IEFA vs. TBUX

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

IEFA (iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF) and TBUX (T. Rowe Price Ultra Short-Term Bond ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IEFA is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the MSCI EAFE IMI Index (Net), while TBUX is a Ultrashort Bond fund actively managed by T. Rowe Price. IEFA is passively managed, while TBUX is actively managed. Over the past 3 years, IEFA returned 16.13%/yr vs 5.85%/yr for TBUX. At a 0.16 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. IEFA charges 0.07%/yr vs 0.17%/yr for TBUX.

Performance

IEFA vs. TBUX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF (IEFA) and T. Rowe Price Ultra Short-Term Bond ETF (TBUX). 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 higher than TBUX's 1.69% 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%

TBUX

• 1D: 0.06%
• 1M: 0.29%
• YTD: 1.69%
• 6M: 2.08%
• 1Y: 4.88%
• 3Y*: 5.85%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

IEFA vs. TBUX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
IEFA iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF	7.49%	32.08%	3.26%	17.95%	-15.24%	2.10%
TBUX T. Rowe Price Ultra Short-Term Bond ETF	1.69%	5.37%	6.38%	6.39%	-0.13%	-0.22%

Correlation

The correlation between IEFA and TBUX is 0.26, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.26
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.17
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 30, 2021	0.16

The correlation between IEFA and TBUX shifts across timeframes, from 0.16 (all time) to 0.26 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

IEFA vs. TBUX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IEFA	TBUX
Financial Services	22.5%	0.5%
Industrials	20.1%	3.5%
Technology	10.8%	52.7%
Healthcare	9.5%	5.0%
Consumer Cyclical	8.0%	14.3%
Basic Materials	7.0%	1.3%
Consumer Defensive	6.6%	5.5%
Communication Services	4.4%	15.2%
Energy	3.8%	0.6%
Utilities	3.6%	1.2%
Real Estate	3.0%	0.2%

Return for Risk

IEFA vs. TBUX — 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

TBUX

TBUX Risk / Return Rank: 99
TBUX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 99
TBUX Sortino Ratio Rank: 99
TBUX Omega Ratio Rank: 99
TBUX Calmar Ratio Rank: 99
TBUX Martin Ratio Rank: 99

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. TBUX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF (IEFA) and T. Rowe Price Ultra Short-Term Bond ETF (TBUX). 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	TBUX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.30	7.27	-5.97
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.88	14.70	-12.82
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.24	3.15	-1.91
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.71	48.80	-47.09
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.52	185.24	-178.73
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. TBUX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IEFA Sharpe Ratio is 1.30, which is lower than the TBUX Sharpe Ratio of 7.27. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IEFA and TBUX, 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	TBUX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.30	7.27	-5.97
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.47	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.54	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.50	3.88	-3.38

Drawdowns

IEFA vs. TBUX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IEFA drawdown since its inception was -34.78%, which is greater than TBUX's maximum drawdown of -1.79%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IEFA and TBUX.

Drawdown Indicators

	IEFA	TBUX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-34.78%	-1.79%	-32.99%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.50%	-0.10%	-11.40%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.76%	-0.33%	-13.43%
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	-2.44%	-0.04%	-2.40%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.69%	-0.28%	-6.41%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.02%	0.03%	+2.99%

Volatility

IEFA vs. TBUX - Volatility Comparison

iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF (IEFA) has a higher volatility of 4.54% compared to T. Rowe Price Ultra Short-Term Bond ETF (TBUX) at 0.22%. This indicates that IEFA's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than TBUX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IEFA	TBUX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.54%	0.22%	+4.32%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.74%	0.46%	+12.28%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.22%	0.67%	+14.55%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.55%	1.07%	+15.48%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.32%	1.07%	+16.25%

IEFA vs. TBUX - Expense Ratio Comparison

IEFA has a 0.07% expense ratio, which is lower than TBUX's 0.17% 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. TBUX - Dividend Comparison

IEFA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.30%, less than TBUX's 4.48% 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%
TBUX T. Rowe Price Ultra Short-Term Bond ETF	4.48%	4.67%	5.39%	4.66%	2.58%	0.27%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IEFA and TBUX in my portfolio?

IEFA and TBUX have a correlation of 0.26, 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 TBUX?

IEFA has higher volatility (4.54%) compared to TBUX (0.22%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IEFA dropped -34.78% vs TBUX's -1.79%.

Which ETF is better, IEFA or TBUX?

On 3-year performance, IEFA leads with 16.13% vs 5.85% for TBUX. On fees, IEFA is cheaper at 0.07% per year. On volatility, TBUX has been the lower-risk option at 0.22%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IEFA or TBUX?

Over the 3-year period, IEFA has performed better with a 16.13% return vs 5.85%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IEFA or TBUX?

IEFA is cheaper with a 0.07% expense ratio, compared with 0.17% for TBUX.

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

TBUX has the higher dividend yield at 4.48%, compared with 3.30% for IEFA.

What is the main difference between IEFA and TBUX?

IEFA is categorized as Foreign Large Cap Equities, while TBUX is Ultrashort Bond. They also come from different issuers: iShares and T. Rowe Price. Their fees differ too: 0.07% for IEFA and 0.17% for TBUX.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

TBUX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (7.27 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.