USRT vs. IEFA
USRT (iShares Core U.S. REIT ETF) and IEFA (iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - USRT is a REIT fund tracking the FTSE Nareit Equity REITS 40 Act Capped 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, USRT returned 6.53%/yr vs 9.96%/yr for IEFA. A 0.51 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. USRT charges 0.08%/yr vs 0.07%/yr for IEFA.
Performance
USRT vs. IEFA - Performance Comparison
Loading charts...
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, USRT achieves a 17.49% return, which is significantly higher than IEFA's 8.47% return. Over the past 10 years, USRT has underperformed IEFA with an annualized return of 6.53%, while IEFA has yielded a comparatively higher 9.96% annualized return.
USRT
- 1D
- 1.30%
- 1M
- 1.84%
- YTD
- 17.49%
- 6M
- 17.97%
- 1Y
- 18.57%
- 3Y*
- 14.08%
- 5Y*
- 5.53%
- 10Y*
- 6.53%
IEFA
- 1D
- -1.97%
- 1M
- -0.19%
- YTD
- 8.47%
- 6M
- 8.11%
- 1Y
- 22.09%
- 3Y*
- 16.84%
- 5Y*
- 8.24%
- 10Y*
- 9.96%
USRT vs. IEFA - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
USRT iShares Core U.S. REIT ETF | 17.49% | 2.44% | 8.58% | 13.64% | -24.43% | 43.26% | -8.06% | 25.98% | -4.67% | 5.27% |
IEFA iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF | 8.47% | 32.08% | 3.26% | 17.95% | -15.24% | 11.63% | 8.18% | 22.64% | -14.14% | 26.57% |
Correlation
The correlation between USRT and IEFA is 0.44, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.44 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.52 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.57 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.50 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 24, 2012 | 0.51 |
The correlation between USRT and IEFA shifts across timeframes, from 0.44 (1 year) to 0.57 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs
Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.
Return for Risk
USRT vs. IEFA — Risk / Return Rank
USRT
IEFA
USRT vs. IEFA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Core U.S. REIT ETF (USRT) 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.
| USRT | IEFA | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.08 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.19 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.24 | 1.26 | -0.03 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.32 | 1.93 | +0.39 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 7.44 | 7.34 | +0.10 |
Loading charts...
Drawdowns
USRT vs. IEFA - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum USRT drawdown since its inception was -69.92%, which is greater than IEFA's maximum drawdown of -34.78%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for USRT and IEFA.
Loading charts...
Drawdown Indicators
| USRT | IEFA | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -69.92% | -34.78% | -35.14% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -8.04% | -11.50% | +3.46% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -18.70% | -13.76% | -4.94% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -31.03% | -30.41% | -0.62% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -44.38% | -34.78% | -9.60% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.25% | -1.97% | +1.72% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -12.94% | -6.67% | -6.27% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.50% | 3.02% | -0.52% |
Volatility
USRT vs. IEFA - Volatility Comparison
iShares Core U.S. REIT ETF (USRT) and iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF (IEFA) have volatilities of 5.19% and 5.26%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
Loading charts...
Volatility by Period
| USRT | IEFA | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 5.19% | 5.26% | -0.07% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 10.06% | 13.22% | -3.16% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 13.89% | 15.55% | -1.66% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 18.93% | 16.61% | +2.32% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 21.33% | 17.07% | +4.26% |
USRT vs. IEFA - Expense Ratio Comparison
USRT has a 0.08% 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
USRT vs. IEFA - Dividend Comparison
USRT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.57%, less than IEFA's 3.44% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IEFA iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF | 3.44% | 3.55% | 3.47% | 3.20% | 2.70% | 3.32% | 1.90% | 3.18% | 3.46% | 2.57% | 2.96% | 2.63% |
USRT iShares Core U.S. REIT ETF | 2.57% | 3.07% | 2.85% | 3.18% | 3.46% | 2.27% | 3.12% | 3.34% | 5.66% | 3.44% | 3.98% | 3.59% |
Frequently Asked Questions
USRT and IEFA have a correlation of 0.44, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
IEFA has higher volatility (5.26%) compared to USRT (5.19%). In terms of maximum drawdown, USRT dropped -69.92% vs IEFA's -34.78%.
On 10-year performance, IEFA leads with 9.96% vs 6.53% for USRT. On fees, IEFA is cheaper at 0.07% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, IEFA has performed better with a 9.96% return vs 6.53%. 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 0.08% for USRT.
IEFA has the higher dividend yield at 3.44%, compared with 2.57% for USRT.
USRT is categorized as REIT, while IEFA is Foreign Large Cap Equities. USRT tracks FTSE Nareit Equity REITS 40 Act Capped Index, while IEFA tracks MSCI EAFE IMI Index (Net). Their fees differ too: 0.08% for USRT and 0.07% for IEFA.
IEFA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.43 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.
Find the right allocation for USRT and IEFA
Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.
Open Portfolio Optimizer