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IEFA vs. JEPQ
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

IEFA vs. JEPQ

Last updated Jul 26, 2026
Documentation

IEFA (iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF) and JEPQ (JPMorgan Nasdaq Equity Premium Income ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IEFA is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the MSCI EAFE IMI Index (Net), while JEPQ is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the Nasdaq-100 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, IEFA returned 15.52%/yr vs 17.64%/yr for JEPQ. Their 0.67 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. IEFA charges 0.07%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for JEPQ.

Performance

IEFA vs. JEPQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF (IEFA) and JPMorgan Nasdaq Equity Premium Income ETF (JEPQ). 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 9.45% return, which is significantly higher than JEPQ's 5.52% return.

IEFA

1D
0.61%
1M
0.32%
6M
4.92%
YTD
9.45%
1Y
17.75%
3Y*
15.52%
5Y*
8.55%
10Y*
9.38%
ALL TIME*
8.38%

JEPQ

1D
-0.97%
1M
-2.60%
6M
3.56%
YTD
5.52%
1Y
17.19%
3Y*
17.64%
5Y*
—
10Y*
—
ALL TIME*
15.50%
*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
$895.79M$960.37M$950.39M

JEPQ

JPMorgan Nasdaq Equity Premium Income ETF
$411.15M$392.07M$419.06M

IEFA vs. JEPQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)2025202420232022
IEFA
iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF		9.45%32.08%3.26%17.95%-2.81%
JEPQ
JPMorgan Nasdaq Equity Premium Income ETF		5.52%15.18%24.85%36.28%-11.16%

Correlation

The correlation between IEFA and JEPQ is 0.69, 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.

0.69

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

0.64

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since May 4, 2022

0.67

The correlation between IEFA and JEPQ has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.64 to 0.69 - a consistent structural relationship.

IEFA vs. JEPQ - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
IEFA
JEPQ

Financial Services

25.5%
0.3%

Industrials

19.3%
3.0%

Technology

12.1%
60.6%

Healthcare

10.0%
4.0%

Consumer Cyclical

7.3%
11.1%

Consumer Defensive

6.5%
5.8%

Basic Materials

6.2%
0.9%

Energy

3.7%
0.3%

Utilities

3.5%
1.0%

Communication Services

3.4%
12.8%

Real Estate

2.2%
0.2%

Financial Services

IEFA
25.5%
JEPQ
0.3%

Industrials

IEFA
19.3%
JEPQ
3.0%

Technology

IEFA
12.1%
JEPQ
60.6%

Healthcare

IEFA
10.0%
JEPQ
4.0%

Consumer Cyclical

IEFA
7.3%
JEPQ
11.1%

Consumer Defensive

IEFA
6.5%
JEPQ
5.8%

Basic Materials

IEFA
6.2%
JEPQ
0.9%

Energy

IEFA
3.7%
JEPQ
0.3%

Utilities

IEFA
3.5%
JEPQ
1.0%

Communication Services

IEFA
3.4%
JEPQ
12.8%

Real Estate

IEFA
2.2%
JEPQ
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

JPMorgan Nasdaq Equity Premium Income ETF

Often compared with IEFA:
IEFA vs. VEAIEFA vs. VXUSIEFA vs. EFAIEFA vs. FSPSXIEFA vs. IEMGIEFA vs. XEF.TOIEFA vs. IXUS
Often compared with JEPQ:
JEPQ vs. JEPIJEPQ vs. QQQIJEPQ vs. QQQJEPQ vs. SCHDJEPQ vs. QYLDJEPQ vs. GPIQJEPQ vs. SPYI

Return for Risk

IEFA vs. JEPQ — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
IEFA
IEFA Risk / Return Rank: 4747
Overall Rank
IEFA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 4747
Sharpe Ratio Rank
IEFA Sortino Ratio Rank: 4747
Sortino Ratio Rank
IEFA Omega Ratio Rank: 4646
Omega Ratio Rank
IEFA Calmar Ratio Rank: 4343
Calmar Ratio Rank
IEFA Martin Ratio Rank: 5151
Martin Ratio Rank
JEPQ
JEPQ Risk / Return Rank: 5656
Overall Rank
JEPQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5151
Sharpe Ratio Rank
JEPQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 4848
Sortino Ratio Rank
JEPQ Omega Ratio Rank: 5353
Omega Ratio Rank
JEPQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 5757
Calmar Ratio Rank
JEPQ Martin Ratio Rank: 7070
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. JEPQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF (IEFA) and JPMorgan Nasdaq Equity Premium Income ETF (JEPQ). 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.

IEFAJEPQDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.14
1.23

-0.09

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
1.67
1.72

-0.04

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.21

1.23

-0.03

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

1.54

1.97

-0.44

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

5.85

8.72

-2.88

IEFA vs. JEPQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IEFA Sharpe Ratio is 1.14, which is comparable to the JEPQ Sharpe Ratio of 1.23. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IEFA and JEPQ, 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. JEPQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IEFA drawdown since its inception was -34.78%, which is greater than JEPQ's maximum drawdown of -20.07%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IEFA and JEPQ.

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Drawdown Indicators

IEFAJEPQDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-34.78%

-20.07%

-14.71%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-11.50%

-8.82%

-2.68%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-13.76%

-20.07%

+6.31%

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

-2.00%

-4.71%

+2.71%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-6.63%

-3.37%

-3.26%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

3.02%

1.99%

+1.03%

Volatility

IEFA vs. JEPQ - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF (IEFA) is 4.00%, while JPMorgan Nasdaq Equity Premium Income ETF (JEPQ) has a volatility of 5.63%. This indicates that IEFA experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than JEPQ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

IEFAJEPQDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

4.00%

5.63%

-1.63%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

13.48%

11.56%

+1.92%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

15.55%

14.13%

+1.42%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

16.59%

16.84%

-0.25%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

17.02%

16.84%

+0.18%

IEFA vs. JEPQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

IEFA has a 0.07% expense ratio, which is lower than JEPQ's 0.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

IEFA vs. JEPQ - Dividend Comparison

IEFA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.41%, less than JEPQ's 10.80% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
IEFA
iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF		3.41%3.55%3.47%3.20%2.70%3.32%1.90%3.18%3.46%2.57%2.96%2.63%
JEPQ
JPMorgan Nasdaq Equity Premium Income ETF		10.80%10.53%9.65%10.03%9.44%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

IEFA and JEPQ have a correlation of 0.69, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

JEPQ has higher volatility (5.63%) compared to IEFA (4.00%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IEFA dropped -34.78% vs JEPQ's -20.07%.

On 3-year performance, JEPQ leads with 17.64% vs 15.52% for IEFA. On fees, IEFA is cheaper at 0.07% per year. On volatility, IEFA has been the lower-risk option at 4.00%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 3-year period, JEPQ has performed better with a 17.64% return vs 15.52%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

IEFA is cheaper with a 0.07% expense ratio, compared with 0.35% for JEPQ.

JEPQ has the higher dividend yield at 10.80%, compared with 3.41% for IEFA.

IEFA is categorized as Foreign Large Cap Equities, while JEPQ is Nasdaq-100. IEFA tracks MSCI EAFE IMI Index (Net), while JEPQ tracks Nasdaq-100 Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and JPMorgan. Their fees differ too: 0.07% for IEFA and 0.35% for JEPQ.

JEPQ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.23 vs 1.14), 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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