BTMKX vs. VEA
BTMKX (iShares MSCI EAFE International Index Fund) and VEA (Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF) are both Foreign Large Cap Equities funds - BTMKX tracks the MSCI EAFE Index while VEA tracks the FTSE Developed All Cap ex US Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, BTMKX returned 9.42%/yr vs 10.17%/yr for VEA. With a 0.98 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. BTMKX charges 0.05%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VEA.
Performance
BTMKX vs. VEA - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, BTMKX achieves a 9.65% return, which is significantly lower than VEA's 14.92% return. Over the past 10 years, BTMKX has underperformed VEA with an annualized return of 9.42%, while VEA has yielded a comparatively higher 10.17% annualized return.
BTMKX
- 1D
- 0.33%
- 1M
- 4.17%
- YTD
- 9.65%
- 6M
- 12.05%
- 1Y
- 22.44%
- 3Y*
- 17.20%
- 5Y*
- 8.94%
- 10Y*
- 9.42%
VEA
- 1D
- -0.90%
- 1M
- 5.54%
- YTD
- 14.92%
- 6M
- 18.15%
- 1Y
- 32.48%
- 3Y*
- 19.77%
- 5Y*
- 9.60%
- 10Y*
- 10.17%
BTMKX vs. VEA - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BTMKX iShares MSCI EAFE International Index Fund | 9.65% | 31.70% | 3.70% | 18.37% | -14.04% | 11.30% | 8.07% | 21.96% | -13.38% | 25.17% |
VEA Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF | 14.92% | 35.16% | 3.15% | 17.93% | -15.34% | 11.66% | 9.71% | 22.62% | -14.75% | 26.42% |
Correlation
The correlation between BTMKX and VEA is 0.97 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.97 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.97 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.98 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.98 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 1, 2011 | 0.98 |
The correlation between BTMKX and VEA has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.97 to 0.98 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
BTMKX vs. VEA — Risk / Return Rank
BTMKX
VEA
BTMKX vs. VEA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI EAFE International Index Fund (BTMKX) and Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF (VEA). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.
| BTMKX | VEA | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.66 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.81 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.26 | 1.38 | -0.12 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.91 | 2.81 | -0.90 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 7.15 | 10.94 | -3.79 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| BTMKX | VEA | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.43 | 2.09 | -0.66 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.56 | 0.58 | -0.03 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.57 | 0.59 | -0.02 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.39 | 0.25 | +0.15 |
Drawdowns
BTMKX vs. VEA - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum BTMKX drawdown since its inception was -33.92%, smaller than the maximum VEA drawdown of -60.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BTMKX and VEA.
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Drawdown Indicators
| BTMKX | VEA | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -33.92% | -60.68% | +26.76% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -11.30% | -11.63% | +0.33% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -13.66% | -13.45% | -0.21% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -29.23% | -29.71% | +0.48% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -33.92% | -35.73% | +1.81% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.38% | -0.90% | +0.52% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -7.77% | -13.29% | +5.52% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.01% | 2.98% | +0.03% |
Volatility
BTMKX vs. VEA - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for iShares MSCI EAFE International Index Fund (BTMKX) is 4.70%, while Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF (VEA) has a volatility of 5.66%. This indicates that BTMKX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VEA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| BTMKX | VEA | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 4.70% | 5.66% | -0.96% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 12.29% | 13.32% | -1.03% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 15.14% | 15.66% | -0.52% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 16.17% | 16.55% | -0.38% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 16.67% | 17.36% | -0.69% |
BTMKX vs. VEA - Expense Ratio Comparison
BTMKX has a 0.05% expense ratio, which is higher than VEA's 0.03% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.
Dividends
BTMKX vs. VEA - Dividend Comparison
BTMKX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.42%, more than VEA's 2.62% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BTMKX iShares MSCI EAFE International Index Fund | 3.42% | 3.74% | 3.43% | 3.19% | 2.80% | 3.06% | 1.99% | 3.34% | 4.58% | 2.45% | 2.85% | 2.42% |
VEA Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF | 2.62% | 3.22% | 3.35% | 3.15% | 2.91% | 3.16% | 2.04% | 3.04% | 3.35% | 2.77% | 3.05% | 2.92% |
Frequently Asked Questions
With a correlation of 0.97, BTMKX and VEA move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.
VEA has higher volatility (5.66%) compared to BTMKX (4.70%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BTMKX dropped -33.92% vs VEA's -60.68%.
VEA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.09 vs 1.43), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.
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