
The iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF is a popular investment option for those looking to diversify their portfolio with international stocks. It tracks the MSCI EAFE Growth Index, which includes growth-oriented stocks from developed markets outside of North America and the EAFE region.
The ETF has a total of 1,143 holdings, giving investors a broad exposure to the growth segment of the international market. This is a significant advantage for those who want to tap into the growth potential of international companies.
Investors can buy shares of the ETF with a minimum investment of $50, making it an accessible option for those with smaller investment portfolios. The ETF also offers a low expense ratio of 0.46%, which is competitive with other similar funds on the market.
Fees
The fees associated with iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF are relatively low, with a management fee of 0.35%. This is a standard fee that is charged for the management of the fund.
The fund's expense ratio is 0.36%, which includes the management fee, acquired fund fees and expenses, and other expenses. This expense ratio is calculated as of the current prospectus.
Here is a breakdown of the fees:
It's worth noting that these amounts are as of the current prospectus and may not include extraordinary expenses incurred by the fund over the past fiscal year.
Investment Strategy and Performance
The iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF offers a unique investment strategy that can help you grow your wealth. It provides exposure to a broad range of companies in Europe, Australia, Asia, and the Far East with above-average earnings growth expectations.
The ETF's portfolio turnover rate is relatively low, at 22%, which can help keep expenses in check and lead to higher after-tax returns. This is lower than the average portfolio turnover of 39% for the Foreign Large Growth category.
This ETF is a great option for investors looking to tilt their international stock allocation towards growth stocks. It's also worth noting that the ETF's performance is graded based on its relative ranking within the Foreign Large Growth category, with a recent grade of C due to a 5.1% return in January 2025, slightly lower than the category's average 5.3% return.
Why EFG?
Investing in EFG provides exposure to a broad range of companies in Europe, Australia, Asia, and the Far East with above-average growth potential.
This means you'll have access to a diverse portfolio of stocks from various regions, giving you a more comprehensive view of the international market.
EFG allows you to tap into a specific category of EAFE stocks, which can be a valuable addition to your investment strategy.
By investing in EFG, you can tilt your international stock allocation towards growth stocks, which can be a great way to boost your returns.
EFG Performance and Fees
High portfolio turnover can indeed be a concern, as it can translate to higher expenses and lower aftertax returns. The iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF has a portfolio turnover rate of 22%, which is relatively low compared to the average of 39% for the Foreign Large Growth category.
It's worth noting that the iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF holds its assets for around 0.0 years, indicating a relatively stable portfolio. The average portfolio turnover rate for the Foreign Large Growth category is 39%.
The ETF's performance in January 2025 was a 5.1% return, earning it a grade of C, as the Foreign Large Growth category had an average return of 5.3%. The letter grades of A, B, C, D, and F are based on relative rankings within the investment category.
Business Involvement
Business Involvement metrics can help investors gain a more comprehensive view of specific activities in which a fund may be exposed through its investments.
These metrics are not indicative of a fund's investment objective and don't change a fund's investment objective or constrain its investable universe.
Business Involvement metrics are calculated by BlackRock using data from MSCI ESG Research, which provides a profile of each company's specific business involvement.
BlackRock leverages this data to provide a summed up view across holdings and translates it to a fund's market value exposure to listed Business Involvement areas.
This information should not be used to produce comprehensive lists of companies without involvement, as it's only designed to identify companies where MSCI has conducted research.
Business Involvement metrics are only displayed if at least 1% of a fund's gross weight includes securities covered by MSCI ESG Research.
Investment Analysis
The iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF is a great option for investors looking to diversify their portfolios.
This ETF tracks the MSCI EAFE Growth Index, which covers developed markets outside of North America and the Pacific region.
The fund invests in large- and mid-cap stocks in these regions, focusing on companies with strong growth potential.
The top holdings in the fund are concentrated in the technology and consumer discretionary sectors, which have historically been growth drivers in these regions.
Investors can expect a long-term average annual return of around 8-10% from this ETF.
Return Trailing Ranking
Return Trailing Ranking is a crucial aspect of investment analysis. It helps investors understand how their investment's performance ranks within a specific category over a certain period.
