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NIHI vs. IEFA
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

NIHI vs. IEFA

Last updated Jul 3, 2026
See Documentation

NIHI (NEOS MSCI EAFE High Income ETF) and IEFA (iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - NIHI is a Derivative Income fund actively managed by Neos, while IEFA is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the MSCI EAFE IMI Index (Net). NIHI is actively managed, while IEFA is passively managed. With a 0.95 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. NIHI charges 0.68%/yr vs 0.07%/yr for IEFA.

Performance

NIHI vs. IEFA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in NEOS MSCI EAFE High Income ETF (NIHI) 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, NIHI achieves a 7.52% return, which is significantly lower than IEFA's 10.54% return.

NIHI

1D
0.86%
1M
1.07%
6M
7.52%
YTD
7.52%
1Y
—
3Y*
—
5Y*
—
10Y*
—

IEFA

1D
1.27%
1M
0.76%
6M
10.54%
YTD
10.54%
1Y
20.67%
3Y*
16.77%
5Y*
8.74%
10Y*
9.74%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

NIHI vs. IEFA - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)2025
NIHI
NEOS MSCI EAFE High Income ETF		7.52%4.89%
IEFA
iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF		10.54%4.39%

Correlation

The correlation between NIHI and IEFA is 0.95 - 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 (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 17, 2025

0.95

NIHI vs. IEFA - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
NIHI
IEFA

Financial Services

22.6%
22.6%

Industrials

20.3%
20.1%

Technology

11.3%
11.6%

Healthcare

9.6%
9.7%

Consumer Cyclical

8.3%
8.3%

Basic Materials

6.8%
6.8%

Consumer Defensive

6.3%
6.2%

Communication Services

4.7%
4.7%

Energy

3.7%
3.6%

Utilities

3.6%
3.5%

Real Estate

3.0%
2.9%

Financial Services

NIHI
22.6%
IEFA
22.6%

Industrials

NIHI
20.3%
IEFA
20.1%

Technology

NIHI
11.3%
IEFA
11.6%

Healthcare

NIHI
9.6%
IEFA
9.7%

Consumer Cyclical

NIHI
8.3%
IEFA
8.3%

Basic Materials

NIHI
6.8%
IEFA
6.8%

Consumer Defensive

NIHI
6.3%
IEFA
6.2%

Communication Services

NIHI
4.7%
IEFA
4.7%

Energy

NIHI
3.7%
IEFA
3.6%

Utilities

NIHI
3.6%
IEFA
3.5%

Real Estate

NIHI
3.0%
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.

NEOS MSCI EAFE High Income ETF

iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF

Often compared with NIHI:
NIHI vs. IDVONIHI vs. SPYINIHI vs. QQQINIHI vs. EFASNIHI vs. GIAXNIHI vs. LVHINIHI vs. QQQH
Often compared with IEFA:
IEFA vs. VEAIEFA vs. VXUSIEFA vs. EFAIEFA vs. FSPSXIEFA vs. IEMGIEFA vs. XEF.TOIEFA vs. IXUS

Return for Risk

NIHI vs. IEFA — Risk / Return Rank

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

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

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: 4444
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.

NIHI vs. IEFA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for NEOS MSCI EAFE High Income ETF (NIHI) 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.

NIHIIEFADifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility

—

1.34

—

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk

—

1.95

—

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

—

1.25

—

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

—

1.81

—

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

—

6.85

—

NIHI vs. IEFA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

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Drawdowns

NIHI vs. IEFA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NIHI drawdown since its inception was -10.88%, smaller than the maximum IEFA drawdown of -34.78%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NIHI and IEFA.

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Drawdown Indicators

NIHIIEFADifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-10.88%

-34.78%

+23.90%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

—

-11.50%

—

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

—

-13.76%

—

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

—

-30.41%

—

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

—

-34.78%

—

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

0.00%

-0.09%

+0.09%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-2.24%

-6.66%

+4.42%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

—

3.03%

—

Volatility

NIHI vs. IEFA - Volatility Comparison

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Volatility by Period

NIHIIEFADifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

—

5.43%

—

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

—

13.32%

—

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

15.07%

15.52%

-0.45%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

15.07%

16.62%

-1.55%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

15.07%

17.02%

-1.95%

NIHI vs. IEFA - Expense Ratio Comparison

NIHI has a 0.68% expense ratio, which is higher than IEFA's 0.07% expense ratio.

Dividends

NIHI vs. IEFA - Dividend Comparison

NIHI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 8.57%, more 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%
NIHI
NEOS MSCI EAFE High Income ETF		8.57%3.44%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

With a correlation of 0.95, NIHI 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.

On fees, IEFA is cheaper at 0.07% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

IEFA is cheaper with a 0.07% expense ratio, compared with 0.68% for NIHI.

NIHI has the higher dividend yield at 8.57%, compared with 3.38% for IEFA.

NIHI is categorized as Derivative Income, while IEFA is Foreign Large Cap Equities. They also come from different issuers: Neos and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.68% for NIHI and 0.07% for IEFA.

Portfolio Optimizer

Find the right allocation for NIHI and IEFA

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