The iShares MSCI World ETF (URTH) is an exchange-traded fund designed to provide exposure to a broad range of large and mid-cap stocks across developed markets worldwide. By tracking the MSCI World Index, URTH offers investors a convenient way to gain diversified global equity exposure.

Fund Overview

  • Inception Date: January 10, 2012
  • Expense Ratio: 0.24%
  • Number of Holdings: Approximately 1,400
  • Assets Under Management: $4.48 billion
  • Dividend Yield: 1.43%
  • Most Recent Ex-Dividend Date: December 17, 2024

Performance Metrics

As of February 7, 2025, URTH is trading at $160.64, reflecting a slight decrease of 0.88% from the previous close. Over the past year, the fund has delivered a return of approximately 17.93%. The price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio stands at 24.21, indicating the valuation level of the fund’s holdings.

Top Holdings

URTH’s portfolio is heavily weighted toward major U.S. technology companies, with the top holdings as follows:

  • Apple Inc. (AAPL): 4.86%
  • NVIDIA Corporation (NVDA): 4.21%
  • Microsoft Corporation (MSFT): 4.02%
  • Amazon.com, Inc. (AMZN): 3.07%
  • Meta Platforms, Inc. (META): 2.12%

Sector and Geographic Allocation

The fund’s sector allocation is predominantly in technology services and electronic technology, reflecting its significant exposure to the tech industry. Geographically, URTH allocates approximately 76% to U.S. companies, with the remainder distributed among European and Asian developed markets.

Analyst Insights

Analysts have set an average 12-month price target of $185.26 for URTH, suggesting potential upside from its current price. The consensus rating is a “Moderate Buy,” based on evaluations of the fund’s underlying holdings.

Dividend History

URTH pays dividends semi-annually. In 2024, the fund distributed dividends of $1.189 per share in June and $1.103 per share in December. The payout ratio is approximately 34.56%, indicating a conservative approach to dividend distributions.

Conclusion

The iShares MSCI World ETF (URTH) offers investors diversified exposure to developed market equities, with a notable emphasis on U.S. technology companies. While the fund has demonstrated strong performance over the past year, potential investors should consider the concentration in the technology sector and the U.S. market when evaluating this investment.