iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF

IEFA

Börsenwert 190 Mrd. $

Trading activity on the Tradeweb European ETF marketplace reached EUR 69 billion in September, the second-highest level recorded for the month. Six of the ten most actively traded ETFs in September were equity-based, with two gold ETCs and two short-dated fixed income funds making up the remainder. Total consolidated U.S. ETF notional value traded in September reached USD 122 billion, up 52% year-over-year.

The iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF manages $196 billion in assets, making it significantly larger than the Schwab fund. The Schwab International Equity ETF has outperformed on a 1-year total return basis as of Aug. 27, 2026.

The iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF manages significantly more assets under management (AUM) and offers a higher dividend yield than the State Street SPDR Portfolio Developed World ex-US ETF. The State Street SPDR Portfolio Developed World ex-US ETF features a lower expense ratio and has delivered higher total returns over the trailing 12 months.

For diversification in the stock market, there are actively managed alternatives to index funds.

If you're seeking steady income from your investments, good luck finding it in traditional U.S. index funds tracking the S&P 500. The current dividend yield on that tech-stock-laden benchmark is only 1.1%.

The ETF market saw a push in capital away from the concentrated U.S. tech sector to defensive broad market exposure, short duration bonds, and commodities. The shift in flows is amplified by the semiconductor market pullback, interest rate uncertainty, and ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.

BlackRock's iShares helped push assets past $15T as ETFs surged. Here's what fueled the growth and which iShares ETFs remain investor favorites, per ETF Central data.

iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF focuses on developed international markets while Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF targets developing economies Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF maintains a lower expense ratio of 0.06% compared to 0.07% for the iShares fund iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF provides a higher trailing-12-month dividend yield of 3.4% and superior 5-year growth

The iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF (IEFA) invests only in developed market stocks outside of the United States and Canada. The Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) offers more comprehensive global coverage across both developed and emerging markets.

The iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF (NYSEARCA:IEFA) has quietly become one of the best-performing core holdings in U.S.