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FID vs. IEFA
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

FID vs. IEFA

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

FID (First Trust S&P International Dividend Aristocrats ETF) and IEFA (iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF) are both Foreign Large Cap Equities funds - FID tracks the S&P International Dividend Aristocrats Index while IEFA tracks the MSCI EAFE IMI Index (Net). Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, FID returned 7.84%/yr vs 8.23%/yr for IEFA. A 0.78 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. FID charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.07%/yr for IEFA.

Performance

FID vs. IEFA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust S&P International Dividend Aristocrats ETF (FID) and iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF (IEFA). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FID achieves a 9.08% return, which is significantly lower than IEFA's 9.67% return.

FID

1D
0.47%
1M
2.45%
YTD
9.08%
6M
11.36%
1Y
22.92%
3Y*
17.77%
5Y*
7.84%
10Y*
—

IEFA

1D
0.75%
1M
2.81%
YTD
9.67%
6M
12.00%
1Y
22.30%
3Y*
17.24%
5Y*
8.23%
10Y*
9.25%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

FID vs. IEFA - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)20252024202320222021202020192018
FID
First Trust S&P International Dividend Aristocrats ETF		9.08%32.07%5.42%9.92%-9.69%12.90%-7.56%20.82%-8.00%
IEFA
iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF		9.67%32.08%3.26%17.95%-15.24%11.63%8.18%22.64%-13.81%

Correlation

The correlation between FID and IEFA is 0.82, 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

0.82

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.81

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.81

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 30, 2018

0.78

The correlation between FID and IEFA has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.78 to 0.82 - a consistent structural relationship.

FID vs. IEFA - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
FID
IEFA

Financial Services

20.8%
22.5%

Utilities

17.4%
3.6%

Industrials

13.5%
20.1%

Communication Services

11.5%
4.4%

Real Estate

9.4%
3.0%

Energy

8.0%
3.8%

Basic Materials

4.3%
7.0%

Technology

4.1%
10.8%

Consumer Cyclical

4.0%
8.0%

Consumer Defensive

3.7%
6.6%

Healthcare

3.5%
9.5%

Financial Services

FID
20.8%
IEFA
22.5%

Utilities

FID
17.4%
IEFA
3.6%

Industrials

FID
13.5%
IEFA
20.1%

Communication Services

FID
11.5%
IEFA
4.4%

Real Estate

FID
9.4%
IEFA
3.0%

Energy

FID
8.0%
IEFA
3.8%

Basic Materials

FID
4.3%
IEFA
7.0%

Technology

FID
4.1%
IEFA
10.8%

Consumer Cyclical

FID
4.0%
IEFA
8.0%

Consumer Defensive

FID
3.7%
IEFA
6.6%

Healthcare

FID
3.5%
IEFA
9.5%

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

First Trust S&P International Dividend Aristocrats ETF

iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF

Often compared with FID:
FID vs. EFAVFID vs. IGROFID vs. KNGFID vs. VIGFID vs. VIGIFID vs. FDFIXFID vs. BRK-B
Often compared with IEFA:
IEFA vs. VEAIEFA vs. VXUSIEFA vs. EFAIEFA vs. FSPSXIEFA vs. IEMGIEFA vs. XEF.TOIEFA vs. IXUS

Return for Risk

FID vs. IEFA — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
FID
FID Risk / Return Rank: 6363
Overall Rank
FID Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7171
Sharpe Ratio Rank
FID Sortino Ratio Rank: 7272
Sortino Ratio Rank
FID Omega Ratio Rank: 6969
Omega Ratio Rank
FID Calmar Ratio Rank: 5353
Calmar Ratio Rank
FID Martin Ratio Rank: 5353
Martin Ratio Rank
IEFA
IEFA Risk / Return Rank: 4444
Overall Rank
IEFA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 4444
Sharpe Ratio Rank
IEFA Sortino Ratio Rank: 4444
Sortino Ratio Rank
IEFA Omega Ratio Rank: 4444
Omega Ratio Rank
IEFA Calmar Ratio Rank: 4141
Calmar Ratio Rank
IEFA Martin Ratio Rank: 4646
Martin Ratio Rank
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.

FID vs. IEFA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust S&P International Dividend Aristocrats ETF (FID) and iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF (IEFA). 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.

FIDIEFADifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
2.27
1.50

+0.77

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
3.22
2.16

+1.06

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.40

1.27

+0.13

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

2.58

1.95

+0.63

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

9.00

7.43

+1.57

Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FID vs. IEFA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FID Sharpe Ratio is 2.27, which is higher than the IEFA Sharpe Ratio of 1.50. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FID and IEFA, 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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Sharpe Ratios by Period

FIDIEFADifference

Sharpe Ratio (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

2.27

1.50

+0.77

Sharpe Ratio (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.46

0.50

-0.04

Sharpe Ratio (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

—

0.54

—

Sharpe Ratio (All Time)

Calculated using the full available price history

0.40

0.51

-0.12

Drawdowns

FID vs. IEFA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FID drawdown since its inception was -39.79%, which is greater than IEFA's maximum drawdown of -34.78%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FID and IEFA.

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Drawdown Indicators

FIDIEFADifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-39.79%

-34.78%

-5.01%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-8.93%

-11.50%

+2.57%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-10.97%

-13.76%

+2.79%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-29.13%

-30.41%

+1.28%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

—

-34.78%

—

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-0.64%

-0.46%

-0.18%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-8.47%

-6.69%

-1.78%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

2.55%

3.01%

-0.46%

Volatility

FID vs. IEFA - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust S&P International Dividend Aristocrats ETF (FID) is 2.98%, while iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF (IEFA) has a volatility of 4.75%. This indicates that FID experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than IEFA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

FIDIEFADifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

2.98%

4.75%

-1.77%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

8.13%

12.44%

-4.31%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

10.16%

14.94%

-4.78%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

17.04%

16.50%

+0.54%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

18.95%

17.29%

+1.66%

FID vs. IEFA - Expense Ratio Comparison

FID has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is higher than IEFA's 0.07% expense ratio.

Dividends

FID vs. IEFA - Dividend Comparison

FID's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.00%, more than IEFA's 3.24% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
FID
First Trust S&P International Dividend Aristocrats ETF		4.00%4.30%4.31%4.19%4.22%3.76%3.91%3.70%1.74%0.00%0.00%0.00%
IEFA
iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF		3.24%3.55%3.47%3.20%2.70%3.32%1.90%3.18%3.46%2.57%2.96%2.63%

Frequently Asked Questions

FID and IEFA have a correlation of 0.82, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

IEFA has higher volatility (4.75%) compared to FID (2.98%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FID dropped -39.79% vs IEFA's -34.78%.

On 5-year performance, IEFA leads with 8.23% vs 7.84% for FID. On fees, IEFA is cheaper at 0.07% per year. On volatility, FID has been the lower-risk option at 2.98%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 5-year period, IEFA has performed better with a 8.23% return vs 7.84%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

IEFA is cheaper with a 0.07% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for FID.

FID has the higher dividend yield at 4.00%, compared with 3.24% for IEFA.

FID tracks S&P International Dividend Aristocrats Index, while IEFA tracks MSCI EAFE IMI Index (Net). They also come from different issuers: First Trust and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for FID and 0.07% for IEFA.

FID currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.27 vs 1.50), 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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