IEFA vs. EFA
Compare and contrast key facts about iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF (IEFA) and iShares MSCI EAFE ETF (EFA).
IEFA and EFA are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. IEFA is a passively managed fund by iShares that tracks the performance of the MSCI EAFE Investable Market Index. It was launched on Oct 18, 2012. EFA is a passively managed fund by iShares that tracks the performance of the MSCI EAFE Index. It was launched on Aug 14, 2001. Both IEFA and EFA are passive ETFs, meaning that they are not actively managed but aim to replicate the performance of the underlying index as closely as possible.
Scroll down to visually compare performance, riskiness, drawdowns, and other indicators and decide which better suits your portfolio: IEFA or EFA.
Key characteristics
| IEFA | EFA | |
|---|---|---|
| YTD Return | 2.57% | 3.12% |
| 1Y Return | 9.75% | 10.07% |
| 3Y Return (Ann) | 1.67% | 2.43% |
| 5Y Return (Ann) | 6.08% | 6.24% |
| 10Y Return (Ann) | 4.65% | 4.45% |
| Sharpe Ratio | 0.65 | 0.68 |
| Daily Std Dev | 12.55% | 12.46% |
| Max Drawdown | -34.78% | -61.04% |
| Current Drawdown | -3.05% | -2.92% |
Correlation
The correlation between IEFA and EFA is 0.99, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.
Performance
IEFA vs. EFA - Performance Comparison
In the year-to-date period, IEFA achieves a 2.57% return, which is significantly lower than EFA's 3.12% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with IEFA having a 4.65% annualized return and EFA not far behind at 4.45%. The chart below displays the growth of a $10,000 investment in both assets, with all prices adjusted for splits and dividends.
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IEFA vs. EFA - Expense Ratio Comparison
IEFA has a 0.07% expense ratio, which is lower than EFA's 0.32% expense ratio.
Risk-Adjusted Performance
IEFA vs. EFA - Risk-Adjusted Performance Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF (IEFA) and iShares MSCI EAFE ETF (EFA). 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.
Dividends
IEFA vs. EFA - Dividend Comparison
IEFA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.12%, more than EFA's 2.89% yield.
| TTM | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IEFA iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF | 3.12% | 3.20% | 2.70% | 3.32% | 1.90% | 3.18% | 3.46% | 2.57% | 2.96% | 2.63% | 3.10% | 2.16% |
EFA iShares MSCI EAFE ETF | 2.89% | 2.98% | 2.69% | 3.33% | 2.13% | 3.10% | 3.39% | 2.57% | 3.07% | 2.76% | 3.72% | 2.54% |
Drawdowns
IEFA vs. EFA - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum IEFA drawdown since its inception was -34.78%, smaller than the maximum EFA drawdown of -61.04%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IEFA and EFA. For additional features, visit the drawdowns tool.
Volatility
IEFA vs. EFA - Volatility Comparison
iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF (IEFA) and iShares MSCI EAFE ETF (EFA) have volatilities of 3.34% and 3.32%, 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.