What is the MSCI EAFE?

This is a stock market index that measures the performance of shares in developed markets outside the US and Canada. It gets its rather sedate title from index provider MSCI Barra, and the regions that make up EAFE - Europe, Australasia and the Far East.

Where have you heard about the MSCI EAFE?

The index includes popular stocks from the UK, such as HSBC and BP, and is comprised of 20 other countries, including Ireland, France, Australia, Hong Kong and Switzerland. It’s one of the most common benchmarks for foreign stock funds in the US.

What you need to know about the MSCI EAFE.

The index is market cap weighted, which means that firms with the largest market value have the greatest impact on price movements. More than 900 companies are listed on it.

The index, which is available for a number of market sectors, covers about 85% of the free float-adjusted market cap in each of the countries included. It has been calculated since December 1969, making it one of the oldest global stock indices around.