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IJH vs. IEFA
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

IJH vs. IEFA

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

IJH (iShares Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF) and IEFA (iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IJH is a Mid Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the S&P MidCap 400 Index, while IEFA is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the MSCI EAFE IMI Index (Net). Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IJH returned 11.27%/yr vs 9.22%/yr for IEFA. A 0.75 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. IJH charges 0.05%/yr vs 0.07%/yr for IEFA.

Performance

IJH vs. IEFA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF (IJH) and iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF (IEFA). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IJH achieves a 14.10% return, which is significantly higher than IEFA's 8.85% return. Over the past 10 years, IJH has outperformed IEFA with an annualized return of 11.27%, while IEFA has yielded a comparatively lower 9.22% annualized return.

IJH

1D
-0.12%
1M
3.84%
YTD
14.10%
6M
14.33%
1Y
25.45%
3Y*
16.09%
5Y*
8.17%
10Y*
11.27%

IEFA

1D
-0.78%
1M
3.43%
YTD
8.85%
6M
11.45%
1Y
22.00%
3Y*
16.72%
5Y*
8.07%
10Y*
9.22%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

IJH vs. IEFA - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
IJH
iShares Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF		14.10%7.42%13.92%16.40%-13.11%24.72%13.60%26.10%-11.19%16.26%
IEFA
iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF		8.85%32.08%3.26%17.95%-15.24%11.63%8.18%22.64%-14.14%26.57%

Correlation

The correlation between IJH and IEFA is 0.69, 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

0.69

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

0.70

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

0.75

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

0.74

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 25, 2012

0.75

The correlation between IJH and IEFA has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.69 to 0.75 - a consistent structural relationship.

IJH vs. IEFA - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
IJH
IEFA

Industrials

25.0%
20.1%

Technology

15.7%
10.8%

Financial Services

14.4%
22.5%

Consumer Cyclical

10.7%
8.0%

Healthcare

8.6%
9.5%

Real Estate

7.5%
3.0%

Energy

5.5%
3.8%

Basic Materials

4.8%
7.0%

Consumer Defensive

3.8%
6.6%

Utilities

3.1%
3.6%

Communication Services

1.0%
4.4%

Industrials

IJH
25.0%
IEFA
20.1%

Technology

IJH
15.7%
IEFA
10.8%

Financial Services

IJH
14.4%
IEFA
22.5%

Consumer Cyclical

IJH
10.7%
IEFA
8.0%

Healthcare

IJH
8.6%
IEFA
9.5%

Real Estate

IJH
7.5%
IEFA
3.0%

Energy

IJH
5.5%
IEFA
3.8%

Basic Materials

IJH
4.8%
IEFA
7.0%

Consumer Defensive

IJH
3.8%
IEFA
6.6%

Utilities

IJH
3.1%
IEFA
3.6%

Communication Services

IJH
1.0%
IEFA
4.4%

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 S&P Mid-Cap ETF

iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF

Often compared with IJH:
IJH vs. VOIJH vs. IJRIJH vs. MDYIJH vs. IJJIJH vs. IJKIJH vs. IVOOIJH vs. SCHM
Often compared with IEFA:
IEFA vs. VEAIEFA vs. VXUSIEFA vs. EFAIEFA vs. FSPSXIEFA vs. IEMGIEFA vs. XEF.TOIEFA vs. IXUS

Return for Risk

IJH vs. IEFA — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
IJH
IJH Risk / Return Rank: 5151
Overall Rank
IJH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 4747
Sharpe Ratio Rank
IJH Sortino Ratio Rank: 4848
Sortino Ratio Rank
IJH Omega Ratio Rank: 4545
Omega Ratio Rank
IJH Calmar Ratio Rank: 5757
Calmar Ratio Rank
IJH Martin Ratio Rank: 5959
Martin Ratio Rank
IEFA
IEFA Risk / Return Rank: 4141
Overall Rank
IEFA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 4141
Sharpe Ratio Rank
IEFA Sortino Ratio Rank: 4141
Sortino Ratio Rank
IEFA Omega Ratio Rank: 4141
Omega Ratio Rank
IEFA Calmar Ratio Rank: 3838
Calmar Ratio Rank
IEFA Martin Ratio Rank: 4444
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.

IJH vs. IEFA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF (IJH) and iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF (IEFA). 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.

IJHIEFADifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.65
1.48

+0.17

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.41
2.14

+0.28

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.29

1.27

+0.02

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

2.90

1.92

+0.97

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

10.60

7.34

+3.26

Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

IJH vs. IEFA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IJH Sharpe Ratio is 1.65, which is comparable to the IEFA Sharpe Ratio of 1.48. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IJH and IEFA, 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

IJHIEFADifference

Sharpe Ratio (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

1.65

1.48

+0.17

Sharpe Ratio (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.42

0.49

-0.08

Sharpe Ratio (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.53

0.53

0.00

Sharpe Ratio (All Time)

Calculated using the full available price history

0.46

0.51

-0.05

Drawdowns

IJH vs. IEFA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IJH drawdown since its inception was -55.07%, which is greater than IEFA's maximum drawdown of -34.78%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IJH and IEFA.

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Drawdown Indicators

IJHIEFADifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-55.07%

-34.78%

-20.29%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-8.83%

-11.50%

+2.67%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-24.10%

-13.76%

-10.34%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-24.10%

-30.41%

+6.31%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-42.18%

-34.78%

-7.40%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-0.12%

-1.20%

+1.08%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-7.57%

-6.69%

-0.88%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

2.41%

3.01%

-0.60%

Volatility

IJH vs. IEFA - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF (IJH) is 4.37%, while iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF (IEFA) has a volatility of 4.86%. This indicates that IJH experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than IEFA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

IJHIEFADifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

4.37%

4.86%

-0.49%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

11.32%

12.42%

-1.10%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

15.54%

14.96%

+0.58%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

19.74%

16.51%

+3.23%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

21.18%

17.30%

+3.88%

IJH vs. IEFA - Expense Ratio Comparison

IJH has a 0.05% expense ratio, which is lower than IEFA's 0.07% 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

IJH vs. IEFA - Dividend Comparison

IJH's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.18%, less than IEFA's 3.26% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
IEFA
iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF		3.26%3.55%3.47%3.20%2.70%3.32%1.90%3.18%3.46%2.57%2.96%2.63%
IJH
iShares Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF		1.18%1.36%1.33%1.46%1.68%1.18%1.28%1.63%1.72%1.19%1.60%1.56%

Frequently Asked Questions

IJH and IEFA have a correlation of 0.69, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

IEFA has higher volatility (4.86%) compared to IJH (4.37%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IJH dropped -55.07% vs IEFA's -34.78%.

On 10-year performance, IJH leads with 11.27% vs 9.22% for IEFA. On fees, IJH is cheaper at 0.05% per year. On volatility, IJH has been the lower-risk option at 4.37%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, IJH has performed better with a 11.27% return vs 9.22%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

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

IEFA has the higher dividend yield at 3.26%, compared with 1.18% for IJH.

IJH is categorized as Mid Cap Blend Equities, while IEFA is Foreign Large Cap Equities. IJH tracks S&P MidCap 400 Index, while IEFA tracks MSCI EAFE IMI Index (Net). Their fees differ too: 0.05% for IJH and 0.07% for IEFA.

IJH currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.65 vs 1.48), 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.

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