EFAV vs. EFA
Compare and contrast key facts about iShares Edge MSCI Min Vol EAFE ETF (EFAV) and iShares MSCI EAFE ETF (EFA).
EFAV and EFA are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. EFAV is a passively managed fund by iShares that tracks the performance of the MSCI EAFE Minimum Volatility Index. It was launched on Oct 18, 2011. EFA is a passively managed fund by iShares that tracks the performance of the MSCI EAFE Index. It was launched on Aug 14, 2001. Both EFAV and EFA are passive ETFs, meaning that they are not actively managed but aim to replicate the performance of the underlying index as closely as possible.
Scroll down to visually compare performance, riskiness, drawdowns, and other indicators and decide which better suits your portfolio: EFAV or EFA.
Key characteristics
| EFAV | EFA | |
|---|---|---|
| YTD Return | 6.49% | 4.31% |
| 1Y Return | 12.29% | 12.01% |
| 3Y Return (Ann) | 0.47% | 1.38% |
| 5Y Return (Ann) | 2.10% | 5.45% |
| 10Y Return (Ann) | 4.27% | 4.97% |
| Sharpe Ratio | 1.45 | 1.14 |
| Sortino Ratio | 2.07 | 1.65 |
| Omega Ratio | 1.25 | 1.20 |
| Calmar Ratio | 1.14 | 1.75 |
| Martin Ratio | 7.63 | 5.83 |
| Ulcer Index | 1.87% | 2.55% |
| Daily Std Dev | 9.87% | 13.00% |
| Max Drawdown | -27.56% | -61.04% |
| Current Drawdown | -6.43% | -8.50% |
Correlation
The correlation between EFAV and EFA is 0.91, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.
Performance
EFAV vs. EFA - Performance Comparison
In the year-to-date period, EFAV achieves a 6.49% return, which is significantly higher than EFA's 4.31% return. Over the past 10 years, EFAV has underperformed EFA with an annualized return of 4.27%, while EFA has yielded a comparatively higher 4.97% annualized return. The chart below displays the growth of a $10,000 investment in both assets, with all prices adjusted for splits and dividends.
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EFAV vs. EFA - Expense Ratio Comparison
EFAV has a 0.20% expense ratio, which is lower than EFA's 0.32% expense ratio.
Risk-Adjusted Performance
EFAV vs. EFA - Risk-Adjusted Performance 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.
Dividends
EFAV vs. EFA - Dividend Comparison
EFAV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.10%, more than EFA's 3.01% yield.
| TTM | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
EFAV iShares Edge MSCI Min Vol EAFE ETF | 3.10% | 3.07% | 2.53% | 2.47% | 1.33% | 4.19% | 3.34% | 2.45% | 3.94% | 2.49% | 3.57% | 2.53% |
EFA iShares MSCI EAFE ETF | 3.01% | 2.98% | 2.69% | 3.33% | 2.13% | 3.10% | 3.39% | 2.57% | 3.07% | 2.76% | 3.72% | 2.54% |
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. For additional features, visit the drawdowns tool.
Volatility
EFAV vs. EFA - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for iShares Edge MSCI Min Vol EAFE ETF (EFAV) is 3.26%, while iShares MSCI EAFE ETF (EFA) has a volatility of 4.01%. 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.