shine through any short-term hiccups.

For those looking for a bond option, the iShares Core US Aggregate Bond ETF is a compelling choice, with a conservative portfolio and razor-thin expense ratio.

It tracks the Bloomberg US Aggregate Bond Index, which includes taxable, investment-grade US-dollar-denominated bonds with at least one year until maturity.

Here are the Morningstar categories for these ETFs:

  • iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF: Foreign Large Blend
  • iShares Core US Aggregate Bond ETF: Intermediate Core Bond

S&P Total U.S. Stock Market

Credit: youtube.com, iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF: $ITOT #ITOT

The S&P Total U.S. Stock Market offers exposure to the entire investable US stock market.

This iShares ETF tracks the S&P Total Market Index, which includes all US-domiciled stocks that trade on a major US exchange and pass S&P's minimum liquidity threshold.

The S&P Total Market Index is a market-cap-weighted index of all US stocks, making it a broad representation of the US stock market.

The iShares Core S&P Total US Stock Market ETF lands in the large-blend Morningstar Category, but it provides exposure to small and midsize companies.

The largest stocks in the US make up the bulk of this ETF's portfolio due to the index's market-cap weighting.

This ETF offers a low-cost option for investors, with an expense ratio of just 0.03%.

Here are some key facts about the iShares Core S&P Total US Stock Market ETF:

  • Morningstar Category: Large Blend
  • Index: S&P Total Market Index

Management has done a good job of tracking its index, using derivatives to manage its cash, and employing securities lending to generate additional income to help keep the ETF's expense ratio low.

MSCI EAFE Growth

Credit: youtube.com, iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF: $EFG #EFG

The MSCI EAFE Growth index is a great way to invest in foreign large-growth stocks. It's a benchmark for funds that track this strategy.

The iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF is a popular fund that captures most of the foreign large-growth opportunity set. It charges a low fee and is more diversified than most peers.

Low turnover is another advantage of the iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF. This means the fund doesn't have to buy and sell securities as frequently, which can save costs and reduce taxes.

The fund's sector and country exposures align with peers, although it excludes Canadian and emerging-markets stocks. This can result in slight differences in performance.

Here are some key characteristics of the iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF:

  • Category: Foreign Large Growth
  • Index: MSCI EAFE Growth Index

Value

Investing for the long term can be a convenient option, just like iShares' range of ETFs, which makes it easy to do so.

Investing for the long term can help minimize risk, just like iShares' ETFs are designed to do.

It's worth noting that iShares' ETFs can be a great way to match financial goals with what matters to you, as stated in their description.

A fresh viewpoint: Investing S&p 500 Index

LifePath Target-Date Series

Credit: youtube.com, Retirement Investing: iShares® LifePath® Target Date ETFs

The iShares LifePath Target-Date Series is an ETF equivalent to BlackRock's top-rated target-date series. It's the only target-date strategy offered in an ETF vehicle for US investors.

This format has some limitations, though - it can't be used in a workplace retirement plan, where most target-date strategies get their assets. Instead, it's a strong option for investors using individual retirement accounts or supplementing their retirement savings in taxable accounts.

The Morningstar Categories for this series vary based on the target dates.

Related reading: Ishares Target Date Funds

Investment Strategies

IShares offers a range of ETFs with low fees, making them an attractive option for investors on a budget.

One of the most popular IShares ETFs is the Core S&P 500 ETF, which tracks the S&P 500 index with an expense ratio of just 0.04%.

Investors can also use IShares ETFs to gain exposure to specific sectors or industries, such as technology or healthcare.

Total Return Active

If you're looking to diversify your portfolio and potentially generate income, consider seeking dividend and interest payments from stocks and bonds. The iShares Flexible Income Active ETF (BINC) and iShares Core Dividend ETF (DIVB) are two options to explore.

Credit: youtube.com, Total Return Investing: Hidden Benefits and Why Income-Oriented Investors Should Take Note!

To navigate risk, you can hedge against potential market pitfalls and seek to minimize volatility. The iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Jun ETF (MAXJ) and iShares Gold Trust (IAU) can help with this.

Investing in a single iShares ETF can offer exposure to hundreds of stocks, bonds, and commodities within a single fund, providing a level of diversification. This can help reduce risk and increase potential returns.

The iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF is a top-rated option for international stock exposure, tracking the MSCI ACWI ex USA Investable Market Index. It has a low fee and offers superior diversification.

If you're looking for a low-cost total U.S. market fund, consider the iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF (ITOT), which has an expense ratio of 0.03%.

The following iShares ETFs have earned a Morningstar Medalist Rating of Gold with 100% analyst coverage as of January 2025:

  1. iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF (IXUS)
  2. iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV)
  3. iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF (ITOT)
  4. iShares Core Total USD Bond Market ETF (IUSB)
  5. iShares Core US Aggregate Bond ETF (AGG)
  6. iShares LifePath Target-Date Series
  7. iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF (EFG)
  8. iShares Total Return ETF (BRTR)

Tax Efficiency

Tax efficiency is a crucial aspect of any investment strategy. iShares ETFs can generally help reduce tax consequences because of their strategy and structure.

