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EFAV - ETF AI Analysis

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EFAV

iShares MSCI EAFE Min Vol Factor ETF (EFAV)

Rating:61Neutral
Price Target:
EFAV, the iShares MSCI EAFE Min Vol Factor ETF, has a solid overall rating that reflects a portfolio built around relatively stable, higher-quality international stocks. Strong holdings like TotalEnergies and DBS Group support the fund’s quality through solid financial performance, attractive valuations, and positive earnings sentiment, while other names such as Shell and Secom add stability but face some short-term technical or growth challenges. The main risk factor is that many top holdings share similar issues like overbought technical signals, high valuations, or sector-specific pressures, which could weigh on returns if market conditions turn against these areas at the same time.
Positive Factors
Defensive Minimum-Volatility Strategy
The ETF is built to focus on lower-volatility international stocks, which can help smooth out returns during choppy markets.
Broad International Diversification
Holdings spread across many countries, with meaningful exposure to Japan, the UK, Switzerland, and others, reduce reliance on any single market.
Stable, Defensive Sector Mix
Significant weights in financials, health care, consumer defensive, utilities, and communication services tilt the fund toward traditionally steadier sectors.
Negative Factors
Mixed Performance Among Top Holdings
While some leading positions like Novartis and Swisscom have shown strong gains, others such as Zurich Insurance and Ahold Delhaize have been weak, creating uneven contribution to returns.
Concentration in Japan
A large allocation to Japan means the fund’s results are heavily influenced by that single country’s economic and market conditions.
Limited U.S. Exposure
With only a small slice in U.S. stocks, investors who want exposure to the U.S. market would need to pair this ETF with other funds.

EFAV vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

EFAV Summary

EFAV is an ETF that follows the MSCI EAFE Minimum Volatility Index, which focuses on stocks from developed countries outside the U.S. and Canada, such as Japan, the UK, and Switzerland. It holds many types of companies, including banks, industrial firms, and healthcare businesses. Well-known holdings include Novartis and Shell. Investors might consider EFAV if they want broad international diversification with a goal of smoother ups and downs than a typical stock fund. A key risk is that it still invests in stocks, so its value can rise and fall with global markets.
How much will it cost me?The iShares MSCI EAFE Min Vol Factor ETF (EFAV) has an expense ratio of 0.20%, which means you’ll pay $2 per year for every $1,000 invested. This is lower than the average for actively managed funds because EFAV is passively managed, tracking an index that focuses on minimizing volatility in developed markets outside North America.
What would affect this ETF?The EFAV ETF could benefit from stable economic growth in developed markets outside North America, particularly in sectors like financials, consumer defensive, and healthcare, which are well-represented in its portfolio. However, it may face challenges from rising interest rates, which could impact financial stocks, or geopolitical tensions in Europe and Asia that might affect market stability. Regulatory changes in these regions or shifts in global trade policies could also influence the ETF's performance.

EFAV Top 10 Holdings

EFAV’s story right now is all about steady, low-drama leadership from overseas blue chips. European energy names like ENI, TotalEnergies, and Shell have been rising and quietly pulling the fund forward, acting as its main workhorses. On the flip side, defensive telecom and utility plays such as Swisscom and Orange look more mixed, occasionally losing steam and capping upside. With notable weights in financials, industrials, and health care, and a broad spread across Europe and Asia rather than the U.S., the ETF stays diversified while leaning into lower-volatility stalwarts.
Name
Company Name
Weight %
Market Value
Market Cap
Yearly Gain
Overall Rating
ENI S.p.A.1.64%$89.11M€71.45B110.93%
63
Neutral
TotalEnergies SE1.60%$87.11M€168.70B54.55%
78
Outperform
Shell (UK)1.55%$84.56M£193.37B48.26%
73
Outperform
Iberdrola1.52%$82.49M€136.79B39.98%
67
Neutral
Takeda Pharmaceutical Co1.51%$82.29M¥9.23T40.14%
66
Neutral
1.47%$79.96M
DBS Group Holdings1.43%$77.89MS$162.54B55.26%
78
Outperform
ORANGE SA1.43%$77.68M€48.06B51.84%
65
Neutral
Swisscom AG1.41%$76.97MCHF35.30B33.63%
67
Neutral
Novartis AG1.40%$76.38MCHF223.05B44.23%
80
Outperform

EFAV Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Positive
Last Price
Price Trends
50DMA
91.60
Positive
100DMA
88.76
Positive
200DMA
86.08
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
0.47
Negative
RSI
61.98
Neutral
STOCH
93.69
Negative
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in ETF analysis to make informed investment decisions. For EFAV, the sentiment is Positive. The current price of undefined is equal to the 20-day moving average (MA) of 90.82, equal to the 50-day MA of 91.60, and equal to the 200-day MA of 86.08, indicating a bullish trend. The MACD of 0.47 indicates Negative momentum. The RSI at 61.98 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 93.69 is Negative, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Positive sentiment for EFAV.

EFAV Peer Comparison

Comparison Results
Name
Price
Price Target
AUM
Expense Ratio
Overall Rating
$5.49B0.20%
61
Neutral
$8.65B0.35%
65
Neutral
$8.43B0.28%
67
Neutral
$6.31B0.07%
66
Neutral
$2.26B0.58%
65
Neutral
$1.50B0.20%
60
Neutral
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
EFAV
iShares MSCI EAFE Min Vol Factor ETF
93.44
18.24
24.26%
DBEF
Xtrackers MSCI EAFE Hedged Equity ETF
FENI
Fidelity Enhanced International ETF
BBIN
JPMorgan BetaBuilders International Equity ETF
IHDG
WisdomTree International Hedged Quality Dividend Growth Fund
HFXI
IQ 50 Percent Hedged FTSE International ETF
Glossary
BuyAn ETF rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the ETF is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other ETFs in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldAn ETF rated as a "Hold" s expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the ETF is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellAn ETF rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the ETF may deliver lower returns compared to other ETFs in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
DisclaimerThis AI Analyst ETF Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in ETFs carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.Date of analysis: ―
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