VEU vs. IEFA

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

VEU (Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US ETF) and IEFA (iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF) are both Foreign Large Cap Equities funds - VEU tracks the FTSE All-World ex US Index while IEFA tracks the MSCI EAFE IMI Index (Net). Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VEU returned 9.86%/yr vs 9.37%/yr for IEFA. With a 0.97 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. VEU charges 0.04%/yr vs 0.07%/yr for IEFA.

Performance

VEU vs. IEFA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US ETF (VEU) 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, VEU achieves a 11.45% return, which is significantly higher than IEFA's 7.49% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with VEU having a 9.86% annualized return and IEFA not far behind at 9.37%.

VEU

• 1D: 0.90%
• 1M: -1.72%
• YTD: 11.45%
• 6M: 13.84%
• 1Y: 27.37%
• 3Y*: 18.27%
• 5Y*: 8.16%
• 10Y*: 9.86%

IEFA

• 1D: 0.63%
• 1M: -1.17%
• YTD: 7.49%
• 6M: 10.04%
• 1Y: 19.61%
• 3Y*: 16.13%
• 5Y*: 7.82%
• 10Y*: 9.37%

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

VEU vs. IEFA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VEU Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US ETF	11.45%	32.35%	5.56%	15.84%	-15.58%	8.27%	11.10%	21.83%	-14.18%	27.40%
IEFA iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF	7.49%	32.08%	3.26%	17.95%	-15.24%	11.63%	8.18%	22.64%	-14.14%	26.57%

Correlation

The correlation between VEU and IEFA is 0.96 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.96
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.97
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.97
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.97
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 25, 2012	0.97

The correlation between VEU and IEFA has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.96 to 0.97 - a consistent structural relationship.

VEU vs. IEFA - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VEU	IEFA
Financial Services	23.3%	22.5%
Technology	18.5%	10.8%
Industrials	15.7%	20.1%
Consumer Cyclical	8.2%	8.0%
Basic Materials	7.1%	7.0%
Healthcare	7.1%	9.5%
Energy	5.2%	3.8%
Consumer Defensive	5.1%	6.6%
Communication Services	4.6%	4.4%
Utilities	3.2%	3.6%
Real Estate	2.0%	3.0%

Return for Risk

VEU vs. IEFA — Risk / Return Rank

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

VEU

VEU Risk / Return Rank: 56
VEU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 57
VEU Sortino Ratio Rank: 55
VEU Omega Ratio Rank: 58
VEU Calmar Ratio Rank: 54
VEU Martin Ratio Rank: 58

IEFA

IEFA Risk / Return Rank: 40
IEFA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 41
IEFA Sortino Ratio Rank: 40
IEFA Omega Ratio Rank: 40
IEFA Calmar Ratio Rank: 38
IEFA Martin Ratio Rank: 43

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.

VEU vs. IEFA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US ETF (VEU) 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.

	VEU	IEFA	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.74	1.30	+0.45
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.39	1.88	+0.52
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.32	1.24	+0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.41	1.71	+0.69
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.28	6.52	+2.76
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VEU vs. IEFA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VEU Sharpe Ratio is 1.74, which is higher than the IEFA Sharpe Ratio of 1.30. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VEU 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

	VEU	IEFA	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.74	1.30	+0.45
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.51	0.47	+0.03
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.57	0.54	+0.03
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.25	0.50	-0.26

Drawdowns

VEU vs. IEFA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VEU drawdown since its inception was -61.52%, which is greater than IEFA's maximum drawdown of -34.78%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VEU and IEFA.

Drawdown Indicators

	VEU	IEFA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-61.52%	-34.78%	-26.74%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.43%	-11.50%	+0.07%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.69%	-13.76%	+0.07%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.31%	-30.41%	+1.10%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.98%	-34.78%	-0.20%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.69%	-2.44%	-1.25%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-13.13%	-6.69%	-6.44%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.96%	3.02%	-0.06%

Volatility

VEU vs. IEFA - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US ETF (VEU) has a higher volatility of 6.07% compared to iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF (IEFA) at 4.54%. This indicates that VEU's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IEFA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VEU	IEFA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.07%	4.54%	+1.53%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.65%	12.74%	+0.91%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.80%	15.22%	+0.58%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.16%	16.55%	-0.39%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.25%	17.32%	-0.07%

VEU vs. IEFA - Expense Ratio Comparison

VEU has a 0.04% expense ratio, which is lower than IEFA's 0.07% 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

VEU vs. IEFA - Dividend Comparison

VEU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.68%, less than IEFA's 3.30% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IEFA iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF	3.30%	3.55%	3.47%	3.20%	2.70%	3.32%	1.90%	3.18%	3.46%	2.57%	2.96%	2.63%
VEU Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US ETF	2.68%	3.09%	3.24%	3.32%	3.12%	3.08%	2.00%	3.10%	3.27%	2.66%	2.96%	2.95%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VEU and IEFA in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.96, VEU 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, VEU or IEFA?

VEU has higher volatility (6.07%) compared to IEFA (4.54%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VEU dropped -61.52% vs IEFA's -34.78%.

Which ETF is better, VEU or IEFA?

On 10-year performance, VEU leads with 9.86% vs 9.37% for IEFA. On fees, VEU is cheaper at 0.04% per year. On volatility, IEFA has been the lower-risk option at 4.54%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VEU or IEFA?

Over the 10-year period, VEU has performed better with a 9.86% return vs 9.37%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VEU or IEFA?

VEU is cheaper with a 0.04% expense ratio, compared with 0.07% for IEFA.

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

IEFA has the higher dividend yield at 3.30%, compared with 2.68% for VEU.

What is the main difference between VEU and IEFA?

VEU tracks FTSE All-World ex US Index, while IEFA tracks MSCI EAFE IMI Index (Net). They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.04% for VEU and 0.07% for IEFA.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VEU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.74 vs 1.30), 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.