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IXUS vs. IEFA
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

IXUS vs. IEFA

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

IXUS (iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF) and IEFA (iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF) are both Foreign Large Cap Equities funds from iShares - IXUS tracks the MSCI ACWI ex USA IMI Index (Net) while IEFA tracks the MSCI EAFE IMI Index (Net). Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IXUS returned 10.55%/yr vs 10.18%/yr for IEFA. With a 0.96 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. Both charge a 0.07% expense ratio.

Performance

IXUS vs. IEFA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF (IXUS) 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, IXUS achieves a 16.32% return, which is significantly higher than IEFA's 10.65% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with IXUS having a 10.55% annualized return and IEFA not far behind at 10.18%.

IXUS

1D
0.23%
1M
3.64%
YTD
16.32%
6M
16.81%
1Y
34.59%
3Y*
20.26%
5Y*
9.16%
10Y*
10.55%

IEFA

1D
0.10%
1M
1.81%
YTD
10.65%
6M
11.01%
1Y
25.52%
3Y*
17.62%
5Y*
8.87%
10Y*
10.18%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

IXUS vs. IEFA - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
IXUS
iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF		16.32%32.40%5.19%15.83%-16.47%8.86%10.80%21.71%-14.41%28.12%
IEFA
iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF		10.65%32.08%3.26%17.95%-15.24%11.63%8.18%22.64%-14.14%26.57%

Correlation

The correlation between IXUS and IEFA is 0.96 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

0.96

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

0.96

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

0.97

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

0.97

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

0.96

The correlation between IXUS and IEFA has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.96 to 0.97 - a consistent structural relationship.

IXUS vs. IEFA - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
IXUS
IEFA

Technology

30.5%
11.6%

Financial Services

23.8%
22.6%

Industrials

11.3%
20.1%

Healthcare

6.5%
9.7%

Consumer Cyclical

5.6%
8.3%

Basic Materials

5.0%
6.8%

Energy

4.4%
3.6%

Communication Services

4.2%
4.7%

Consumer Defensive

3.9%
6.2%

Utilities

1.9%
3.5%

Real Estate

0.2%
2.9%

Technology

IXUS
30.5%
IEFA
11.6%

Financial Services

IXUS
23.8%
IEFA
22.6%

Industrials

IXUS
11.3%
IEFA
20.1%

Healthcare

IXUS
6.5%
IEFA
9.7%

Consumer Cyclical

IXUS
5.6%
IEFA
8.3%

Basic Materials

IXUS
5.0%
IEFA
6.8%

Energy

IXUS
4.4%
IEFA
3.6%

Communication Services

IXUS
4.2%
IEFA
4.7%

Consumer Defensive

IXUS
3.9%
IEFA
6.2%

Utilities

IXUS
1.9%
IEFA
3.5%

Real Estate

IXUS
0.2%
IEFA
2.9%

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 MSCI Total International Stock ETF

iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF

Often compared with IXUS:
IXUS vs. VXUSIXUS vs. ITOTIXUS vs. VEAIXUS vs. SCHFIXUS vs. ACWXIXUS vs. IEMGIXUS vs. IDEV
Often compared with IEFA:
IEFA vs. VEAIEFA vs. VXUSIEFA vs. EFAIEFA vs. FSPSXIEFA vs. IEMGIEFA vs. XEF.TOIEFA vs. IDEV

Return for Risk

IXUS vs. IEFA — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
IXUS
IXUS Risk / Return Rank: 6767
Overall Rank
IXUS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6868
Sharpe Ratio Rank
IXUS Sortino Ratio Rank: 6666
Sortino Ratio Rank
IXUS Omega Ratio Rank: 7070
Omega Ratio Rank
IXUS Calmar Ratio Rank: 6464
Calmar Ratio Rank
IXUS Martin Ratio Rank: 6666
Martin Ratio Rank
IEFA
IEFA Risk / Return Rank: 4949
Overall Rank
IEFA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5050
Sharpe Ratio Rank
IEFA Sortino Ratio Rank: 5050
Sortino Ratio Rank
IEFA Omega Ratio Rank: 4949
Omega Ratio Rank
IEFA Calmar Ratio Rank: 4646
Calmar Ratio Rank
IEFA Martin Ratio Rank: 5151
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.

IXUS vs. IEFA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF (IXUS) 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.

IXUSIEFADifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
2.14
1.66

+0.48

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.90
2.38

+0.53

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.40

1.30

+0.09

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

3.06

2.23

+0.83

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

11.79

8.48

+3.30

IXUS vs. IEFA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IXUS Sharpe Ratio is 2.14, which is comparable to the IEFA Sharpe Ratio of 1.66. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IXUS 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

IXUS vs. IEFA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IXUS drawdown since its inception was -36.22%, roughly equal to the maximum IEFA drawdown of -34.78%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IXUS and IEFA.

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Drawdown Indicators

IXUSIEFADifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-36.22%

-34.78%

-1.44%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-11.36%

-11.50%

+0.14%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-13.75%

-13.76%

+0.01%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-30.03%

-30.41%

+0.38%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-36.22%

-34.78%

-1.44%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

0.00%

0.00%

0.00%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-7.48%

-6.67%

-0.81%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

2.94%

3.02%

-0.08%

Volatility

IXUS vs. IEFA - Volatility Comparison

iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF (IXUS) has a higher volatility of 6.43% compared to iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF (IEFA) at 4.85%. This indicates that IXUS'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

IXUSIEFADifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

6.43%

4.85%

+1.58%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

14.30%

13.07%

+1.23%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

16.28%

15.44%

+0.84%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

16.39%

16.59%

-0.20%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

17.10%

17.27%

-0.17%

IXUS vs. IEFA - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both IXUS and IEFA have an expense ratio of 0.07%, making them cost-effective options compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios typically range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

IXUS vs. IEFA - Dividend Comparison

IXUS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.88%, less than IEFA's 3.38% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
IEFA
iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF		3.38%3.55%3.47%3.20%2.70%3.32%1.90%3.18%3.46%2.57%2.96%2.63%
IXUS
iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF		2.88%3.24%3.33%3.13%2.48%3.12%1.85%3.09%3.00%2.41%2.58%2.81%

Frequently Asked Questions

With a correlation of 0.96, IXUS and IEFA 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.

IXUS has higher volatility (6.43%) compared to IEFA (4.85%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IXUS dropped -36.22% vs IEFA's -34.78%.

On 10-year performance, IXUS leads with 10.55% vs 10.18% for IEFA. Both ETFs have the same 0.07% expense ratio. On volatility, IEFA has been the lower-risk option at 4.85%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, IXUS has performed better with a 10.55% return vs 10.18%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

IXUS and IEFA have the same expense ratio: 0.07% per year.

IEFA has the higher dividend yield at 3.38%, compared with 2.88% for IXUS.

IXUS tracks MSCI ACWI ex USA IMI Index (Net), while IEFA tracks MSCI EAFE IMI Index (Net).

IXUS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.14 vs 1.66), 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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