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EFG vs. EFA
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

EFG vs. EFA

Last updated Aug 2, 2026
Documentation

EFG (iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF) and EFA (iShares MSCI EAFE ETF) are both Foreign Large Cap Equities funds from iShares - EFG tracks the MSCI EAFE Growth Index while EFA tracks the MSCI EAFE Index (Net). Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, EFG returned 7.77%/yr vs 9.47%/yr for EFA. Their 0.97 correlation means they have historically moved very closely together. EFG charges 0.34%/yr vs 0.32%/yr for EFA.

Performance

EFG vs. EFA - Performance Comparison

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

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, EFG achieves a 7.44% return, which is significantly lower than EFA's 11.69% return. Over the past 10 years, EFG has underperformed EFA with an annualized return of 7.77%, while EFA has yielded a comparatively higher 9.47% annualized return.

EFG

1D
-0.76%
1M
-1.78%
6M
2.92%
YTD
7.44%
1Y
16.22%
3Y*
10.39%
5Y*
3.90%
10Y*
7.77%
ALL TIME*
6.08%

EFA

1D
-0.62%
1M
1.16%
6M
6.46%
YTD
11.69%
1Y
25.09%
3Y*
16.41%
5Y*
9.23%
10Y*
9.47%
ALL TIME*
6.58%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

Liquidity Comparison

PositionAvg. Volume Value (2W)Avg. Volume Value (1M)Avg. Volume Value (3M)

EFA

iShares MSCI EAFE ETF
$1.24B$1.12B$1.39B

EFG

iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF
$92.35M$96.63M$107.97M

EFG vs. EFA - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
EFG
iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF		7.44%20.70%1.53%17.55%-23.12%11.01%17.85%27.47%-12.93%28.86%
EFA
iShares MSCI EAFE ETF		11.69%31.55%3.49%18.36%-14.39%11.45%7.60%22.04%-13.82%25.07%

Correlation

The correlation between EFG and EFA is 0.97 - they have historically moved very closely together. At this level, their price movements offset little of one another.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.

0.97

Correlation (3Y)
Balances recent behavior with more history.

0.97

Correlation (5Y)
Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.

0.96

Correlation (10Y)
Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.

0.96

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 5, 2005

0.97

The correlation between EFG and EFA has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.96 to 0.97 - a consistent structural relationship.

EFG vs. EFA - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
EFG
EFA

Industrials

27.6%
18.9%

Technology

22.2%
11.7%

Healthcare

13.2%
10.4%

Financial Services

11.0%
26.4%

Consumer Cyclical

9.2%
7.0%

Basic Materials

5.6%
5.9%

Communication Services

4.8%
3.4%

Consumer Defensive

3.8%
6.6%

Utilities

1.4%
3.6%

Real Estate

0.7%
1.7%

Energy

0.5%
3.7%

Industrials

EFG
27.6%
EFA
18.9%

Technology

EFG
22.2%
EFA
11.7%

Healthcare

EFG
13.2%
EFA
10.4%

Financial Services

EFG
11.0%
EFA
26.4%

Consumer Cyclical

EFG
9.2%
EFA
7.0%

Basic Materials

EFG
5.6%
EFA
5.9%

Communication Services

EFG
4.8%
EFA
3.4%

Consumer Defensive

EFG
3.8%
EFA
6.6%

Utilities

EFG
1.4%
EFA
3.6%

Real Estate

EFG
0.7%
EFA
1.7%

Energy

EFG
0.5%
EFA
3.7%

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 Growth ETF

iShares MSCI EAFE ETF

Often compared with EFG:
EFG vs. SPYEFG vs. VIGIEFG vs. IDMOEFG vs. JIGEFG vs. IXUSEFG vs. VUGEFG vs. VOO
Often compared with EFA:
EFA vs. IEFAEFA vs. VEAEFA vs. XEF.TOEFA vs. EFAVEFA vs. EFOEFA vs. IEUREFA vs. QEFA

Return for Risk

EFG vs. EFA — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.
EFG
EFG Risk / Return Rank: 3636
Overall Rank
EFG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 3535
Sharpe Ratio Rank
EFG Sortino Ratio Rank: 3535
Sortino Ratio Rank
EFG Omega Ratio Rank: 3333
Omega Ratio Rank
EFG Calmar Ratio Rank: 3636
Calmar Ratio Rank
EFG Martin Ratio Rank: 4141
Martin Ratio Rank
EFA
EFA Risk / Return Rank: 6868
Overall Rank
EFA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7070
Sharpe Ratio Rank
EFA Sortino Ratio Rank: 7070
Sortino Ratio Rank
EFA Omega Ratio Rank: 6868
Omega Ratio Rank
EFA Calmar Ratio Rank: 6363
Calmar Ratio Rank
EFA Martin Ratio Rank: 6868
Martin Ratio Rank
The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

EFG vs. EFA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF (EFG) 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

EFGEFADifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
0.85
1.58

-0.73

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
1.31
2.26

-0.95

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.16

1.28

-0.13

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

1.23

2.18

-0.94

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

4.45

8.23

-3.78

EFG vs. EFA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EFG Sharpe Ratio is 0.85, which is lower than the EFA Sharpe Ratio of 1.58. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of EFG 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.

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Drawdowns

EFG vs. EFA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EFG drawdown since its inception was -58.40%, roughly equal to the maximum EFA drawdown of -61.04%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EFG and EFA.

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Drawdown Indicators

EFGEFADifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-58.40%

-61.04%

+2.64%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-12.78%

-11.42%

-1.36%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-16.87%

-14.05%

-2.82%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-35.78%

-29.53%

-6.25%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-35.78%

-34.19%

-1.59%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-3.18%

-0.62%

-2.56%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-12.08%

-11.86%

-0.22%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

3.53%

3.02%

+0.51%

Volatility

EFG vs. EFA - Volatility Comparison

iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF (EFG) has a higher volatility of 5.68% compared to iShares MSCI EAFE ETF (EFA) at 4.69%. This indicates that EFG's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than EFA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

EFGEFADifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

5.68%

4.69%

+0.99%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

16.31%

13.71%

+2.60%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

18.67%

15.79%

+2.88%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

18.45%

16.62%

+1.83%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

17.62%

17.00%

+0.62%

EFG vs. EFA - Expense Ratio Comparison

EFG has a 0.34% expense ratio, which is higher than EFA's 0.32% expense ratio.

Dividends

EFG vs. EFA - Dividend Comparison

EFG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.30%, less than EFA's 3.19% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
EFA
iShares MSCI EAFE ETF		3.19%3.38%3.24%2.98%2.69%3.33%2.13%3.10%3.39%2.57%3.07%2.76%
EFG
iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF		2.30%2.53%1.64%1.63%1.27%1.54%0.85%1.69%1.98%1.56%2.20%1.75%

Frequently Asked Questions

With a correlation of 0.97, EFG and EFA move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

EFG has higher volatility (5.68%) compared to EFA (4.69%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EFG dropped -58.40% vs EFA's -61.04%.

On 10-year performance, EFA leads with 9.47% vs 7.77% for EFG. On fees, EFA is cheaper at 0.32% per year. On volatility, EFA has been the lower-risk option at 4.69%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, EFA has performed better with a 9.47% return vs 7.77%. 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 0.34% for EFG.

EFA has the higher dividend yield at 3.19%, compared with 2.30% for EFG.

EFG tracks MSCI EAFE Growth Index, while EFA tracks MSCI EAFE Index (Net). Their fees differ too: 0.34% for EFG and 0.32% for EFA.

EFA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.58 vs 0.85), 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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