IVV vs. HEFA

Last updated Jul 26, 2026

IVV (iShares Core S&P 500 ETF) and HEFA (iShares Currency Hedged MSCI EAFE ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IVV is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index, while HEFA is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the MSCI EAFE 100% Hedged to USD Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IVV returned 14.93%/yr vs 12.70%/yr for HEFA. Their 0.78 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. IVV charges 0.03%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for HEFA.

Performance

IVV vs. HEFA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV) and iShares Currency Hedged MSCI EAFE ETF (HEFA). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IVV achieves a 8.96% return, which is significantly lower than HEFA's 13.57% return. Over the past 10 years, IVV has outperformed HEFA with an annualized return of 14.93%, while HEFA has yielded a comparatively lower 12.70% annualized return.

IVV

• 1D: 0.10%
• 1M: 0.80%
• 6M: 7.81%
• YTD: 8.96%
• 1Y: 17.37%
• 3Y*: 19.07%
• 5Y*: 12.51%
• 10Y*: 14.93%
• ALL TIME*: 8.41%

HEFA

• 1D: 0.51%
• 1M: 0.73%
• 6M: 10.08%
• YTD: 13.57%
• 1Y: 26.09%
• 3Y*: 18.91%
• 5Y*: 13.96%
• 10Y*: 12.70%
• ALL TIME*: 10.79%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
HEFA iShares Currency Hedged MSCI EAFE ETF	$39.23M	$30.73M	$26.09M
IVV iShares Core S&P 500 ETF	$3.37B	$4.55B	$5.92B

IVV vs. HEFA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
IVV iShares Core S&P 500 ETF	8.96%	17.85%	24.93%	26.31%	-18.16%	28.76%	18.40%	31.07%	-4.49%	21.75%
HEFA iShares Currency Hedged MSCI EAFE ETF	13.57%	24.58%	13.71%	20.33%	-4.86%	19.59%	2.09%	27.63%	-9.33%	16.67%

Correlation

The correlation between IVV and HEFA is 0.75, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.75
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.73
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.78
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.79
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 14, 2014	0.78

The correlation between IVV and HEFA has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.73 to 0.79 - a consistent structural relationship.

IVV vs. HEFA - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IVV	HEFA
Technology	38.4%	12.0%
Financial Services	12.0%	25.9%
Communication Services	9.8%	3.5%
Consumer Cyclical	9.2%	7.2%
Healthcare	8.9%	10.4%
Industrials	8.0%	18.9%
Consumer Defensive	4.5%	6.8%
Energy	3.3%	3.7%
Utilities	2.2%	3.7%
Real Estate	1.9%	1.7%
Basic Materials	1.7%	5.9%

Return for Risk

IVV vs. HEFA — Risk / Return Rank

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

IVV

IVV Risk / Return Rank: 61
IVV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 61
IVV Sortino Ratio Rank: 58
IVV Omega Ratio Rank: 59
IVV Calmar Ratio Rank: 58
IVV Martin Ratio Rank: 70

HEFA

HEFA Risk / Return Rank: 83
HEFA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 86
HEFA Sortino Ratio Rank: 86
HEFA Omega Ratio Rank: 86
HEFA Calmar Ratio Rank: 76
HEFA Martin Ratio Rank: 83

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.

IVV vs. HEFA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV) and iShares Currency Hedged MSCI EAFE ETF (HEFA). 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.

	IVV	HEFA	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.41	2.03	-0.62
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.98	2.81	-0.83
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.25	1.37	-0.12
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.01	2.77	-0.76
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.66	11.52	-2.86

IVV vs. HEFA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IVV Sharpe Ratio is 1.41, which is lower than the HEFA Sharpe Ratio of 2.03. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IVV and HEFA, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

IVV vs. HEFA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IVV drawdown since its inception was -55.25%, which is greater than HEFA's maximum drawdown of -32.39%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IVV and HEFA.

Drawdown Indicators

	IVV	HEFA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-55.25%	-32.39%	-22.86%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.89%	-9.52%	+0.63%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.75%	-14.28%	-4.47%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.53%	-14.79%	-9.74%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.90%	-32.39%	-1.51%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.45%	-1.12%	-1.33%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.73%	-4.13%	-6.60%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.06%	2.29%	-0.23%

Volatility

IVV vs. HEFA - Volatility Comparison

iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV) has a higher volatility of 3.42% compared to iShares Currency Hedged MSCI EAFE ETF (HEFA) at 3.21%. This indicates that IVV's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than HEFA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IVV	HEFA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.42%	3.21%	+0.21%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.93%	10.72%	-0.79%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.69%	13.05%	-0.36%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.98%	13.82%	+3.16%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.05%	15.66%	+2.39%

IVV vs. HEFA - Expense Ratio Comparison

IVV has a 0.03% expense ratio, which is lower than HEFA's 0.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

IVV vs. HEFA - Dividend Comparison

IVV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.10%, less than HEFA's 4.04% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
HEFA iShares Currency Hedged MSCI EAFE ETF	4.04%	4.40%	3.09%	3.02%	25.14%	3.06%	2.10%	7.56%	4.58%	2.55%	3.17%	3.54%
IVV iShares Core S&P 500 ETF	1.10%	1.17%	1.30%	1.44%	1.66%	1.20%	1.57%	1.85%	2.21%	1.75%	2.01%	2.27%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IVV and HEFA in my portfolio?

IVV and HEFA have a correlation of 0.75, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IVV or HEFA?

IVV has higher volatility (3.42%) compared to HEFA (3.21%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IVV dropped -55.25% vs HEFA's -32.39%.

Which ETF is better, IVV or HEFA?

On 10-year performance, IVV leads with 14.93% vs 12.70% for HEFA. On fees, IVV is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, HEFA has been the lower-risk option at 3.21%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IVV or HEFA?

Over the 10-year period, IVV has performed better with a 14.93% return vs 12.70%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IVV or HEFA?

IVV is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.35% for HEFA.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, IVV or HEFA?

HEFA has the higher dividend yield at 4.04%, compared with 1.10% for IVV.

What is the main difference between IVV and HEFA?

IVV is categorized as S&P 500, while HEFA is Foreign Large Cap Equities. IVV tracks S&P 500 Index, while HEFA tracks MSCI EAFE 100% Hedged to USD Index. Their fees differ too: 0.03% for IVV and 0.35% for HEFA.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

HEFA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.03 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.