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IEFA vs. IXUS
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

IEFA vs. IXUS

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

IEFA (iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF) and IXUS (iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF) are both Foreign Large Cap Equities funds from iShares - IEFA tracks the MSCI EAFE IMI Index (Net) while IXUS tracks the MSCI ACWI ex USA IMI Index (Net). Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IEFA returned 10.18%/yr vs 10.55%/yr for IXUS. With a 0.96 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. Both charge a 0.07% expense ratio.

Performance

IEFA vs. IXUS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF (IEFA) and iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF (IXUS). 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 10.65% return, which is significantly lower than IXUS's 16.32% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with IEFA having a 10.18% annualized return and IXUS not far ahead at 10.55%.

IEFA

1D
0.10%
1M
1.81%
YTD
10.65%
6M
11.01%
1Y
25.52%
3Y*
17.62%
5Y*
8.87%
10Y*
10.18%

IXUS

1D
0.23%
1M
3.64%
YTD
16.32%
6M
16.81%
1Y
34.59%
3Y*
20.26%
5Y*
9.16%
10Y*
10.55%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

IEFA vs. IXUS - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
IEFA
iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF		10.65%32.08%3.26%17.95%-15.24%11.63%8.18%22.64%-14.14%26.57%
IXUS
iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF		16.32%32.40%5.19%15.83%-16.47%8.86%10.80%21.71%-14.41%28.12%

Correlation

The correlation between IEFA and IXUS is 0.96 - 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

0.96

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

0.96

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.97

Correlation (10Y)
Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.97

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

0.96

The correlation between IEFA and IXUS has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.96 to 0.97 - a consistent structural relationship.

IEFA vs. IXUS - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
IEFA
IXUS

Financial Services

22.6%
23.8%

Industrials

20.1%
11.3%

Technology

11.6%
30.5%

Healthcare

9.7%
6.5%

Consumer Cyclical

8.3%
5.6%

Basic Materials

6.8%
5.0%

Consumer Defensive

6.2%
3.9%

Communication Services

4.7%
4.2%

Energy

3.6%
4.4%

Utilities

3.5%
1.9%

Real Estate

2.9%
0.2%

Financial Services

IEFA
22.6%
IXUS
23.8%

Industrials

IEFA
20.1%
IXUS
11.3%

Technology

IEFA
11.6%
IXUS
30.5%

Healthcare

IEFA
9.7%
IXUS
6.5%

Consumer Cyclical

IEFA
8.3%
IXUS
5.6%

Basic Materials

IEFA
6.8%
IXUS
5.0%

Consumer Defensive

IEFA
6.2%
IXUS
3.9%

Communication Services

IEFA
4.7%
IXUS
4.2%

Energy

IEFA
3.6%
IXUS
4.4%

Utilities

IEFA
3.5%
IXUS
1.9%

Real Estate

IEFA
2.9%
IXUS
0.2%

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 MSCI Total International Stock ETF

Often compared with IEFA:
IEFA vs. VEAIEFA vs. VXUSIEFA vs. EFAIEFA vs. FSPSXIEFA vs. IEMGIEFA vs. XEF.TOIEFA vs. IDEV
Often compared with IXUS:
IXUS vs. VXUSIXUS vs. ITOTIXUS vs. VEAIXUS vs. SCHFIXUS vs. ACWXIXUS vs. IEMGIXUS vs. IDEV

Return for Risk

IEFA vs. IXUS — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
IEFA
IEFA Risk / Return Rank: 4949
Overall Rank
IEFA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5050
Sharpe Ratio Rank
IEFA Sortino Ratio Rank: 5050
Sortino Ratio Rank
IEFA Omega Ratio Rank: 4949
Omega Ratio Rank
IEFA Calmar Ratio Rank: 4646
Calmar Ratio Rank
IEFA Martin Ratio Rank: 5151
Martin Ratio Rank
IXUS
IXUS Risk / Return Rank: 6767
Overall Rank
IXUS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6868
Sharpe Ratio Rank
IXUS Sortino Ratio Rank: 6666
Sortino Ratio Rank
IXUS Omega Ratio Rank: 7070
Omega Ratio Rank
IXUS Calmar Ratio Rank: 6464
Calmar Ratio Rank
IXUS Martin Ratio Rank: 6666
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. IXUS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF (IEFA) and iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF (IXUS). 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.

IEFAIXUSDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.66
2.14

-0.48

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.38
2.90

-0.53

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.30

1.40

-0.09

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

2.23

3.06

-0.83

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

8.48

11.79

-3.30

IEFA vs. IXUS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IEFA Sharpe Ratio is 1.66, which is comparable to the IXUS Sharpe Ratio of 2.14. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IEFA and IXUS, 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. IXUS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IEFA drawdown since its inception was -34.78%, roughly equal to the maximum IXUS drawdown of -36.22%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IEFA and IXUS.

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Drawdown Indicators

IEFAIXUSDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-34.78%

-36.22%

+1.44%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-11.50%

-11.36%

-0.14%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-13.76%

-13.75%

-0.01%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-30.41%

-30.03%

-0.38%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-34.78%

-36.22%

+1.44%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

0.00%

0.00%

0.00%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-6.67%

-7.48%

+0.81%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

3.02%

2.94%

+0.08%

Volatility

IEFA vs. IXUS - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF (IEFA) is 4.85%, while iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF (IXUS) has a volatility of 6.43%. This indicates that IEFA experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than IXUS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

IEFAIXUSDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

4.85%

6.43%

-1.58%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

13.07%

14.30%

-1.23%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

15.44%

16.28%

-0.84%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

16.59%

16.39%

+0.20%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

17.27%

17.10%

+0.17%

IEFA vs. IXUS - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both IEFA and IXUS have an expense ratio of 0.07%, making them cost-effective options compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios typically range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

IEFA vs. IXUS - Dividend Comparison

IEFA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.38%, more than IXUS's 2.88% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
IEFA
iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF		3.38%3.55%3.47%3.20%2.70%3.32%1.90%3.18%3.46%2.57%2.96%2.63%
IXUS
iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF		2.88%3.24%3.33%3.13%2.48%3.12%1.85%3.09%3.00%2.41%2.58%2.81%

Frequently Asked Questions

With a correlation of 0.96, IEFA and IXUS 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.

IXUS has higher volatility (6.43%) compared to IEFA (4.85%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IEFA dropped -34.78% vs IXUS's -36.22%.

On 10-year performance, IXUS leads with 10.55% vs 10.18% for IEFA. Both ETFs have the same 0.07% expense ratio. On volatility, IEFA has been the lower-risk option at 4.85%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, IXUS has performed better with a 10.55% return vs 10.18%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

IEFA and IXUS have the same expense ratio: 0.07% per year.

IEFA has the higher dividend yield at 3.38%, compared with 2.88% for IXUS.

IEFA tracks MSCI EAFE IMI Index (Net), while IXUS tracks MSCI ACWI ex USA IMI Index (Net).

IXUS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.14 vs 1.66), 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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