What Is the EMXF ETF? A Complete Guide to Returns, Expense Ratio, Holdings, and Alternative ETFs
The iShares ESG Advanced MSCI EM ETF (EMXF) applies enhanced ESG screening, including fossil fuel exclusions, to an index of emerging-market large- and mid-cap stocks. The key selection criteria are expense ratio, dividends, and screening intensity compared with similar ETFs such as ESGE and VSGX.
SubscribeWhat Is the iShares ESG Advanced MSCI EM ETF?
This is an emerging-market ESG ETF that tracks an MSCI emerging-markets ESG-screened index. It holds emerging-market large- and mid-cap stocks with strong ESG ratings on a market-capitalization basis, while capping individual issuer weights to ease concentration in any single stock.
It suits long-term investors who want diversified exposure to emerging markets while applying ESG criteria and fossil fuel exclusions together.
It is a passive (index-tracking) ETF managed by BlackRock (iShares).
How Does the iShares ESG Advanced MSCI EM ETF Invest?
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Tracked index | MSCI EM Choice ESG Screened (issuer weight cap) |
| Management style | Passive (index-tracking) |
| Rebalancing frequency | Quarterly |
| Dividend frequency | Semiannual |
| Manager | BlackRock (iShares) |
| Expense ratio | 0.16% |
The fund selects companies with strong ESG ratings from among emerging-market large- and mid-cap stocks, and broadly excludes companies involved in controversial businesses, including fossil fuels. Caps on individual issuer weights ease concentration in any single stock, and changes to the index composition are reflected through regular rebalancing.
- Enhanced ESG screening and fossil fuel exclusions
- Issuer weight caps to ease concentration
iShares ESG Advanced MSCI EM ETF Size and Costs (AUM and Expense Ratio)
Assets under management (AUM) stand at $159.1M, and the expense ratio is 0.16% per year.
Compared with ESGE shown in the table, its ESG screening is stricter, and its holdings can be narrower than those of a general emerging-market ETF.
iShares ESG Advanced MSCI EM ETF Performance and Trends
1-Year Price Performance
Dividend & Yield
52-Week Price RangeReturns reflect both the overall direction of emerging-market equities and the compositional differences created by ESG screening. The fund is sensitive to exchange rates and the emerging-market economic cycle, and its short-term volatility tends to be higher than that of developed-market core assets.
Demand for sustainable investing and for emerging-market diversification underpins fund flows. Inflows tend to appear when appetite for emerging-market risk rises, and outflows when risk aversion takes hold.
iShares ESG Advanced MSCI EM ETF Strengths and Weaknesses
Its strength is combining ESG screening and emerging-market diversification in a single product. Its weaknesses are the compositional constraints created by screening and the risks unique to emerging markets.
💪 Key Strengths
⚠️ Points to Watch
iShares ESG Advanced MSCI EM ETF Alternative ETFs and Related Products
ESGE, shown in the table, is the most direct comparison within the same emerging-market ESG theme, and it differs in screening intensity and expense ratio. ESGD and VSGX offer developed-market or international ESG exposure, so their coverage differs. For broad emerging-market exposure without ESG constraints, you can consider the broad core ETFs IEMG, VWO, and EEM. If you want emerging markets excluding China, EMXC is also worth reviewing.
Peer Comparison ETFs| Ticker | Name | Price | Change | AUM | Total Expense Ratio | Dividend Yield | 1Y |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 ESGD | iShares Trust iShares ESG Aware MSCI EAFE ETF | $101.97 | -0.3% | $11.8B | 0.20% | 3.36% | +7.9% |
 VSGX | Vanguard ESG International Stock ETF | $78.24 | -0.2% | $6.5B | 0.10% | 3.1% | +10.8% |
 ESGE | iShare Inc iShares ESG Aware MSCI EM ETF | $50.39 | +0.5% | $6.3B | 0.25% | 2.25% | +13.7% |
 KLMN | Invesco MSCI North America Climate ETF | $31.20 | -0.4% | $2.4B | 0.09% | 1.16% | +13.1% |
 KLMT | Invesco MSCI Global Climate 500 ETF | $34.38 | -0.4% | $1.6B | 0.10% | 1.82% | +12.1% |
Top Holdings| Ticker | Name | Weight | Price | Change | Market Cap | P/E | Dividend Yield |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SKHY | SK Hynix Inc ADR | 0.16% | $137.02 | +4.0% | $998.7B | 8.9 | 0.38% |
| TSM | Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing ADR | 0.16% | $418.51 | +1.5% | $2.17T | 26.9 | 0.99% |
| HDB | HDFC Bank Ltd ADR | 0.05% | $22.09 | -1.6% | $113.5B | 13.2 | 1.94% |
 PASW | Ping An Biomedical Co Ltd | 0.01% | $4.76 | -11.2% | $14.9M | - | - |
| ASX | ASE Technology Holding CoLtd ADR | 0.01% | $38.69 | +2.5% | $85.1B | 45.3 | 1.61% |
iShares ESG Advanced MSCI EM ETF Investor Checkpoints
These are the points to review before investing in EMXF. Because ESG screening and emerging-market exposure work together, it is wise to check costs, compositional constraints, and exchange rates in advance.
| Checkpoint | What to Check | Current Status |
|---|---|---|
| 💵 Expense ratio | Check the cumulative cost impact over a long holding period | Low level |
| 🌱 ESG screening | Understand compositional constraints such as fossil fuel exclusions | Enhanced screening applied |
| 🌏 Emerging-market exposure | Check the country and currency diversification structure | Broadly diversified |
| 💱 Exchange rate | Impact on returns converted to Korean won | No currency hedge |
Risks unique to emerging markets and the compositional constraints of ESG screening are the main factors that create performance gaps versus a general emerging-market index. Volatility can rise sharply during risk-averse phases.
If you want emerging-market diversification and ESG criteria together, it is a suitable choice. For broad emerging-market exposure without screening constraints, core ETFs such as IEMG and VWO may be more suitable.
SubscribeDisclaimer: 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 June 23, 2026.
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