Credit: youtube.com, BEST Tax Efficient Investing Strategies For Trading, Dividends, or Growth Investing.

One way iShares ETFs achieve tax efficiency is by minimizing turnover, which can help reduce capital gains distributions. This can save investors money in taxes.

Investors who hold iShares ETFs for the long-term may be able to avoid paying taxes on capital gains. This is because long-term capital gains are often taxed at a lower rate than short-term gains.

By using iShares ETFs, investors can potentially reduce their tax liability and keep more of their investment returns.

BlackRock Funds

If you're looking to explore BlackRock funds beyond the ones featured here, you can visit Morningstar's asset-management company hubs for iShares and BlackRock.

You can review lists of BlackRock's mutual funds and iShares ETFs on these hubs, segmenting them by criteria such as stock or bond.

To build your own BlackRock mutual fund and iShares ETF screen, use the Morningstar Investor Screener tool.

If this caught your attention, see: Blackrock Financial

Finding the Right Fund

iShares Physical ETCs are exchange traded commodities, which are neither funds nor exchange traded funds, but rather secured metal-linked securities issued in the form of debt securities.

Here's an interesting read: Whats an Etfs

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To find the right iShares ETF, you can visit Morningstar's asset-management company hubs for iShares and review lists of iShares ETFs, segmenting them by criteria such as stock or bond.

You can also build your own iShares ETF screen using the Morningstar Investor Screener tool, choosing iShares as the keyword and drilling down further based on asset class, category, ratings, and other metrics that matter to you.

If you're looking for more options beyond Gold-rated ETFs, you can use the Morningstar Investor Screener tool to build a custom screen and explore other iShares ETFs and BlackRock mutual funds.

How to Find Top Funds and BlackRock Mutual Funds

If you're looking to explore iShares ETFs and BlackRock mutual funds beyond those with a Gold rating, there are a couple of options.

You can visit Morningstar's asset-management company hubs for iShares and BlackRock, where you can review lists of BlackRock's mutual funds and iShares ETFs, segmented by criteria such as stock or bond.

For another approach, see: Blackrock New Etfs

Credit: youtube.com, Index Funds vs ETFs vs Mutual Funds - What's the Difference & Which One You Should Choose?

To build your own screen, use the Morningstar Investor Screener tool, which allows you to drill down further based on asset class, category, ratings, and other metrics that matter to you.

Here are the steps to use the Morningstar Investor Screener tool:

  • Choose mutual fund or ETF as the investment type
  • Type BlackRock as the keyword for mutual funds or iShares as the keyword for ETFs
  • Select your desired criteria, such as asset class or category

By following these steps, you'll be able to find top iShares ETFs and BlackRock mutual funds that meet your specific needs and preferences.

Find an ETF to Meet Your Goals

Finding the right ETF can be a daunting task, especially with so many options available.

iShares Physical ETCs are exchange traded commodities that are neither funds nor exchange traded funds, but rather series of secured metal-linked securities issued in the form of debt securities.

These securities are listed and traded as non-equity securities, unlike shares issued by iShares funds domiciled in Ireland.

The iShares Physical ETCs are a unique type of investment that can be a good fit for certain investors, but it's essential to understand the differences between them and traditional ETFs.

You can consider iShares Physical ETCs if you're looking for a way to invest in metals like gold or silver.

They are issued in the form of debt securities, which can be an attractive option for investors seeking a more secure investment.

For more insights, see: Abrdn Physical Gold Shares Etf

Enter Fund Code

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To enter a fund code, you need to know the right format. You can enter the fund name, ticker, or ISIN.

The format is quite flexible, allowing you to use different types of codes. For example, you can use the EURO STOXX Select Dividend 30 index.

This index is the intellectual property of STOXX Limited and/or its licensors. They have licensed it for use in certain ETFs.

Using the right code is crucial for getting accurate information. You can use the iShares EURO Dividend UCITS ETF, which tracks the EURO STOXX Select Dividend 30 index.

The iShares EURO Dividend UCITS ETF is not sponsored, subscribed, sold, or promoted by STOXX and its licensors. They do not bear any liability in this respect.

If this caught your attention, see: Euro Etfs

Bond Market

The iShares Core Total USD Bond Market ETF is a long-term investment that tracks the Bloomberg US Universal Index. This index includes a wide range of taxable bonds across the entire credit spectrum with at least one year until maturity.

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By investing in this ETF, you're essentially casting a wide net to capture returns from various types of bonds. This includes high-yield corporate bonds, dollar-denominated emerging-markets bonds, and other lower-quality credits.

