EFA

iShares MSCI EAFE ETF (EFA) is an exchange-traded fund that seeks to track the performance of an index composed of equities from developed markets outside North America. The ETF is managed by BlackRock through its iShares platform and trades under the ticker EFA on NYSE Arca.

Classified as an international developed markets equity ETF focused on countries outside the USA and Canada, EFA aims to reflect, before fees and expenses, the performance of the securities included in its reference index.

EFA tracks the MSCI EAFE Index, which includes large- and mid-cap companies from developed markets in Europe, Australasia, and the Far East. Constituents are selected based on country classification, liquidity, and market representation criteria. 

Weighting is determined by free-float-adjusted market capitalization, assigning greater weight to larger companies. The index undergoes periodic reviews, including rebalancing and constituent adjustments, which are reflected in the ETF’s holdings.

Diversification and sector exposure

EFA provides broad exposure across multiple economic sectors within developed international markets, including:

• Information technology.
• Healthcare.
• Financials.
• Industrials.
• Consumer discretionary.
• Consumer staples.
• Energy.
• Materials.

The portfolio reflects the economic structure of developed markets outside North America.

Structure and costs

EFA shares trade on the secondary market on NYSE Arca throughout regular trading hours. Creation and redemption occur through authorized participants, helping maintain alignment between market price and net asset value.

The fund charges a management fee as outlined in its prospectus and does not apply a performance fee. EFA distributes dividends derived from its underlying holdings in accordance with its distribution policy.

History and evolution of the ETF

iShares MSCI EAFE ETF was launched in 2001 during a period of expansion in international exchange-traded funds in the U.S. market. Since inception, it has become a widely used vehicle for gaining exposure to developed markets outside the United States and Canada.

In recent years, the ETF has reflected movements linked to monetary policy decisions in regions such as the euro area and Japan, currency volatility, geopolitical developments in Europe, and post-pandemic economic recovery.

Additional Information

iShares MSCI EAFE ETF (United States) is an exchange-traded fund (ETF), with assets under management totaling $77.20 Billions.

Over the past 12 months, iShares MSCI EAFE ETF recorded a return of 20.59%, with its price trading between $86.33 and $105.66 during the same period.

The ETF is traded under the ticker EFA.