The MSCI World ETF (URTH) has emerged as one of the most consistent performers in 2025, capitalizing on sustained strength across developed markets. Since the start of the year, the fund has delivered a 16.53% return, demonstrating its capacity to capture broad market trends effectively.
Long-Term Track Record Remains Strong
Investors have been rewarded with substantial returns over multiple time horizons. The ETF has achieved an annualized performance of 23.98% over three years, while its five-year record stands at a solid 14.59%. Since its inception in January 2012, the fund has generated an average annual return of 11.91%.
Assets under management have grown to an impressive $6.47 billion, reflecting strong investor confidence in the fund’s diversified approach to developed markets.
Portfolio Composition and Geographic Exposure
The fund’s success stems from its extensive diversification across 23 developed countries, holding positions in 1,325 individual securities. This broad exposure represents approximately 85% of the free-float market capitalization in each included nation.
United States equities dominate the portfolio with a 71.86% weighting, while Japan (5.43%) and the United Kingdom (3.65%) represent the next largest country allocations. The technology sector comprises 26.15% of the index, followed by financial services at 17.07%.
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Technology Giants Drive Performance
A examination of the fund’s holdings reveals significant concentration in technology mega-caps, which have been primary drivers of recent performance. NVIDIA leads with a 5.53% portfolio allocation, followed by Apple (5.00%) and Microsoft (4.36%).
Amazon maintains a 2.66% position, while Alphabet’s combined share classes account for 3.82% of the fund. Broadcom (1.90%), Meta Platforms (1.62%), and Tesla (1.45%) complete the technology-heavy top tier.
Notably, Palantir Technologies has been included with a 0.47% weighting, highlighting the fund’s responsiveness to emerging trends in artificial intelligence.
The top ten positions collectively represent approximately 28.5% of the fund’s assets, illustrating the market-capitalization weighted methodology of the underlying MSCI World Index.
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