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SSXU vs. EFAV
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

SSXU vs. EFAV

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

SSXU (Day Hagan/Ned Davis Research Smart Sector International ETF) and EFAV (iShares MSCI EAFE Min Vol Factor ETF) are both Foreign Large Cap Equities funds. SSXU is actively managed, while EFAV is passively managed. Over the past 3 years, SSXU returned 12.21%/yr vs 12.53%/yr for EFAV. Their correlation of 0.80 suggests significant overlap in exposure. SSXU charges 1.15%/yr vs 0.20%/yr for EFAV.

Performance

SSXU vs. EFAV - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Day Hagan/Ned Davis Research Smart Sector International ETF (SSXU) and iShares MSCI EAFE Min Vol Factor ETF (EFAV). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SSXU achieves a 3.06% return, which is significantly higher than EFAV's 2.67% return.

SSXU

1D
-1.45%
1M
-1.58%
YTD
3.06%
6M
2.66%
1Y
17.70%
3Y*
12.21%
5Y*
—
10Y*
—

EFAV

1D
-0.18%
1M
-3.17%
YTD
2.67%
6M
2.24%
1Y
8.51%
3Y*
12.53%
5Y*
5.83%
10Y*
6.31%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

SSXU vs. EFAV - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)2025202420232022
SSXU
Day Hagan/Ned Davis Research Smart Sector International ETF		3.06%27.09%5.28%9.56%2.14%
EFAV
iShares MSCI EAFE Min Vol Factor ETF		2.67%26.00%5.30%12.52%1.22%

Correlation

The correlation between SSXU and EFAV is 0.74, 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

0.74

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

0.77

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 1, 2022

0.80

The correlation between SSXU and EFAV has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.74 to 0.80 - a consistent structural relationship.

SSXU vs. EFAV - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
SSXU
EFAV

Financial Services

23.0%
19.4%

Industrials

16.2%
15.9%

Basic Materials

14.5%
1.5%

Consumer Cyclical

8.0%
5.0%

Healthcare

6.8%
12.0%

Technology

6.7%
4.6%

Consumer Defensive

6.5%
11.9%

Energy

5.5%
8.3%

Communication Services

5.1%
9.6%

Utilities

4.3%
8.8%

Real Estate

3.5%
3.0%

Financial Services

SSXU
23.0%
EFAV
19.4%

Industrials

SSXU
16.2%
EFAV
15.9%

Basic Materials

SSXU
14.5%
EFAV
1.5%

Consumer Cyclical

SSXU
8.0%
EFAV
5.0%

Healthcare

SSXU
6.8%
EFAV
12.0%

Technology

SSXU
6.7%
EFAV
4.6%

Consumer Defensive

SSXU
6.5%
EFAV
11.9%

Energy

SSXU
5.5%
EFAV
8.3%

Communication Services

SSXU
5.1%
EFAV
9.6%

Utilities

SSXU
4.3%
EFAV
8.8%

Real Estate

SSXU
3.5%
EFAV
3.0%

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

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

Day Hagan/Ned Davis Research Smart Sector International ETF

iShares MSCI EAFE Min Vol Factor ETF

Often compared with SSXU:
SSXU vs. DHSBSSXU vs. SSFISSXU vs. VEASSXU vs. FPXISSXU vs. IDEVSSXU vs. AUSFSSXU vs. GDE
Often compared with EFAV:
EFAV vs. EFVEFAV vs. EFAEFAV vs. ACWVEFAV vs. EEMVEFAV vs. USMVEFAV vs. EFASEFAV vs. SPLV

Return for Risk

SSXU vs. EFAV — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
SSXU
SSXU Risk / Return Rank: 3838
Overall Rank
SSXU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 3939
Sharpe Ratio Rank
SSXU Sortino Ratio Rank: 3838
Sortino Ratio Rank
SSXU Omega Ratio Rank: 3838
Omega Ratio Rank
SSXU Calmar Ratio Rank: 3636
Calmar Ratio Rank
SSXU Martin Ratio Rank: 3939
Martin Ratio Rank
EFAV
EFAV Risk / Return Rank: 2424
Overall Rank
EFAV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 2424
Sharpe Ratio Rank
EFAV Sortino Ratio Rank: 2222
Sortino Ratio Rank
EFAV Omega Ratio Rank: 2222
Omega Ratio Rank
EFAV Calmar Ratio Rank: 2727
Calmar Ratio Rank
EFAV Martin Ratio Rank: 2626
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.

SSXU vs. EFAV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Day Hagan/Ned Davis Research Smart Sector International ETF (SSXU) and iShares MSCI EAFE Min Vol Factor 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.

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.

SSXUEFAVDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.27
0.81

+0.46

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
1.81
1.19

+0.62

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.23

1.15

+0.09

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

1.66

1.28

+0.38

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

5.62

3.26

+2.36

SSXU vs. EFAV - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SSXU Sharpe Ratio is 1.27, which is higher than the EFAV Sharpe Ratio of 0.81. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SSXU 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.

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Drawdowns

SSXU vs. EFAV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SSXU drawdown since its inception was -13.91%, smaller than the maximum EFAV drawdown of -27.56%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SSXU and EFAV.

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Drawdown Indicators

SSXUEFAVDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-13.91%

-27.56%

+13.65%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-10.71%

-6.66%

-4.05%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-13.91%

-8.75%

-5.16%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

—

-27.46%

—

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

—

-27.56%

—

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-5.35%

-6.66%

+1.31%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-3.24%

-4.77%

+1.53%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

3.16%

2.61%

+0.55%

Volatility

SSXU vs. EFAV - Volatility Comparison

Day Hagan/Ned Davis Research Smart Sector International ETF (SSXU) has a higher volatility of 4.43% compared to iShares MSCI EAFE Min Vol Factor ETF (EFAV) at 3.10%. This indicates that SSXU'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.

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Volatility by Period

SSXUEFAVDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

4.43%

3.10%

+1.33%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

11.95%

8.53%

+3.42%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

14.01%

10.57%

+3.44%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

14.41%

11.82%

+2.59%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

14.41%

13.06%

+1.35%

SSXU vs. EFAV - Expense Ratio Comparison

SSXU has a 1.15% expense ratio, which is higher than EFAV's 0.20% expense ratio.

Dividends

SSXU vs. EFAV - Dividend Comparison

SSXU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.58%, less than EFAV's 3.29% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
EFAV
iShares MSCI EAFE Min Vol Factor ETF		3.29%3.20%3.24%3.08%2.53%2.47%1.33%4.19%3.34%2.45%3.94%2.49%
SSXU
Day Hagan/Ned Davis Research Smart Sector International ETF		2.58%2.66%2.74%2.07%0.65%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

SSXU and EFAV have a correlation of 0.74, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

SSXU has higher volatility (4.43%) compared to EFAV (3.10%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SSXU dropped -13.91% vs EFAV's -27.56%.

On 3-year performance, EFAV leads with 12.53% vs 12.21% for SSXU. On fees, EFAV is cheaper at 0.20% per year. On volatility, EFAV has been the lower-risk option at 3.10%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 3-year period, EFAV has performed better with a 12.53% return vs 12.21%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

EFAV is cheaper with a 0.20% expense ratio, compared with 1.15% for SSXU.

EFAV has the higher dividend yield at 3.29%, compared with 2.58% for SSXU.

They also come from different issuers: Day Hagan and iShares. Their fees differ too: 1.15% for SSXU and 0.20% for EFAV.

SSXU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.27 vs 0.81), 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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