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IXN vs. IEFA
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

IXN vs. IEFA

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

IXN (iShares Global Tech ETF) and IEFA (iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IXN is a Technology Equities fund tracking the S&P Global Information Technology Sector 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, IXN returned 25.03%/yr vs 9.90%/yr for IEFA. A 0.72 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. IXN charges 0.46%/yr vs 0.07%/yr for IEFA.

Performance

IXN vs. IEFA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Global Tech ETF (IXN) 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, IXN achieves a 33.08% return, which is significantly higher than IEFA's 9.51% return. Over the past 10 years, IXN has outperformed IEFA with an annualized return of 25.03%, while IEFA has yielded a comparatively lower 9.90% annualized return.

IXN

1D
0.42%
1M
4.83%
YTD
33.08%
6M
35.17%
1Y
60.27%
3Y*
32.38%
5Y*
21.51%
10Y*
25.03%

IEFA

1D
0.18%
1M
0.85%
YTD
9.51%
6M
11.08%
1Y
20.89%
3Y*
16.31%
5Y*
8.10%
10Y*
9.90%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

IXN vs. IEFA - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
IXN
iShares Global Tech ETF		33.08%25.25%24.84%52.98%-29.86%29.58%43.62%47.88%-5.44%41.23%
IEFA
iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF		9.51%32.08%3.26%17.95%-15.24%11.63%8.18%22.64%-14.14%26.57%

Correlation

The correlation between IXN and IEFA is 0.62, 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

0.62

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

0.61

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

0.68

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

0.70

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

0.72

The correlation between IXN and IEFA shifts across timeframes, from 0.61 (3 years) to 0.72 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

IXN vs. IEFA - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
IXN
IEFA

Technology

99.3%
10.8%

Industrials

0.2%
20.1%

Energy

0.1%
3.8%

Healthcare

0.1%
9.5%

Real Estate

0.0%
3.0%

Basic Materials

-

7.0%

Communication Services

-

4.4%

Consumer Cyclical

-

8.0%

Consumer Defensive

-

6.6%

Financial Services

-

22.5%

Utilities

-

3.6%

Technology

IXN
99.3%
IEFA
10.8%

Industrials

IXN
0.2%
IEFA
20.1%

Energy

IXN
0.1%
IEFA
3.8%

Healthcare

IXN
0.1%
IEFA
9.5%

Real Estate

IXN
0.0%
IEFA
3.0%

Basic Materials

IXN

-

IEFA
7.0%

Communication Services

IXN

-

IEFA
4.4%

Consumer Cyclical

IXN

-

IEFA
8.0%

Consumer Defensive

IXN

-

IEFA
6.6%

Financial Services

IXN

-

IEFA
22.5%

Utilities

IXN

-

IEFA
3.6%

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

iShares Global Tech ETF

iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF

Often compared with IXN:
IXN vs. VGTIXN vs. QQQIXN vs. IGMIXN vs. XLKIXN vs. FTECIXN vs. VOOIXN vs. IETC
Often compared with IEFA:
IEFA vs. VEAIEFA vs. VXUSIEFA vs. EFAIEFA vs. FSPSXIEFA vs. IEMGIEFA vs. XEF.TOIEFA vs. IXUS

Return for Risk

IXN vs. IEFA — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
IXN
IXN Risk / Return Rank: 8484
Overall Rank
IXN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 8888
Sharpe Ratio Rank
IXN Sortino Ratio Rank: 8080
Sortino Ratio Rank
IXN Omega Ratio Rank: 8181
Omega Ratio Rank
IXN Calmar Ratio Rank: 8888
Calmar Ratio Rank
IXN Martin Ratio Rank: 8383
Martin Ratio Rank
IEFA
IEFA Risk / Return Rank: 4444
Overall Rank
IEFA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 4444
Sharpe Ratio Rank
IEFA Sortino Ratio Rank: 4444
Sortino Ratio Rank
IEFA Omega Ratio Rank: 4343
Omega Ratio Rank
IEFA Calmar Ratio Rank: 4242
Calmar Ratio Rank
IEFA Martin Ratio Rank: 4848
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.

IXN vs. IEFA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Global Tech ETF (IXN) 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.

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.

IXNIEFADifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
2.52
1.35

+1.17

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
3.09
1.97

+1.12

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.42

1.25

+0.17

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

4.39

1.83

+2.57

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

14.35

6.93

+7.42

IXN vs. IEFA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IXN Sharpe Ratio is 2.52, which is higher than the IEFA Sharpe Ratio of 1.35. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IXN 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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Drawdowns

IXN vs. IEFA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IXN drawdown since its inception was -55.67%, which is greater than IEFA's maximum drawdown of -34.78%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IXN and IEFA.

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Drawdown Indicators

IXNIEFADifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-55.67%

-34.78%

-20.89%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-13.80%

-11.50%

-2.30%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-25.55%

-13.76%

-11.79%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-36.30%

-30.41%

-5.89%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-36.30%

-34.78%

-1.52%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-6.68%

-0.60%

-6.08%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-11.26%

-6.68%

-4.58%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

4.21%

3.03%

+1.18%

Volatility

IXN vs. IEFA - Volatility Comparison

iShares Global Tech ETF (IXN) has a higher volatility of 12.01% compared to iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF (IEFA) at 5.50%. This indicates that IXN's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier 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

IXNIEFADifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

12.01%

5.50%

+6.51%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

20.45%

13.11%

+7.34%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

24.03%

15.54%

+8.49%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

25.19%

16.61%

+8.58%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

24.58%

17.31%

+7.27%

IXN vs. IEFA - Expense Ratio Comparison

IXN has a 0.46% expense ratio, which is higher than IEFA's 0.07% expense ratio.

Dividends

IXN vs. IEFA - Dividend Comparison

IXN's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.78%, less than IEFA's 3.24% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
IEFA
iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF		3.24%3.55%3.47%3.20%2.70%3.32%1.90%3.18%3.46%2.57%2.96%2.63%
IXN
iShares Global Tech ETF		0.78%1.04%0.43%0.55%0.81%0.58%0.63%1.06%0.94%0.93%1.03%1.12%

Frequently Asked Questions

IXN and IEFA have a correlation of 0.62, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

IXN has higher volatility (12.01%) compared to IEFA (5.50%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IXN dropped -55.67% vs IEFA's -34.78%.

On 10-year performance, IXN leads with 25.03% vs 9.90% for IEFA. On fees, IEFA is cheaper at 0.07% per year. On volatility, IEFA has been the lower-risk option at 5.50%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, IXN has performed better with a 25.03% return vs 9.90%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

IEFA is cheaper with a 0.07% expense ratio, compared with 0.46% for IXN.

IEFA has the higher dividend yield at 3.24%, compared with 0.78% for IXN.

IXN is categorized as Technology Equities, while IEFA is Foreign Large Cap Equities. IXN tracks S&P Global Information Technology Sector Index, while IEFA tracks MSCI EAFE IMI Index (Net). Their fees differ too: 0.46% for IXN and 0.07% for IEFA.

IXN currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.52 vs 1.35), 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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