EASG vs EFA
Xtrackers MSCI EAFE Selection Equity ETF vs iShares MSCI EAFE ETF
Which is better, EASG or EFA?
Nearly the same fund. EASG costs less.
EASG has a lower expense ratio. EASG led over 1Y, EFA over the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.99. EFA is less concentrated, with 14.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 22.5%.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | EASG | EFA |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.14%Best | 0.32% |
| AUM | $68M | $76.7B |
| Dividend Yield | 3.75% | 3.24% |
| Holdings | 361 | 682 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.2% | 16.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -32.3%Best | -33.9% |
| $10,000 over 7.9 years | $19,484 | $21,462Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 22.5% | 14.1%Best |
| Fund Family | Xtrackers ETFs | iShares by BlackRock (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Sep 5, 2018 | Aug 14, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized).
The two price series end 33 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. EASG has data through Sep 11, 2026 and EFA through Oct 14, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 7.9 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 2, 2018 to Sep 11, 2026 (7.9 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
EASG has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.2% compared with 16.0% for EFA. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -32.3% for EASG and -33.9% for EFA. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.99. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
EASG charges 0.14% per year while EFA charges 0.32%. On a $10,000 position that is $14 vs $32 annually, a gap of $18 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, EASG currently yields 3.75% against 3.24% for EFA.
Holdings Overlap
68.4% of EASG's money is in holdings EFA also owns. 35.6% of EFA's money is in holdings EASG also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
241 positions in common, counted across the 356 positions we hold weights for in EASG and 655 in EFA, against full books of 361 and 682.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 2 positions for EFA that do not appear in our book for EASG (3.8% of the fund), and 0 for EASG that do not appear in EFA (1.1%).
Some of those will be the same company recorded under a different code in one of the two books, so the real difference in what you would own is no larger than this and may be smaller. We do not name the individual positions here for that reason.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in EASG | Weight in EFA | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| ASML:ASAsml Holding Nv | 5.68% | 3.27% | 2.41% |
| HSBA:LNHsbc Holdings Plc | 3.05% | 1.53% | 1.52% |
| NOVN:SMNovartis Ag Ordinary Shares | 2.43% | 1.22% | 1.21% |
| AZN:LNAstraZeneca PLC | 2.10% | 1.12% | 0.98% |
| CBA:AUCommonwealth Bank Of Australia | 1.67% | 0.81% | 0.86% |
| 8035:JPTokyo Electron Ltd. Com Stk | 1.35% | 0.83% | 0.52% |
| ABBN:SMAbb Ltd | 1.32% | 0.70% | 0.62% |
| 6098:JPRecruit Holdings Co. Ltd. Com Stk | 1.30% | 0.66% | 0.64% |
| IBE:MALberdrola Sa | 1.26% | 0.68% | 0.58% |
| ULVR:LNUnilever Plc Ord Gbp.0311 | 1.21% | 0.60% | 0.61% |
68.4% of EASG is already inside EFA.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, EASG or EFA?
EASG has an expense ratio of 0.14% while EFA charges 0.32%. EASG is the cheaper option, by $18 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, EASG or EFA?
EASG has been the more volatile fund at 16.2% annualized versus 16.0% for EFA. Worst drawdown: EASG -32.3% vs EFA -33.9%.
Should I hold both EASG and EFA?
EASG and EFA have a monthly-return correlation of 0.99, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between EASG and EFA?
68.4% of EASG's money is in holdings EFA also owns. 35.6% of EFA's is in holdings EASG also owns. They hold 241 positions in common, counted across the 356 positions we hold weights for in EASG and 655 in EFA.
Which pays a higher dividend, EASG or EFA?
EASG yields 3.75% while EFA yields 3.24%, so EASG currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is EFA better than EASG?
EASG has a lower expense ratio. EASG led over 1Y, EFA over the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.99. EFA is less concentrated, with 14.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 22.5%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.