Stratos Wealth Partners Increases Stake in iShares MSCI EAFE ETF

Stratos Wealth Partners LTD. has increased its investment in the iShares MSCI EAFE ETF (NYSEARCA:EFA) by 30.5% during the second quarter of 2023, according to a recent filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm now holds 23,112 shares of the exchange-traded fund (ETF) after acquiring an additional 5,395 shares throughout the quarter. As of the latest reporting period, Stratos Wealth Partners’ holdings in the ETF are valued at approximately $2,066,000.

Other significant investors have also adjusted their positions in the iShares MSCI EAFE ETF recently. Aurora Private Wealth Inc. dramatically increased its stake by an astonishing 2,358.3% in the first quarter of 2023, acquiring an additional 73,084 shares. Aurora now owns 76,183 shares, valued at $6,226,000.

Similarly, Alexander Randolph Advisory Inc. and US Financial Advisors LLC also expanded their holdings during the same period. Alexander Randolph Advisory increased its position by 7.5%, now holding 5,421 shares worth $443,000. Meanwhile, US Financial Advisors LLC raised its stake by 9.8%, owning 240,077 shares valued at $19,622,000 after buying an additional 21,522 shares.

Tillman Hartley LLC also boosted its investment in the ETF by 22.6%, now holding 3,301 shares valued at $270,000. Additionally, N.E.W. Advisory Services LLC made a new acquisition valued at around $85,000 during the first quarter. Overall, institutional investors and hedge funds hold approximately 79.80% of the ETF’s stock.

The iShares MSCI EAFE ETF saw a slight increase of 0.8% in shares, opening at $95.29 on Tuesday. The ETF boasts a market capitalization of $68.72 billion, with a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 16.48 and a beta of 0.86. Over the past year, the ETF has experienced a low of $72.14 and a high of $95.53. Its 50-day moving average stands at $92.84, while the 200-day moving average is $88.81.

The iShares MSCI EAFE ETF, formerly known as the iShares MSCI EAFE Index Fund, aims to reflect the price and yield performance of the underlying MSCI EAFE Index. Developed by MSCI Inc., this index serves as a benchmark for international equity performance, making the ETF a popular choice among investors looking to diversify their portfolios globally.