IEFA vs. VOT

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

IEFA (iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF) and VOT (Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IEFA is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the MSCI EAFE IMI Index (Net), while VOT is a Mid Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Mid Cap Growth Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IEFA returned 9.37%/yr vs 11.95%/yr for VOT. A 0.73 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. IEFA charges 0.07%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for VOT.

Performance

IEFA vs. VOT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF (IEFA) and Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth ETF (VOT). 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 VOT's 5.49% return. Over the past 10 years, IEFA has underperformed VOT with an annualized return of 9.37%, while VOT has yielded a comparatively higher 11.95% 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%

VOT

• 1D: 0.12%
• 1M: 1.80%
• YTD: 5.49%
• 6M: 3.73%
• 1Y: 7.75%
• 3Y*: 15.09%
• 5Y*: 6.19%
• 10Y*: 11.95%

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

IEFA vs. VOT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
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%
VOT Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth ETF	5.49%	10.72%	16.38%	23.10%	-28.87%	20.50%	34.50%	33.76%	-5.56%	21.80%

Correlation

The correlation between IEFA and VOT is 0.66, 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	0.66
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.68
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.72
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.72
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 25, 2012	0.73

The correlation between IEFA and VOT has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.66 to 0.73 - a consistent structural relationship.

IEFA vs. VOT - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IEFA	VOT
Financial Services	22.5%	6.8%
Industrials	20.1%	23.7%
Technology	10.8%	28.9%
Healthcare	9.5%	9.3%
Consumer Cyclical	8.0%	13.9%
Basic Materials	7.0%	1.8%
Consumer Defensive	6.6%	0.8%
Communication Services	4.4%	3.8%
Energy	3.8%	2.7%
Utilities	3.6%	3.5%
Real Estate	3.0%	4.8%

Return for Risk

IEFA vs. VOT — 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

VOT

VOT Risk / Return Rank: 17
VOT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 17
VOT Sortino Ratio Rank: 17
VOT Omega Ratio Rank: 16
VOT Calmar Ratio Rank: 15
VOT Martin Ratio Rank: 16

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. VOT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF (IEFA) and Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth ETF (VOT). 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	VOT	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.30	0.48	+0.82
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.88	0.77	+1.11
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.24	1.09	+0.15
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.71	0.49	+1.23
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.52	1.46	+5.06
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. VOT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IEFA Sharpe Ratio is 1.30, which is higher than the VOT Sharpe Ratio of 0.48. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IEFA and VOT, 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	VOT	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.30	0.48	+0.82
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.47	0.29	+0.18
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.54	0.57	-0.03
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.50	0.44	+0.06

Drawdowns

IEFA vs. VOT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IEFA drawdown since its inception was -34.78%, smaller than the maximum VOT drawdown of -60.16%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IEFA and VOT.

Drawdown Indicators

	IEFA	VOT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-34.78%	-60.16%	+25.38%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.50%	-15.96%	+4.46%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.76%	-21.77%	+8.01%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-30.41%	-37.19%	+6.78%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.78%	-37.19%	+2.41%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.44%	-3.48%	+1.04%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.69%	-9.96%	+3.27%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.02%	5.33%	-2.31%

Volatility

IEFA vs. VOT - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF (IEFA) is 4.54%, while Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth ETF (VOT) has a volatility of 5.45%. This indicates that IEFA experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VOT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IEFA	VOT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.54%	5.45%	-0.91%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.74%	12.85%	-0.11%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.22%	16.20%	-0.98%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.55%	21.41%	-4.86%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.32%	21.02%	-3.70%

IEFA vs. VOT - Expense Ratio Comparison

IEFA has a 0.07% expense ratio, which is higher than VOT's 0.05% expense ratio. However, 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. VOT - Dividend Comparison

IEFA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.30%, more than VOT's 0.63% 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%
VOT Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth ETF	0.63%	0.64%	0.67%	0.71%	0.78%	0.34%	0.56%	0.78%	0.84%	0.72%	0.81%	0.81%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IEFA and VOT in my portfolio?

IEFA and VOT have a correlation of 0.66, 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 VOT?

VOT has higher volatility (5.45%) compared to IEFA (4.54%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IEFA dropped -34.78% vs VOT's -60.16%.

Which ETF is better, IEFA or VOT?

On 10-year performance, VOT leads with 11.95% vs 9.37% for IEFA. On fees, VOT is cheaper at 0.05% per year. On volatility, IEFA has been the lower-risk option at 4.54%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IEFA or VOT?

Over the 10-year period, VOT has performed better with a 11.95% return vs 9.37%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IEFA or VOT?

VOT is cheaper with a 0.05% expense ratio, compared with 0.07% for IEFA.

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

IEFA has the higher dividend yield at 3.30%, compared with 0.63% for VOT.

What is the main difference between IEFA and VOT?

IEFA is categorized as Foreign Large Cap Equities, while VOT is Mid Cap Growth Equities. IEFA tracks MSCI EAFE IMI Index (Net), while VOT tracks CRSP US Mid Cap Growth Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.07% for IEFA and 0.05% for VOT.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IEFA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.30 vs 0.48), 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.