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AVSD vs. IEFA
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

AVSD vs. IEFA

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

AVSD (Avantis Responsible International Equity ETF) and IEFA (iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF) are both Foreign Large Cap Equities funds - AVSD tracks the MSCI World ex USA IMI while IEFA tracks the MSCI EAFE IMI Index (Net). Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, AVSD returned 19.84%/yr vs 16.84%/yr for IEFA. With a 0.99 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. AVSD charges 0.23%/yr vs 0.07%/yr for IEFA.

Performance

AVSD vs. IEFA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Avantis Responsible International Equity ETF (AVSD) and iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF (IEFA). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AVSD achieves a 7.98% return, which is significantly lower than IEFA's 8.47% return.

AVSD

1D
-1.79%
1M
0.41%
YTD
7.98%
6M
7.54%
1Y
23.70%
3Y*
19.84%
5Y*
—
10Y*
—

IEFA

1D
-1.97%
1M
-0.19%
YTD
8.47%
6M
8.11%
1Y
22.09%
3Y*
16.84%
5Y*
8.24%
10Y*
9.96%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

AVSD vs. IEFA - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)2025202420232022
AVSD
Avantis Responsible International Equity ETF		7.98%37.07%6.69%17.49%-8.97%
IEFA
iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF		8.47%32.08%3.26%17.95%-7.74%

Correlation

The correlation between AVSD and IEFA is 0.98 - 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

0.98

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.99

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 17, 2022

0.99

The correlation between AVSD and IEFA has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.98 to 0.99 - a consistent structural relationship.

AVSD vs. IEFA - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
AVSD
IEFA

Financial Services

31.1%
22.6%

Industrials

16.6%
20.1%

Consumer Cyclical

11.9%
8.3%

Technology

10.6%
11.6%

Healthcare

7.7%
9.7%

Basic Materials

6.5%
6.8%

Communication Services

5.4%
4.7%

Consumer Defensive

4.8%
6.2%

Utilities

2.7%
3.5%

Real Estate

2.3%
2.9%

Energy

0.3%
3.6%

Financial Services

AVSD
31.1%
IEFA
22.6%

Industrials

AVSD
16.6%
IEFA
20.1%

Consumer Cyclical

AVSD
11.9%
IEFA
8.3%

Technology

AVSD
10.6%
IEFA
11.6%

Healthcare

AVSD
7.7%
IEFA
9.7%

Basic Materials

AVSD
6.5%
IEFA
6.8%

Communication Services

AVSD
5.4%
IEFA
4.7%

Consumer Defensive

AVSD
4.8%
IEFA
6.2%

Utilities

AVSD
2.7%
IEFA
3.5%

Real Estate

AVSD
2.3%
IEFA
2.9%

Energy

AVSD
0.3%
IEFA
3.6%

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

Avantis Responsible International Equity ETF

iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF

Often compared with AVSD:
AVSD vs. DIHPAVSD vs. CVIEAVSD vs. IDMOAVSD vs. AVDEAVSD vs. VXUSAVSD vs. VEAAVSD vs. AVDV
Often compared with IEFA:
IEFA vs. VEAIEFA vs. VXUSIEFA vs. EFAIEFA vs. FSPSXIEFA vs. IEMGIEFA vs. XEF.TOIEFA vs. IXUS

Return for Risk

AVSD vs. IEFA — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
AVSD
AVSD Risk / Return Rank: 4444
Overall Rank
AVSD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 4646
Sharpe Ratio Rank
AVSD Sortino Ratio Rank: 4646
Sortino Ratio Rank
AVSD Omega Ratio Rank: 4545
Omega Ratio Rank
AVSD Calmar Ratio Rank: 4040
Calmar Ratio Rank
AVSD Martin Ratio Rank: 4646
Martin Ratio Rank
IEFA
IEFA Risk / Return Rank: 4242
Overall Rank
IEFA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 4242
Sharpe Ratio Rank
IEFA Sortino Ratio Rank: 4242
Sortino Ratio Rank
IEFA Omega Ratio Rank: 4242
Omega Ratio Rank
IEFA Calmar Ratio Rank: 4040
Calmar Ratio Rank
IEFA Martin Ratio Rank: 4646
Martin Ratio Rank
The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

AVSD vs. IEFA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Avantis Responsible International Equity ETF (AVSD) and iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF (IEFA). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

AVSDIEFADifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.51
1.43

+0.08

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.19
2.06

+0.12

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.28

1.26

+0.01

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

1.89

1.93

-0.04

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

7.25

7.34

-0.09

AVSD vs. IEFA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AVSD Sharpe Ratio is 1.51, which is comparable to the IEFA Sharpe Ratio of 1.43. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AVSD and IEFA, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

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Drawdowns

AVSD vs. IEFA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AVSD drawdown since its inception was -25.56%, smaller than the maximum IEFA drawdown of -34.78%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AVSD and IEFA.

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Drawdown Indicators

AVSDIEFADifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-25.56%

-34.78%

+9.22%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-12.63%

-11.50%

-1.13%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-13.30%

-13.76%

+0.46%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

—

-30.41%

—

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

—

-34.78%

—

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-1.81%

-1.97%

+0.16%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-4.87%

-6.67%

+1.80%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

3.28%

3.02%

+0.26%

Volatility

AVSD vs. IEFA - Volatility Comparison

Avantis Responsible International Equity ETF (AVSD) and iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF (IEFA) have volatilities of 5.23% and 5.26%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

AVSDIEFADifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

5.23%

5.26%

-0.03%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

13.49%

13.22%

+0.27%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

15.76%

15.55%

+0.21%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

16.71%

16.61%

+0.10%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

16.71%

17.07%

-0.36%

AVSD vs. IEFA - Expense Ratio Comparison

AVSD has a 0.23% expense ratio, which is higher than IEFA's 0.07% 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

AVSD vs. IEFA - Dividend Comparison

AVSD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.81%, more than IEFA's 3.44% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
AVSD
Avantis Responsible International Equity ETF		3.81%2.54%3.25%2.53%1.35%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%
IEFA
iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF		3.44%3.55%3.47%3.20%2.70%3.32%1.90%3.18%3.46%2.57%2.96%2.63%

Frequently Asked Questions

With a correlation of 0.98, AVSD and IEFA 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.

IEFA has higher volatility (5.26%) compared to AVSD (5.23%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AVSD dropped -25.56% vs IEFA's -34.78%.

On 3-year performance, AVSD leads with 19.84% vs 16.84% for IEFA. On fees, IEFA is cheaper at 0.07% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 3-year period, AVSD has performed better with a 19.84% return vs 16.84%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

IEFA is cheaper with a 0.07% expense ratio, compared with 0.23% for AVSD.

AVSD has the higher dividend yield at 3.81%, compared with 3.44% for IEFA.

AVSD tracks MSCI World ex USA IMI, while IEFA tracks MSCI EAFE IMI Index (Net). They also come from different issuers: Avantis and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.23% for AVSD and 0.07% for IEFA.

AVSD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.51 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.

Portfolio Optimizer

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