Looking for Growth Opportunities Outside the U.S. Market? This International ETF Soared Past the S&P 500 Last Year

Core Viewpoint - The iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF is a low-cost investment option that focuses on international stocks, providing diversification and potential growth opportunities outside the U.S. market [1][2]. Investment Focus - The ETF invests in companies based in developed countries in Europe, Asia, and Australia, specifically excluding the U.S. and Canada, making it suitable for investors looking to globalize their portfolios [4]. - Japanese stocks constitute 25% of the fund's holdings, followed by the United Kingdom at 14%, with no Chinese-based companies included, which may appeal to investors concerned about tariff risks [5]. Performance Metrics - The iShares ETF outperformed the S&P 500 last year, achieving gains of over 27% compared to the S&P 500's 16% increase, although it has underperformed over the past five years with returns of 31% versus 83% for the S&P 500 [6]. - As of January 19, the ETF was up around 4%, outperforming the S&P 500's gains of just over 1% [10]. Portfolio Composition - The ETF's portfolio includes top growth stocks such as ASML Holding, AstraZeneca, and SAP, with financial, industrial, and healthcare sectors making up more than half of the portfolio [7]. - The largest holding, ASML, represents only 2% of the overall portfolio, providing a more diversified investment compared to ETFs that track the S&P 500 [8]. Financial Aspects - The ETF offers a high dividend yield of 3.6%, significantly higher than the S&P 500's yield of 1.1%, and has a low expense ratio of 0.07%, ensuring minimal impact from fees on overall returns [9]. - The fund's current price is $92.81, with a 52-week range of $66.95 to $93.03, indicating strong performance potential [9]. Future Outlook - The iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF is positioned to continue its strong performance into 2026, appealing to investors looking to reduce exposure to U.S. stocks and seek growth in international markets [10][11].