SCZ vs. IEFA

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

SCZ (iShares MSCI EAFE Small-Cap ETF) and IEFA (iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SCZ is a Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities fund tracking the MSCI EAFE Small Cap Index, while IEFA is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the MSCI EAFE Investable Market Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, SCZ returned 8.11%/yr vs 9.31%/yr for IEFA. With a 0.95 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. SCZ charges 0.40%/yr vs 0.07%/yr for IEFA.

Performance

SCZ vs. IEFA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares MSCI EAFE Small-Cap ETF (SCZ) and iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF (IEFA). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SCZ achieves a 10.36% return, which is significantly higher than IEFA's 9.71% return. Over the past 10 years, SCZ has underperformed IEFA with an annualized return of 8.11%, while IEFA has yielded a comparatively higher 9.31% annualized return.

SCZ

• 1D: 0.27%
• 1M: 2.61%
• YTD: 10.36%
• 6M: 13.55%
• 1Y: 23.89%
• 3Y*: 16.41%
• 5Y*: 5.41%
• 10Y*: 8.11%

IEFA

• 1D: 0.53%
• 1M: 2.89%
• YTD: 9.71%
• 6M: 12.86%
• 1Y: 21.97%
• 3Y*: 17.03%
• 5Y*: 8.44%
• 10Y*: 9.31%

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

SCZ vs. IEFA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SCZ iShares MSCI EAFE Small-Cap ETF	10.36%	32.08%	1.52%	12.98%	-21.27%	10.12%	11.71%	24.68%	-17.64%	32.72%
IEFA iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF	9.71%	32.08%	3.26%	17.95%	-15.24%	11.63%	8.18%	22.64%	-14.14%	26.57%

Correlation

The correlation between SCZ and IEFA is 0.94, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.94
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.95
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.96
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.95
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 25, 2012	0.95

The correlation between SCZ and IEFA has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.94 to 0.96 - a consistent structural relationship.

SCZ vs. IEFA - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SCZ	IEFA
Industrials	24.6%	20.1%
Financial Services	12.5%	22.5%
Consumer Cyclical	11.8%	8.0%
Basic Materials	10.7%	7.0%
Real Estate	10.3%	3.0%
Technology	9.1%	10.8%
Healthcare	5.5%	9.5%
Consumer Defensive	5.0%	6.6%
Communication Services	4.1%	4.4%
Energy	3.7%	3.8%
Utilities	2.8%	3.6%

Return for Risk

SCZ vs. IEFA — Risk / Return Rank

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

SCZ

SCZ Risk / Return Rank: 47
SCZ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 47
SCZ Sortino Ratio Rank: 48
SCZ Omega Ratio Rank: 47
SCZ Calmar Ratio Rank: 44
SCZ Martin Ratio Rank: 50

IEFA

IEFA Risk / Return Rank: 42
IEFA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 41
IEFA Sortino Ratio Rank: 42
IEFA Omega Ratio Rank: 41
IEFA Calmar Ratio Rank: 41
IEFA Martin Ratio Rank: 47

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.

SCZ vs. IEFA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI EAFE Small-Cap ETF (SCZ) 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.

	SCZ	IEFA	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.66	1.48	+0.18
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.38	2.13	+0.25
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.30	1.27	+0.03
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.22	2.03	+0.19
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	8.51	7.77	+0.74
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SCZ vs. IEFA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SCZ Sharpe Ratio is 1.66, which is comparable to the IEFA Sharpe Ratio of 1.48. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SCZ 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	SCZ	IEFA	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.66	1.48	+0.18
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.32	0.51	-0.19
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.47	0.54	-0.07
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.27	0.51	-0.24

Drawdowns

SCZ vs. IEFA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SCZ drawdown since its inception was -61.86%, which is greater than IEFA's maximum drawdown of -34.78%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SCZ and IEFA.

Drawdown Indicators

	SCZ	IEFA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-61.86%	-34.78%	-27.08%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.43%	-11.50%	+0.07%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.06%	-13.76%	-1.30%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-36.87%	-30.41%	-6.46%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-41.07%	-34.78%	-6.29%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.08%	-0.42%	-0.66%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-13.07%	-6.69%	-6.38%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.98%	3.01%	-0.03%

Volatility

SCZ vs. IEFA - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares MSCI EAFE Small-Cap ETF (SCZ) is 4.60%, while iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF (IEFA) has a volatility of 5.00%. This indicates that SCZ experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than IEFA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SCZ	IEFA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.60%	5.00%	-0.40%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.95%	12.41%	-0.46%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.48%	14.97%	-0.49%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.74%	16.50%	+0.24%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.43%	17.30%	+0.13%

SCZ vs. IEFA - Expense Ratio Comparison

SCZ has a 0.40% expense ratio, which is higher than IEFA's 0.07% expense ratio.

Dividends

SCZ vs. IEFA - Dividend Comparison

SCZ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.99%, less than IEFA's 3.24% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%
SCZ iShares MSCI EAFE Small-Cap ETF	2.99%	3.30%	3.50%	2.96%	1.99%	2.96%	1.52%	3.52%	2.79%	2.38%	2.82%	2.06%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SCZ and IEFA in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.94, SCZ 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.

Which is riskier, SCZ or IEFA?

IEFA has higher volatility (5.00%) compared to SCZ (4.60%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SCZ dropped -61.86% vs IEFA's -34.78%.

Which ETF is better, SCZ or IEFA?

On 10-year performance, IEFA leads with 9.31% vs 8.11% for SCZ. On fees, IEFA is cheaper at 0.07% per year. On volatility, SCZ has been the lower-risk option at 4.60%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SCZ or IEFA?

Over the 10-year period, IEFA has performed better with a 9.31% return vs 8.11%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SCZ or IEFA?

IEFA is cheaper with a 0.07% expense ratio, compared with 0.40% for SCZ.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SCZ or IEFA?

IEFA has the higher dividend yield at 3.24%, compared with 2.99% for SCZ.

What is the main difference between SCZ and IEFA?

SCZ is categorized as Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities, while IEFA is Foreign Large Cap Equities. SCZ tracks MSCI EAFE Small Cap Index, while IEFA tracks MSCI EAFE Investable Market Index. Their fees differ too: 0.40% for SCZ and 0.07% for IEFA.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SCZ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.66 vs 1.48), 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.