For investors who want broad indexed exposure to international developed markets, the MSCI EAFE is a popular benchmark choice.
There are two exchange traded funds that follow the MSCI EAFE. This year, a lower-cost version from Vanguard has seen money move in the door, while a competitor from BlackRock has experienced net outflows.
Vanguard MSCI EAFE (NYSEArca: VEA) has an expense ratio of 0.12%, compared with 0.34% for iShares MSCI EAFE (NYSEArca: EFA). The ETFs track European, Australasian and Far Eastern markets.
The Vanguard fund had total assets of $8 billion at the end of February, while the iShares fund had $39.4 billion, according to data from the ETF Industry Association.
EFA had net outflows of $1.2 billion in the first two months of 2012, while VEA posted inflows of $764 million. [ETF Spotlight: MSCI EAFE]