URTH — iShares MSCI World ETF
iShares (BlackRock) · Expense Ratio: 0.24% · Global/All-World · 5bp above the Global/All-World category average of 0.19%
Key Facts
| Ticker | URTH |
| Full Name | iShares MSCI World ETF |
| Provider | iShares (BlackRock) |
| Expense Ratio | 0.24% |
| Category | Global/All-World |
| Assets Under Management | $5B |
| Inception Year | 2012 (14 years ago) |
| Number of Holdings | 1,400 |
| Dividend Yield | ~1.4% (low) |
| Top Holdings | AAPL, MSFT, NVDA, TSM |
What Is URTH?
URTH, managed by iShares (BlackRock), launched in 2012, is a well-established ETF with adequate liquidity for most investors in the Global/All-World category. Global all-world stock ETF providing exposure to both US and international markets. With $5B in assets under management, it has adequate trading volume for most individual investors.
URTH in a FIRE Portfolio
Total world coverage at 0.24% — the ultimate single-fund core for FIRE investors who want geographic diversification without managing multiple holdings.
A core holding should make up 50-80% of your equity allocation in a FIRE portfolio. URTH already includes both US and international stocks — you could hold this as your entire equity allocation, making it the simplest possible FIRE portfolio.
Cost Analysis: How URTH's 0.24% Fee Affects Your FIRE Timeline
At 0.24%, URTH is moderately priced. Annual cost on a $100K position: $240. Over 30 years, fees could consume approximately 1.4% of total returns. On a $1M FIRE portfolio, cumulative fees approach $24,000. Compare with lower-cost peers in Global/All-World: .
Dividend Income Potential
With a low dividend yield of approximately 1.4%, here's what URTH could generate in annual income at different portfolio sizes:
| Portfolio Value | Annual Dividend Income | Monthly Income |
|---|---|---|
| $100,000 | $1,400/year | $117/month |
| $250,000 | $3,500/year | $292/month |
| $500,000 | $7,000/year | $583/month |
| $1,000,000 | $14,000/year | $1,167/month |
Frequently Asked Questions About URTH
What is the expense ratio for URTH?
URTH has an expense ratio of 0.24%. This is moderately priced — on a $100K portfolio, annual fees are $240. 5bp above the global/all-world category average of 0.19%.
Is URTH good for a FIRE portfolio?
Total world coverage at 0.24% — the ultimate single-fund core for FIRE investors who want geographic diversification without managing multiple holdings. Its 0.24% expense ratio is moderately priced for the Global/All-World category.
How does the 0.24% fee affect long-term returns?
At 0.24%, annual costs are $240/$100K. Over 30 years, this could reduce your final portfolio value by 1.4% or more. For a $1M FIRE portfolio, that's $14,400+ in lost compound growth.
Is URTH liquid enough for my portfolio?
URTH manages $5B in assets — a well-established ETF with adequate liquidity for most investors. For most individual FIRE investors making regular contributions, liquidity is sufficient. If you're investing large lump sums ($100K+), use limit orders to control your execution price.
Similar ETFs in Global/All-World
- VT — Vanguard Total World Stock ETF (0.07% · Core Holding)
- ACWI — iShares MSCI ACWI ETF (0.32% · Core Holding)
- SPGM — SPDR Portfolio MSCI Global Stock Market ETF (0.09% · Core Holding)
- AVGE — Avantis All Equity Markets ETF (0.25% · Core Holding)