EFAV vs. EFA

Last updated Jun 7, 2026

EFAV (iShares Edge MSCI Min Vol EAFE ETF) and EFA (iShares MSCI EAFE ETF) are both Foreign Large Cap Equities funds from iShares - EFAV tracks the MSCI EAFE Minimum Volatility Index while EFA tracks the MSCI EAFE Index (Net). Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, EFAV returned 5.76%/yr vs 8.78%/yr for EFA. Their correlation of 0.89 suggests significant overlap in exposure. EFAV charges 0.20%/yr vs 0.32%/yr for EFA.

Performance

EFAV vs. EFA - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, EFAV achieves a 3.14% return, which is significantly lower than EFA's 6.49% return. Over the past 10 years, EFAV has underperformed EFA with an annualized return of 5.76%, while EFA has yielded a comparatively higher 8.78% annualized return.

EFAV

• 1D: -1.22%
• 1M: -2.48%
• YTD: 3.14%
• 6M: 4.99%
• 1Y: 8.30%
• 3Y*: 12.50%
• 5Y*: 6.03%
• 10Y*: 5.76%

EFA

• 1D: -2.56%
• 1M: -1.64%
• YTD: 6.49%
• 6M: 8.67%
• 1Y: 18.03%
• 3Y*: 15.64%
• 5Y*: 7.90%
• 10Y*: 8.78%

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

EFAV vs. EFA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
EFAV iShares Edge MSCI Min Vol EAFE ETF	3.14%	26.00%	5.30%	12.52%	-15.11%	7.20%	-0.06%	16.67%	-5.74%	22.24%
EFA iShares MSCI EAFE ETF	6.49%	31.55%	3.49%	18.36%	-14.39%	11.45%	7.60%	22.04%	-13.82%	25.07%

Correlation

The correlation between EFAV and EFA 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 (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.88
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.90
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 21, 2011	0.89

The correlation between EFAV and EFA has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.82 to 0.90 - a consistent structural relationship.

EFAV vs. EFA - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	EFAV	EFA
Financial Services	19.9%	24.6%
Industrials	15.1%	19.9%
Healthcare	12.4%	10.6%
Consumer Defensive	11.5%	6.7%
Communication Services	9.7%	4.5%
Utilities	9.1%	4.0%
Energy	8.2%	4.0%
Consumer Cyclical	5.2%	7.6%
Technology	4.5%	10.4%
Real Estate	2.9%	1.9%
Basic Materials	1.6%	5.9%

Return for Risk

EFAV vs. EFA — Risk / Return Rank

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

EFAV

EFAV Risk / Return Rank: 25
EFAV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 24
EFAV Sortino Ratio Rank: 23
EFAV Omega Ratio Rank: 23
EFAV Calmar Ratio Rank: 27
EFAV Martin Ratio Rank: 27

EFA

EFA Risk / Return Rank: 35
EFA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 35
EFA Sortino Ratio Rank: 34
EFA Omega Ratio Rank: 34
EFA Calmar Ratio Rank: 34
EFA Martin Ratio Rank: 39

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.

EFAV vs. EFA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Edge MSCI Min Vol EAFE ETF (EFAV) 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.

	EFAV	EFA	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.81	1.21	-0.40
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.19	1.76	-0.58
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.15	1.22	-0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.31	1.62	-0.32
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.58	6.06	-2.49
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

EFAV vs. EFA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EFAV Sharpe Ratio is 0.81, which is lower than the EFA Sharpe Ratio of 1.21. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of EFAV and EFA, 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

	EFAV	EFA	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.81	1.21	-0.40
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.51	0.48	+0.03
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.44	0.51	-0.07
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.53	0.31	+0.22

Drawdowns

EFAV vs. EFA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EFAV drawdown since its inception was -27.56%, smaller than the maximum EFA drawdown of -61.04%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EFAV and EFA.

Drawdown Indicators

	EFAV	EFA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-27.56%	-61.04%	+33.48%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.46%	-11.42%	+4.96%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-8.75%	-14.05%	+5.30%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-27.46%	-29.53%	+2.07%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-27.56%	-34.19%	+6.63%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-6.23%	-3.22%	-3.01%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.77%	-11.93%	+7.16%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.35%	3.05%	-0.70%

Volatility

EFAV vs. EFA - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares Edge MSCI Min Vol EAFE ETF (EFAV) is 3.09%, while iShares MSCI EAFE ETF (EFA) has a volatility of 4.85%. This indicates that EFAV 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.

Volatility by Period

	EFAV	EFA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.09%	4.85%	-1.76%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.28%	12.81%	-4.53%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.40%	15.27%	-4.87%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	11.80%	16.51%	-4.71%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	13.21%	17.28%	-4.07%

EFAV vs. EFA - Expense Ratio Comparison

EFAV has a 0.20% expense ratio, which is lower than EFA's 0.32% expense ratio.

Dividends

EFAV vs. EFA - Dividend Comparison

EFAV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.10%, less than EFA's 3.18% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
EFA iShares MSCI EAFE ETF	3.18%	3.38%	3.24%	2.98%	2.69%	3.33%	2.13%	3.10%	3.39%	2.57%	3.07%	2.76%
EFAV iShares Edge MSCI Min Vol EAFE ETF	3.10%	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 EFAV and EFA in my portfolio?

EFAV and EFA 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, EFAV or EFA?

EFA has higher volatility (4.85%) compared to EFAV (3.09%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EFAV dropped -27.56% vs EFA's -61.04%.

Which ETF is better, EFAV or EFA?

On 10-year performance, EFA leads with 8.78% vs 5.76% for EFAV. On fees, EFAV is cheaper at 0.20% per year. On volatility, EFAV has been the lower-risk option at 3.09%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, EFAV or EFA?

Over the 10-year period, EFA has performed better with a 8.78% return vs 5.76%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, EFAV or EFA?

EFAV is cheaper with a 0.20% expense ratio, compared with 0.32% for EFA.

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

EFA has the higher dividend yield at 3.18%, compared with 3.10% for EFAV.

What is the main difference between EFAV and EFA?

EFAV tracks MSCI EAFE Minimum Volatility Index, while EFA tracks MSCI EAFE Index (Net). Their fees differ too: 0.20% for EFAV and 0.32% for EFA.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

EFA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.21 vs 0.81), 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.