DFIC vs. EFAV

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

DFIC (DFA Dimensional International Core Equity 2 ETF) and EFAV (iShares Edge MSCI Min Vol EAFE ETF) are both Foreign Large Cap Equities funds. DFIC is actively managed, while EFAV is passively managed. Over the past 3 years, DFIC returned 19.43%/yr vs 12.87%/yr for EFAV. Their correlation of 0.87 suggests significant overlap in exposure. DFIC charges 0.23%/yr vs 0.20%/yr for EFAV.

Performance

DFIC vs. EFAV - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in DFA Dimensional International Core Equity 2 ETF (DFIC) and iShares Edge MSCI Min Vol EAFE ETF (EFAV). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DFIC achieves a 10.29% return, which is significantly higher than EFAV's 3.83% return.

DFIC

• 1D: -0.71%
• 1M: 2.87%
• YTD: 10.29%
• 6M: 13.30%
• 1Y: 27.29%
• 3Y*: 19.43%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

EFAV

• 1D: -0.68%
• 1M: -1.10%
• YTD: 3.83%
• 6M: 5.18%
• 1Y: 9.41%
• 3Y*: 12.87%
• 5Y*: 6.17%
• 10Y*: 5.93%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

DFIC vs. EFAV - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
DFIC DFA Dimensional International Core Equity 2 ETF	10.29%	37.09%	4.10%	17.32%	-9.27%
EFAV iShares Edge MSCI Min Vol EAFE ETF	3.83%	26.00%	5.30%	12.52%	-9.49%

Correlation

The correlation between DFIC and EFAV is 0.82, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.82
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.85
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 25, 2022	0.87

The correlation between DFIC and EFAV has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.82 to 0.87 - a consistent structural relationship.

DFIC vs. EFAV - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	DFIC	EFAV
Financial Services	20.6%	19.9%
Industrials	20.2%	15.1%
Basic Materials	11.0%	1.6%
Consumer Cyclical	9.5%	5.2%
Energy	8.1%	8.2%
Technology	7.8%	4.5%
Healthcare	7.0%	12.4%
Consumer Defensive	6.1%	11.5%
Communication Services	4.3%	9.7%
Utilities	3.7%	9.1%
Real Estate	1.8%	2.9%

Return for Risk

DFIC vs. EFAV — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

DFIC

DFIC Risk / Return Rank: 55
DFIC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 57
DFIC Sortino Ratio Rank: 57
DFIC Omega Ratio Rank: 57
DFIC Calmar Ratio Rank: 49
DFIC Martin Ratio Rank: 56

EFAV

EFAV Risk / Return Rank: 26
EFAV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 25
EFAV Sortino Ratio Rank: 24
EFAV Omega Ratio Rank: 24
EFAV Calmar Ratio Rank: 29
EFAV Martin Ratio Rank: 28

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.

DFIC vs. EFAV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for DFA Dimensional International Core Equity 2 ETF (DFIC) and iShares Edge MSCI Min Vol EAFE ETF (EFAV). 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.

	DFIC	EFAV	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.98	0.92	+1.07
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.76	1.33	+1.43
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.36	1.17	+0.19
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.49	1.46	+1.03
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.90	4.10	+5.80
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DFIC vs. EFAV - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DFIC Sharpe Ratio is 1.98, which is higher than the EFAV Sharpe Ratio of 0.92. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DFIC and EFAV, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	DFIC	EFAV	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.98	0.92	+1.07
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.53	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.45	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.81	0.53	+0.28

Drawdowns

DFIC vs. EFAV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DFIC drawdown since its inception was -24.40%, smaller than the maximum EFAV drawdown of -27.56%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DFIC and EFAV.

Drawdown Indicators

	DFIC	EFAV	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-24.40%	-27.56%	+3.16%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.00%	-6.46%	-4.54%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.14%	-8.75%	-4.39%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-27.46%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-27.56%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.32%	-5.61%	+4.29%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.55%	-4.77%	+0.22%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.76%	2.30%	+0.46%

Volatility

DFIC vs. EFAV - Volatility Comparison

DFA Dimensional International Core Equity 2 ETF (DFIC) has a higher volatility of 4.34% compared to iShares Edge MSCI Min Vol EAFE ETF (EFAV) at 3.17%. This indicates that DFIC's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than EFAV based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DFIC	EFAV	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.34%	3.17%	+1.17%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.50%	8.17%	+3.33%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.85%	10.35%	+3.50%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.21%	11.79%	+4.42%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.21%	13.21%	+3.00%

DFIC vs. EFAV - Expense Ratio Comparison

DFIC has a 0.23% expense ratio, which is higher than EFAV's 0.20% 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

DFIC vs. EFAV - Dividend Comparison

DFIC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.27%, less than EFAV's 3.08% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DFIC DFA Dimensional International Core Equity 2 ETF	2.27%	2.54%	2.87%	2.55%	1.47%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
EFAV iShares Edge MSCI Min Vol EAFE ETF	3.08%	3.20%	3.24%	3.08%	2.53%	2.47%	1.33%	4.19%	3.34%	2.45%	3.94%	2.49%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DFIC and EFAV in my portfolio?

DFIC and EFAV have a correlation of 0.82, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DFIC or EFAV?

DFIC has higher volatility (4.34%) compared to EFAV (3.17%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DFIC dropped -24.40% vs EFAV's -27.56%.

Which ETF is better, DFIC or EFAV?

On 3-year performance, DFIC leads with 19.43% vs 12.87% for EFAV. On fees, EFAV is cheaper at 0.20% per year. On volatility, EFAV has been the lower-risk option at 3.17%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, DFIC or EFAV?

Over the 3-year period, DFIC has performed better with a 19.43% return vs 12.87%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, DFIC or EFAV?

EFAV is cheaper with a 0.20% expense ratio, compared with 0.23% for DFIC.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, DFIC or EFAV?

EFAV has the higher dividend yield at 3.08%, compared with 2.27% for DFIC.

What is the main difference between DFIC and EFAV?

They also come from different issuers: Dimensional and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.23% for DFIC and 0.20% for EFAV.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DFIC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.98 vs 0.92), 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.