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EFA vs. FID
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

EFA vs. FID

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

EFA (iShares MSCI EAFE ETF) and FID (First Trust S&P International Dividend Aristocrats ETF) are both Foreign Large Cap Equities funds - EFA tracks the MSCI EAFE Index (Net) while FID tracks the S&P International Dividend Aristocrats Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, EFA returned 8.29%/yr vs 7.74%/yr for FID. A 0.77 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. EFA charges 0.32%/yr vs 0.60%/yr for FID.

Performance

EFA vs. FID - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares MSCI EAFE ETF (EFA) and First Trust S&P International Dividend Aristocrats ETF (FID). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with EFA having a 8.42% return and FID slightly higher at 8.56%.

EFA

1D
-0.86%
1M
3.40%
YTD
8.42%
6M
10.94%
1Y
21.06%
3Y*
16.44%
5Y*
8.29%
10Y*
9.11%

FID

1D
-1.11%
1M
2.56%
YTD
8.56%
6M
10.95%
1Y
23.28%
3Y*
17.43%
5Y*
7.74%
10Y*
—
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

EFA vs. FID - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)20252024202320222021202020192018
EFA
iShares MSCI EAFE ETF		8.42%31.55%3.49%18.36%-14.39%11.45%7.60%22.04%-13.31%
FID
First Trust S&P International Dividend Aristocrats ETF		8.56%32.07%5.42%9.92%-9.69%12.90%-7.56%20.82%-8.00%

Correlation

The correlation between EFA and FID is 0.81, 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

0.81

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

0.80

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.81

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 30, 2018

0.77

The correlation between EFA and FID has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.77 to 0.81 - a consistent structural relationship.

EFA vs. FID - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
EFA
FID

Financial Services

24.6%
20.8%

Industrials

19.9%
13.5%

Healthcare

10.6%
3.5%

Technology

10.4%
4.1%

Consumer Cyclical

7.6%
4.0%

Consumer Defensive

6.7%
3.7%

Basic Materials

5.9%
4.3%

Communication Services

4.5%
11.5%

Energy

4.0%
8.0%

Utilities

4.0%
17.4%

Real Estate

1.9%
9.4%

Financial Services

EFA
24.6%
FID
20.8%

Industrials

EFA
19.9%
FID
13.5%

Healthcare

EFA
10.6%
FID
3.5%

Technology

EFA
10.4%
FID
4.1%

Consumer Cyclical

EFA
7.6%
FID
4.0%

Consumer Defensive

EFA
6.7%
FID
3.7%

Basic Materials

EFA
5.9%
FID
4.3%

Communication Services

EFA
4.5%
FID
11.5%

Energy

EFA
4.0%
FID
8.0%

Utilities

EFA
4.0%
FID
17.4%

Real Estate

EFA
1.9%
FID
9.4%

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

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

iShares MSCI EAFE ETF

First Trust S&P International Dividend Aristocrats ETF

Often compared with EFA:
EFA vs. IEFAEFA vs. VEAEFA vs. EFGEFA vs. XEF.TOEFA vs. EFAVEFA vs. IEUREFA vs. EFO
Often compared with FID:
FID vs. EFAVFID vs. IGROFID vs. KNGFID vs. VIGFID vs. VIGIFID vs. BRK-BFID vs. FDFIX

Return for Risk

EFA vs. FID — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
EFA
EFA Risk / Return Rank: 3939
Overall Rank
EFA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 3939
Sharpe Ratio Rank
EFA Sortino Ratio Rank: 3939
Sortino Ratio Rank
EFA Omega Ratio Rank: 3838
Omega Ratio Rank
EFA Calmar Ratio Rank: 3737
Calmar Ratio Rank
EFA Martin Ratio Rank: 4242
Martin Ratio Rank
FID
FID Risk / Return Rank: 6262
Overall Rank
FID Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6969
Sharpe Ratio Rank
FID Sortino Ratio Rank: 7171
Sortino Ratio Rank
FID Omega Ratio Rank: 6767
Omega Ratio Rank
FID Calmar Ratio Rank: 5353
Calmar Ratio Rank
FID Martin Ratio Rank: 5353
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.

EFA vs. FID - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI EAFE ETF (EFA) and First Trust S&P International Dividend Aristocrats ETF (FID). 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.

EFAFIDDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.41
2.30

-0.90

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.04
3.26

-1.23

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.26

1.41

-0.15

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

1.85

2.62

-0.77

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

6.94

9.14

-2.20

Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

EFA vs. FID - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EFA Sharpe Ratio is 1.41, which is lower than the FID Sharpe Ratio of 2.30. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of EFA and FID, 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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Sharpe Ratios by Period

EFAFIDDifference

Sharpe Ratio (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

1.41

2.30

-0.90

Sharpe Ratio (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.51

0.46

+0.05

Sharpe Ratio (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.53

—

—

Sharpe Ratio (All Time)

Calculated using the full available price history

0.31

0.39

-0.08

Drawdowns

EFA vs. FID - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EFA drawdown since its inception was -61.04%, which is greater than FID's maximum drawdown of -39.79%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EFA and FID.

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Drawdown Indicators

EFAFIDDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-61.04%

-39.79%

-21.25%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-11.42%

-8.93%

-2.49%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-14.05%

-10.97%

-3.08%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-29.53%

-29.13%

-0.40%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-34.19%

—

—

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-1.46%

-1.11%

-0.35%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-11.93%

-8.47%

-3.46%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

3.04%

2.55%

+0.49%

Volatility

EFA vs. FID - Volatility Comparison

iShares MSCI EAFE ETF (EFA) has a higher volatility of 4.98% compared to First Trust S&P International Dividend Aristocrats ETF (FID) at 3.00%. This indicates that EFA's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FID based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Loading charts...

Volatility by Period

EFAFIDDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

4.98%

3.00%

+1.98%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

12.51%

8.12%

+4.39%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

15.05%

10.16%

+4.89%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

16.48%

17.04%

-0.56%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

17.26%

18.96%

-1.70%

EFA vs. FID - Expense Ratio Comparison

EFA has a 0.32% expense ratio, which is lower than FID's 0.60% expense ratio.

Dividends

EFA vs. FID - Dividend Comparison

EFA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.12%, less than FID's 4.02% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
EFA
iShares MSCI EAFE ETF		3.12%3.38%3.24%2.98%2.69%3.33%2.13%3.10%3.39%2.57%3.07%2.76%
FID
First Trust S&P International Dividend Aristocrats ETF		4.02%4.30%4.31%4.19%4.22%3.76%3.91%3.70%1.74%0.00%0.00%0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

EFA and FID have a correlation of 0.81, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

EFA has higher volatility (4.98%) compared to FID (3.00%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EFA dropped -61.04% vs FID's -39.79%.

On 5-year performance, EFA leads with 8.29% vs 7.74% for FID. On fees, EFA is cheaper at 0.32% per year. On volatility, FID has been the lower-risk option at 3.00%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 5-year period, EFA has performed better with a 8.29% return vs 7.74%. 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 0.60% for FID.

FID has the higher dividend yield at 4.02%, compared with 3.12% for EFA.

EFA tracks MSCI EAFE Index (Net), while FID tracks S&P International Dividend Aristocrats Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.32% for EFA and 0.60% for FID.

FID currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.30 vs 1.41), 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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