IEFA vs. IWR

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

IEFA (iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF) and IWR (iShares Russell Midcap ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IEFA is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the MSCI EAFE IMI Index (Net), while IWR is a Mid Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the Russell Midcap Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IEFA returned 9.37%/yr vs 11.41%/yr for IWR. A 0.78 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. IEFA charges 0.07%/yr vs 0.19%/yr for IWR.

Performance

IEFA vs. IWR - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IEFA achieves a 7.49% return, which is significantly lower than IWR's 10.71% return. Over the past 10 years, IEFA has underperformed IWR with an annualized return of 9.37%, while IWR has yielded a comparatively higher 11.41% annualized return.

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%

IWR

• 1D: 0.08%
• 1M: 1.05%
• YTD: 10.71%
• 6M: 10.50%
• 1Y: 19.23%
• 3Y*: 16.25%
• 5Y*: 7.68%
• 10Y*: 11.41%

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

IEFA vs. IWR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
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%
IWR iShares Russell Midcap ETF	10.71%	10.37%	15.21%	17.05%	-17.48%	22.44%	16.93%	30.23%	-9.10%	18.25%

Correlation

The correlation between IEFA and IWR is 0.72, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.72
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.73
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.77
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.77
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 25, 2012	0.78

The correlation between IEFA and IWR has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.72 to 0.78 - a consistent structural relationship.

IEFA vs. IWR - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IEFA	IWR
Financial Services	22.5%	12.5%
Industrials	20.1%	18.4%
Technology	10.8%	17.2%
Healthcare	9.5%	8.7%
Consumer Cyclical	8.0%	11.2%
Basic Materials	7.0%	4.3%
Consumer Defensive	6.6%	4.1%
Communication Services	4.4%	3.4%
Energy	3.8%	7.2%
Utilities	3.6%	6.1%
Real Estate	3.0%	7.0%

Return for Risk

IEFA vs. IWR — Risk / Return Rank

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

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

IWR

IWR Risk / Return Rank: 49
IWR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 45
IWR Sortino Ratio Rank: 46
IWR Omega Ratio Rank: 43
IWR Calmar Ratio Rank: 53
IWR Martin Ratio Rank: 57

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. IWR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF (IEFA) and iShares Russell Midcap ETF (IWR). 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.

	IEFA	IWR	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.30	1.43	-0.13
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.88	2.07	-0.19
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.24	1.25	-0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.71	2.37	-0.65
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.52	9.09	-2.58
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. IWR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IEFA Sharpe Ratio is 1.30, which is comparable to the IWR Sharpe Ratio of 1.43. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IEFA and IWR, 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

	IEFA	IWR	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.30	1.43	-0.13
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.47	0.42	+0.05
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.54	0.59	-0.05
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.50	0.49	+0.01

Drawdowns

IEFA vs. IWR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IEFA drawdown since its inception was -34.78%, smaller than the maximum IWR drawdown of -58.78%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IEFA and IWR.

Drawdown Indicators

	IEFA	IWR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-34.78%	-58.78%	+24.00%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.50%	-8.17%	-3.33%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.76%	-21.09%	+7.33%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-30.41%	-26.18%	-4.23%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.78%	-40.59%	+5.81%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.44%	-2.04%	-0.40%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.69%	-7.80%	+1.11%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.02%	2.12%	+0.90%

Volatility

IEFA vs. IWR - Volatility Comparison

iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF (IEFA) has a higher volatility of 4.54% compared to iShares Russell Midcap ETF (IWR) at 3.59%. This indicates that IEFA's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IWR based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IEFA	IWR	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.54%	3.59%	+0.95%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.74%	10.06%	+2.68%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.22%	13.54%	+1.68%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.55%	18.25%	-1.70%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.32%	19.38%	-2.06%

IEFA vs. IWR - Expense Ratio Comparison

IEFA has a 0.07% expense ratio, which is lower than IWR's 0.19% 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. IWR - Dividend Comparison

IEFA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.30%, more than IWR's 1.17% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%
IWR iShares Russell Midcap ETF	1.17%	1.29%	1.27%	1.43%	1.59%	1.04%	1.28%	1.43%	1.98%	1.52%	1.72%	1.59%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IEFA and IWR in my portfolio?

IEFA and IWR have a correlation of 0.72, 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 IWR?

IEFA has higher volatility (4.54%) compared to IWR (3.59%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IEFA dropped -34.78% vs IWR's -58.78%.

Which ETF is better, IEFA or IWR?

On 10-year performance, IWR leads with 11.41% vs 9.37% for IEFA. On fees, IEFA is cheaper at 0.07% per year. On volatility, IWR has been the lower-risk option at 3.59%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IEFA or IWR?

Over the 10-year period, IWR has performed better with a 11.41% return vs 9.37%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IEFA or IWR?

IEFA is cheaper with a 0.07% expense ratio, compared with 0.19% for IWR.

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

IEFA has the higher dividend yield at 3.30%, compared with 1.17% for IWR.

What is the main difference between IEFA and IWR?

IEFA is categorized as Foreign Large Cap Equities, while IWR is Mid Cap Growth Equities. IEFA tracks MSCI EAFE IMI Index (Net), while IWR tracks Russell Midcap Index. Their fees differ too: 0.07% for IEFA and 0.19% for IWR.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IWR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.43 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.