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IEFA vs. VDADX
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

IEFA vs. VDADX

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

IEFA (iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF) and VDADX (Vanguard Dividend Appreciation Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both funds - IEFA is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the MSCI EAFE IMI Index (Net), while VDADX is a Dividend fund tracking the S&P U.S. Dividend Growers Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IEFA returned 9.37%/yr vs 13.05%/yr for VDADX. A 0.76 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. Both charge a 0.07% expense ratio.

Performance

IEFA vs. VDADX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF (IEFA) and Vanguard Dividend Appreciation Index Fund Admiral Shares (VDADX). 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 7.49% return, which is significantly higher than VDADX's 6.53% return. Over the past 10 years, IEFA has underperformed VDADX with an annualized return of 9.37%, while VDADX has yielded a comparatively higher 13.05% 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%

VDADX

1D
-1.36%
1M
2.28%
YTD
6.53%
6M
6.41%
1Y
18.22%
3Y*
16.23%
5Y*
10.38%
10Y*
13.05%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

IEFA vs. VDADX - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
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%
VDADX
Vanguard Dividend Appreciation Index Fund Admiral Shares		6.53%14.17%16.99%14.44%-9.80%23.59%15.47%29.68%-2.06%22.22%

Correlation

The correlation between IEFA and VDADX is 0.74, 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

0.74

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

0.69

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

0.74

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

0.74

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 23, 2013

0.76

The correlation between IEFA and VDADX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.69 to 0.76 - a consistent structural relationship.

IEFA vs. VDADX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
IEFA
VDADX

Financial Services

22.5%
20.6%

Industrials

20.1%
11.8%

Technology

10.8%
26.2%

Healthcare

9.5%
16.5%

Consumer Cyclical

8.0%
4.7%

Basic Materials

7.0%
3.5%

Consumer Defensive

6.6%
10.1%

Communication Services

4.4%
0.5%

Energy

3.8%
3.5%

Utilities

3.6%
3.2%

Real Estate

3.0%

-

Financial Services

IEFA
22.5%
VDADX
20.6%

Industrials

IEFA
20.1%
VDADX
11.8%

Technology

IEFA
10.8%
VDADX
26.2%

Healthcare

IEFA
9.5%
VDADX
16.5%

Consumer Cyclical

IEFA
8.0%
VDADX
4.7%

Basic Materials

IEFA
7.0%
VDADX
3.5%

Consumer Defensive

IEFA
6.6%
VDADX
10.1%

Communication Services

IEFA
4.4%
VDADX
0.5%

Energy

IEFA
3.8%
VDADX
3.5%

Utilities

IEFA
3.6%
VDADX
3.2%

Real Estate

IEFA
3.0%
VDADX

-

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

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iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF

Vanguard Dividend Appreciation Index Fund Admiral Shares

Often compared with IEFA:
IEFA vs. VEAIEFA vs. VXUSIEFA vs. EFAIEFA vs. FSPSXIEFA vs. IEMGIEFA vs. XEF.TOIEFA vs. IXUS
Often compared with VDADX:
VDADX vs. VIGVDADX vs. VDIGXVDADX vs. VFIAXVDADX vs. SCHDVDADX vs. VVIAXVDADX vs. VTSAXVDADX vs. VYM

Return for Risk

IEFA vs. VDADX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
IEFA
IEFA Risk / Return Rank: 4040
Overall Rank
IEFA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 4141
Sharpe Ratio Rank
IEFA Sortino Ratio Rank: 4040
Sortino Ratio Rank
IEFA Omega Ratio Rank: 4040
Omega Ratio Rank
IEFA Calmar Ratio Rank: 3838
Calmar Ratio Rank
IEFA Martin Ratio Rank: 4343
Martin Ratio Rank
VDADX
VDADX Risk / Return Rank: 4444
Overall Rank
VDADX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 4343
Sharpe Ratio Rank
VDADX Sortino Ratio Rank: 4444
Sortino Ratio Rank
VDADX Omega Ratio Rank: 4141
Omega Ratio Rank
VDADX Calmar Ratio Rank: 4343
Calmar Ratio Rank
VDADX Martin Ratio Rank: 4848
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. VDADX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF (IEFA) and Vanguard Dividend Appreciation Index Fund Admiral Shares (VDADX). 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.

IEFAVDADXDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.30
1.87

-0.57

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
1.88
2.71

-0.83

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.24

1.33

-0.09

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

1.71

2.39

-0.68

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

6.52

9.65

-3.13

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. VDADX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IEFA Sharpe Ratio is 1.30, which is lower than the VDADX Sharpe Ratio of 1.87. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IEFA and VDADX, 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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Sharpe Ratios by Period

IEFAVDADXDifference

Sharpe Ratio (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

1.30

1.87

-0.57

Sharpe Ratio (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.47

0.73

-0.26

Sharpe Ratio (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.54

0.81

-0.26

Sharpe Ratio (All Time)

Calculated using the full available price history

0.50

0.76

-0.25

Drawdowns

IEFA vs. VDADX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IEFA drawdown since its inception was -34.78%, which is greater than VDADX's maximum drawdown of -31.70%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IEFA and VDADX.

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Drawdown Indicators

IEFAVDADXDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-34.78%

-31.70%

-3.08%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-11.50%

-7.93%

-3.57%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-13.76%

-14.95%

+1.19%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-30.41%

-20.42%

-9.99%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-34.78%

-31.70%

-3.08%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-2.44%

-1.36%

-1.08%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-6.69%

-3.40%

-3.29%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

3.02%

1.96%

+1.06%

Volatility

IEFA vs. VDADX - Volatility Comparison

iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF (IEFA) has a higher volatility of 4.54% compared to Vanguard Dividend Appreciation Index Fund Admiral Shares (VDADX) at 2.55%. This indicates that IEFA's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VDADX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

IEFAVDADXDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

4.54%

2.55%

+1.99%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

12.74%

7.70%

+5.04%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

15.22%

10.16%

+5.06%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

16.55%

14.28%

+2.27%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

17.32%

16.20%

+1.12%

IEFA vs. VDADX - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both IEFA and VDADX 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. VDADX - Dividend Comparison

IEFA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.30%, more than VDADX's 1.46% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
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%
VDADX
Vanguard Dividend Appreciation Index Fund Admiral Shares		1.46%1.60%1.71%1.86%1.94%1.53%1.61%1.69%2.07%1.88%2.14%2.34%

Frequently Asked Questions

IEFA and VDADX have a correlation of 0.74, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

IEFA has higher volatility (4.54%) compared to VDADX (2.55%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IEFA dropped -34.78% vs VDADX's -31.70%.

VDADX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.87 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.

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