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Is iShares MSCI ACWI Low Carbon Target ETF (CRBN) a Strong ETF Right Now?

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Company FundamentalsAnalyst InsightsESG & Climate PolicyGreen & Sustainable Finance
Is iShares MSCI ACWI Low Carbon Target ETF (CRBN) a Strong ETF Right Now?

The iShares MSCI ACWI Low Carbon Target ETF (CRBN), a Blackrock-sponsored smart beta fund, manages over $1.03 billion and tracks the MSCI ACWI Low Carbon Target Index, which focuses on reducing carbon exposure. With a competitive 0.20% expense ratio, CRBN has demonstrated strong performance, up 20.97% year-to-date and over the past year as of August 5, 2025, while maintaining a low-risk profile with a 0.94 beta. This positions CRBN as a compelling option for investors seeking diversified global equity exposure aligned with low-carbon objectives and favorable risk-adjusted returns.

Analysis

The iShares MSCI ACWI Low Carbon Target ETF (CRBN) is a smart beta fund with over $1.03 billion in assets, positioning it as a significant player in the World ETFs category. Sponsored by Blackrock, the fund tracks the MSCI ACWI Low Carbon Target Index, which strategically reduces exposure to companies with high carbon emissions and significant fossil fuel reserves. From a performance standpoint, CRBN has demonstrated notable strength, delivering a return of approximately 20.97% year-to-date and over the past year as of August 5, 2025. This performance is coupled with a favorable risk profile, evidenced by a beta of 0.94 and a three-year standard deviation of 15.70%, suggesting lower volatility relative to the broader market. The fund maintains a competitive annual expense ratio of 0.20% and offers a 1.86% trailing dividend yield. While highly diversified with around 1020 holdings, its portfolio shows a concentration in large-cap technology, with Nvidia, Microsoft, and Apple as top holdings, and the top ten constituents accounting for 23.1% of total assets. Although presented as a strong option, the article notes the existence of larger alternatives like ESGV and ESGU, which offer even lower expense ratios of 0.09% and 0.15%, respectively.

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Market Sentiment

Overall Sentiment

strongly positive

Sentiment Score

0.70

Ticker Sentiment

AAPL0.00
BLK0.00
CRBN0.80
ESGU0.00
ESGV0.00
MSFT0.00
NVDA0.00

Key Decisions for Investors

  • Investors with an ESG mandate seeking global equity exposure should consider CRBN for its specific low-carbon focus and strong recent risk-adjusted performance, evidenced by its 20.97% annual return and 0.94 beta.