FILFX vs. IEFA

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

FILFX (Strategic Advisers International Fund) and IEFA (iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF) are both Foreign Large Cap Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, FILFX returned 9.56%/yr vs 9.31%/yr for IEFA. Their correlation of 0.93 suggests significant overlap in exposure. FILFX charges 0.56%/yr vs 0.07%/yr for IEFA.

Performance

FILFX vs. IEFA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Strategic Advisers International Fund (FILFX) and iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF (IEFA). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with FILFX having a 9.49% return and IEFA slightly higher at 9.71%. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with FILFX having a 9.56% annualized return and IEFA not far behind at 9.31%.

FILFX

• 1D: -0.27%
• 1M: 2.98%
• YTD: 9.49%
• 6M: 12.77%
• 1Y: 21.72%
• 3Y*: 17.00%
• 5Y*: 7.92%
• 10Y*: 9.56%

IEFA

• 1D: 0.53%
• 1M: 2.89%
• YTD: 9.71%
• 6M: 12.86%
• 1Y: 21.97%
• 3Y*: 17.03%
• 5Y*: 8.44%
• 10Y*: 9.31%

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

FILFX vs. IEFA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FILFX Strategic Advisers International Fund	9.49%	30.56%	4.79%	18.21%	-17.44%	10.82%	14.90%	24.04%	-15.25%	26.24%
IEFA iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF	9.71%	32.08%	3.26%	17.95%	-15.24%	11.63%	8.18%	22.64%	-14.14%	26.57%

Correlation

The correlation between FILFX and IEFA is 0.79, 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	0.79
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.87
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.92
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.93
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 25, 2012	0.93

The correlation between FILFX and IEFA shifts across timeframes, from 0.79 (1 year) to 0.93 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

FILFX vs. IEFA — Risk / Return Rank

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

FILFX

FILFX Risk / Return Rank: 47
FILFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 40
FILFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 42
FILFX Omega Ratio Rank: 40
FILFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 59
FILFX Martin Ratio Rank: 53

IEFA

IEFA Risk / Return Rank: 42
IEFA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 41
IEFA Sortino Ratio Rank: 42
IEFA Omega Ratio Rank: 41
IEFA Calmar Ratio Rank: 41
IEFA Martin Ratio Rank: 47

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.

FILFX vs. IEFA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Strategic Advisers International Fund (FILFX) 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.

	FILFX	IEFA	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.86	1.48	+0.38
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.74	2.13	+0.60
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.34	1.27	+0.07
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.97	2.03	+0.94
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	10.94	7.77	+3.17
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FILFX vs. IEFA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FILFX Sharpe Ratio is 1.86, which is comparable to the IEFA Sharpe Ratio of 1.48. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FILFX 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	FILFX	IEFA	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.86	1.48	+0.38
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.50	0.51	-0.01
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.59	0.54	+0.05
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.31	0.51	-0.20

Drawdowns

FILFX vs. IEFA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FILFX drawdown since its inception was -60.75%, which is greater than IEFA's maximum drawdown of -34.78%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FILFX and IEFA.

Drawdown Indicators

	FILFX	IEFA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-60.75%	-34.78%	-25.97%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.19%	-11.50%	+0.31%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.60%	-13.76%	+0.16%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-33.88%	-30.41%	-3.47%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.88%	-34.78%	+0.90%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.50%	-0.42%	-0.08%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-13.37%	-6.69%	-6.68%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.04%	3.01%	+0.03%

Volatility

FILFX vs. IEFA - Volatility Comparison

Strategic Advisers International Fund (FILFX) and iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF (IEFA) have volatilities of 4.96% and 5.00%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FILFX	IEFA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.96%	5.00%	-0.04%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.23%	12.41%	-0.18%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.10%	14.97%	+0.13%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.38%	16.50%	-0.12%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.52%	17.30%	-0.78%

FILFX vs. IEFA - Expense Ratio Comparison

FILFX has a 0.56% expense ratio, which is higher than IEFA's 0.07% expense ratio.

Dividends

FILFX vs. IEFA - Dividend Comparison

FILFX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 9.65%, more than IEFA's 3.24% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FILFX Strategic Advisers International Fund	9.65%	7.33%	3.91%	2.45%	4.58%	8.87%	1.75%	3.26%	6.71%	3.13%	2.16%	3.21%
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

Can I hold both FILFX and IEFA in my portfolio?

FILFX and IEFA have a correlation of 0.79, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FILFX or IEFA?

IEFA has higher volatility (5.00%) compared to FILFX (4.96%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FILFX dropped -60.75% vs IEFA's -34.78%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FILFX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.86 vs 1.48), 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.