HFXI vs. IEFA

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

HFXI (IQ 50 Percent Hedged FTSE International ETF) and IEFA (iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF) are both Foreign Large Cap Equities funds - HFXI tracks the FTSE Developed ex North America 50% Hedged to USD Index while IEFA tracks the MSCI EAFE IMI Index (Net). Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, HFXI returned 11.43%/yr vs 9.37%/yr for IEFA. Their correlation of 0.91 suggests significant overlap in exposure. HFXI charges 0.20%/yr vs 0.07%/yr for IEFA.

Performance

HFXI vs. IEFA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in IQ 50 Percent Hedged FTSE International ETF (HFXI) 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, HFXI achieves a 14.20% return, which is significantly higher than IEFA's 7.49% return. Over the past 10 years, HFXI has outperformed IEFA with an annualized return of 11.43%, while IEFA has yielded a comparatively lower 9.37% annualized return.

HFXI

• 1D: 0.98%
• 1M: -0.03%
• YTD: 14.20%
• 6M: 17.07%
• 1Y: 30.93%
• 3Y*: 19.41%
• 5Y*: 11.57%
• 10Y*: 11.43%

IEFA

• 1D: 0.63%
• 1M: -1.17%
• YTD: 7.49%
• 6M: 10.04%
• 1Y: 19.61%
• 3Y*: 16.13%
• 5Y*: 7.82%
• 10Y*: 9.37%

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

HFXI vs. IEFA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
HFXI IQ 50 Percent Hedged FTSE International ETF	14.20%	30.10%	7.58%	19.56%	-10.71%	13.96%	6.88%	23.67%	-12.69%	22.68%
IEFA iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF	7.49%	32.08%	3.26%	17.95%	-15.24%	11.63%	8.18%	22.64%	-14.14%	26.57%

Correlation

The correlation between HFXI and IEFA is 0.95, 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	0.95
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.94
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.95
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.92
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 22, 2015	0.91

The correlation between HFXI and IEFA has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.91 to 0.95 - a consistent structural relationship.

HFXI vs. IEFA - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	HFXI	IEFA
Financial Services	22.8%	22.5%
Industrials	20.1%	20.1%
Technology	14.6%	10.8%
Healthcare	9.5%	9.5%
Consumer Cyclical	7.7%	8.0%
Consumer Defensive	6.3%	6.6%
Basic Materials	5.9%	7.0%
Energy	3.6%	3.8%
Utilities	3.6%	3.6%
Communication Services	3.5%	4.4%
Real Estate	2.5%	3.0%

Return for Risk

HFXI vs. IEFA — Risk / Return Rank

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

HFXI

HFXI Risk / Return Rank: 68
HFXI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 70
HFXI Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
HFXI Omega Ratio Rank: 72
HFXI Calmar Ratio Rank: 64
HFXI Martin Ratio Rank: 68

IEFA

IEFA Risk / Return Rank: 40
IEFA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 41
IEFA Sortino Ratio Rank: 40
IEFA Omega Ratio Rank: 40
IEFA Calmar Ratio Rank: 38
IEFA Martin Ratio Rank: 43

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.

HFXI vs. IEFA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for IQ 50 Percent Hedged FTSE International ETF (HFXI) 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.

	HFXI	IEFA	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.05	1.30	+0.76
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.81	1.88	+0.93
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.38	1.24	+0.14
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.87	1.71	+1.15
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.31	6.52	+4.79
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

HFXI vs. IEFA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current HFXI Sharpe Ratio is 2.05, which is higher than the IEFA Sharpe Ratio of 1.30. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of HFXI 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

	HFXI	IEFA	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.05	1.30	+0.76
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.78	0.47	+0.30
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.69	0.54	+0.15
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.55	0.50	+0.05

Drawdowns

HFXI vs. IEFA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum HFXI drawdown since its inception was -32.42%, smaller than the maximum IEFA drawdown of -34.78%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for HFXI and IEFA.

Drawdown Indicators

	HFXI	IEFA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-32.42%	-34.78%	+2.36%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.84%	-11.50%	+0.66%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.52%	-13.76%	+0.24%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-22.35%	-30.41%	+8.06%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-32.42%	-34.78%	+2.36%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.94%	-2.44%	-0.50%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.45%	-6.69%	+1.24%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.74%	3.02%	-0.28%

Volatility

HFXI vs. IEFA - Volatility Comparison

IQ 50 Percent Hedged FTSE International ETF (HFXI) has a higher volatility of 5.75% compared to iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF (IEFA) at 4.54%. This indicates that HFXI's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IEFA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	HFXI	IEFA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.75%	4.54%	+1.21%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.97%	12.74%	+0.23%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.17%	15.22%	-0.05%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.94%	16.55%	-1.61%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.67%	17.32%	-0.65%

HFXI vs. IEFA - Expense Ratio Comparison

HFXI has a 0.20% expense ratio, which is higher than IEFA's 0.07% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

HFXI vs. IEFA - Dividend Comparison

HFXI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.94%, more than IEFA's 3.30% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
HFXI IQ 50 Percent Hedged FTSE International ETF	3.94%	4.19%	2.68%	2.49%	4.65%	3.10%	2.00%	3.19%	4.33%	2.56%	2.71%	0.78%
IEFA iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF	3.30%	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 HFXI and IEFA in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.95, HFXI and IEFA move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, HFXI or IEFA?

HFXI has higher volatility (5.75%) compared to IEFA (4.54%). In terms of maximum drawdown, HFXI dropped -32.42% vs IEFA's -34.78%.

Which ETF is better, HFXI or IEFA?

On 10-year performance, HFXI leads with 11.43% vs 9.37% for IEFA. On fees, IEFA is cheaper at 0.07% per year. On volatility, IEFA has been the lower-risk option at 4.54%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, HFXI or IEFA?

Over the 10-year period, HFXI has performed better with a 11.43% return vs 9.37%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, HFXI or IEFA?

IEFA is cheaper with a 0.07% expense ratio, compared with 0.20% for HFXI.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, HFXI or IEFA?

HFXI has the higher dividend yield at 3.94%, compared with 3.30% for IEFA.

What is the main difference between HFXI and IEFA?

HFXI tracks FTSE Developed ex North America 50% Hedged to USD Index, while IEFA tracks MSCI EAFE IMI Index (Net). They also come from different issuers: New York Life and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.20% for HFXI and 0.07% for IEFA.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

HFXI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.05 vs 1.30), 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.