IJUL vs. EFA

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

IJUL (Innovator International Developed Power Buffer ETF - July) and EFA (iShares MSCI EAFE ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IJUL is a Defined Outcome fund tracking the MSCI EAFE Index, while EFA is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the MSCI EAFE Index (Net). Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, IJUL returned 7.77%/yr vs 8.29%/yr for EFA. Their correlation of 0.89 suggests significant overlap in exposure. IJUL charges 0.85%/yr vs 0.32%/yr for EFA.

Performance

IJUL vs. EFA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Innovator International Developed Power Buffer ETF - July (IJUL) and iShares MSCI EAFE ETF (EFA). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IJUL achieves a 5.68% return, which is significantly lower than EFA's 8.42% return.

IJUL

• 1D: -0.13%
• 1M: 2.38%
• YTD: 5.68%
• 6M: 7.34%
• 1Y: 13.33%
• 3Y*: 11.04%
• 5Y*: 7.77%
• 10Y*: —

EFA

• 1D: -0.86%
• 1M: 3.40%
• YTD: 8.42%
• 6M: 10.94%
• 1Y: 21.06%
• 3Y*: 16.44%
• 5Y*: 8.29%
• 10Y*: 9.11%

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

IJUL vs. EFA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
IJUL Innovator International Developed Power Buffer ETF - July	5.68%	20.98%	2.12%	13.77%	-2.77%	2.80%	0.42%	3.35%
EFA iShares MSCI EAFE ETF	8.42%	31.55%	3.49%	18.36%	-14.39%	11.45%	7.60%	6.33%

Correlation

The correlation between IJUL and EFA is 0.95, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.95
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.96
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.95
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 2, 2019	0.89

The correlation between IJUL and EFA has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.89 to 0.96 - a consistent structural relationship.

IJUL vs. EFA - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IJUL	EFA
Financial Services	24.7%	24.6%
Industrials	19.8%	19.9%
Healthcare	10.6%	10.6%
Technology	10.3%	10.4%
Consumer Cyclical	7.7%	7.6%
Consumer Defensive	6.7%	6.7%
Basic Materials	5.9%	5.9%
Communication Services	4.5%	4.5%
Energy	4.0%	4.0%
Utilities	4.0%	4.0%
Real Estate	1.9%	1.9%

Return for Risk

IJUL vs. EFA — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

IJUL

IJUL Risk / Return Rank: 52
IJUL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 50
IJUL Sortino Ratio Rank: 49
IJUL Omega Ratio Rank: 52
IJUL Calmar Ratio Rank: 51
IJUL Martin Ratio Rank: 58

EFA

EFA Risk / Return Rank: 39
EFA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 39
EFA Sortino Ratio Rank: 39
EFA Omega Ratio Rank: 38
EFA Calmar Ratio Rank: 37
EFA Martin Ratio Rank: 42

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.

IJUL vs. EFA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Innovator International Developed Power Buffer ETF - July (IJUL) and iShares MSCI EAFE ETF (EFA). 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.

	IJUL	EFA	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.67	1.41	+0.27
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.41	2.04	+0.37
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.32	1.26	+0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.50	1.85	+0.65
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.93	6.94	+2.99
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

IJUL vs. EFA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IJUL Sharpe Ratio is 1.67, which is comparable to the EFA Sharpe Ratio of 1.41. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IJUL and EFA, 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

	IJUL	EFA	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.67	1.41	+0.27
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.79	0.51	+0.29
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.53	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.58	0.31	+0.27

Drawdowns

IJUL vs. EFA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IJUL drawdown since its inception was -21.09%, smaller than the maximum EFA drawdown of -61.04%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IJUL and EFA.

Drawdown Indicators

	IJUL	EFA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-21.09%	-61.04%	+39.95%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.35%	-11.42%	+6.07%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-8.27%	-14.05%	+5.78%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-14.59%	-29.53%	+14.94%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-34.19%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.13%	-1.46%	+1.33%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.55%	-11.93%	+9.38%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.35%	3.04%	-1.69%

Volatility

IJUL vs. EFA - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Innovator International Developed Power Buffer ETF - July (IJUL) is 1.90%, while iShares MSCI EAFE ETF (EFA) has a volatility of 4.98%. This indicates that IJUL experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than EFA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IJUL	EFA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.90%	4.98%	-3.08%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.09%	12.51%	-6.42%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.03%	15.05%	-7.02%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	9.85%	16.48%	-6.63%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	11.08%	17.26%	-6.18%

IJUL vs. EFA - Expense Ratio Comparison

IJUL has a 0.85% expense ratio, which is higher than EFA's 0.32% expense ratio.

Dividends

IJUL vs. EFA - Dividend Comparison

IJUL has not paid dividends to shareholders, while EFA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.12%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
EFA iShares MSCI EAFE ETF	3.12%	3.38%	3.24%	2.98%	2.69%	3.33%	2.13%	3.10%	3.39%	2.57%	3.07%	2.76%
IJUL Innovator International Developed Power Buffer ETF - July	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.99%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IJUL and EFA in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.95, IJUL and EFA 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.

Which is riskier, IJUL or EFA?

EFA has higher volatility (4.98%) compared to IJUL (1.90%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IJUL dropped -21.09% vs EFA's -61.04%.

Which ETF is better, IJUL or EFA?

On 5-year performance, EFA leads with 8.29% vs 7.77% for IJUL. On fees, EFA is cheaper at 0.32% per year. On volatility, IJUL has been the lower-risk option at 1.90%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IJUL or EFA?

Over the 5-year period, EFA has performed better with a 8.29% return vs 7.77%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IJUL or EFA?

EFA is cheaper with a 0.32% expense ratio, compared with 0.85% for IJUL.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, IJUL or EFA?

EFA has the higher dividend yield at 3.12%, compared with 0.00% for IJUL.

What is the main difference between IJUL and EFA?

IJUL is categorized as Defined Outcome, while EFA is Foreign Large Cap Equities. IJUL tracks MSCI EAFE Index, while EFA tracks MSCI EAFE Index (Net). They also come from different issuers: Innovator and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.85% for IJUL and 0.32% for EFA.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IJUL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.67 vs 1.41), 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.