iShares MSCI EAFE ETF
EFA InternationalUpdated: Jul 5, 2026, 21:17 UTC
Key Metrics
Top 10 Holdings
| Holding | Ticker | Weight | Bar |
|---|---|---|---|
| ASML Holding NV | ASML.AS | 2.88% | |
| HSBC Holdings PLC | HSBA.L | 1.48% | |
| Roche Holding AG Ordinary Shares new | ROP.SW | 1.36% | |
| AstraZeneca PLC | AZN.L | 1.29% | |
| Novartis AG Registered Shares | NOVN.SW | 1.27% | |
| Nestle SA | NESN.SW | 1.2% | |
| Shell PLC | SHEL.L | 1.09% | |
| Siemens AG | SIE.DE | 1.08% | |
| BHP Group Ltd | BHP.AX | 1.05% | |
| Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group Inc | 8306.T | 0.93% |
Sector Allocation
About This ETF
The iShares MSCI EAFE ETF (EFA) is a International ETF with an expense ratio (TER) of 0.32% and $77.4B in assets under management., with its largest holdings being ASML Holding NV, HSBC Holdings PLC, Roche Holding AG Ordinary Shares new. The ETF currently yields 3.1% in dividends. Year-to-date, EFA has returned +9.26%.
The fund generally will invest at least 80% of its assets in the component securities of its underlying index and in investments that have economic characteristics that are substantially identical to the component securities of its underlying index. The index is a free float-adjusted, market capitalization-weighted index designed to measure large- and mid-capitalization equity market performance of developed markets outside of the U.S. and Canada.
FAQ — EFA
What is the TER of EFA (iShares MSCI EAFE ETF)?
EFA has a Total Expense Ratio (TER) of 0.32 % per year. That sits at the international category median (0.32 % across 13 peer ETFs). The TER is deducted directly from the fund and lowers your effective return.
What return has EFA delivered?
Performance for EFA: YTD: +9.26 % · 3-year p.a.: +16.57 % · 5-year p.a.: +9.04 %. Over 5 years, EFA outperforms the international category median of +8.50 % by +0.54 pp. Past performance is no guarantee of future returns.
What are the top holdings of EFA?
The five largest positions in EFA are: ASML.AS, HSBA.L, ROP.SW, AZN.L, NOVN.SW. The full holdings list is updated daily on this page.
Does EFA pay dividends?
EFA has a current dividend yield of 3.10 %. Distributing ETFs pay this out in cash; accumulating versions reinvest it inside the fund. Check the share class on your broker before buying.
Where can I buy or set up a savings plan for EFA?
EFA is available at most major brokers. For a free monthly savings plan from €1, look at Trade Republic, Scalable Capital or Flatex. The broker comparison on this site shows fees, free-savings-plan ETFs and execution exchanges side by side.
What Is the iShares MSCI EAFE ETF?
The iShares MSCI EAFE ETF (EFA) packages large- and mid-cap companies from developed markets outside the United States and Canada – spanning Europe, Japan and Australia. With roughly $75.6B in assets and a 0.32% expense ratio, it ranks among the established building blocks for international diversification. For investors whose portfolios are dominated by U.S. names, EFA closes a geographic gap and opens access to global heavyweights such as ASML, Nestlé and AstraZeneca.
Performance at a Glance
EFA shows a 7.88% return year to date, 16.97% over three years and 8.72% over five years. The price trades near the upper end of its 52-week range (high $105.94, low $85.68) at about 93.8% of that band. Returns are driven by a heavy weighting in financial services (24.59%) and industrials (19.85%), alongside European quality names. The dividend yield of 3.17% sits well above that of typical U.S. broad-market funds. A meaningful share of the reported return, however, depends on exchange-rate moves, because EFA is priced in U.S. dollars while its holdings trade in other currencies.
Risk Profile
EFA spreads across dozens of countries but carries specific risks. With 24.59% in financials and 19.85% in industrials, sector concentration can weigh on returns during downturns.
- Currency risk: The fund is denominated in U.S. dollars yet holds securities in euros, yen, pounds and francs. For euro-area investors, swings in EUR/USD and the underlying currencies overlay the pure price performance.
- Geographic risk: Political and economic events in Europe or Japan feed through directly.
- No emerging markets: EFA covers developed markets only – which is both a lower-risk feature and a forgone source of growth.
Who Is EFA For?
EFA suits long-term investors who want to complement a U.S.-heavy portfolio with developed markets outside North America. Those who value ongoing income benefit from the 3.17% dividend yield. A horizon of at least five to ten years helps ride out currency and price fluctuations.
EFA is less suitable for investors specifically seeking emerging-market growth – that region is entirely absent. Anyone already holding a global fund that includes the U.S. risks overlap with EFA. For short-term speculation, or for investors with no tolerance for foreign-currency exposure, the fund is also not a first choice.
How EFA Compares
In the international equity segment, EFA faces several established alternatives:
- iShares Core MSCI EAFE (IEFA): A nearly identical strategy from the same provider, but with broader small-cap inclusion and a lower expense ratio – often the cost-efficient version of EFA.
- Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets (VEA): Also covers developed markets ex-U.S., but adds Canada and more smaller companies and is very low cost.
- Vanguard Total International Stock (VXUS): Goes further by also including emerging markets – investors who want to cover EFA’s missing EM component find an all-in-one solution here.
Where can I buy EFA?
Compare the best brokers for ETF savings plans — low fees, trusted providers, fully regulated.