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IEFA vs. IJH
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

IEFA vs. IJH

Last updated Aug 4, 2026
Documentation

IEFA (iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF) and IJH (iShares Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IEFA is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the MSCI EAFE IMI Index (Net), while IJH is a Mid Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the S&P MidCap 400 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IEFA returned 9.52%/yr vs 10.97%/yr for IJH. Their 0.75 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. IEFA charges 0.07%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for IJH.

Performance

IEFA vs. IJH - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF (IEFA) and iShares Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF (IJH). 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 12.10% return, which is significantly lower than IJH's 15.88% return. Over the past 10 years, IEFA has underperformed IJH with an annualized return of 9.52%, while IJH has yielded a comparatively higher 10.97% annualized 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%

IJH

1D
1.12%
1M
0.03%
6M
10.44%
YTD
15.88%
1Y
24.18%
3Y*
13.99%
5Y*
8.86%
10Y*
10.97%
ALL TIME*
9.89%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

Liquidity Comparison

PositionAvg. Volume Value (2W)Avg. Volume Value (1M)Avg. Volume Value (3M)

IEFA

iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF
$866.09M$876.15M$940.56M

IJH

iShares Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF
$455.75M$451.31M$537.83M

IEFA vs. IJH - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
IEFA
iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF		12.10%32.08%3.26%17.95%-15.24%11.63%8.18%22.64%-14.14%26.57%
IJH
iShares Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF		15.88%7.42%13.92%16.40%-13.11%24.72%13.60%26.10%-11.19%16.26%

Correlation

The correlation between IEFA and IJH is 0.70, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.

0.70

Correlation (3Y)
Balances recent behavior with more history.

0.71

Correlation (5Y)
Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.

0.75

Correlation (10Y)
Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.

0.74

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 24, 2012

0.75

The correlation between IEFA and IJH has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.70 to 0.75 - a consistent structural relationship.

IEFA vs. IJH - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
IEFA
IJH

Financial Services

23.1%
13.9%

Industrials

19.7%
25.2%

Technology

12.6%
17.5%

Healthcare

9.8%
8.9%

Consumer Cyclical

8.1%
10.5%

Consumer Defensive

6.5%
3.2%

Basic Materials

6.3%
4.8%

Communication Services

4.3%
1.5%

Utilities

3.5%
2.8%

Energy

3.3%
4.6%

Real Estate

2.8%
7.2%

Financial Services

IEFA
23.1%
IJH
13.9%

Industrials

IEFA
19.7%
IJH
25.2%

Technology

IEFA
12.6%
IJH
17.5%

Healthcare

IEFA
9.8%
IJH
8.9%

Consumer Cyclical

IEFA
8.1%
IJH
10.5%

Consumer Defensive

IEFA
6.5%
IJH
3.2%

Basic Materials

IEFA
6.3%
IJH
4.8%

Communication Services

IEFA
4.3%
IJH
1.5%

Utilities

IEFA
3.5%
IJH
2.8%

Energy

IEFA
3.3%
IJH
4.6%

Real Estate

IEFA
2.8%
IJH
7.2%

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

iShares Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF

Often compared with IEFA:
IEFA vs. VEAIEFA vs. VXUSIEFA vs. EFAIEFA vs. FSPSXIEFA vs. IEMGIEFA vs. XEF.TOIEFA vs. IXUS
Often compared with IJH:
IJH vs. VOIJH vs. IJRIJH vs. MDYIJH vs. SCHMIJH vs. IJKIJH vs. IJJIJH vs. IVOO

Return for Risk

IEFA vs. IJH — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.
IEFA
IEFA Risk / Return Rank: 6767
Overall Rank
IEFA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6969
Sharpe Ratio Rank
IEFA Sortino Ratio Rank: 7070
Sortino Ratio Rank
IEFA Omega Ratio Rank: 6868
Omega Ratio Rank
IEFA Calmar Ratio Rank: 6161
Calmar Ratio Rank
IEFA Martin Ratio Rank: 6868
Martin Ratio Rank
IJH
IJH Risk / Return Rank: 7070
Overall Rank
IJH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6666
Sharpe Ratio Rank
IJH Sortino Ratio Rank: 6969
Sortino Ratio Rank
IJH Omega Ratio Rank: 6464
Omega Ratio Rank
IJH Calmar Ratio Rank: 7676
Calmar Ratio Rank
IJH Martin Ratio Rank: 7777
Martin Ratio Rank
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. IJH - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF (IEFA) and iShares Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF (IJH). 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.

IEFAIJHDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.61
1.55

+0.06

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.30
2.28

+0.02

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.29

1.28

+0.02

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

2.19

2.75

-0.56

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

8.42

10.01

-1.59

IEFA vs. IJH - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IEFA Sharpe Ratio is 1.61, which is comparable to the IJH Sharpe Ratio of 1.55. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IEFA and IJH, 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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Drawdowns

IEFA vs. IJH - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IEFA drawdown since its inception was -34.78%, smaller than the maximum IJH drawdown of -55.07%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IEFA and IJH.

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Drawdown Indicators

IEFAIJHDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-34.78%

-55.07%

+20.29%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-11.50%

-8.83%

-2.67%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-13.76%

-24.10%

+10.34%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-30.41%

-24.10%

-6.31%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-34.78%

-42.18%

+7.40%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-0.21%

-1.30%

+1.09%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-6.63%

-7.53%

+0.90%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

2.99%

2.42%

+0.57%

Volatility

IEFA vs. IJH - Volatility Comparison

iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF (IEFA) has a higher volatility of 4.60% compared to iShares Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF (IJH) at 3.63%. This indicates that IEFA's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IJH based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

IEFAIJHDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

4.60%

3.63%

+0.97%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

13.60%

11.63%

+1.97%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

15.68%

15.70%

-0.02%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

16.64%

19.68%

-3.04%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

17.04%

21.14%

-4.10%

IEFA vs. IJH - Expense Ratio Comparison

IEFA has a 0.07% expense ratio, which is higher than IJH's 0.05% 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

IEFA vs. IJH - Dividend Comparison

IEFA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.33%, more than IJH's 1.17% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
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%
IJH
iShares Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF		1.17%1.36%1.33%1.46%1.68%1.18%1.28%1.63%1.72%1.19%1.60%1.56%

Frequently Asked Questions

IEFA and IJH have a correlation of 0.70, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

IEFA has higher volatility (4.60%) compared to IJH (3.63%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IEFA dropped -34.78% vs IJH's -55.07%.

On 10-year performance, IJH leads with 10.97% vs 9.52% for IEFA. On fees, IJH is cheaper at 0.05% per year. On volatility, IJH has been the lower-risk option at 3.63%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, IJH has performed better with a 10.97% return vs 9.52%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

IJH is cheaper with a 0.05% expense ratio, compared with 0.07% for IEFA.

IEFA has the higher dividend yield at 3.33%, compared with 1.17% for IJH.

IEFA is categorized as Foreign Large Cap Equities, while IJH is Mid Cap Blend Equities. IEFA tracks MSCI EAFE IMI Index (Net), while IJH tracks S&P MidCap 400 Index. Their fees differ too: 0.07% for IEFA and 0.05% for IJH.

IEFA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.61 vs 1.55), 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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