IEFA vs. USRT
IEFA (iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF) and USRT (iShares Core U.S. REIT ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IEFA is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the MSCI EAFE IMI Index (Net), while USRT is a REIT fund tracking the FTSE Nareit Equity REITS 40 Act Capped Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IEFA returned 9.52%/yr vs 6.14%/yr for USRT. Their 0.50 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. IEFA charges 0.07%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for USRT.
Performance
IEFA vs. USRT - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, IEFA achieves a 12.10% return, which is significantly lower than USRT's 20.34% return. Over the past 10 years, IEFA has outperformed USRT with an annualized return of 9.52%, while USRT has yielded a comparatively lower 6.14% 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%
USRT
- 1D
- 0.06%
- 1M
- 0.70%
- 6M
- 17.86%
- YTD
- 20.34%
- 1Y
- 25.37%
- 3Y*
- 13.00%
- 5Y*
- 5.39%
- 10Y*
- 6.14%
- ALL TIME*
- 5.55%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $866.09M | $876.15M | $940.56M | |
| $32.34M | $32.36M | $34.42M |
IEFA vs. USRT - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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% |
USRT iShares Core U.S. REIT ETF | 20.34% | 2.44% | 8.58% | 13.64% | -24.43% | 43.26% | -8.06% | 25.98% | -4.67% | 5.27% |
Correlation
The correlation between IEFA and USRT is 0.38, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.38 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.50 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.56 |
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions. | 0.50 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 24, 2012 | 0.50 |
The correlation between IEFA and USRT shifts across timeframes, from 0.38 (1 year) to 0.56 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
IEFA vs. USRT — Risk / Return Rank
IEFA
USRT
IEFA vs. USRT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF (IEFA) and iShares Core U.S. REIT ETF (USRT). 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.
| IEFA | USRT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.24 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.28 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.29 | 1.32 | -0.03 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.19 | 3.17 | -0.98 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 8.42 | 10.68 | -2.26 |
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Drawdowns
IEFA vs. USRT - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum IEFA drawdown since its inception was -34.78%, smaller than the maximum USRT drawdown of -69.92%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IEFA and USRT.
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Drawdown Indicators
| IEFA | USRT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -34.78% | -69.92% | +35.14% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -11.50% | -8.04% | -3.46% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -13.76% | -18.70% | +4.94% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -30.41% | -31.03% | +0.62% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -34.78% | -44.38% | +9.60% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.21% | -2.71% | +2.50% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -6.63% | -12.87% | +6.24% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.99% | 2.38% | +0.61% |
Volatility
IEFA vs. USRT - Volatility Comparison
iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF (IEFA) and iShares Core U.S. REIT ETF (USRT) have volatilities of 4.60% and 4.47%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| IEFA | USRT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 4.60% | 4.47% | +0.13% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 13.60% | 10.64% | +2.96% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 15.68% | 13.77% | +1.91% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 16.64% | 18.94% | -2.30% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 17.04% | 21.34% | -4.30% |
IEFA vs. USRT - Expense Ratio Comparison
IEFA has a 0.07% expense ratio, which is lower than USRT's 0.08% 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. USRT - Dividend Comparison
IEFA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.33%, more than USRT's 2.51% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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% |
USRT iShares Core U.S. REIT ETF | 2.51% | 3.07% | 2.85% | 3.18% | 3.46% | 2.27% | 3.12% | 3.34% | 5.66% | 3.44% | 3.98% | 3.59% |
Frequently Asked Questions
IEFA and USRT have a correlation of 0.38, 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 USRT (4.47%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IEFA dropped -34.78% vs USRT's -69.92%.
On 10-year performance, IEFA leads with 9.52% vs 6.14% for USRT. On fees, IEFA is cheaper at 0.07% per year. On volatility, USRT has been the lower-risk option at 4.47%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, IEFA has performed better with a 9.52% return vs 6.14%. 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 0.08% for USRT.
IEFA has the higher dividend yield at 3.33%, compared with 2.51% for USRT.
IEFA is categorized as Foreign Large Cap Equities, while USRT is REIT. IEFA tracks MSCI EAFE IMI Index (Net), while USRT tracks FTSE Nareit Equity REITS 40 Act Capped Index. Their fees differ too: 0.07% for IEFA and 0.08% for USRT.
USRT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.85 vs 1.61), 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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