Strs Ohio has significantly increased its investment in the iShares MSCI EAFE ETF (NYSEARCA:EFA), raising its holdings by 102.6% during the third quarter of 2023. According to a 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, valued at approximately $5.365 million.
Institutional Investments Surge
A number of other institutional investors have also made notable adjustments to their stakes in the iShares MSCI EAFE ETF. For instance, Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC dramatically increased its holdings by 8,818.3% in the second quarter, now owning 3,291,030 shares worth around $294.185 million. This surge followed the purchase of an additional 3,254,128 shares during that period.
The State Board of Administration of Florida Retirement System entered the market with a new position in the iShares MSCI EAFE ETF, investing approximately $209.353 million in the same quarter. Additionally, the Board of Trustees of The Leland Stanford Junior University boosted its position by 222.4%, acquiring 2,308,580 shares to total 3,346,434 shares valued at about $299.138 million.
Moreover, Bessemer Group Inc. expanded its holdings by an astounding 3,057.6%, now owning 2,368,703 shares worth $211.738 million after acquiring an additional 2,293,687 shares. Finally, Corient Private Wealth LLC increased its investment by 50.7%, bringing its total to 5,768,279 shares, valued at $504.181 million.
Overall, institutional investors and hedge funds now hold approximately 79.80% of the iShares MSCI EAFE ETF’s stock, reflecting a significant confidence in this investment vehicle.
Performance Metrics and Fund Overview
As of October 3, 2023, shares of the iShares MSCI EAFE ETF opened at $100.47. The fund has a market capitalization of $74.15 billion, a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 16.48, and a beta of 0.84, indicating relatively stable performance compared to the broader market. Its 50-day moving average stands at $96.44, while the 200-day moving average is $93.82.
The iShares MSCI EAFE ETF has experienced a price range over the past year, with a low of $72.14 and a high of $100.83. As an exchange-traded fund, its investment objective is to mirror the performance of the MSCI EAFE Index, which comprises stocks from Europe, Australasia, and the Far East. The fund aims to provide investors with a representative sample of the underlying index’s securities, maintaining an investment profile closely aligned with the index.
For those interested in exploring further, HoldingsChannel.com provides the latest 13F filings and insider trades related to the iShares MSCI EAFE ETF. Subscribers can also receive daily summaries of news and analyst ratings connected to the ETF and related investment opportunities.
