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IEFA vs. VXUS
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

IEFA vs. VXUS

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

IEFA (iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF) and VXUS (Vanguard Total International Stock ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IEFA is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the MSCI EAFE IMI Index (Net), while VXUS is a Global Equities fund tracking the FTSE Global All Cap ex US Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IEFA returned 10.18%/yr vs 10.57%/yr for VXUS. With a 0.97 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. IEFA charges 0.07%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for VXUS.

Performance

IEFA vs. VXUS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF (IEFA) and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS). 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 10.65% return, which is significantly lower than VXUS's 16.04% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with IEFA having a 10.18% annualized return and VXUS not far ahead at 10.57%.

IEFA

1D
0.10%
1M
1.81%
YTD
10.65%
6M
11.01%
1Y
25.52%
3Y*
17.62%
5Y*
8.87%
10Y*
10.18%

VXUS

1D
0.33%
1M
3.54%
YTD
16.04%
6M
16.58%
1Y
34.50%
3Y*
20.13%
5Y*
9.22%
10Y*
10.57%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

IEFA vs. VXUS - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
IEFA
iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF		10.65%32.08%3.26%17.95%-15.24%11.63%8.18%22.64%-14.14%26.57%
VXUS
Vanguard Total International Stock ETF		16.04%32.35%5.08%15.86%-16.08%8.98%10.66%21.75%-14.43%27.46%

Correlation

The correlation between IEFA and VXUS is 0.96 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

0.96

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

0.96

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

0.97

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

0.97

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 24, 2012

0.97

The correlation between IEFA and VXUS has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.96 to 0.97 - a consistent structural relationship.

IEFA vs. VXUS - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
IEFA
VXUS

Financial Services

22.6%
21.7%

Industrials

20.1%
15.6%

Technology

11.6%
21.0%

Healthcare

9.7%
6.8%

Consumer Cyclical

8.3%
8.2%

Basic Materials

6.8%
7.6%

Consumer Defensive

6.2%
4.8%

Communication Services

4.7%
4.4%

Energy

3.6%
4.7%

Utilities

3.5%
3.0%

Real Estate

2.9%
2.4%

Financial Services

IEFA
22.6%
VXUS
21.7%

Industrials

IEFA
20.1%
VXUS
15.6%

Technology

IEFA
11.6%
VXUS
21.0%

Healthcare

IEFA
9.7%
VXUS
6.8%

Consumer Cyclical

IEFA
8.3%
VXUS
8.2%

Basic Materials

IEFA
6.8%
VXUS
7.6%

Consumer Defensive

IEFA
6.2%
VXUS
4.8%

Communication Services

IEFA
4.7%
VXUS
4.4%

Energy

IEFA
3.6%
VXUS
4.7%

Utilities

IEFA
3.5%
VXUS
3.0%

Real Estate

IEFA
2.9%
VXUS
2.4%

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

Vanguard Total International Stock ETF

Often compared with IEFA:
IEFA vs. VEAIEFA vs. EFAIEFA vs. FSPSXIEFA vs. IEMGIEFA vs. XEF.TOIEFA vs. IXUSIEFA vs. IDEV
Often compared with VXUS:
VXUS vs. VTIVXUS vs. VOOVXUS vs. VTVXUS vs. VEAVXUS vs. FZILXVXUS vs. VEUVXUS vs. SCHF

Return for Risk

IEFA vs. VXUS — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
IEFA
IEFA Risk / Return Rank: 4949
Overall Rank
IEFA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5050
Sharpe Ratio Rank
IEFA Sortino Ratio Rank: 5050
Sortino Ratio Rank
IEFA Omega Ratio Rank: 4949
Omega Ratio Rank
IEFA Calmar Ratio Rank: 4646
Calmar Ratio Rank
IEFA Martin Ratio Rank: 5151
Martin Ratio Rank
VXUS
VXUS Risk / Return Rank: 6767
Overall Rank
VXUS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6969
Sharpe Ratio Rank
VXUS Sortino Ratio Rank: 6666
Sortino Ratio Rank
VXUS Omega Ratio Rank: 7070
Omega Ratio Rank
VXUS Calmar Ratio Rank: 6464
Calmar Ratio Rank
VXUS Martin Ratio Rank: 6666
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. VXUS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF (IEFA) and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS). 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.

IEFAVXUSDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.66
2.16

-0.50

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.38
2.92

-0.54

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.30

1.40

-0.09

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

2.23

3.07

-0.84

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

8.48

11.84

-3.35

IEFA vs. VXUS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IEFA Sharpe Ratio is 1.66, which is comparable to the VXUS Sharpe Ratio of 2.16. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IEFA and VXUS, 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. VXUS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IEFA drawdown since its inception was -34.78%, roughly equal to the maximum VXUS drawdown of -35.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IEFA and VXUS.

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Drawdown Indicators

IEFAVXUSDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-34.78%

-35.97%

+1.19%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-11.50%

-11.27%

-0.23%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-13.76%

-13.58%

-0.18%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-30.41%

-29.44%

-0.97%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-34.78%

-35.97%

+1.19%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

0.00%

0.00%

0.00%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-6.67%

-8.20%

+1.53%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

3.02%

2.92%

+0.10%

Volatility

IEFA vs. VXUS - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF (IEFA) is 4.85%, while Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) has a volatility of 6.28%. This indicates that IEFA experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VXUS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

IEFAVXUSDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

4.85%

6.28%

-1.43%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

13.07%

14.10%

-1.03%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

15.44%

16.08%

-0.64%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

16.59%

16.21%

+0.38%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

17.27%

17.18%

+0.09%

IEFA vs. VXUS - Expense Ratio Comparison

IEFA has a 0.07% expense ratio, which is higher than VXUS'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. VXUS - Dividend Comparison

IEFA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.38%, more than VXUS's 2.51% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
IEFA
iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF		3.38%3.55%3.47%3.20%2.70%3.32%1.90%3.18%3.46%2.57%2.96%2.63%
VXUS
Vanguard Total International Stock ETF		2.51%3.18%3.37%3.24%3.09%3.10%2.14%3.06%3.18%2.73%2.93%2.83%

Frequently Asked Questions

With a correlation of 0.96, IEFA and VXUS move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

VXUS has higher volatility (6.28%) compared to IEFA (4.85%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IEFA dropped -34.78% vs VXUS's -35.97%.

On 10-year performance, VXUS leads with 10.57% vs 10.18% for IEFA. On fees, VXUS is cheaper at 0.05% per year. On volatility, IEFA has been the lower-risk option at 4.85%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, VXUS has performed better with a 10.57% return vs 10.18%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

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

IEFA has the higher dividend yield at 3.38%, compared with 2.51% for VXUS.

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

VXUS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.16 vs 1.66), 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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