EFA vs. XLP

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

EFA (iShares MSCI EAFE ETF) and XLP (State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - EFA is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the MSCI EAFE Index (Net), while XLP is a Consumer Staples Equities fund tracking the Consumer Staples Select Sector Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, EFA returned 9.28%/yr vs 7.21%/yr for XLP. A 0.55 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. EFA charges 0.32%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for XLP.

Performance

EFA vs. XLP - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares MSCI EAFE ETF (EFA) and State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLP). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, EFA achieves a 7.13% return, which is significantly lower than XLP's 7.54% return. Over the past 10 years, EFA has outperformed XLP with an annualized return of 9.28%, while XLP has yielded a comparatively lower 7.21% annualized return.

EFA

• 1D: 0.61%
• 1M: -1.04%
• YTD: 7.13%
• 6M: 9.67%
• 1Y: 18.74%
• 3Y*: 15.87%
• 5Y*: 8.03%
• 10Y*: 9.28%

XLP

• 1D: -0.44%
• 1M: -1.32%
• YTD: 7.54%
• 6M: 8.22%
• 1Y: 4.50%
• 3Y*: 7.23%
• 5Y*: 6.10%
• 10Y*: 7.21%

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

EFA vs. XLP - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
EFA iShares MSCI EAFE ETF	7.13%	31.55%	3.49%	18.36%	-14.39%	11.45%	7.60%	22.04%	-13.82%	25.07%
XLP State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF	7.54%	1.52%	12.20%	-0.82%	-0.81%	17.20%	10.11%	27.43%	-8.07%	12.98%

Correlation

The correlation between EFA and XLP is 0.20, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.20
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.31
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.41
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.45
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 17, 2001	0.55

Over the past year, the correlation between EFA and XLP has dropped to 0.20 - well below their long-term average of 0.55, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

EFA vs. XLP - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	EFA	XLP
Financial Services	24.6%	-
Industrials	19.9%	-
Healthcare	10.6%	-
Technology	10.4%	-
Consumer Cyclical	7.6%	1.0%
Consumer Defensive	6.7%	99.0%
Basic Materials	5.9%	-
Communication Services	4.5%	-
Energy	4.0%	-
Utilities	4.0%	-
Real Estate	1.9%	-

Return for Risk

EFA vs. XLP — Risk / Return Rank

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

EFA

EFA Risk / Return Rank: 38
EFA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 38
EFA Sortino Ratio Rank: 37
EFA Omega Ratio Rank: 37
EFA Calmar Ratio Rank: 36
EFA Martin Ratio Rank: 41

XLP

XLP Risk / Return Rank: 15
XLP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 15
XLP Sortino Ratio Rank: 15
XLP Omega Ratio Rank: 14
XLP Calmar Ratio Rank: 15
XLP Martin Ratio Rank: 14

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. XLP - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI EAFE ETF (EFA) and State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLP). 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.

	EFA	XLP	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.23	0.36	+0.88
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.79	0.60	+1.19
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.23	1.07	+0.16
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.65	0.47	+1.18
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.15	0.91	+5.25
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. XLP - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EFA Sharpe Ratio is 1.23, which is higher than the XLP Sharpe Ratio of 0.36. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of EFA and XLP, 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

	EFA	XLP	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.23	0.36	+0.88
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.49	0.46	+0.03
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.54	0.49	+0.05
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.31	0.44	-0.13

Drawdowns

EFA vs. XLP - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EFA drawdown since its inception was -61.04%, which is greater than XLP's maximum drawdown of -35.90%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EFA and XLP.

Drawdown Indicators

	EFA	XLP	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-61.04%	-35.90%	-25.14%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.42%	-9.69%	-1.73%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.05%	-12.39%	-1.66%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.53%	-16.30%	-13.23%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.19%	-24.51%	-9.68%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.63%	-7.19%	+4.56%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.93%	-7.06%	-4.87%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.05%	4.97%	-1.92%

Volatility

EFA vs. XLP - Volatility Comparison

iShares MSCI EAFE ETF (EFA) has a higher volatility of 4.54% compared to State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLP) at 4.30%. This indicates that EFA's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than XLP based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	EFA	XLP	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.54%	4.30%	+0.24%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.82%	9.97%	+2.85%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.31%	12.75%	+2.56%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.52%	13.31%	+3.21%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.28%	14.74%	+2.54%

EFA vs. XLP - Expense Ratio Comparison

EFA has a 0.32% expense ratio, which is higher than XLP's 0.08% expense ratio.

Dividends

EFA vs. XLP - Dividend Comparison

EFA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.16%, more than XLP's 2.62% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
EFA iShares MSCI EAFE ETF	3.16%	3.38%	3.24%	2.98%	2.69%	3.33%	2.13%	3.10%	3.39%	2.57%	3.07%	2.76%
XLP State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF	2.62%	2.75%	2.77%	2.63%	2.47%	2.28%	2.50%	2.57%	3.04%	2.62%	2.53%	2.52%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both EFA and XLP in my portfolio?

EFA and XLP have a correlation of 0.20, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, EFA or XLP?

EFA has higher volatility (4.54%) compared to XLP (4.30%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EFA dropped -61.04% vs XLP's -35.90%.

Which ETF is better, EFA or XLP?

On 10-year performance, EFA leads with 9.28% vs 7.21% for XLP. On fees, XLP is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, XLP has been the lower-risk option at 4.30%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, EFA or XLP?

Over the 10-year period, EFA has performed better with a 9.28% return vs 7.21%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, EFA or XLP?

XLP is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.32% for EFA.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, EFA or XLP?

EFA has the higher dividend yield at 3.16%, compared with 2.62% for XLP.

What is the main difference between EFA and XLP?

EFA is categorized as Foreign Large Cap Equities, while XLP is Consumer Staples Equities. EFA tracks MSCI EAFE Index (Net), while XLP tracks Consumer Staples Select Sector Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.32% for EFA and 0.08% for XLP.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

EFA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.23 vs 0.36), 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.