EVLU vs. VEA

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

EVLU (iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Value Factor ETF) and VEA (Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - EVLU is a Emerging Markets Equities fund tracking the MSCI Emerging Markets Value Factor Select Index (Net), while VEA is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the FTSE Developed All Cap ex US Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, EVLU returned 72.04% vs 32.48% for VEA. A 0.74 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. EVLU charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VEA.

Performance

EVLU vs. VEA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Value Factor ETF (EVLU) and Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF (VEA). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, EVLU achieves a 34.01% return, which is significantly higher than VEA's 14.92% return.

EVLU

• 1D: -2.27%
• 1M: 15.31%
• YTD: 34.01%
• 6M: 37.37%
• 1Y: 72.04%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

VEA

• 1D: -0.90%
• 1M: 5.54%
• YTD: 14.92%
• 6M: 18.15%
• 1Y: 32.48%
• 3Y*: 19.77%
• 5Y*: 9.60%
• 10Y*: 10.17%

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

EVLU vs. VEA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
EVLU iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Value Factor ETF	34.01%	38.54%	1.61%
VEA Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF	14.92%	35.16%	-3.38%

Correlation

The correlation between EVLU and VEA is 0.78, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.78
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 9, 2024	0.74

The correlation between EVLU and VEA has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.74 to 0.78 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

EVLU vs. VEA — Risk / Return Rank

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

EVLU

EVLU Risk / Return Rank: 92
EVLU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 95
EVLU Sortino Ratio Rank: 93
EVLU Omega Ratio Rank: 93
EVLU Calmar Ratio Rank: 90
EVLU Martin Ratio Rank: 90

VEA

VEA Risk / Return Rank: 59
VEA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 60
VEA Sortino Ratio Rank: 60
VEA Omega Ratio Rank: 60
VEA Calmar Ratio Rank: 55
VEA Martin Ratio Rank: 60

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.

EVLU vs. VEA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Value Factor ETF (EVLU) and Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF (VEA). 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.

	EVLU	VEA	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	3.80	2.09	+1.72
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	4.71	2.87	+1.84
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.67	1.38	+0.29
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.61	2.81	+2.81
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	20.79	10.94	+9.84
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

EVLU vs. VEA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EVLU Sharpe Ratio is 3.80, which is higher than the VEA Sharpe Ratio of 2.09. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of EVLU and VEA, 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

	EVLU	VEA	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.80	2.09	+1.72
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.58	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.59	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	2.23	0.25	+1.99

Drawdowns

EVLU vs. VEA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EVLU drawdown since its inception was -17.17%, smaller than the maximum VEA drawdown of -60.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EVLU and VEA.

Drawdown Indicators

	EVLU	VEA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-17.17%	-60.68%	+43.51%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.90%	-11.63%	-1.27%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-13.45%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-29.71%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-35.73%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.27%	-0.90%	-1.37%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.48%	-13.29%	+9.81%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.48%	2.98%	+0.50%

Volatility

EVLU vs. VEA - Volatility Comparison

iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Value Factor ETF (EVLU) has a higher volatility of 9.17% compared to Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF (VEA) at 5.66%. This indicates that EVLU's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VEA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	EVLU	VEA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.17%	5.66%	+3.51%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	16.23%	13.32%	+2.91%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.04%	15.66%	+3.38%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.93%	16.55%	+3.38%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.93%	17.36%	+2.57%

EVLU vs. VEA - Expense Ratio Comparison

EVLU has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is higher than VEA's 0.03% expense ratio.

Dividends

EVLU vs. VEA - Dividend Comparison

EVLU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.88%, more than VEA's 2.62% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
EVLU iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Value Factor ETF	3.88%	5.20%	1.03%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VEA Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF	2.62%	3.22%	3.35%	3.15%	2.91%	3.16%	2.04%	3.04%	3.35%	2.77%	3.05%	2.92%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both EVLU and VEA in my portfolio?

EVLU and VEA have a correlation of 0.78, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, EVLU or VEA?

EVLU has higher volatility (9.17%) compared to VEA (5.66%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EVLU dropped -17.17% vs VEA's -60.68%.

Which ETF is better, EVLU or VEA?

On 1-year performance, EVLU leads with 72.04% vs 32.48% for VEA. On fees, VEA is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, VEA has been the lower-risk option at 5.66%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, EVLU or VEA?

Over the 1-year period, EVLU has performed better with a 72.04% return vs 32.48%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, EVLU or VEA?

VEA is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.35% for EVLU.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, EVLU or VEA?

EVLU has the higher dividend yield at 3.88%, compared with 2.62% for VEA.

What is the main difference between EVLU and VEA?

EVLU is categorized as Emerging Markets Equities, while VEA is Foreign Large Cap Equities. EVLU tracks MSCI Emerging Markets Value Factor Select Index (Net), while VEA tracks FTSE Developed All Cap ex US Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for EVLU and 0.03% for VEA.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

EVLU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.80 vs 2.09), 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.