Top international etf in terms of returns and lowest expense

Based on a screen of U.S.-listed **international equity ETFs** with **low expenses (≤0.15%)** and ranking by **1‑year total return**, the current leader is: > **EMCS – Xtrackers MSCI Emerging Markets Climate Selection ETF** > • **Expense ratio:** 0.15% > • **1‑year total return:** ≈ **31.6%** All of the top international ETFs in this low‑cost group charge **0.15%**, so the “tie‑breaker” is recent performance and how concentrated their exposure is. --- ## Top low‑cost international ETFs by 1‑year return Among ETFs with **expense ratio ≤0.15%** and **international (non‑U.S.) equity exposure**, the top 5 on 1‑year return are: | Ticker | Fund name | Focus | Expense ratio | ~1‑yr total return* | |--------|-----------|--------|---------------|----------------------| | **EMCS** | Xtrackers MSCI Emerging Markets Climate Selection ETF | Climate‑tilted **emerging markets** | **0.15%** | **≈31.6%** | | **EWJV** | iShares MSCI Japan Value ETF | **Japan value** stocks | **0.15%** | ≈28.1% | | **BBEM** | JPMorgan BetaBuilders Emerging Markets Equity ETF | Broad **emerging markets** | **0.15%** | ≈25.9% | | **EMCR** | Xtrackers Emerging Markets Carbon Reduction & Climate Improvers ETF | EM **carbon‑reduction** tilt | **0.15%** | ≈25.7% | | **IGRO** | iShares International Dividend Growth ETF | **Developed ex‑US** dividend growers | **0.15%** | ≈19.5% | \*Approximate trailing 1‑year total returns over the last 12 months, not annualized; past performance does not guarantee future results. ### Visual: top 5 international ETFs (1‑year return) ```reference [{"id":1,"type":"plotly-json"}] ``` --- ## How to interpret this list - **Pure “best on paper” combo (within this low‑fee group):** • **EMCS** – highest recent return, low fee, but **niche**: climate‑screened emerging markets; higher volatility and factor risk. - **More diversified EM exposure:** • **BBEM** – broad, market‑cap‑weighted EM equity, still with strong recent returns and 0.15% fee. - **Single‑country tilt:** • **EWJV** – focused on Japan value; great recent run but concentrated in one country. - **Broader developed‑markets international tilt:** • **IGRO** – international (largely developed ex‑US) dividend growth; more balanced factor exposure than EM‑only funds. --- ## Direct answer to your question - **“Best” international ETF strictly by 1‑year returns + low expense (≤0.15%) in the current data:** 👉 **EMCS – Xtrackers MSCI Emerging Markets Climate Selection ETF** (≈31.6% 1Y, 0.15% fee) - **If you prefer something more core and diversified:** - **BBEM** for broad emerging markets, or - **IGRO** for developed‑markets ex‑US dividend growth. --- To dial this in for you: **are you looking for a broad “core” international holding (developed + EM), or are you comfortable using a more focused play like emerging markets or Japan value as your main international exposure?**