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IEFA vs. AVSD
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

IEFA vs. AVSD

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

IEFA (iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF) and AVSD (Avantis Responsible International Equity ETF) are both Foreign Large Cap Equities funds - IEFA tracks the MSCI EAFE IMI Index (Net) while AVSD tracks the MSCI World ex USA IMI. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, IEFA returned 16.72%/yr vs 19.59%/yr for AVSD. With a 0.99 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. IEFA charges 0.07%/yr vs 0.23%/yr for AVSD.

Performance

IEFA vs. AVSD - Performance Comparison

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

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IEFA achieves a 8.85% return, which is significantly higher than AVSD's 7.97% return.

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%

AVSD

1D
-0.89%
1M
3.73%
YTD
7.97%
6M
11.12%
1Y
23.43%
3Y*
19.59%
5Y*
—
10Y*
—
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

IEFA vs. AVSD - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)2025202420232022
IEFA
iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF		8.85%32.08%3.26%17.95%-8.43%
AVSD
Avantis Responsible International Equity ETF		7.97%37.07%6.69%17.49%-9.69%

Correlation

The correlation between IEFA and AVSD is 0.98 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

0.98

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

0.99

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 18, 2022

0.99

The correlation between IEFA and AVSD has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.98 to 0.99 - a consistent structural relationship.

IEFA vs. AVSD - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
IEFA
AVSD

Financial Services

22.5%
32.2%

Industrials

20.1%
16.8%

Technology

10.8%
9.7%

Healthcare

9.5%
7.9%

Consumer Cyclical

8.0%
12.0%

Basic Materials

7.0%
5.9%

Consumer Defensive

6.6%
5.0%

Communication Services

4.4%
4.9%

Energy

3.8%
0.4%

Utilities

3.6%
2.8%

Real Estate

3.0%
2.6%

Financial Services

IEFA
22.5%
AVSD
32.2%

Industrials

IEFA
20.1%
AVSD
16.8%

Technology

IEFA
10.8%
AVSD
9.7%

Healthcare

IEFA
9.5%
AVSD
7.9%

Consumer Cyclical

IEFA
8.0%
AVSD
12.0%

Basic Materials

IEFA
7.0%
AVSD
5.9%

Consumer Defensive

IEFA
6.6%
AVSD
5.0%

Communication Services

IEFA
4.4%
AVSD
4.9%

Energy

IEFA
3.8%
AVSD
0.4%

Utilities

IEFA
3.6%
AVSD
2.8%

Real Estate

IEFA
3.0%
AVSD
2.6%

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

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

iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF

Avantis Responsible International Equity ETF

Often compared with IEFA:
IEFA vs. VEAIEFA vs. VXUSIEFA vs. EFAIEFA vs. FSPSXIEFA vs. IEMGIEFA vs. XEF.TOIEFA vs. IXUS
Often compared with AVSD:
AVSD vs. DIHPAVSD vs. CVIEAVSD vs. IDMOAVSD vs. VXUSAVSD vs. AVDEAVSD vs. VEAAVSD vs. AVDV

Return for Risk

IEFA vs. AVSD — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
IEFA
IEFA Risk / Return Rank: 4141
Overall Rank
IEFA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 4141
Sharpe Ratio Rank
IEFA Sortino Ratio Rank: 4141
Sortino Ratio Rank
IEFA Omega Ratio Rank: 4141
Omega Ratio Rank
IEFA Calmar Ratio Rank: 3838
Calmar Ratio Rank
IEFA Martin Ratio Rank: 4444
Martin Ratio Rank
AVSD
AVSD Risk / Return Rank: 4343
Overall Rank
AVSD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 4444
Sharpe Ratio Rank
AVSD Sortino Ratio Rank: 4444
Sortino Ratio Rank
AVSD Omega Ratio Rank: 4444
Omega Ratio Rank
AVSD Calmar Ratio Rank: 3838
Calmar Ratio Rank
AVSD Martin Ratio Rank: 4444
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.

IEFA vs. AVSD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF (IEFA) and Avantis Responsible International Equity ETF (AVSD). 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.

IEFAAVSDDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.48
1.55

-0.07

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.14
2.24

-0.11

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.27

1.28

-0.01

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

1.92

1.86

+0.06

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

7.34

7.20

+0.13

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

IEFA vs. AVSD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IEFA Sharpe Ratio is 1.48, which is comparable to the AVSD Sharpe Ratio of 1.55. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IEFA and AVSD, 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

IEFAAVSDDifference

Sharpe Ratio (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

1.48

1.55

-0.07

Sharpe Ratio (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.49

—

—

Sharpe Ratio (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.53

—

—

Sharpe Ratio (All Time)

Calculated using the full available price history

0.51

0.79

-0.28

Drawdowns

IEFA vs. AVSD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IEFA drawdown since its inception was -34.78%, which is greater than AVSD's maximum drawdown of -25.56%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IEFA and AVSD.

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Drawdown Indicators

IEFAAVSDDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-34.78%

-25.56%

-9.22%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-11.50%

-12.63%

+1.13%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-13.76%

-13.30%

-0.46%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-30.41%

—

—

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-34.78%

—

—

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-1.20%

-1.38%

+0.18%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-6.69%

-4.92%

-1.77%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

3.01%

3.26%

-0.25%

Volatility

IEFA vs. AVSD - Volatility Comparison

iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF (IEFA) and Avantis Responsible International Equity ETF (AVSD) have volatilities of 4.86% and 4.90%, 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.

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Volatility by Period

IEFAAVSDDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

4.86%

4.90%

-0.04%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

12.42%

12.75%

-0.33%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

14.96%

15.23%

-0.27%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

16.51%

16.66%

-0.15%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

17.30%

16.66%

+0.64%

IEFA vs. AVSD - Expense Ratio Comparison

IEFA has a 0.07% expense ratio, which is lower than AVSD's 0.23% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

IEFA vs. AVSD - Dividend Comparison

IEFA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.26%, more than AVSD's 2.44% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
AVSD
Avantis Responsible International Equity ETF		2.44%2.54%3.25%2.53%1.35%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%
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

With a correlation of 0.98, IEFA and AVSD 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.

AVSD has higher volatility (4.90%) compared to IEFA (4.86%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IEFA dropped -34.78% vs AVSD's -25.56%.

On 3-year performance, AVSD leads with 19.59% vs 16.72% for IEFA. On fees, IEFA is cheaper at 0.07% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 3-year period, AVSD has performed better with a 19.59% return vs 16.72%. 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 0.23% for AVSD.

IEFA has the higher dividend yield at 3.26%, compared with 2.44% for AVSD.

IEFA tracks MSCI EAFE IMI Index (Net), while AVSD tracks MSCI World ex USA IMI. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Avantis. Their fees differ too: 0.07% for IEFA and 0.23% for AVSD.

AVSD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.55 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.

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