VFMV vs. IEFA

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

VFMV (Vanguard U.S. Minimum Volatility ETF) and IEFA (iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VFMV is a Mid Cap Blend Equities fund actively managed by Vanguard, while IEFA is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the MSCI EAFE IMI Index (Net). VFMV is actively managed, while IEFA is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, VFMV returned 9.52%/yr vs 7.82%/yr for IEFA. A 0.69 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VFMV charges 0.13%/yr vs 0.07%/yr for IEFA.

Performance

VFMV vs. IEFA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard U.S. Minimum Volatility ETF (VFMV) and iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF (IEFA). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with VFMV having a 7.46% return and IEFA slightly higher at 7.49%.

VFMV

• 1D: -0.49%
• 1M: 0.03%
• YTD: 7.46%
• 6M: 7.72%
• 1Y: 11.60%
• 3Y*: 13.97%
• 5Y*: 9.52%
• 10Y*: —

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)

VFMV vs. IEFA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
VFMV Vanguard U.S. Minimum Volatility ETF	7.46%	10.52%	16.91%	8.86%	-5.73%	20.75%	-0.19%	27.26%	-1.10%
IEFA iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF	7.49%	32.08%	3.26%	17.95%	-15.24%	11.63%	8.18%	22.64%	-15.28%

Correlation

The correlation between VFMV and IEFA is 0.66, 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	0.66
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.63
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.67
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 16, 2018	0.69

The correlation between VFMV and IEFA has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.63 to 0.69 - a consistent structural relationship.

VFMV vs. IEFA - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VFMV	IEFA
Technology	25.1%	10.8%
Communication Services	10.7%	4.4%
Financial Services	10.6%	22.5%
Industrials	10.1%	20.1%
Healthcare	10.1%	9.5%
Consumer Defensive	9.5%	6.6%
Consumer Cyclical	6.9%	8.0%
Utilities	6.7%	3.6%
Real Estate	6.4%	3.0%
Energy	3.9%	3.8%
Basic Materials	-	7.0%

Return for Risk

VFMV vs. IEFA — Risk / Return Rank

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

VFMV

VFMV Risk / Return Rank: 43
VFMV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 42
VFMV Sortino Ratio Rank: 42
VFMV Omega Ratio Rank: 39
VFMV Calmar Ratio Rank: 43
VFMV Martin Ratio Rank: 49

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.

VFMV vs. IEFA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard U.S. Minimum Volatility ETF (VFMV) 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.

	VFMV	IEFA	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.32	1.30	+0.02
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.93	1.88	+0.06
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.23	1.24	-0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.94	1.71	+0.23
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.57	6.52	+1.06
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VFMV vs. IEFA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VFMV Sharpe Ratio is 1.32, which is comparable to the IEFA Sharpe Ratio of 1.30. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VFMV 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

	VFMV	IEFA	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.32	1.30	+0.02
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.81	0.47	+0.34
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.54	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.68	0.50	+0.18

Drawdowns

VFMV vs. IEFA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VFMV drawdown since its inception was -33.64%, roughly equal to the maximum IEFA drawdown of -34.78%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VFMV and IEFA.

Drawdown Indicators

	VFMV	IEFA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-33.64%	-34.78%	+1.14%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.00%	-11.50%	+5.50%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-10.35%	-13.76%	+3.41%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-15.41%	-30.41%	+15.00%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-34.78%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.00%	-2.44%	+0.44%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.63%	-6.69%	+3.06%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.53%	3.02%	-1.49%

Volatility

VFMV vs. IEFA - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard U.S. Minimum Volatility ETF (VFMV) is 2.21%, while iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF (IEFA) has a volatility of 4.54%. This indicates that VFMV 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.

Volatility by Period

	VFMV	IEFA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.21%	4.54%	-2.33%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.37%	12.74%	-6.37%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.83%	15.22%	-6.39%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	11.75%	16.55%	-4.80%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	14.25%	17.32%	-3.07%

VFMV vs. IEFA - Expense Ratio Comparison

VFMV has a 0.13% 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

VFMV vs. IEFA - Dividend Comparison

VFMV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.95%, 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%
VFMV Vanguard U.S. Minimum Volatility ETF	1.95%	2.12%	1.46%	2.20%	2.08%	1.31%	2.14%	2.43%	2.29%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VFMV and IEFA in my portfolio?

VFMV and IEFA have a correlation of 0.66, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VFMV or IEFA?

IEFA has higher volatility (4.54%) compared to VFMV (2.21%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VFMV dropped -33.64% vs IEFA's -34.78%.

Which ETF is better, VFMV or IEFA?

On 5-year performance, VFMV leads with 9.52% vs 7.82% for IEFA. On fees, IEFA is cheaper at 0.07% per year. On volatility, VFMV has been the lower-risk option at 2.21%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VFMV or IEFA?

Over the 5-year period, VFMV has performed better with a 9.52% return vs 7.82%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VFMV or IEFA?

IEFA is cheaper with a 0.07% expense ratio, compared with 0.13% for VFMV.

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

IEFA has the higher dividend yield at 3.30%, compared with 1.95% for VFMV.

What is the main difference between VFMV and IEFA?

VFMV is categorized as Mid Cap Blend Equities, while IEFA is Foreign Large Cap Equities. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.13% for VFMV and 0.07% for IEFA.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VFMV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.32 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.