Average Daily Volume
12.62M
Fund Overview
The iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF (IEFA) is designed to provide investors with exposure to large-, mid-, and small-cap equities across developed markets outside of the U.S. and Canada. The fund tracks the MSCI EAFE IMI Index, which includes stocks from Europe, Australasia, and the Far East. IEFA offers broad diversification across sectors and countries, making it a core holding for investors seeking international equity exposure. With a low expense ratio and a focus on capturing the performance of developed international markets, IEFA is a popular choice for long-term investors looking to diversify their portfolios beyond domestic equities.
- Asset Class
-
Equity
- Industry
-
N/A
- Annual Dividend Rate
-
- Smart Beta
-
No
- Leveraged / Inverse
-
N/A / No
- Dividend Quality - Yield
-
- 2.60 %
- Currency Hedged
-
No
- Portfolio Turnover
-
2 %
- Dividend Date
-
Why Invest in the IEFA ETF?
Potential Benefits
- Provides diversified exposure to developed international markets outside the U.S. and Canada.
- Low expense ratio makes it cost-effective for long-term investors.
- Tracks a broad index, offering exposure to large-, mid-, and small-cap stocks.
- Liquidity is high, with tight bid-ask spreads due to its large asset base.
- Can serve as a core international holding in a diversified portfolio.
Potential Risks
- Exposure to currency fluctuations, as the fund holds non-U.S. dollar-denominated assets.
- Political and economic risks in developed international markets can impact performance.
- May underperform U.S. equities during periods of dollar strength.
- Limited exposure to emerging markets, which may offer higher growth potential.
- Dividend yields may vary based on regional economic conditions.
RSI data unavailable or insufficient history.
Monthly Returns (%)
| Year |
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
| 2026 |
+5.1%
|
+4.5%
|
-7.9%
|
+5.5%
|
+2.6%
|
+0.1%
|
+1.7%
|
+2.0%
|
-3.4%
|
+0.1%
|
-
|
-
|
| 2025 |
+4.7%
|
+2.4%
|
+0.4%
|
+4.0%
|
+4.9%
|
+2.9%
|
-1.9%
|
+4.4%
|
+2.1%
|
+0.9%
|
+0.9%
|
+2.6%
|
| 2024 |
-0.7%
|
+2.8%
|
+3.4%
|
-3.3%
|
+5.1%
|
-2.0%
|
+2.9%
|
+3.2%
|
+1.1%
|
-5.5%
|
-0.2%
|
-3.1%
|
| 2023 |
+8.8%
|
-3.0%
|
+2.8%
|
+2.9%
|
-4.0%
|
+4.2%
|
+3.0%
|
-3.8%
|
-3.8%
|
-3.1%
|
+8.3%
|
+5.6%
|
| 2022 |
-4.1%
|
-3.2%
|
+0.3%
|
-6.8%
|
+1.7%
|
-8.8%
|
+5.4%
|
-6.1%
|
-9.6%
|
+5.8%
|
+13.2%
|
-1.7%
|
| 2021 |
-0.7%
|
+2.6%
|
+2.4%
|
+3.1%
|
+3.4%
|
-1.1%
|
+0.9%
|
+1.6%
|
-3.3%
|
+3.0%
|
-4.6%
|
+4.2%
|
| 2020 |
-2.7%
|
-7.9%
|
-14.6%
|
+6.3%
|
+5.7%
|
+3.3%
|
+2.1%
|
+5.3%
|
-1.9%
|
-3.5%
|
+13.9%
|
+5.2%
|
| 2019 |
+6.7%
|
+2.7%
|
+0.8%
|
+2.9%
|
-5.1%
|
+5.5%
|
-1.7%
|
-1.7%
|
+2.9%
|
+3.5%
|
+0.9%
|
+3.6%
|
| 2018 |
+5.2%
|
-4.9%
|
-0.4%
|
+1.2%
|
-1.5%
|
-1.7%
|
+2.4%
|
-1.9%
|
+0.6%
|
-8.3%
|
+0.3%
|
-5.5%
|
| 2017 |
+3.4%
|
+1.3%
|
+3.2%
|
+2.7%
|
+3.5%
|
+0.4%
|
+2.8%
|
+0.1%
|
+2.4%
|
+1.7%
|
+0.9%
|
+1.5%
|
< -5%
-5% to -2%
-2% to 0%
0%
0% to +2%
+2% to +5%
> +5%
Top Holdings (by weight)
| Symbol |
Company Name |
Weight |
|
SPOT
|
SPOTIFY TECHNOLOGY SA |
0.5 % |
|
RACE
|
FERRARI NV |
0.3 % |
|
SE
|
SEA LTD ADR |
0.2 % |
|
ALC
|
ALCON INC |
0.2 % |
|
WDS
|
WOODSIDE ENERGY GROUP LTD |
0.1 % |
|
CHKP
|
CHECK POINT SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGIES LTD |
0.1 % |
|
AER
|
AERCAP HOLDINGS NV |
0.1 % |
|
TEF
|
TELEFONICA SA |
0.1 % |
|
TEVA
|
TEVA PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRIES LTD ADR |
0.1 % |
|
CCEP
|
COCA-COLA EUROPACIFIC PARTNERS PLC |
0.1 % |
Top 10 holdings shown, out of 2 total holdings.
