EFG vs. VSS

Last updated Jul 21, 2026

EFG (iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF) and VSS (Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - EFG is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the MSCI EAFE Growth Index, while VSS is a Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities fund tracking the FTSE Global Small Cap ex US Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, EFG returned 7.69%/yr vs 7.62%/yr for VSS. Their correlation of 0.91 suggests significant overlap in exposure. EFG charges 0.34%/yr vs 0.07%/yr for VSS.

Performance

EFG vs. VSS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF (EFG) and Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap ETF (VSS). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, EFG achieves a 5.25% return, which is significantly higher than VSS's 4.76% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with EFG having a 7.69% annualized return and VSS not far behind at 7.62%.

EFG

• 1D: -0.91%
• 1M: -4.92%
• 6M: 0.56%
• YTD: 5.25%
• 1Y: 10.73%
• 3Y*: 9.43%
• 5Y*: 3.72%
• 10Y*: 7.69%
• ALL TIME*: 5.99%

VSS

• 1D: -0.93%
• 1M: -5.21%
• 6M: 0.59%
• YTD: 4.76%
• 1Y: 14.08%
• 3Y*: 12.89%
• 5Y*: 5.01%
• 10Y*: 7.62%
• ALL TIME*: 9.58%

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

EFG vs. VSS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
EFG iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF	5.25%	20.70%	1.53%	17.55%	-23.12%	11.01%	17.85%	27.47%	-12.93%	28.86%
VSS Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap ETF	4.76%	29.61%	2.94%	15.52%	-21.48%	13.05%	11.81%	21.36%	-18.48%	30.61%

Correlation

The correlation between EFG and VSS is 0.89, 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	0.89
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.87
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.89
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.89
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 6, 2009	0.91

The correlation between EFG and VSS has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.87 to 0.91 - a consistent structural relationship.

EFG vs. VSS - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	EFG	VSS
Industrials	27.6%	19.5%
Technology	22.2%	14.9%
Healthcare	13.2%	5.9%
Financial Services	11.0%	10.5%
Consumer Cyclical	9.2%	9.1%
Basic Materials	5.6%	11.6%
Communication Services	4.8%	2.1%
Consumer Defensive	3.8%	3.6%
Utilities	1.4%	2.3%
Real Estate	0.7%	7.0%
Energy	0.5%	4.0%

Return for Risk

EFG vs. VSS — Risk / Return Rank

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

EFG

EFG Risk / Return Rank: 24
EFG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 22
EFG Sortino Ratio Rank: 22
EFG Omega Ratio Rank: 22
EFG Calmar Ratio Rank: 24
EFG Martin Ratio Rank: 29

VSS

VSS Risk / Return Rank: 32
VSS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 32
VSS Sortino Ratio Rank: 30
VSS Omega Ratio Rank: 31
VSS Calmar Ratio Rank: 32
VSS Martin Ratio Rank: 36

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.

EFG vs. VSS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF (EFG) and Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap ETF (VSS). 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.

	EFG	VSS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.58	0.88	-0.30
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.95	1.28	-0.33
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.11	1.17	-0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.84	1.22	-0.37
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.04	4.12	-1.08

EFG vs. VSS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EFG Sharpe Ratio is 0.58, which is lower than the VSS Sharpe Ratio of 0.88. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of EFG and VSS, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

EFG vs. VSS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EFG drawdown since its inception was -58.40%, which is greater than VSS's maximum drawdown of -43.51%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EFG and VSS.

Drawdown Indicators

	EFG	VSS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-58.40%	-43.51%	-14.89%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.78%	-11.62%	-1.16%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.87%	-15.73%	-1.14%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-35.78%	-33.93%	-1.85%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.78%	-43.51%	+7.73%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.15%	-7.70%	+2.55%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-12.09%	-9.60%	-2.49%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.54%	3.43%	+0.11%

Volatility

EFG vs. VSS - Volatility Comparison

iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF (EFG) has a higher volatility of 5.69% compared to Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap ETF (VSS) at 4.76%. This indicates that EFG's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VSS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	EFG	VSS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.69%	4.76%	+0.93%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	16.06%	14.24%	+1.82%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.52%	16.08%	+2.44%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.39%	16.65%	+1.74%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.59%	17.12%	+0.47%

EFG vs. VSS - Expense Ratio Comparison

EFG has a 0.34% expense ratio, which is higher than VSS's 0.07% expense ratio.

Dividends

EFG vs. VSS - Dividend Comparison

EFG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.34%, less than VSS's 3.33% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
EFG iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF	2.34%	2.53%	1.64%	1.63%	1.27%	1.54%	0.85%	1.69%	1.98%	1.56%	2.20%	1.75%
VSS Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap ETF	3.33%	3.39%	3.44%	3.14%	2.30%	2.74%	1.90%	3.25%	2.80%	2.83%	2.93%	2.66%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both EFG and VSS in my portfolio?

EFG and VSS have a correlation of 0.89, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, EFG or VSS?

EFG has higher volatility (5.69%) compared to VSS (4.76%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EFG dropped -58.40% vs VSS's -43.51%.

Which ETF is better, EFG or VSS?

On 10-year performance, EFG leads with 7.69% vs 7.62% for VSS. On fees, VSS is cheaper at 0.07% per year. On volatility, VSS has been the lower-risk option at 4.76%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, EFG or VSS?

Over the 10-year period, EFG has performed better with a 7.69% return vs 7.62%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, EFG or VSS?

VSS is cheaper with a 0.07% expense ratio, compared with 0.34% for EFG.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, EFG or VSS?

VSS has the higher dividend yield at 3.33%, compared with 2.34% for EFG.

What is the main difference between EFG and VSS?

EFG is categorized as Foreign Large Cap Equities, while VSS is Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities. EFG tracks MSCI EAFE Growth Index, while VSS tracks FTSE Global Small Cap ex US Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.34% for EFG and 0.07% for VSS.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VSS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.88 vs 0.58), 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.