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SPY vs. IEFA
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

SPY vs. IEFA

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) and IEFA (iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 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, SPY returned 15.42%/yr vs 9.90%/yr for IEFA. A 0.79 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. SPY charges 0.09%/yr vs 0.07%/yr for IEFA.

Performance

SPY vs. IEFA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) 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

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with SPY having a 9.07% return and IEFA slightly higher at 9.51%. Over the past 10 years, SPY has outperformed IEFA with an annualized return of 15.42%, while IEFA has yielded a comparatively lower 9.90% annualized return.

SPY

1D
0.54%
1M
-0.08%
YTD
9.07%
6M
9.42%
1Y
24.27%
3Y*
20.86%
5Y*
13.36%
10Y*
15.42%

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)

SPY vs. IEFA - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
SPY
State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF		9.07%17.72%24.89%26.18%-18.18%28.73%18.33%31.22%-4.57%21.71%
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 SPY and IEFA is 0.77, 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

0.77

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

0.72

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

0.76

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

0.78

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

0.79

The correlation between SPY and IEFA has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.72 to 0.79 - a consistent structural relationship.

SPY vs. IEFA - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
SPY
IEFA

Technology

35.9%
10.8%

Financial Services

11.8%
22.5%

Communication Services

11.3%
4.4%

Consumer Cyclical

10.3%
8.0%

Healthcare

8.4%
9.5%

Industrials

7.8%
20.1%

Consumer Defensive

4.8%
6.6%

Energy

3.6%
3.8%

Utilities

2.4%
3.6%

Real Estate

1.9%
3.0%

Basic Materials

1.8%
7.0%

Technology

SPY
35.9%
IEFA
10.8%

Financial Services

SPY
11.8%
IEFA
22.5%

Communication Services

SPY
11.3%
IEFA
4.4%

Consumer Cyclical

SPY
10.3%
IEFA
8.0%

Healthcare

SPY
8.4%
IEFA
9.5%

Industrials

SPY
7.8%
IEFA
20.1%

Consumer Defensive

SPY
4.8%
IEFA
6.6%

Energy

SPY
3.6%
IEFA
3.8%

Utilities

SPY
2.4%
IEFA
3.6%

Real Estate

SPY
1.9%
IEFA
3.0%

Basic Materials

SPY
1.8%
IEFA
7.0%

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

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

State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF

iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF

Often compared with SPY:
SPY vs. QQQSPY vs. VOOSPY vs. BRK-BSPY vs. RSPSPY vs. VTISPY vs. SCHDSPY vs. GLD
Often compared with IEFA:
IEFA vs. VEAIEFA vs. VXUSIEFA vs. EFAIEFA vs. FSPSXIEFA vs. IEMGIEFA vs. XEF.TOIEFA vs. IXUS

Return for Risk

SPY vs. IEFA — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
SPY
SPY Risk / Return Rank: 7070
Overall Rank
SPY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7171
Sharpe Ratio Rank
SPY Sortino Ratio Rank: 6969
Sortino Ratio Rank
SPY Omega Ratio Rank: 7171
Omega Ratio Rank
SPY Calmar Ratio Rank: 6363
Calmar Ratio Rank
SPY Martin Ratio Rank: 7676
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.

SPY vs. IEFA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) 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.

SPYIEFADifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.98
1.35

+0.63

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.68
1.97

+0.71

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.36

1.25

+0.11

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

2.74

1.83

+0.92

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

12.39

6.93

+5.46

SPY vs. IEFA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SPY Sharpe Ratio is 1.98, which is higher than the IEFA Sharpe Ratio of 1.35. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SPY 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

SPY vs. IEFA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SPY drawdown since its inception was -55.19%, which is greater than IEFA's maximum drawdown of -34.78%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SPY and IEFA.

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Drawdown Indicators

SPYIEFADifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-55.19%

-34.78%

-20.41%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-8.88%

-11.50%

+2.62%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-18.76%

-13.76%

-5.00%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-24.50%

-30.41%

+5.91%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-33.72%

-34.78%

+1.06%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-2.35%

-0.60%

-1.75%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-9.04%

-6.68%

-2.36%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

1.97%

3.03%

-1.06%

Volatility

SPY vs. IEFA - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) is 4.34%, while iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF (IEFA) has a volatility of 5.50%. This indicates that SPY 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.

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Volatility by Period

SPYIEFADifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

4.34%

5.50%

-1.16%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

9.58%

13.11%

-3.53%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

12.29%

15.54%

-3.25%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

17.12%

16.61%

+0.51%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

17.96%

17.31%

+0.65%

SPY vs. IEFA - Expense Ratio Comparison

SPY has a 0.09% expense ratio, which is higher than IEFA's 0.07% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

SPY vs. IEFA - Dividend Comparison

SPY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.00%, 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%
SPY
State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF		1.00%1.07%1.21%1.40%1.65%1.20%1.52%1.75%2.04%1.80%2.03%2.06%

Frequently Asked Questions

SPY and IEFA have a correlation of 0.77, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

IEFA has higher volatility (5.50%) compared to SPY (4.34%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SPY dropped -55.19% vs IEFA's -34.78%.

On 10-year performance, SPY leads with 15.42% vs 9.90% for IEFA. On fees, IEFA is cheaper at 0.07% per year. On volatility, SPY has been the lower-risk option at 4.34%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, SPY has performed better with a 15.42% 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 0.09% for SPY.

IEFA has the higher dividend yield at 3.24%, compared with 1.00% for SPY.

SPY is categorized as S&P 500, while IEFA is Foreign Large Cap Equities. SPY tracks S&P 500 Index, while IEFA tracks MSCI EAFE IMI Index (Net). They also come from different issuers: State Street and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.09% for SPY and 0.07% for IEFA.

SPY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.98 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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