BNDX vs. EFA
BNDX (Vanguard Total International Bond ETF) and EFA (iShares MSCI EAFE ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - BNDX is a Global Bonds fund tracking the Bloomberg Global Aggregate ex-USD Float Adjusted RIC Capped Index (USD Hedged), while EFA is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the MSCI EAFE Index (Net). Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, BNDX returned 1.72%/yr vs 9.84%/yr for EFA. At a 0.05 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. BNDX charges 0.07%/yr vs 0.32%/yr for EFA.
Performance
BNDX vs. EFA - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, BNDX achieves a 1.02% return, which is significantly lower than EFA's 9.36% return. Over the past 10 years, BNDX has underperformed EFA with an annualized return of 1.72%, while EFA has yielded a comparatively higher 9.84% annualized return.
BNDX
- 1D
- 0.17%
- 1M
- 0.85%
- YTD
- 1.02%
- 6M
- 1.22%
- 1Y
- 2.27%
- 3Y*
- 4.32%
- 5Y*
- 0.32%
- 10Y*
- 1.72%
EFA
- 1D
- 0.28%
- 1M
- 1.51%
- YTD
- 9.36%
- 6M
- 10.80%
- 1Y
- 21.90%
- 3Y*
- 16.14%
- 5Y*
- 8.36%
- 10Y*
- 9.84%
BNDX vs. EFA - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BNDX Vanguard Total International Bond ETF | 1.02% | 2.86% | 3.57% | 8.77% | -12.76% | -2.29% | 4.65% | 7.87% | 2.81% | 2.40% |
EFA iShares MSCI EAFE ETF | 9.36% | 31.55% | 3.49% | 18.36% | -14.39% | 11.45% | 7.60% | 22.04% | -13.82% | 25.07% |
Correlation
The correlation between BNDX and EFA is 0.49, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.49 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.33 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.23 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.10 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 4, 2013 | 0.05 |
Over the past year, BNDX and EFA have become more correlated (0.49) than their long-term average of 0.05, meaning their price movements have been converging.
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Return for Risk
BNDX vs. EFA — Risk / Return Rank
BNDX
EFA
BNDX vs. EFA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Total International Bond ETF (BNDX) and iShares MSCI EAFE ETF (EFA). 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.
| BNDX | EFA | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.75 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -1.09 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.10 | 1.24 | -0.14 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 0.66 | 1.79 | -1.13 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 1.84 | 6.67 | -4.83 |
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Drawdowns
BNDX vs. EFA - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum BNDX drawdown since its inception was -16.23%, smaller than the maximum EFA drawdown of -61.04%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BNDX and EFA.
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Drawdown Indicators
| BNDX | EFA | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -16.23% | -61.04% | +44.81% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -2.93% | -11.42% | +8.49% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -2.93% | -14.05% | +11.12% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -15.86% | -29.53% | +13.67% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -16.23% | -34.19% | +17.96% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.02% | -0.61% | -0.41% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -3.10% | -11.92% | +8.82% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.05% | 3.07% | -2.02% |
Volatility
BNDX vs. EFA - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Vanguard Total International Bond ETF (BNDX) is 1.49%, while iShares MSCI EAFE ETF (EFA) has a volatility of 5.50%. This indicates that BNDX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than EFA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| BNDX | EFA | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.49% | 5.50% | -4.01% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 2.96% | 13.19% | -10.23% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 3.47% | 15.64% | -12.17% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 4.89% | 16.58% | -11.69% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 4.10% | 17.27% | -13.17% |
BNDX vs. EFA - Expense Ratio Comparison
BNDX has a 0.07% expense ratio, which is lower than EFA's 0.32% expense ratio.
Dividends
BNDX vs. EFA - Dividend Comparison
BNDX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.47%, more than EFA's 3.09% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BNDX Vanguard Total International Bond ETF | 4.47% | 4.39% | 4.18% | 4.42% | 1.51% | 3.74% | 1.11% | 3.40% | 3.01% | 2.23% | 1.89% | 1.63% |
EFA iShares MSCI EAFE ETF | 3.09% | 3.38% | 3.24% | 2.98% | 2.69% | 3.33% | 2.13% | 3.10% | 3.39% | 2.57% | 3.07% | 2.76% |
Frequently Asked Questions
BNDX and EFA have a correlation of 0.49, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
EFA has higher volatility (5.50%) compared to BNDX (1.49%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BNDX dropped -16.23% vs EFA's -61.04%.
On 10-year performance, EFA leads with 9.84% vs 1.72% for BNDX. On fees, BNDX is cheaper at 0.07% per year. On volatility, BNDX has been the lower-risk option at 1.49%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, EFA has performed better with a 9.84% return vs 1.72%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
BNDX is cheaper with a 0.07% expense ratio, compared with 0.32% for EFA.
BNDX has the higher dividend yield at 4.47%, compared with 3.09% for EFA.
BNDX is categorized as Global Bonds, while EFA is Foreign Large Cap Equities. BNDX tracks Bloomberg Global Aggregate ex-USD Float Adjusted RIC Capped Index (USD Hedged), while EFA tracks MSCI EAFE Index (Net). They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.07% for BNDX and 0.32% for EFA.
EFA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.31 vs 0.56), 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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