iShares Currency Hedged MSCI EAFE ETF (HEFA) belongs to the Foreign Large Cap Equities category. Below you'll find alternative ETFs from the same category, ranked by key criteria, plus funds that investors commonly compare with HEFA. Use the tables to find lower-cost options, better risk-adjusted returns, or a closer substitute for your current allocation.
Cheapest Alternatives to HEFA
HEFA charges 0.35% annually. There are 70 ETFs in the Foreign Large Cap Equities category with lower expense ratios, going as low as 0.03%.
| Symbol | Name | Expense Ratio | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF | 0.03% | 316.30B | Jul 2007 | HEFA vs VEA | |
| BNY Mellon International Equity ETF | 0.04% | 1.31B | Apr 2020 | HEFA vs BKIE | |
| SPDR Portfolio World ex-US ETF | 0.04% | 40.07B | Apr 2007 | HEFA vs SPDW | |
| Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US ETF | 0.04% | 94.90B | Mar 2007 | HEFA vs VEU | |
| iShares Core MSCI International Developed Markets ... | 0.05% | 31.64B | Mar 2017 | HEFA vs IDEV |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to HEFA
HEFA has a PortfoliosLab risk / return rank of 89. There are 15 ETFs in the Foreign Large Cap Equities category with higher risk-adjusted ranks, going as high as 95.
| Symbol | Name | Risk / Return Rank | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GMO International Value ETF | 95 | 489.00M | Oct 2024 | HEFA vs GMOI | |
| Global X MSCI SuperDividend® EAFE ETF | 95 | 52.73M | Nov 2016 | HEFA vs EFAS | |
| VictoryShares International Free Cash Flow ETF | 93 | 196.67M | Jun 2025 | HEFA vs IFLO | |
| Fidelity International High Dividend ETF | 93 | 325.11M | Jan 2018 | HEFA vs FIDI | |
| ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF | 93 | 549.25M | Jun 2013 | HEFA vs IDOG |
Top Performing HEFA Alternatives (YTD)
HEFA is at 14.45% YTD. There are 58 ETFs in the Foreign Large Cap Equities category with higher YTD returns, going as high as 33.98%.
| Symbol | Name | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Renaissance International IPO ETF | 33.98% | 11.77M | Oct 2014 | HEFA vs IPOS | |
| Pacer Nasdaq International Patent Leaders ETF | 28.74% | 190.45M | Sep 2024 | HEFA vs PATN | |
| Invesco S&P International Developed High Quality E... | 27.25% | 939.30M | Jun 2007 | HEFA vs IDHQ | |
| Harbor International Equity ETF | 23.91% | 7.71M | Jun 2025 | HEFA vs EPIN | |
| VictoryShares International Free Cash Flow ETF | 22.99% | 196.67M | Jun 2025 | HEFA vs IFLO |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to HEFA
HEFA has 13.02% 1-year volatility. There are 23 ETFs in the Foreign Large Cap Equities category with lower 1-year volatility, going as low as 6.77%.
| Symbol | Name | Volatility 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VictoryShares International Volatility Wtd ETF | 6.77% | 31.30M | Aug 2015 | HEFA vs CIL | |
| AB International Buffer ETF | 9.04% | 122.81M | Dec 2024 | HEFA vs BUFI | |
| First Trust S&P International Dividend Aristocrats... | 10.16% | 167.77M | Aug 2013 | HEFA vs FID | |
| Franklin Sustainable International Equity ETF | 10.29% | 2.98M | Nov 2015 | HEFA vs MCSE | |
| iShares MSCI EAFE Min Vol Factor ETF | 10.60% | 5.44B | Oct 2011 | HEFA vs EFAV |
Lowest Drawdown Alternatives to HEFA
HEFA has a 1-year max drawdown of -9.52%. There are 25 ETFs in the Foreign Large Cap Equities category with shallower 1-year drawdowns, going as shallow as -4.60%.
| Symbol | Name | Max Drawdown 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VictoryShares International Volatility Wtd ETF | -4.60% | 31.30M | Aug 2015 | HEFA vs CIL | |
| Global X MSCI SuperDividend® EAFE ETF | -5.30% | 52.73M | Nov 2016 | HEFA vs EFAS | |
| AB International Buffer ETF | -5.69% | 122.81M | Dec 2024 | HEFA vs BUFI | |
| VictoryShares International Free Cash Flow ETF | -6.44% | 196.67M | Jun 2025 | HEFA vs IFLO | |
| ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF | -6.47% | 549.25M | Jun 2013 | HEFA vs IDOG |
Other ETFs from iShares
The 10 most viewed iShares ETFs shown here include SGOV, IBIT, SOXX and span 14 categories. AUM among these funds goes as high as $869B.
| Symbol | Name | Category | Risk / Return Rank | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF | Ultrashort Bond | 100 | 2.13% | 99.95B | May 2020 | HEFA vs SGOV | |
| iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF | Cryptocurrency | 2 | -27.17% | 46.52B | Jan 2024 | HEFA vs IBIT | |
| iShares Semiconductor ETF | Semiconductors, Technology Equities | 90 | 68.76% | 44.69B | Jul 2001 | HEFA vs SOXX | |
| iShares Core S&P 500 ETF | S&P 500 | 78 | 11.75% | 869.20B | May 2000 | HEFA vs IVV | |
| iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF | Large Cap Growth Equities, Dividend | 92 | 13.79% | 42.77B | Jun 2014 | HEFA vs DGRO | |
| iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF | Government Bonds, Long-Term Bond | 7 | -3.18% | 41.54B | Jul 2002 | HEFA vs TLT | |
| iShares Silver Trust | Silver, Precious Metals | 35 | -18.57% | 28.08B | Apr 2006 | HEFA vs SLV | |
| iShares Gold Trust | Gold, Precious Metals | 28 | -6.14% | 59.74B | Jan 2005 | HEFA vs IAU | |
| iShares Russell 2000 ETF | Small Cap Blend Equities | 85 | 20.84% | 80.11B | May 2000 | HEFA vs IWM | |
| iShares MSCI ACWI ETF | Global Equities | 77 | 12.35% | 32.49B | Mar 2008 | HEFA vs ACWI |
Often Compared With HEFA
Investors most often compare HEFA with DBEF, HAWX, FNDF. These 20 comparison targets span 11 categories, based on PortfoliosLab usage data.
Compare HEFA with Any Fund or Stock
Compare HEFA with any ETF, mutual fund, or stock using PortfoliosLab's comparison tool.
Pair HEFA with funds that move differently
iShares Currency Hedged MSCI EAFE ETF alternatives help with substitution. Diversifiers are the next step when you want funds with lower historical correlation to HEFA.
Explore HEFA Diversifiers