iShares MSCI Pacific ex Japan ETF (EPP): Complete Beginner's Guide
Last updated: March 2026 • BlackRock • Pacific ex-Japan Equity
Expense Ratio
0.48%
AUM
$2.0B
Dividend Yield
4.00%
Inception
2001
Beginner Score
9/10
What is iShares MSCI Pacific ex Japan ETF?
EPP invests in developed Pacific markets while specifically excluding Japan, focusing on Australia, Hong Kong, Singapore, and New Zealand. This design gives investors access to resource-rich and financial-hub economies without the dominant Japanese equity weighting. It is particularly useful for investors who already own Japan separately and want targeted exposure to the rest of the Pacific.
EPP is managed by BlackRock and has been available since 2001. With $2.0B in assets under management, it's a growing fund that has attracted significant investor interest. The fund charges an expense ratio of 0.48%, which means for every $10,000 you invest, you pay approximately $48 per year in management fees.
EPP at a Glance — Key Metrics
| Expense Ratio | 0.48% |
| Total Holdings | 120 |
| P/E Ratio | 14.5 |
| Beta | 0.82 |
| Dividend Yield | 4.00% |
| AUM | $2.0B |
| Inception Year | 2001 |
| Issuer | BlackRock |
Top 10 Holdings in EPP
EPP holds 120 different securities. Here are the largest positions that make up the core of this fund:
| # | Company | Ticker | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | BHP Group | BHP.AX | 10.00% |
| 2 | Commonwealth Bank of Australia | CBA.AX | 8.00% |
| 3 | CSL Limited | CSL.AX | 6.00% |
| 4 | National Australia Bank | NAB.AX | 4.00% |
| 5 | Westpac Banking | WBC.AX | 3.50% |
| 6 | AIA Group | 1299.HK | 3.50% |
| 7 | ANZ Group Holdings | ANZ.AX | 3.00% |
| 8 | Macquarie Group | MQG.AX | 3.00% |
| 9 | Hong Kong Exchanges & Clearing | 0388.HK | 2.50% |
| 10 | DBS Group Holdings | D05.SI | 2.00% |
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EPP Performance History
Here's how EPP has performed over different time periods. Remember that past performance doesn't guarantee future results, but it gives you a sense of the fund's track record:
YTD
2.00%
1 Year
7.00%
3 Year
3.00%
5 Year
4.00%
10 Year
4.00%
Beginner Suitability Score: 9/10
Our proprietary Beginner Suitability Score evaluates ETFs based on five factors that matter most to new investors: fees, volatility, diversification, dividend history, and track record length.
EPP scores 9/10 because it has very low fees, shows lower-than-average volatility, offers broad diversification across 120 holdings, and has been available since 2001, giving it a proven track record.
How to Buy EPP — Step by Step
- Open a brokerage account — We recommend Fidelity, Charles Schwab, or Vanguard for ETF investing. All offer $0 commissions on ETF trades.
- Fund your account — Transfer money from your bank. You can start with as little as $1 if your broker offers fractional shares.
- Search for "EPP" — Use the search bar in your brokerage platform to find iShares MSCI Pacific ex Japan ETF.
- Place your order — Choose "Market Order" for simplicity or "Limit Order" if you want to set a specific price. Enter how many shares (or dollar amount) you want to buy.
- Set up automatic investing — Most brokers let you schedule recurring purchases (e.g., $100/month on the 1st). This is dollar cost averaging in action.
Dollar Cost Averaging Into EPP
Here's what consistent monthly investing could look like over time, assuming an average annual return of 8% (approximate historical stock market average):
| Monthly | 10 Years | 20 Years | 30 Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| $100/mo | $18,417 | $59,295 | $150,030 |
| $250/mo | $46,041 | $148,237 | $375,074 |
| $500/mo | $92,083 | $296,474 | $750,148 |
*Projections assume 8% average annual return with monthly compounding. Actual returns will vary. Past performance doesn't guarantee future results.
Fee impact: With EPP's expense ratio of 0.48%, a $10,000 investment would lose approximately $3,973 to fees over 20 years compared to a zero-fee investment. This is significant — consider whether the fund's strategy justifies these costs.
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Pros and Cons of EPP
Pros
- ✓Avoids Japanese equity overlap for investors who already hold EWJ or Japan-specific funds
- ✓High dividend yield driven by Australian banks and resource companies
- ✓Includes Singapore and Hong Kong financial hubs alongside Australia's resource economy
- ✓Lower expense ratio than most comparable regional Pacific equity ETFs
Cons
- ✗Australia dominates at roughly 70% of the fund limiting true regional diversification
- ✗Heavy financials and materials weighting creates significant sector concentration
- ✗Hong Kong's changing political landscape adds uncertainty to the fund's second-largest market
Frequently Asked Questions
Is EPP a good ETF for beginners?▾
EPP has a Beginner Suitability Score of 9/10 on our scale. This makes it a strong choice for new investors due to its low fees and broad diversification.
What is the expense ratio of EPP?▾
EPP has an expense ratio of 0.48%. This means for every $10,000 you invest, you pay approximately $48 per year in fees. This is considered very low and cost-efficient.
How much money do I need to invest in EPP?▾
You can invest in EPP with as little as $1 through brokers that offer fractional shares (like Fidelity, Schwab, or Robinhood). There is no minimum investment required beyond the share price itself, which changes daily. Dollar cost averaging — investing a fixed amount regularly — is a popular strategy.
Does EPP pay dividends?▾
Yes, EPP pays dividends with a current yield of approximately 4.00%. Dividends are typically paid quarterly and can be reinvested automatically through most brokers.
What are the top holdings in EPP?▾
The top holdings in EPP include BHP Group (10.00%), Commonwealth Bank of Australia (8.00%), CSL Limited (6.00%), and more. The fund holds 120 total positions, providing broad diversification across many companies.