FIXIX vs. IEFA

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

FIXIX (Fidelity Advisor International Small Cap Fund Class I) and IEFA (iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF) are both funds - FIXIX is a Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities fund managed by Fidelity, while IEFA is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the MSCI EAFE Investable Market Index. Over the past 10 years, FIXIX returned 8.89%/yr vs 9.22%/yr for IEFA. Their correlation of 0.87 suggests significant overlap in exposure. FIXIX charges 1.02%/yr vs 0.07%/yr for IEFA.

Performance

FIXIX vs. IEFA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Fidelity Advisor International Small Cap Fund Class I (FIXIX) and iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF (IEFA). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FIXIX achieves a 10.19% return, which is significantly higher than IEFA's 8.85% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with FIXIX having a 8.89% annualized return and IEFA not far ahead at 9.22%.

FIXIX

• 1D: -0.37%
• 1M: 3.44%
• YTD: 10.19%
• 6M: 12.14%
• 1Y: 18.91%
• 3Y*: 14.41%
• 5Y*: 6.28%
• 10Y*: 8.89%

IEFA

• 1D: -0.78%
• 1M: 3.43%
• YTD: 8.85%
• 6M: 11.45%
• 1Y: 22.00%
• 3Y*: 16.72%
• 5Y*: 8.07%
• 10Y*: 9.22%

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

FIXIX vs. IEFA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FIXIX Fidelity Advisor International Small Cap Fund Class I	10.19%	24.65%	0.02%	19.63%	-16.66%	13.44%	9.97%	21.45%	-16.09%	31.49%
IEFA iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF	8.85%	32.08%	3.26%	17.95%	-15.24%	11.63%	8.18%	22.64%	-14.14%	26.57%

Correlation

The correlation between FIXIX and IEFA is 0.84, 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	0.84
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.88
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.91
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.89
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 25, 2012	0.87

The correlation between FIXIX and IEFA has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.84 to 0.91 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

FIXIX vs. IEFA — Risk / Return Rank

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

FIXIX

FIXIX Risk / Return Rank: 27
FIXIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 29
FIXIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 28
FIXIX Omega Ratio Rank: 30
FIXIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 22
FIXIX Martin Ratio Rank: 25

IEFA

IEFA Risk / Return Rank: 41
IEFA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 41
IEFA Sortino Ratio Rank: 41
IEFA Omega Ratio Rank: 41
IEFA Calmar Ratio Rank: 38
IEFA Martin Ratio Rank: 44

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.

FIXIX vs. IEFA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Fidelity Advisor International Small Cap Fund Class I (FIXIX) 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.

	FIXIX	IEFA	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.52	1.48	+0.04
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.21	2.14	+0.07
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.29	1.27	+0.02
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.73	1.92	-0.19
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	6.21	7.34	-1.13
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FIXIX vs. IEFA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FIXIX Sharpe Ratio is 1.52, which is comparable to the IEFA Sharpe Ratio of 1.48. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FIXIX 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

	FIXIX	IEFA	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.52	1.48	+0.04
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.47	0.49	-0.03
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.63	0.53	+0.10
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.74	0.51	+0.23

Drawdowns

FIXIX vs. IEFA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FIXIX drawdown since its inception was -60.85%, which is greater than IEFA's maximum drawdown of -34.78%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FIXIX and IEFA.

Drawdown Indicators

	FIXIX	IEFA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-60.85%	-34.78%	-26.07%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.73%	-11.50%	+0.77%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-12.69%	-13.76%	+1.07%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-31.05%	-30.41%	-0.64%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-38.82%	-34.78%	-4.04%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.07%	-1.20%	+0.13%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.57%	-6.69%	-3.88%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.99%	3.01%	-0.02%

Volatility

FIXIX vs. IEFA - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Fidelity Advisor International Small Cap Fund Class I (FIXIX) is 3.81%, while iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF (IEFA) has a volatility of 4.86%. This indicates that FIXIX 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.

Volatility by Period

	FIXIX	IEFA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.81%	4.86%	-1.05%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.15%	12.42%	-2.27%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.24%	14.96%	-2.72%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.55%	16.51%	-2.96%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	14.05%	17.30%	-3.25%

FIXIX vs. IEFA - Expense Ratio Comparison

FIXIX has a 1.02% expense ratio, which is higher than IEFA's 0.07% expense ratio.

Dividends

FIXIX vs. IEFA - Dividend Comparison

FIXIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.21%, less than IEFA's 3.26% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FIXIX Fidelity Advisor International Small Cap Fund Class I	3.21%	3.54%	2.59%	1.88%	0.68%	7.25%	0.81%	2.32%	6.13%	2.45%	2.81%	2.78%
IEFA iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF	3.26%	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 FIXIX and IEFA in my portfolio?

FIXIX and IEFA have a correlation of 0.84, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FIXIX or IEFA?

IEFA has higher volatility (4.86%) compared to FIXIX (3.81%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FIXIX dropped -60.85% vs IEFA's -34.78%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FIXIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.52 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.