Related ETFs: IEFA vs Peers
Comparison highlights key differences on cost, coverage, and focus within sector ETFs.
Investment Strategy
IEFA seeks to track the performance of the MSCI EAFE IMI Index, which includes large-, mid-, and small-cap stocks from developed markets outside the U.S. and Canada. The index is market-cap weighted, meaning larger companies have a greater influence on performance. The fund holds a diversified portfolio of equities across sectors and countries, providing broad exposure to developed international markets. IEFA is passively managed and rebalances periodically to align with the index composition, ensuring accurate tracking with minimal turnover.
Frequently Asked Questions
What regions does IEFA cover?
IEFA provides exposure to developed markets in Europe, Australasia, and the Far East, excluding the U.S. and Canada.
Does IEFA include emerging markets?
No, IEFA focuses exclusively on developed markets. For emerging markets exposure, consider ETFs like IEMG or VWO.
How often does IEFA rebalance?
IEFA rebalances periodically to align with the MSCI EAFE IMI Index, typically during quarterly index reviews.
What is the expense ratio of IEFA?
IEFA has a low expense ratio of 0.07%, making it one of the most cost-effective options for international equity exposure.
Is IEFA suitable for dividend investors?
While IEFA includes dividend-paying stocks, its focus is on broad market exposure rather than high dividend yields. Investors seeking higher dividends may consider region-specific or dividend-focused international ETFs.
Industry Overview
The iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF (IEFA) provides exposure to developed international markets, which can be an essential component of a globally diversified portfolio. Investing in international equities allows investors to tap into growth opportunities outside the U.S. while mitigating country-specific risks. Developed markets, such as those in Europe and Japan, often exhibit lower volatility compared to emerging markets but may still face economic and geopolitical challenges. IEFA's broad coverage of developed markets makes it a suitable choice for investors seeking stable, long-term international equity exposure.
Alternative Comparison
Compared to its peers, such as the iShares MSCI EAFE ETF (EFA) and the Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF (VEA), IEFA offers broader exposure by including small-cap stocks, which EFA excludes. Additionally, IEFA's expense ratio is competitive, often lower than actively managed international funds. Unlike some competitors that may use sampling techniques, IEFA aims for full replication of its index, providing more precise tracking. Investors seeking a cost-effective, comprehensive developed markets ETF may find IEFA a compelling choice.
Issuer Overview
iShares, a division of BlackRock, is the largest ETF provider globally, known for its low-cost, index-tracking funds. With a strong reputation for transparency and liquidity, iShares ETFs are widely used by both individual and institutional investors. BlackRock's extensive resources and expertise in passive investing contribute to the reliability and efficiency of funds like IEFA.
Conclusion
The iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF (IEFA) is a well-rounded option for investors seeking diversified exposure to developed international markets. With its low cost, broad index coverage, and strong liquidity, IEFA serves as an efficient tool for portfolio diversification. While it carries risks such as currency fluctuations and regional economic instability, its benefits make it a staple for long-term investors looking beyond U.S. equities.
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