Strs Ohio has significantly increased its investment in the iShares MSCI EAFE ETF, boosting its holdings by 102.6% during the third quarter of 2023. According to the firm’s recent filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Strs Ohio acquired an additional 29,100 shares, bringing its total ownership to 57,455 shares. As of the latest SEC disclosure, these holdings are valued at approximately $5,365,000.
Several other institutional investors have also adjusted their positions in the iShares MSCI EAFE ETF, known on the New York Stock Exchange as NYSEARCA:EFA. Notably, Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC reported a staggering increase of 8,818.3% in its stake during the second quarter, now owning 3,291,030 shares valued at about $294,185,000. This remarkable growth reflects a strong interest in international equities, which the ETF targets.
The State Board of Administration of Florida Retirement System also entered the arena, purchasing a new position in the iShares MSCI EAFE ETF valued at approximately $209,353,000 in the same quarter. Similarly, the Board of Trustees of The Leland Stanford Junior University increased its holdings by 222.4%, now owning 3,346,434 shares worth $299,138,000 after acquiring an additional 2,308,580 shares.
Bessemer Group Inc. joined the trend by raising its holdings by 3,057.6%, now owning 2,368,703 shares valued at $211,738,000. Corient Private Wealth LLC also increased its position by 50.7%, bringing its total to 5,768,279 shares valued at $504,181,000. Together, institutional investors and hedge funds hold approximately 79.80% of the ETF’s stock.
Performance Overview of iShares MSCI EAFE ETF
As of the latest trading session, shares of NYSEARCA:EFA opened at $100.47. The ETF boasts a market capitalization of $74.15 billion and a price-to-earnings (PE) ratio of 16.48. The stock has shown stability with a beta of 0.84, indicating lower volatility compared to the broader market.
The ETF’s moving averages further illustrate its performance, with a 50-day moving average of $96.44 and a 200-day moving average of $93.82. Over the past year, the fund has experienced fluctuations, recording a low of $72.14 and a high of $100.83.
About iShares MSCI EAFE ETF
The iShares MSCI EAFE ETF, previously known as the iShares MSCI EAFE Index Fund, seeks to mirror the price and yield performance of the underlying MSCI EAFE Index. Developed by MSCI Inc, this index serves as a benchmark for international stock performance, encompassing equities from Europe, Australasia, and the Far East. The fund strategically invests in a representative sample of securities from this index, ensuring that it maintains an investment profile closely aligned with the index’s performance.
For those interested in tracking institutional holdings or receiving the latest news and ratings related to the iShares MSCI EAFE ETF, resources such as HoldingsChannel.com offer valuable insights into the ETF’s dynamics and investor sentiment.
