IEFA vs. EPIN

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

IEFA (iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF) and EPIN (Harbor International Equity ETF) are both Foreign Large Cap Equities funds. IEFA is passively managed, while EPIN is actively managed. Over the past year, IEFA returned 25.11% vs 38.63% for EPIN. Their correlation of 0.88 means they have usually moved in the same direction. IEFA charges 0.07%/yr vs 0.80%/yr for EPIN.

Performance

IEFA vs. EPIN - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IEFA achieves a 12.10% return, which is significantly lower than EPIN's 23.91% return.

IEFA

• 1D: 0.43%
• 1M: 1.41%
• 6M: 6.08%
• YTD: 12.10%
• 1Y: 25.11%
• 3Y*: 17.33%
• 5Y*: 8.81%
• 10Y*: 9.52%
• ALL TIME*: 8.55%

EPIN

• 1D: 0.45%
• 1M: -0.25%
• 6M: 14.24%
• YTD: 23.91%
• 1Y: 38.63%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 35.02%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
EPIN Harbor International Equity ETF	$42.70K	$24.96K	$19.91K
IEFA iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF	$866.09M	$876.15M	$940.56M

IEFA vs. EPIN - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
IEFA iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF	12.10%	11.51%
EPIN Harbor International Equity ETF	23.91%	14.36%

Correlation

The correlation between IEFA and EPIN is 0.88, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.88
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 5, 2025	0.88

The correlation between IEFA and EPIN has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.88 to 0.88 - a consistent structural relationship.

IEFA vs. EPIN - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IEFA	EPIN
Financial Services	23.1%	19.1%
Industrials	19.7%	20.6%
Technology	12.6%	29.6%
Healthcare	9.8%	8.2%
Consumer Cyclical	8.1%	7.0%
Consumer Defensive	6.5%	3.6%
Basic Materials	6.3%	7.1%
Communication Services	4.3%	1.0%
Utilities	3.5%	-
Energy	3.3%	3.8%
Real Estate	2.8%	-

Return for Risk

IEFA vs. EPIN — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

IEFA

IEFA Risk / Return Rank: 67
IEFA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
IEFA Sortino Ratio Rank: 70
IEFA Omega Ratio Rank: 68
IEFA Calmar Ratio Rank: 61
IEFA Martin Ratio Rank: 68

EPIN

EPIN Risk / Return Rank: 81
EPIN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 81
EPIN Sortino Ratio Rank: 78
EPIN Omega Ratio Rank: 80
EPIN Calmar Ratio Rank: 83
EPIN Martin Ratio Rank: 82

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

IEFA vs. EPIN - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

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

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	IEFA	EPIN	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.61	2.03	-0.42
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.30	2.75	-0.45
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.29	1.37	-0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.19	3.34	-1.14
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.42	12.00	-3.58

IEFA vs. EPIN - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IEFA Sharpe Ratio is 1.61, which is comparable to the EPIN Sharpe Ratio of 2.03. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IEFA and EPIN, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

IEFA vs. EPIN - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IEFA drawdown since its inception was -34.78%, which is greater than EPIN's maximum drawdown of -11.64%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IEFA and EPIN.

Drawdown Indicators

	IEFA	EPIN	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-34.78%	-11.64%	-23.14%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.50%	-11.64%	+0.14%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.76%	—	—
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	-0.21%	-2.05%	+1.84%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.63%	-1.93%	-4.70%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.99%	3.23%	-0.24%

Volatility

IEFA vs. EPIN - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF (IEFA) is 4.60%, while Harbor International Equity ETF (EPIN) has a volatility of 5.57%. This indicates that IEFA experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than EPIN based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IEFA	EPIN	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.60%	5.57%	-0.97%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.60%	16.91%	-3.31%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.68%	19.13%	-3.45%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.64%	18.34%	-1.70%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.04%	18.34%	-1.30%

IEFA vs. EPIN - Expense Ratio Comparison

IEFA has a 0.07% expense ratio, which is lower than EPIN's 0.80% expense ratio.

Dividends

IEFA vs. EPIN - Dividend Comparison

IEFA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.33%, more than EPIN's 0.64% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
EPIN Harbor International Equity ETF	0.64%	0.79%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
IEFA iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF	3.33%	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 IEFA and EPIN in my portfolio?

IEFA and EPIN have a correlation of 0.88, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IEFA or EPIN?

EPIN has higher volatility (5.57%) compared to IEFA (4.60%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IEFA dropped -34.78% vs EPIN's -11.64%.

Which ETF is better, IEFA or EPIN?

On 1-year performance, EPIN leads with 38.63% vs 25.11% for IEFA. On fees, IEFA is cheaper at 0.07% per year. On volatility, IEFA has been the lower-risk option at 4.60%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IEFA or EPIN?

Over the 1-year period, EPIN has performed better with a 38.63% return vs 25.11%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IEFA or EPIN?

IEFA is cheaper with a 0.07% expense ratio, compared with 0.80% for EPIN.

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

IEFA has the higher dividend yield at 3.33%, compared with 0.64% for EPIN.

What is the main difference between IEFA and EPIN?

They also come from different issuers: iShares and Harbor. Their fees differ too: 0.07% for IEFA and 0.80% for EPIN.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

EPIN currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.03 vs 1.61), 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.