iShares ESG Advanced MSCI USA ETF

USXF

Market cap $1.2B

iShares ESG Advanced MSCI USA ETF offers a portfolio of ESG-screened U.S. stocks with a competitive expense ratio of 0.10%. USXF's high exposure to growth and technology stocks has led to its outperformance relative to the S&P 500 index. The fund's ESG methodology excludes fossil fuel-related sectors, resulting in a portfolio heavily weighted towards high ESG-scoring technology stocks.

The iShares® ESG Advanced MSCI USA ETF offers exposure to U.S. companies with high ESG scores, boasting a low expense ratio of 0.10%. Nvidia's significant weighting (16.67%) in the fund raises concerns about concentration risk, despite the fund's impressive nearly 29% YTD return. USXF's sector allocation favors Information Technology and Financials, avoiding controversial industries like weapons, tobacco, and thermal coal.

iShares® ESG Advanced MSCI USA ETF implements an environmental, social, and corporate governance (“ESG”) strategy focused on large companies. The USXF ETF displays expensive valuation ratios, superior growth rates, and some excess return relative to the S&P 500. USXF has performed quite well relative to other ESG funds. Nonetheless, it may have deeper drawdowns than the benchmark in a downturn.

While 2023 proved to be a challenging year for US sustainable funds including ETFs, the underlying principles of ESG investing remain relevant and are increasingly being incorporated into mainstream investment strategies.