REET vs. EFAV

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

REET (iShares Global REIT ETF) and EFAV (iShares Edge MSCI Min Vol EAFE ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - REET is a REIT fund tracking the FTSE EPRA/NAREIT Global REIT Index, while EFAV is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the MSCI EAFE Minimum Volatility Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, REET returned 4.04%/yr vs 6.10%/yr for EFAV. A 0.63 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. REET charges 0.14%/yr vs 0.20%/yr for EFAV.

Performance

REET vs. EFAV - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Global REIT ETF (REET) and iShares Edge MSCI Min Vol EAFE ETF (EFAV). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, REET achieves a 8.47% return, which is significantly higher than EFAV's 3.77% return. Over the past 10 years, REET has underperformed EFAV with an annualized return of 4.04%, while EFAV has yielded a comparatively higher 6.10% annualized return.

REET

• 1D: -0.88%
• 1M: -1.75%
• YTD: 8.47%
• 6M: 9.73%
• 1Y: 11.75%
• 3Y*: 9.05%
• 5Y*: 1.87%
• 10Y*: 4.04%

EFAV

• 1D: 0.61%
• 1M: -1.89%
• YTD: 3.77%
• 6M: 6.13%
• 1Y: 8.96%
• 3Y*: 12.84%
• 5Y*: 6.01%
• 10Y*: 6.10%

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

REET vs. EFAV - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
REET iShares Global REIT ETF	8.47%	7.97%	2.65%	10.28%	-24.10%	32.43%	-10.48%	24.42%	-5.27%	7.48%
EFAV iShares Edge MSCI Min Vol EAFE ETF	3.77%	26.00%	5.30%	12.52%	-15.11%	7.20%	-0.06%	16.67%	-5.74%	22.24%

Correlation

The correlation between REET and EFAV is 0.68, 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	0.68
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.63
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.65
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.62
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 11, 2014	0.63

The correlation between REET and EFAV has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.62 to 0.68 - a consistent structural relationship.

REET vs. EFAV - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	REET	EFAV
Real Estate	99.8%	2.9%
Financial Services	0.2%	19.9%
Basic Materials	-	1.6%
Communication Services	-	9.7%
Consumer Cyclical	-	5.2%
Consumer Defensive	-	11.5%
Energy	-	8.2%
Healthcare	-	12.4%
Industrials	-	15.1%
Technology	-	4.5%
Utilities	-	9.1%

Return for Risk

REET vs. EFAV — Risk / Return Rank

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

REET

REET Risk / Return Rank: 30
REET Sharpe Ratio Rank: 29
REET Sortino Ratio Rank: 28
REET Omega Ratio Rank: 28
REET Calmar Ratio Rank: 29
REET Martin Ratio Rank: 34

EFAV

EFAV Risk / Return Rank: 27
EFAV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 26
EFAV Sortino Ratio Rank: 25
EFAV Omega Ratio Rank: 25
EFAV Calmar Ratio Rank: 31
EFAV Martin Ratio Rank: 29

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.

REET vs. EFAV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Global REIT ETF (REET) and iShares Edge MSCI Min Vol EAFE ETF (EFAV). 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.

	REET	EFAV	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.97	0.86	+0.11
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.39	1.26	+0.13
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.18	1.16	+0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.31	1.39	-0.09
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.68	3.77	+0.91
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

REET vs. EFAV - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current REET Sharpe Ratio is 0.97, which is comparable to the EFAV Sharpe Ratio of 0.86. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of REET and EFAV, 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

	REET	EFAV	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.97	0.86	+0.11
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.11	0.51	-0.40
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.22	0.46	-0.25
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.25	0.53	-0.29

Drawdowns

REET vs. EFAV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum REET drawdown since its inception was -44.59%, which is greater than EFAV's maximum drawdown of -27.56%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for REET and EFAV.

Drawdown Indicators

	REET	EFAV	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-44.59%	-27.56%	-17.03%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.04%	-6.46%	-2.58%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.02%	-8.75%	-9.27%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-32.11%	-27.46%	-4.65%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-44.59%	-27.56%	-17.03%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.46%	-5.66%	+3.20%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.78%	-4.77%	-5.01%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.52%	2.38%	+0.14%

Volatility

REET vs. EFAV - Volatility Comparison

iShares Global REIT ETF (REET) has a higher volatility of 3.56% compared to iShares Edge MSCI Min Vol EAFE ETF (EFAV) at 2.86%. This indicates that REET's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than EFAV based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	REET	EFAV	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.56%	2.86%	+0.70%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.90%	8.30%	+0.60%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.17%	10.43%	+1.74%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.95%	11.80%	+5.15%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.85%	13.22%	+5.63%

REET vs. EFAV - Expense Ratio Comparison

REET has a 0.14% expense ratio, which is lower than EFAV's 0.20% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

REET vs. EFAV - Dividend Comparison

REET's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.41%, more than EFAV's 3.08% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
EFAV iShares Edge MSCI Min Vol EAFE ETF	3.08%	3.20%	3.24%	3.08%	2.53%	2.47%	1.33%	4.19%	3.34%	2.45%	3.94%	2.49%
REET iShares Global REIT ETF	3.41%	3.67%	3.64%	3.27%	2.43%	3.18%	2.65%	5.25%	5.73%	3.84%	5.37%	3.56%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both REET and EFAV in my portfolio?

REET and EFAV have a correlation of 0.68, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, REET or EFAV?

REET has higher volatility (3.56%) compared to EFAV (2.86%). In terms of maximum drawdown, REET dropped -44.59% vs EFAV's -27.56%.

Which ETF is better, REET or EFAV?

On 10-year performance, EFAV leads with 6.10% vs 4.04% for REET. On fees, REET is cheaper at 0.14% per year. On volatility, EFAV has been the lower-risk option at 2.86%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, REET or EFAV?

Over the 10-year period, EFAV has performed better with a 6.10% return vs 4.04%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, REET or EFAV?

REET is cheaper with a 0.14% expense ratio, compared with 0.20% for EFAV.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, REET or EFAV?

REET has the higher dividend yield at 3.41%, compared with 3.08% for EFAV.

What is the main difference between REET and EFAV?

REET is categorized as REIT, while EFAV is Foreign Large Cap Equities. REET tracks FTSE EPRA/NAREIT Global REIT Index, while EFAV tracks MSCI EAFE Minimum Volatility Index. Their fees differ too: 0.14% for REET and 0.20% for EFAV.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

REET currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.97 vs 0.86), 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.