EFRA vs. RIFR

Last updated Aug 5, 2026

EFRA (iShares Environmental Infrastructure and Industrials ETF) and RIFR (Russell Investments Global Infrastructure ETF) are both Infrastructure Equities funds. EFRA is passively managed, while RIFR is actively managed. Over the past year, EFRA returned 14.06% vs 13.49% for RIFR. Their 0.57 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. EFRA charges 0.47%/yr vs 0.59%/yr for RIFR.

Performance

EFRA vs. RIFR - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Environmental Infrastructure and Industrials ETF (EFRA) and Russell Investments Global Infrastructure ETF (RIFR). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, EFRA achieves a 10.64% return, which is significantly lower than RIFR's 12.09% return.

EFRA

• 1D: 1.77%
• 1M: 1.39%
• 6M: 4.01%
• YTD: 10.64%
• 1Y: 14.06%
• 3Y*: 12.19%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 15.08%

RIFR

• 1D: 0.39%
• 1M: 0.27%
• 6M: 7.48%
• YTD: 12.09%
• 1Y: 13.49%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 16.24%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
EFRA iShares Environmental Infrastructure and Industrials ETF	$35.39K	$37.20K	$24.57K
RIFR Russell Investments Global Infrastructure ETF	$124.91K	$116.98K	$146.03K

EFRA vs. RIFR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
EFRA iShares Environmental Infrastructure and Industrials ETF	10.64%	6.80%
RIFR Russell Investments Global Infrastructure ETF	12.09%	7.25%

Correlation

The correlation between EFRA and RIFR is 0.56, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.56
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 14, 2025	0.57

The correlation between EFRA and RIFR has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.56 to 0.57 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

EFRA vs. RIFR — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

EFRA

EFRA Risk / Return Rank: 33
EFRA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 34
EFRA Sortino Ratio Rank: 34
EFRA Omega Ratio Rank: 31
EFRA Calmar Ratio Rank: 33
EFRA Martin Ratio Rank: 32

RIFR

RIFR Risk / Return Rank: 45
RIFR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 44
RIFR Sortino Ratio Rank: 43
RIFR Omega Ratio Rank: 41
RIFR Calmar Ratio Rank: 49
RIFR Martin Ratio Rank: 47

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.

EFRA vs. RIFR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Environmental Infrastructure and Industrials ETF (EFRA) and Russell Investments Global Infrastructure ETF (RIFR). 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.

	EFRA	RIFR	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.94	1.26	-0.32
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.43	1.79	-0.36
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.17	1.22	-0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.26	1.99	-0.73
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.23	6.03	-2.80

EFRA vs. RIFR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EFRA Sharpe Ratio is 0.94, which is comparable to the RIFR Sharpe Ratio of 1.26. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of EFRA and RIFR, 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

EFRA vs. RIFR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EFRA drawdown since its inception was -16.25%, which is greater than RIFR's maximum drawdown of -6.80%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EFRA and RIFR.

Drawdown Indicators

	EFRA	RIFR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-16.25%	-6.80%	-9.45%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.20%	-6.80%	-4.40%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.25%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.95%	-1.12%	-0.83%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.68%	-1.62%	-2.06%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.36%	2.24%	+2.12%

Volatility

EFRA vs. RIFR - Volatility Comparison

iShares Environmental Infrastructure and Industrials ETF (EFRA) has a higher volatility of 4.43% compared to Russell Investments Global Infrastructure ETF (RIFR) at 2.53%. This indicates that EFRA's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than RIFR based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	EFRA	RIFR	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.43%	2.53%	+1.90%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.98%	8.88%	+3.10%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.01%	10.81%	+4.20%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.56%	10.67%	+4.89%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.56%	10.67%	+4.89%

EFRA vs. RIFR - Expense Ratio Comparison

EFRA has a 0.47% expense ratio, which is lower than RIFR's 0.59% expense ratio.

Dividends

EFRA vs. RIFR - Dividend Comparison

EFRA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.99%, more than RIFR's 0.87% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022
EFRA iShares Environmental Infrastructure and Industrials ETF	3.99%	4.34%	3.79%	1.85%	0.14%
RIFR Russell Investments Global Infrastructure ETF	0.87%	0.98%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both EFRA and RIFR in my portfolio?

EFRA and RIFR have a correlation of 0.56, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, EFRA or RIFR?

EFRA has higher volatility (4.43%) compared to RIFR (2.53%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EFRA dropped -16.25% vs RIFR's -6.80%.

Which ETF is better, EFRA or RIFR?

On 1-year performance, EFRA leads with 14.06% vs 13.49% for RIFR. On fees, EFRA is cheaper at 0.47% per year. On volatility, RIFR has been the lower-risk option at 2.53%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, EFRA or RIFR?

Over the 1-year period, EFRA has performed better with a 14.06% return vs 13.49%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, EFRA or RIFR?

EFRA is cheaper with a 0.47% expense ratio, compared with 0.59% for RIFR.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, EFRA or RIFR?

EFRA has the higher dividend yield at 3.99%, compared with 0.87% for RIFR.

What is the main difference between EFRA and RIFR?

They also come from different issuers: iShares and Russell. Their fees differ too: 0.47% for EFRA and 0.59% for RIFR.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

RIFR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.26 vs 0.94), 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.