What Is the EASG ETF? A Complete Guide to Returns, Fees, Holdings, and Alternative ETFs
The Xtrackers MSCI EAFE Select Equity ETF (EASG) holds developed-market stocks outside North America that score well on ESG criteria. It offers semiannual dividends and broad international diversification, and differences in fees and strategy versus similar products are the key factors in choosing among them.
What Is the Xtrackers MSCI EAFE Select Equity ETF?
The fund tracks an international equity index that selects the top ESG-rated stocks in each sector from large- and mid-cap companies in developed markets in Europe, Japan, and Asia-Pacific, excluding North America. It spreads its holdings broadly across regions and industries.
It suits long-term investors who want to diversify across developed markets outside the US while reflecting sustainability criteria in their portfolio.
It is a passively managed (index-tracking) ETF run by DWS Xtrackers.
How Does the Xtrackers MSCI EAFE Select Equity ETF Invest?
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Tracked Index | MSCI EAFE family selection index |
| Management Style | Passive (index-tracking) |
| Rebalancing Frequency | Once every six months |
| Dividend Frequency | Semiannual |
| Issuer | DWS Xtrackers |
| Expense Ratio | 0.14% |
The index is built by selecting companies with relatively high ESG ratings within each sector from listed stocks in developed markets outside North America, and excluding the rest. Holdings are adjusted periodically in line with changes in market capitalization.
- Combines developed-market international diversification with ESG screening
- Includes the top relative performers within each sector
Xtrackers MSCI EAFE Select Equity ETF Size and Costs (AUM and Management Fee)
Assets under management (AUM) stand at $93.1M, and the expense ratio is 0.14% per year.
The fund provides broad developed-market exposure, but the ESG screening makes its pool of eligible holdings narrower than that of a standard EAFE ETF.
Xtrackers MSCI EAFE Select Equity ETF Performance and Trends
The fund moves with developed-market equities outside the US, and its performance tends to diverge depending on exchange rates and regional economic and interest-rate conditions. Short-term returns react sensitively to global risk appetite.
Fund flows follow demand for international diversification and interest in sustainable investing, and the ETF tends to be used as a complement in asset allocation efforts to reduce US concentration.
Xtrackers MSCI EAFE Select Equity ETF Pros and Cons
Its strength lies in offering developed-market international diversification and ESG screening together, while the narrower eligible universe and currency exposure are points to watch.
💪 Key Strengths
⚠️ Points to Watch
Alternative ETFs and Related Products to the Xtrackers MSCI EAFE Select Equity ETF
The two products compared alongside it in the table, FNDF and GSIE, hold the same group of developed-market stocks outside the US but use fundamental and factor-based methods instead of ESG screening, so their strategies differ. Products such as GNR concentrate on specific themes such as natural resources, which sets them apart in character. For broad developed-market exposure, alternatives include EFA and IEFA, which track the EAFE universe as a whole at low cost without ESG screening. For those who want to keep ESG criteria, products such as ESGD are worth considering as direct substitutes.
| Ticker | Name | Weight | Price | Change | Market Cap | P/E | Dividend Yield |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASML | ASML Holding NV | 0.10% | $1424.75 | +5.0% | $549.1B | 35.1 | 0.74% |
| HSBC | HSBC Holdings plc ADR | 0.06% | $87.06 | -1.1% | $298.3B | 11.4 | 4.77% |
| AZN | Astrazeneca plc | 0.05% | $186.43 | -0.2% | $289.1B | 26.4 | 1.79% |
| NVS | Novartis AG ADR | 0.05% | $162.55 | +0.4% | $297.6B | 31.0 | 2.67% |
| TTE | TotalEnergies SE | 0.02% | $87.82 | -1.1% | $193.8B | 8.7 | 4.65% |
| AllianzIM International Equity Buffer15 Uncapped Jul ETF | 0.01% | $24.60 | -0.4% | $0.0M | - | - |
Xtrackers MSCI EAFE Select Equity ETF Investor Checkpoints
Here are the points to review before investing in EASG. Because this is an international diversification product investing in developed markets outside the US, it is wise to check in advance the currency fluctuations, the holdings range narrowed by ESG screening, and the cost burden of holding it over the long term.
| Checkpoint | What to Check | Current Status |
|---|---|---|
| 💵 Expense Ratio | Check the cumulative cost impact over a long holding period | Needs review |
| 💱 Currency | Review the effect of converting returns across multiple currencies | No currency hedge |
| 🌍 Regional Diversification | Check the regional and industry composition of developed markets | Broadly diversified |
| ♻️ ESG Screening | Check the holdings range resulting from the screening criteria | Screening applied |
Currency fluctuations and regional economic conditions in places such as Europe and Japan are the main drivers of short-term volatility. The narrower eligible universe from ESG screening can also lead to performance differences versus the standard EAFE index.
It is a suitable choice for investors who want developed-market diversification outside the US together with sustainability criteria. If pure core exposure is the priority, consider EFA or IEFA, and for comparison while keeping ESG criteria, look at products such as ESGD.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. All investment responsibility lies with the investor.
This article reflects information as of July 2, 2026.