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VV vs. IEFA
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

VV vs. IEFA

Last updated Jun 16, 2026

VV (Vanguard Large-Cap ETF) and IEFA (iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VV is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Large Cap 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, VV returned 15.72%/yr vs 9.78%/yr for IEFA. A 0.79 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VV charges 0.04%/yr vs 0.07%/yr for IEFA.

Performance

VV vs. IEFA - Performance Comparison

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

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Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with VV having a 10.70% return and IEFA slightly lower at 10.18%. Over the past 10 years, VV has outperformed IEFA with an annualized return of 15.72%, while IEFA has yielded a comparatively lower 9.78% annualized return.

VV

1D
1.77%
1M
2.25%
YTD
10.70%
6M
11.24%
1Y
27.59%
3Y*
21.46%
5Y*
13.53%
10Y*
15.72%

IEFA

1D
0.61%
1M
3.53%
YTD
10.18%
6M
11.10%
1Y
23.18%
3Y*
16.11%
5Y*
8.34%
10Y*
9.78%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

VV vs. IEFA - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
VV
Vanguard Large-Cap ETF		10.70%18.11%25.25%27.18%-19.91%27.41%21.04%31.25%-4.46%22.00%
IEFA
iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF		10.18%32.08%3.26%17.95%-15.24%11.63%8.18%22.64%-14.14%26.57%

Correlation

The correlation between VV and IEFA is 0.76, 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

0.76

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

0.72

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.76

Correlation (10Y)
Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.78

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 24, 2012

0.79

The correlation between VV and IEFA has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.72 to 0.79 - a consistent structural relationship.

VV vs. IEFA - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
VV
IEFA

Technology

35.9%
11.6%

Financial Services

11.8%
22.6%

Communication Services

11.2%
4.7%

Consumer Cyclical

9.8%
8.3%

Healthcare

8.6%
9.7%

Industrials

8.0%
20.1%

Consumer Defensive

4.8%
6.2%

Energy

3.6%
3.6%

Utilities

2.7%
3.5%

Real Estate

1.7%
2.9%

Basic Materials

1.6%
6.8%

Technology

VV
35.9%
IEFA
11.6%

Financial Services

VV
11.8%
IEFA
22.6%

Communication Services

VV
11.2%
IEFA
4.7%

Consumer Cyclical

VV
9.8%
IEFA
8.3%

Healthcare

VV
8.6%
IEFA
9.7%

Industrials

VV
8.0%
IEFA
20.1%

Consumer Defensive

VV
4.8%
IEFA
6.2%

Energy

VV
3.6%
IEFA
3.6%

Utilities

VV
2.7%
IEFA
3.5%

Real Estate

VV
1.7%
IEFA
2.9%

Basic Materials

VV
1.6%
IEFA
6.8%

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

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

Vanguard Large-Cap ETF

iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF

Often compared with VV:
VV vs. VOOVV vs. FXAIXVV vs. VUGVV vs. VTVVV vs. VTIVV vs. VIGVV vs. SCHD
Often compared with IEFA:
IEFA vs. VEAIEFA vs. VXUSIEFA vs. EFAIEFA vs. FSPSXIEFA vs. IEMGIEFA vs. XEF.TOIEFA vs. IXUS

Return for Risk

VV vs. IEFA — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
VV
VV Risk / Return Rank: 7474
Overall Rank
VV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7777
Sharpe Ratio Rank
VV Sortino Ratio Rank: 7474
Sortino Ratio Rank
VV Omega Ratio Rank: 7676
Omega Ratio Rank
VV Calmar Ratio Rank: 6666
Calmar Ratio Rank
VV Martin Ratio Rank: 7777
Martin Ratio Rank
IEFA
IEFA Risk / Return Rank: 4848
Overall Rank
IEFA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 4848
Sharpe Ratio Rank
IEFA Sortino Ratio Rank: 4848
Sortino Ratio Rank
IEFA Omega Ratio Rank: 4747
Omega Ratio Rank
IEFA Calmar Ratio Rank: 4545
Calmar Ratio Rank
IEFA Martin Ratio Rank: 5050
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.

VV vs. IEFA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Large-Cap ETF (VV) 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.

VVIEFADifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
2.21
1.50

+0.71

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.99
2.17

+0.82

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.40

1.27

+0.13

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

3.01

2.03

+0.99

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

13.39

7.69

+5.69

VV vs. IEFA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VV Sharpe Ratio is 2.21, which is higher than the IEFA Sharpe Ratio of 1.50. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VV 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.

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Drawdowns

VV vs. IEFA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VV drawdown since its inception was -54.81%, which is greater than IEFA's maximum drawdown of -34.78%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VV and IEFA.

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Drawdown Indicators

VVIEFADifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-54.81%

-34.78%

-20.03%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-9.21%

-11.50%

+2.29%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-18.97%

-13.76%

-5.21%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-25.66%

-30.41%

+4.75%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-34.28%

-34.78%

+0.50%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-0.71%

0.00%

-0.71%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-6.83%

-6.68%

-0.15%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

2.07%

3.02%

-0.95%

Volatility

VV vs. IEFA - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Large-Cap ETF (VV) is 4.70%, while iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF (IEFA) has a volatility of 5.52%. This indicates that VV 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.

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Volatility by Period

VVIEFADifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

4.70%

5.52%

-0.82%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

9.83%

13.12%

-3.29%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

12.54%

15.51%

-2.97%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

17.31%

16.62%

+0.69%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

18.24%

17.31%

+0.93%

VV vs. IEFA - Expense Ratio Comparison

VV 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

VV vs. IEFA - Dividend Comparison

VV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.98%, less than IEFA's 4.90% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
IEFA
iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF		4.90%3.55%3.47%3.20%2.70%3.32%1.90%3.18%3.46%2.57%2.96%2.63%
VV
Vanguard Large-Cap ETF		0.98%1.08%1.24%1.41%1.66%1.19%1.46%1.81%2.09%1.75%1.98%1.96%

Frequently Asked Questions

VV and IEFA have a correlation of 0.76, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

IEFA has higher volatility (5.52%) compared to VV (4.70%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VV dropped -54.81% vs IEFA's -34.78%.

On 10-year performance, VV leads with 15.72% vs 9.78% for IEFA. On fees, VV is cheaper at 0.04% per year. On volatility, VV has been the lower-risk option at 4.70%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, VV has performed better with a 15.72% return vs 9.78%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

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

IEFA has the higher dividend yield at 4.90%, compared with 0.98% for VV.

VV is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while IEFA is Foreign Large Cap Equities. VV tracks CRSP US Large Cap 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 VV and 0.07% for IEFA.

VV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.21 vs 1.50), 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.

Portfolio Optimizer

Find the right allocation for VV and IEFA

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