Looking at the 1-year period, we see that the investment has a return of 1.5%, which ranks it at 75.53% in its category. This means that out of all the investments in this category, 75.53% have performed worse than this one.
The 3-year period shows a return of -1.3%*, which is actually a relatively low return. This investment ranks at 41.91% in its category, indicating that 58.09% of investments in this category have performed better.
Here's a summary of the investment's ranking over different periods:
Keep in mind that a higher rank doesn't necessarily mean better performance, as it depends on the specific category and investment goals.
Concentration Analysis
Concentration Analysis is a crucial aspect of investment analysis, and it's essential to understand how concentrated a fund's holdings are. A fund with a high concentration of assets in a small number of holdings can be riskier than one with a more diversified portfolio.
The EFG fund has a significant concentration of assets, with 372 holdings totaling 15.5 billion in net assets. In comparison, a fund with 1806 holdings had 133 billion in net assets, a stark contrast in concentration.
Here are some key statistics that highlight the EFG fund's concentration:
These numbers illustrate the significant concentration of assets in the EFG fund, with 23.77% of its net assets invested in its top 10 holdings.
Stock Geographic Breakdown
As you dive into the world of investment analysis, it's essential to understand the geographic breakdown of your portfolio. In this case, a staggering 98.08% of the stock's weighting comes from non-US investments.
This significant weighting indicates a high degree of international diversification, which can be beneficial in managing risk.
Breaking down the non-US component, we see a return range of 0.00% to 100.55%, with an EFG % Rank of 2.89%. This suggests that non-US investments have been performing relatively well compared to their peers.
The remaining 1.21% of the stock's weighting comes from US investments, which have a return range of 0.00% to 100.02% and an EFG % Rank of 93.16%.
This stark contrast between the two geographic components highlights the importance of understanding the nuances of each region's performance.
Dividend Yield Analysis
Dividend Yield Analysis is a crucial aspect of investment analysis. EFG's dividend yield is 1.44%, which is a relatively low percentage compared to other options.
For context, the category low is 0.00% and the category high is 12.70%. This means that EFG's dividend yield is below average in its category.
EFG's dividend yield ranks 29.29% in its category, indicating that it's not the highest but still a decent option.
Dividend and Distribution Information

The iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF offers a range of dividend and distribution options for investors.
The ETF's YTD Total Return is -0.7%, indicating a relatively flat performance in the short term.
Dividend investors will appreciate the ETF's Dividend Yield of 1.4%, providing a regular income stream.
The ETF distributes dividends SemiAnnually, allowing investors to receive two distributions per year.
A Capital Gain Distribution Frequency of Annually means investors can expect one annual distribution of capital gains.
Here is a summary of the ETF's distribution information:
Grading and Evaluation
The iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF has a mixed performance record. It has returned 5.1% year to date, which is 0.2 percentage points worse than the category.
The fund's performance over the past year, three years, five years, and ten years is graded as C, D, F, and F, respectively. This indicates a decline in performance over time.
The ETF has a 1.6% yield, which may not be impressive for investors seeking high returns. Its expense ratio is 0.36%, which is relatively low compared to other ETFs.
Here's a breakdown of the ETF's grades over different time periods:
The ETF's performance is closely tied to the MSCI EAFE Growth NR USD index, which it tracks with a 100% index weighting. Its beta is 1.15, indicating that its performance is slightly more volatile than the market.
The ETF's risk measures suggest that it is a relatively high-risk investment. Its standard deviation is 19.7%, and its category risk index is 1.04, indicating above-average risk.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does MSCI EAFE Index mean?
The MSCI EAFE Index measures the performance of developed markets outside the U.S. and Canada, covering Europe, Australasia, and the Far East. It's a key benchmark for investors tracking international stock market trends.
Sources
- https://www.ishares.com/us/products/239622/ishares-msci-eafe-growth-etf
- https://www.blackrock.com/us/individual/products/239622/ishares-msci-eafe-growth-etf
- https://www.dividend.com/etfs/efg-ishares-msci-eafe-growth-etf/
- https://www.aaii.com/etf/ticker/EFG
- https://www.investing.com/etfs/ishares-msci-growth
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