VFFVX vs. EFV

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

VFFVX (Vanguard Target Retirement 2055 Fund) and EFV (iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF) are both funds - VFFVX is a Target Retirement Date fund managed by Vanguard, while EFV is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the MSCI EAFE Value Index. Over the past 10 years, VFFVX returned 11.49%/yr vs 9.94%/yr for EFV. Their correlation of 0.86 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VFFVX charges 0.08%/yr vs 0.39%/yr for EFV.

Performance

VFFVX vs. EFV - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Target Retirement 2055 Fund (VFFVX) and iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF (EFV). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VFFVX achieves a 8.56% return, which is significantly higher than EFV's 8.07% return. Over the past 10 years, VFFVX has outperformed EFV with an annualized return of 11.49%, while EFV has yielded a comparatively lower 9.94% annualized return.

VFFVX

• 1D: -2.80%
• 1M: -0.83%
• YTD: 8.56%
• 6M: 9.42%
• 1Y: 23.27%
• 3Y*: 18.33%
• 5Y*: 9.49%
• 10Y*: 11.49%

EFV

• 1D: 0.35%
• 1M: -1.10%
• YTD: 8.07%
• 6M: 12.00%
• 1Y: 25.73%
• 3Y*: 21.26%
• 5Y*: 11.92%
• 10Y*: 9.94%

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

VFFVX vs. EFV - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VFFVX Vanguard Target Retirement 2055 Fund	8.56%	21.44%	14.50%	20.39%	-17.48%	16.44%	16.33%	24.98%	-7.88%	21.39%
EFV iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF	8.07%	42.22%	5.35%	18.85%	-5.22%	11.08%	-2.97%	15.80%	-14.67%	21.22%

Correlation

The correlation between VFFVX and EFV is 0.79, 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	0.79
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.75
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.80
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.82
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 19, 2010	0.86

The correlation between VFFVX and EFV shifts across timeframes, from 0.75 (3 years) to 0.86 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

VFFVX vs. EFV - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VFFVX	EFV
Technology	27.3%	3.2%
Financial Services	16.1%	37.3%
Industrials	12.4%	9.6%
Consumer Cyclical	9.4%	6.0%
Healthcare	8.3%	7.4%
Communication Services	8.0%	4.4%
Consumer Defensive	4.8%	9.5%
Energy	4.3%	6.8%
Basic Materials	4.3%	6.5%
Utilities	2.7%	5.7%
Real Estate	2.5%	2.7%

Return for Risk

VFFVX vs. EFV — Risk / Return Rank

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

VFFVX

VFFVX Risk / Return Rank: 53
VFFVX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 52
VFFVX Sortino Ratio Rank: 47
VFFVX Omega Ratio Rank: 51
VFFVX Calmar Ratio Rank: 54
VFFVX Martin Ratio Rank: 63

EFV

EFV Risk / Return Rank: 57
EFV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 59
EFV Sortino Ratio Rank: 59
EFV Omega Ratio Rank: 59
EFV Calmar Ratio Rank: 53
EFV Martin Ratio Rank: 55

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.

VFFVX vs. EFV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Target Retirement 2055 Fund (VFFVX) and iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF (EFV). 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.

	VFFVX	EFV	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.05	1.80	+0.25
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.80	2.50	+0.29
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.38	1.32	+0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.71	2.37	+0.34
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.96	8.79	+3.17
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VFFVX vs. EFV - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VFFVX Sharpe Ratio is 2.05, which is comparable to the EFV Sharpe Ratio of 1.80. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VFFVX and EFV, 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

	VFFVX	EFV	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.05	1.80	+0.25
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.67	0.75	-0.08
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.76	0.56	+0.20
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.75	0.26	+0.49

Drawdowns

VFFVX vs. EFV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VFFVX drawdown since its inception was -31.40%, smaller than the maximum EFV drawdown of -63.94%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VFFVX and EFV.

Drawdown Indicators

	VFFVX	EFV	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-31.40%	-63.94%	+32.54%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.93%	-10.90%	+1.97%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.52%	-13.72%	-0.80%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.39%	-25.84%	+0.45%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-31.40%	-43.16%	+11.76%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.22%	-3.47%	+0.25%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.14%	-14.82%	+10.68%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.02%	2.93%	-0.91%

Volatility

VFFVX vs. EFV - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Target Retirement 2055 Fund (VFFVX) has a higher volatility of 4.17% compared to iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF (EFV) at 3.81%. This indicates that VFFVX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than EFV based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VFFVX	EFV	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.17%	3.81%	+0.36%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.56%	11.74%	-2.18%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.80%	14.35%	-2.55%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.23%	15.98%	-1.75%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.12%	17.87%	-2.75%

VFFVX vs. EFV - Expense Ratio Comparison

VFFVX has a 0.08% expense ratio, which is lower than EFV's 0.39% expense ratio.

Dividends

VFFVX vs. EFV - Dividend Comparison

VFFVX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.92%, less than EFV's 3.85% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
EFV iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF	3.85%	4.16%	4.66%	4.36%	4.17%	4.07%	2.42%	4.62%	4.56%	3.56%	3.28%	3.59%
VFFVX Vanguard Target Retirement 2055 Fund	1.92%	2.08%	2.31%	2.18%	2.19%	10.03%	1.82%	2.15%	2.35%	1.83%	1.99%	1.98%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VFFVX and EFV in my portfolio?

VFFVX and EFV have a correlation of 0.79, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VFFVX or EFV?

VFFVX has higher volatility (4.17%) compared to EFV (3.81%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VFFVX dropped -31.40% vs EFV's -63.94%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VFFVX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.05 vs 1.80), 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.