ILIT vs. EFA

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

ILIT (Ishares Lithium Miners And Producers ETF) and EFA (iShares MSCI EAFE ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - ILIT is a Energy Equities fund tracking the STOXX Global Lithium Miners and Producers Index - USD - Benchmark TR Net, while EFA is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the MSCI EAFE Index (Net). Both are passively managed. Over the past year, ILIT returned 181.76% vs 21.06% for EFA. At a 0.48 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. ILIT charges 0.47%/yr vs 0.32%/yr for EFA.

Performance

ILIT vs. EFA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Ishares Lithium Miners And Producers ETF (ILIT) 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, ILIT achieves a 25.82% return, which is significantly higher than EFA's 8.42% return.

ILIT

• 1D: -3.77%
• 1M: -12.04%
• YTD: 25.82%
• 6M: 35.19%
• 1Y: 181.76%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 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)

ILIT vs. EFA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
ILIT Ishares Lithium Miners And Producers ETF	25.82%	81.51%	-45.14%	-28.86%
EFA iShares MSCI EAFE ETF	8.42%	31.55%	3.49%	7.52%

Correlation

The correlation between ILIT and EFA is 0.40, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.40
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 26, 2023	0.48

ILIT vs. EFA - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	ILIT	EFA
Basic Materials	81.9%	5.9%
Industrials	6.4%	19.9%
Technology	4.9%	10.4%
Consumer Cyclical	3.8%	7.6%
Communication Services	-	4.5%
Consumer Defensive	-	6.7%
Energy	-	4.0%
Financial Services	-	24.6%
Healthcare	-	10.6%
Real Estate	-	1.9%
Utilities	-	4.0%

Return for Risk

ILIT vs. EFA — Risk / Return Rank

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

ILIT

ILIT Risk / Return Rank: 88
ILIT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 94
ILIT Sortino Ratio Rank: 84
ILIT Omega Ratio Rank: 78
ILIT Calmar Ratio Rank: 95
ILIT Martin Ratio Rank: 91

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.

ILIT vs. EFA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Ishares Lithium Miners And Producers ETF (ILIT) 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.

	ILIT	EFA	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.74	1.41	+2.33
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.84	2.04	+1.81
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.47	1.26	+0.22
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	8.00	1.85	+6.15
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	22.21	6.94	+15.27
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ILIT vs. EFA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ILIT Sharpe Ratio is 3.74, which is higher than the EFA Sharpe Ratio of 1.41. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ILIT 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

	ILIT	EFA	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.74	1.41	+2.33
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.51	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.53	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	-0.09	0.31	-0.40

Drawdowns

ILIT vs. EFA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ILIT drawdown since its inception was -73.69%, which is greater than EFA's maximum drawdown of -61.04%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ILIT and EFA.

Drawdown Indicators

	ILIT	EFA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-73.69%	-61.04%	-12.65%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-22.86%	-11.42%	-11.44%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-14.05%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-29.53%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-34.19%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-17.69%	-1.46%	-16.23%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-45.87%	-11.93%	-33.94%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	8.22%	3.04%	+5.18%

Volatility

ILIT vs. EFA - Volatility Comparison

Ishares Lithium Miners And Producers ETF (ILIT) has a higher volatility of 11.95% compared to iShares MSCI EAFE ETF (EFA) at 4.98%. This indicates that ILIT's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than EFA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ILIT	EFA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	11.95%	4.98%	+6.97%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	33.28%	12.51%	+20.77%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	48.97%	15.05%	+33.92%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	41.58%	16.48%	+25.10%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	41.58%	17.26%	+24.32%

ILIT vs. EFA - Expense Ratio Comparison

ILIT has a 0.47% expense ratio, which is higher than EFA's 0.32% expense ratio.

Dividends

ILIT vs. EFA - Dividend Comparison

ILIT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.81%, less than EFA's 3.12% yield.

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%
ILIT Ishares Lithium Miners And Producers ETF	1.81%	2.27%	6.48%	0.69%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ILIT and EFA in my portfolio?

ILIT and EFA have a correlation of 0.40, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ILIT or EFA?

ILIT has higher volatility (11.95%) compared to EFA (4.98%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ILIT dropped -73.69% vs EFA's -61.04%.

Which ETF is better, ILIT or EFA?

On 1-year performance, ILIT leads with 181.76% vs 21.06% for EFA. On fees, EFA is cheaper at 0.32% per year. On volatility, EFA has been the lower-risk option at 4.98%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ILIT or EFA?

Over the 1-year period, ILIT has performed better with a 181.76% return vs 21.06%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ILIT or EFA?

EFA is cheaper with a 0.32% expense ratio, compared with 0.47% for ILIT.

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

EFA has the higher dividend yield at 3.12%, compared with 1.81% for ILIT.

What is the main difference between ILIT and EFA?

ILIT is categorized as Energy Equities, while EFA is Foreign Large Cap Equities. ILIT tracks STOXX Global Lithium Miners and Producers Index - USD - Benchmark TR Net, while EFA tracks MSCI EAFE Index (Net). Their fees differ too: 0.47% for ILIT and 0.32% for EFA.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ILIT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.74 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.