The iShares Core Total USD Bond Market ETF takes on a bit more credit risk than other funds, which is why it's categorized as an intermediate core-plus bond. This means it's not as conservative as some other bond funds, but it also offers the potential for higher returns.

Total USD Bond Market

The iShares Core Total USD Bond Market ETF is a great option for those looking to invest in a long-term bond strategy. It tracks the Bloomberg US Universal Index, which includes a wide range of taxable bonds with at least one year until maturity.

This fund takes on a bit more credit risk than some other bond ETFs, but it also offers a broad diversification of assets. The index includes high-yield corporate bonds, dollar-denominated emerging-markets bonds, and other lower-quality credits.

The iShares Core Total USD Bond Market ETF is categorized as an Intermediate Core-Plus Bond, which is a good fit for investors who want to balance risk and return in their portfolio.

US Aggregate Bond

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The US Aggregate Bond is a key player in the bond market. It's tracked by the Bloomberg US Aggregate Bond Index, which includes taxable, investment-grade US-dollar-denominated bonds with at least one year until maturity.

This index is tilted towards the largest and most liquid US Treasuries, corporate bonds, and agency mortgage-backed securities. The iShares Core US Aggregate Bond ETF effectively represents this index, earning an Above Average Process rating for its sampling.

The iShares Core US Aggregate Bond ETF has a conservative portfolio and a razor-thin expense ratio, making it a compelling option, according to Morningstar analyst Zachary Evens.

Expand your knowledge: Ishares Us Preferred Stock Etf Pff

Index Funds

Index funds are a great way to invest in the stock market with low costs. The iShares Core S&P 500 ETF has an expense ratio of just 0.03%.

You can also consider the iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF, which offers the same low expense ratio and provides exposure to the entire U.S. stock market.

Here's an interesting read: Ishares Trust Core Msci Eafe Etf

Credit: youtube.com, Top 7 iShares (Blackrock) Index Funds to Buy (Financial Freedom!)

Here are a few key details about these funds:

These index funds are designed to track specific market indexes, such as the S&P 500 and the Bloomberg US Aggregate Bond Index.

S&P 500 Index

The S&P 500 Index is a market-cap-weighted index of 500 of the largest US stocks, chosen by an index committee based on liquidity and profitability standards.

The iShares S&P 500 Index fund replicates this index, providing exposure to US large-cap stocks at a low cost. It's essentially the same portfolio as its ETF counterpart, but in a different wrapper.

A low-cost S&P 500 ETF is available from iShares, with an expense ratio of 0.03%. This ETF provides exposure to US large-cap stocks, making it a great option for investors looking to track the S&P 500 index.

Here are some key facts about the iShares S&P 500 Index fund and its ETF counterpart:

  • Morningstar Category: Large Blend
  • Index: S&P 500

The iShares S&P 500 Index fund and its ETF counterpart have done a good job of tracking their respective indices, using derivatives to manage their cash and employing securities lending to generate additional income.

Short-Term TIPS Bond Index

Credit: youtube.com, Bond Index Funds in Rising-Rate Environments | Common Sense Investing with Ben Felix

The iShares Short-Term TIPS Bond Index is a fund that invests mainly in US Treasury notes.

This fund aims to beat the Bloomberg US Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities 0-5 Year Index.

It offers exposure to the short end of the curve, which means it correlates more closely with inflation than portfolios that include longer-term TIPS portfolios.

The short end of the curve is a key aspect of this fund's strategy, as it provides a way to gain exposure to inflation while minimizing risk.

By investing in US Treasury notes, this fund provides a way to gain exposure to the US government bond market.

The iShares Short-Term TIPS Bond Index is a great option for investors who want to gain exposure to the short end of the curve and potentially beat the benchmark index.

Here's an interesting read: Managing Investment Portfolios

Frequently Asked Questions

Is iShares a good company?

iShares is a reputable company with a strong track record, recognized by Morningstar with over 550 top-rated ETFs and managing over $186 billion in new ETF assets. With 43 million investors worldwide using their ETFs, iShares is a trusted choice for many investors.

What does iShares do?

iShares offers a wide range of Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) with over 1,400 options, providing global investors with high-quality investment opportunities. As part of BlackRock, iShares delivers innovative and valuable investment solutions.

Do iShares pay dividends?

Yes, iShares ETFs pay dividends to unitholders, distributing net income and dividends in cash.

Is iShares owned by Fidelity?

No, iShares is not owned by Fidelity Investments. iShares and Fidelity are independent entities with no legal affiliation.

Carole Veum

Junior Writer

Carole Veum is a seasoned writer with a keen eye for detail and a passion for financial journalism. Her work has appeared in several notable publications, covering a range of topics including banking and mergers and acquisitions. Veum's articles on the Banks of Kenya provide a comprehensive understanding of the local financial landscape, while her pieces on 2013 Mergers and Acquisitions offer insightful analysis of significant corporate transactions.

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