DFEV vs. EFA
DFEV (Dimensional Emerging Markets Value ETF) and EFA (iShares MSCI EAFE ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - DFEV is a Emerging Markets Equities fund actively managed by Dimensional, while EFA is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the MSCI EAFE Index (Net). DFEV is actively managed, while EFA is passively managed. Over the past 3 years, DFEV returned 19.57%/yr vs 16.41%/yr for EFA. Their 0.75 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. DFEV charges 0.43%/yr vs 0.32%/yr for EFA.
Performance
DFEV vs. EFA - Performance Comparison
Loading charts...
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, DFEV achieves a 18.44% return, which is significantly higher than EFA's 11.69% return.
DFEV
- 1D
- 0.08%
- 1M
- -3.76%
- 6M
- 9.07%
- YTD
- 18.44%
- 1Y
- 35.77%
- 3Y*
- 19.57%
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
- ALL TIME*
- 15.19%
EFA
- 1D
- -0.62%
- 1M
- 1.16%
- 6M
- 6.46%
- YTD
- 11.69%
- 1Y
- 25.09%
- 3Y*
- 16.41%
- 5Y*
- 9.23%
- 10Y*
- 9.47%
- ALL TIME*
- 6.58%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $13.02M | $11.82M | $9.92M | |
| $1.24B | $1.12B | $1.39B |
DFEV vs. EFA - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DFEV Dimensional Emerging Markets Value ETF | 18.44% | 32.54% | 7.26% | 15.52% | -6.08% |
EFA iShares MSCI EAFE ETF | 11.69% | 31.55% | 3.49% | 18.36% | -1.19% |
Correlation
The correlation between DFEV and EFA is 0.74, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.74 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.73 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 27, 2022 | 0.75 |
The correlation between DFEV and EFA has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.73 to 0.75 - a consistent structural relationship.
DFEV vs. EFA - Sectors Allocation Comparison
Sectors
DFEV
EFA
Financial Services
Technology
Basic Materials
Consumer Cyclical
Industrials
Energy
Consumer Defensive
Communication Services
Real Estate
Healthcare
Utilities
Financial Services
DFEV
EFA
Technology
DFEV
EFA
Basic Materials
DFEV
EFA
Consumer Cyclical
DFEV
EFA
Industrials
DFEV
EFA
Energy
DFEV
EFA
Consumer Defensive
DFEV
EFA
Communication Services
DFEV
EFA
Real Estate
DFEV
EFA
Healthcare
DFEV
EFA
Utilities
DFEV
EFA
Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs
Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.
Return for Risk
DFEV vs. EFA — Risk / Return Rank
DFEV
EFA
DFEV vs. EFA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Dimensional Emerging Markets Value ETF (DFEV) 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.
| DFEV | EFA | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.08 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.05 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.31 | 1.28 | +0.03 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.56 | 2.18 | +0.38 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 8.54 | 8.23 | +0.31 |
Loading charts...
Drawdowns
DFEV vs. EFA - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum DFEV drawdown since its inception was -18.49%, smaller than the maximum EFA drawdown of -61.04%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DFEV and EFA.
Loading charts...
Drawdown Indicators
| DFEV | EFA | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -18.49% | -61.04% | +42.55% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -13.86% | -11.42% | -2.44% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -17.94% | -14.05% | -3.89% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | — | -29.53% | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -34.19% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -10.62% | -0.62% | -10.00% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -4.71% | -11.86% | +7.15% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 4.14% | 3.02% | +1.12% |
Volatility
DFEV vs. EFA - Volatility Comparison
Dimensional Emerging Markets Value ETF (DFEV) has a higher volatility of 8.10% compared to iShares MSCI EAFE ETF (EFA) at 4.69%. This indicates that DFEV's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than EFA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
Loading charts...
Volatility by Period
| DFEV | EFA | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 8.10% | 4.69% | +3.41% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 19.68% | 13.71% | +5.97% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 21.40% | 15.79% | +5.61% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 17.36% | 16.62% | +0.74% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 17.36% | 17.00% | +0.36% |
DFEV vs. EFA - Expense Ratio Comparison
DFEV has a 0.43% expense ratio, which is higher than EFA's 0.32% expense ratio.
Dividends
DFEV vs. EFA - Dividend Comparison
DFEV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.17%, less than EFA's 3.19% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DFEV Dimensional Emerging Markets Value ETF | 2.17% | 2.69% | 3.17% | 3.47% | 3.35% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
EFA iShares MSCI EAFE ETF | 3.19% | 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
DFEV and EFA have a correlation of 0.74, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
DFEV has higher volatility (8.10%) compared to EFA (4.69%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DFEV dropped -18.49% vs EFA's -61.04%.
On 3-year performance, DFEV leads with 19.57% vs 16.41% for EFA. On fees, EFA is cheaper at 0.32% per year. On volatility, EFA has been the lower-risk option at 4.69%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 3-year period, DFEV has performed better with a 19.57% return vs 16.41%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
EFA is cheaper with a 0.32% expense ratio, compared with 0.43% for DFEV.
EFA has the higher dividend yield at 3.19%, compared with 2.17% for DFEV.
DFEV is categorized as Emerging Markets Equities, while EFA is Foreign Large Cap Equities. They also come from different issuers: Dimensional and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.43% for DFEV and 0.32% for EFA.
DFEV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.66 vs 1.58), 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.
Find the right allocation for DFEV and EFA
Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.
Open Portfolio Optimizer